Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies (Commitments table) (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commercial mortgage loans	$ 55	$ 71
Consumer mortgage loans	491	542
Consumer lines of credit	3	4
Affordable housing partnerships	124	137
Total funding commitments	$ 673amp_FundingCommitments	$ 754amp_FundingCommitments

The amount of the obligation related to Affordable Housing partnerships, which qualify for low income tax credits.

No definition available.

Name:	amp_AffordableHousingProgramObligationAmountQualifyingForLowIncomeTaxCredits
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of future commercial mortgage loan commitments of the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	amp_CommercialMortgageLoanFundingCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of future consumer lines of credit commitments of the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	amp_ConsumerLinesOfCreditFundingCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of future consumer mortgage loan commitments of the entity.

No definition available.

Name:	amp_ConsumerMortgageLoanFundingCommitments
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of entity's total funding commitments in future.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration