Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net Revenues	$ 3,089	$ 3,111	$ 3,072	$ 2,996	$ 2,946	$ 2,813	$ 2,749	$ 2,691	$ 12,268	$ 11,199	$ 10,217
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	558	720	619	650	479	602	402	487	2,547	1,970	1,238
Income from continuing operations	454	565	467	516	382	448	282	366	2,002	1,478	903
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1)	0	0	(1)	(2)	1	(1)	(1)	(2)	(3)	(2)
Net income	453	565	467	515	380	449	281	365	2,000	1,475	901
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	28	145	93	115	84	67	(40)	30	381	141	(128)
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 425	$ 420	$ 374	$ 400	$ 296	$ 382	$ 321	$ 335
Basic
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.27	$ 2.21	$ 1.94	$ 2.05	$ 1.50	$ 1.90	$ 1.57	$ 1.61	$ 8.46	$ 6.58	$ 4.71
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)				$ (0.01)	$ 0.00		$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.26	$ 2.21	$ 1.94	$ 2.05	$ 1.49	$ 1.90	$ 1.57	$ 1.61	$ 8.45	$ 6.56	$ 4.70
Diluted
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 2.23	$ 2.17	$ 1.91	$ 2.01	$ 1.47	$ 1.86	$ 1.54	$ 1.58	$ 8.31	$ 6.46	$ 4.63
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)				$ (0.01)				$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.01)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 2.22	$ 2.17	$ 1.91	$ 2.01	$ 1.46	$ 1.86	$ 1.54	$ 1.58	$ 8.30	$ 6.44	$ 4.62
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	187.9	190.3	192.7	195.5	198.3	201.3	204.9	208.4	191.6	203.2	218.7
Diluted	191.2	193.7	196.2	199.1	202.3	205.1	208.6	212.3	195.0	207.1	222.8
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.58	$ 0.58	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.52	$ 0.45	$ 2.26	$ 2.01	$ 1.15
Common share price:
High (in dollars per share)	$ 137.33	$ 128.51	$ 120.32	$ 116.82	$ 115.36	$ 94.45	$ 84.29	$ 75.14	$ 137.33	$ 115.36
Low (in dollars per share)	$ 105.41	$ 116.02	$ 100.94	$ 101.29	$ 89.37	$ 80.49	$ 69.35	$ 63.59	$ 105.41	$ 89.37