SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 1,619	$ 1,334	$ 1,029
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	2	3	2
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,399	1,364	1,505
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales	516	327	3,719
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	4,352	5,101	4,994
Purchases	(4,127)	(5,780)	(4,957)
Purchase of other investments	(408)	(347)	(403)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(113)	(105)	(137)
Other, net	(21)	46	8
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(715)	(802)	4,417
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(426)	(401)	(305)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,577)	(1,583)	(1,381)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(417)	(396)	(356)
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums	59	0	0
Issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	543	744	0
Repayments of debt	(200)	(350)	0
Exercise of stock options	33	118	160
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	162	120	64
Other, net	(1)	15	(4)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,657)	(306)	(6,342)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	6	261	(410)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,632	2,371	2,781
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,638	2,632	2,371
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income Taxes Paid, Net	578	391	217
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	1,619	1,334	1,029
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations	(1,816)	(1,570)	(1,235)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	2	3	2
Dividends received from subsidiaries	1,569	1,163	1,366
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries	614	(34)	197
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,988	896	1,359
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales	62	2	0
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	284	191	30
Purchases	(756)	(109)	0
Proceeds from sale of other investments	0	43	1
Purchase of other investments	(50)	(1)	(55)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(40)	(54)	(38)
Contributions to subsidiaries	(31)	(106)	(131)
Return of capital from subsidiaries	284	470	347
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries	3,402	1,420	1,150
Issuance of loans to subsidiaries	(3,112)	(1,412)	(994)
Other, net	99	20	(16)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	142	464	294
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(426)	(401)	(305)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,577)	(1,583)	(1,381)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(388)	(4)	0
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums	59	23	0
Issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	543	744	0
Repayments of debt	(200)	(350)	0
Loans from Subsidiaries	15	0	0
Repayment of Loans from Subsidiaries	(15)	0	0
Exercise of stock options	33	118	160
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	162	120	64
Other, net	(4)	(2)	(3)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,798)	(1,335)	(1,465)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	332	25	188
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	925	900	712
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,257	925	900
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid on debt	145	129	139
Income Taxes Paid, Net	482	354	170
Non-cash capital transactions to (from) subsidiaries	152	0	0
Non Cash contributions to Subsidiaries	$ 51	$ 0	$ 0