Investments (Net investment income summary) (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investment income on fixed maturities	$ 1,479us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	$ 1,575us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest	$ 1,768us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Net realized gains (losses)	37amp_NetRealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	7amp_NetRealizedInvestmentGainsLosses	7amp_NetRealizedInvestmentGainsLosses
Affordable housing partnerships	(25)	(12)	(25)
Other	93amp_InvestmentIncomeOther	99amp_InvestmentIncomeOther	73amp_InvestmentIncomeOther
Consolidated investment entities	157	220	110
Total net investment income	$ 1,741amp_NetIncomeFromInvestment	$ 1,889amp_NetIncomeFromInvestment	$ 1,933amp_NetIncomeFromInvestment

Represents the equity method losses related to investments in affordable housing partnerships.

No definition available.

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

- Definition

Represents the income from investments in consolidated investment entities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Represents the income from investments not otherwise specified in financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Interest income on fixed maturity securities classified as Available-for-Sale, commercial mortgage loans, policy loans, consumer loans, other investments and cash and cash equivalents; the changes in fair value of trading securities, including seed money, certain derivatives, and assets and liabilities of consolidated investment entities; the pro rata share of net income or loss on equity method investments; and realized gains and losses on the sale of securities and charges for investments determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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