Investments (OCI rollforward) (Details 7) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	$ 147		$ 239
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	(7)		(3)
Impact of other adjustments	(69)		(91)
Net unrealized securities gains/losses, gross [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,216		1,016
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period	228	[1]	370	[1]
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	(11)		(5)
Impact of other adjustments	(106)		(140)
Balance at the end of the period	1,327		1,241
Deferred income tax [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	(430)		(361)
Net unrealized securities (gains) losses arising during the period	(81)	[1]	(131)	[1]
Reclassification of net securities gains (losses) included in net income	4		2
Impact of other adjustments	37		49
Balance at the end of the period	(470)		(441)
Net unrealized securities gains/losses, net of tax [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income
Balance at the beginning of the period	786		655
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	147	[1]	239	[1]
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	(7)		(3)
Impact of other adjustments	(69)		(91)
Balance at the end of the period	857	[2]	800	[2]
Noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities, included in accumulated other comprehensive income	$ 5		$ 1

[1] Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.

[2] Includes $5 million and $1 million of noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities at March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.