Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Level 3 rollforwards-Liabilities) (Details 3) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation
Net increase (decrease) to pretax income from embedded derivative liability	$ 37		$ 15
IUL embedded derivatives [Member]
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]
Balance, at the beginning of the period	242		125
Total gains (losses) included in net income	14	[1]	6	[1]
Issues	19		24
Settlements	(5)		(1)
Balance, at the end of the period	270		154
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	14		6
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]
Balance, at the beginning of the period	479		(575)
Total gains (losses) included in net income	280	[2]	52	[2]
Issues	64		59
Settlements	4		(7)
Balance, at the end of the period	827		(471)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	278		52
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims [Member]
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]
Balance, at the beginning of the period	721		(450)
Total gains (losses) included in net income	294		58
Issues	83		83
Settlements	(1)		(8)
Balance, at the end of the period	1,097		(317)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	14		6
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	$ 278		$ 52

[1] Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

[2] Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.