Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Remaining maturity of outstanding amount for short term borrowings		3 months	2 months
Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Remaining maturity of outstanding amount for short term borrowings		2 months	4 months
Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 3,019	$ 3,062
Short-term borrowings		200	200
Total Outstanding Balance of Debt		$ 3,219	$ 3,262
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Federal Home Loan Bank Advances [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		0.30%	0.30%
Short-term borrowings		$ 150	$ 150
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		0.50%	0.40%
Short-term borrowings		$ 50	$ 50
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt	[1]	$ 351	$ 358
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		5.60%	5.70%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt	[1]	$ 328	$ 326
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		7.30%	7.30%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt	[1]	$ 789	$ 786
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		5.30%	5.30%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes 2023 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 750	$ 750
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		4.00%	4.00%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes 2024 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 548	$ 548
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		3.70%	3.70%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Junior subordinated notes due 2066 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 253	$ 294
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)		7.50%	7.50%
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Available-for-sale Securities Pledged as Collateral		$ 26	$ 18
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Federal Home Loan Bank Advances [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Available-for-sale Securities Pledged as Collateral		295	298
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Available-for-sale Securities Pledged as Collateral		$ 26	$ 34

[1] Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company’s long-term debt. See Note 12 for information on the Company’s fair value hedges.