Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies Future Funding Commitments (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commercial mortgage loans	$ 73	$ 55
Consumer mortgage loans	447	491
Consumer lines of credit	3	3
Affordable housing partnerships	117	124
Total funding commitments	$ 640	$ 673

The amount of the obligation related to Affordable Housing partnerships, which qualify for low income tax credits.

No definition available.

Name:	amp_AffordableHousingProgramObligationAmountQualifyingForLowIncomeTaxCredits
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Represents the amount of future commercial mortgage loan commitments of the entity.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of future consumer lines of credit commitments of the entity.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of future consumer mortgage loan commitments of the entity.

No definition available.

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

Represents the amount of entity's total funding commitments in future.

No definition available.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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