SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Operations)(Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									$ 5,950	$ 5,810	$ 5,253
Distribution fees									1,847	1,894	1,771
Other revenues									1,260	1,466	1,035
Total revenues									12,200	12,296	11,230
Expenses
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses									2,261	1,982	1,954
Interest and debt expense									387	328	281
General and administrative expense									3,082	3,095	3,056
Total expenses									10,028	9,721	9,229
Income tax benefit									455	545	492
Income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,562	1,621	1,337
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (1)	0	(2)	(3)
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,562	1,619	1,334
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(469)	4	(574)
Comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,153	1,686	735
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									(1)	0	4
Distribution fees									0	0	1
Net investment income									2	30	33
Other revenues									14	11	7
Total revenues									15	41	45
Expenses
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses									13	11	19
Interest and debt expense									124	118	123
General and administrative expense									193	195	221
Total expenses									330	324	363
Pretax loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(315)	(283)	(318)
Income tax benefit									(123)	(88)	(85)
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(192)	(195)	(233)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations									1,754	1,816	1,570
Income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,562	1,621	1,337
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	(2)	(3)
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,562	1,619	1,334
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(409)	67	(599)
Comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									$ 1,153	$ 1,686	$ 735