SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 3) - 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
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									$ 1,562	$ 1,619	$ 1,334
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1	$ 0	$ 0	$ 1	0	2	3
Net cash provided by operating activities									2,572	2,399	1,364
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales									294	516	327
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls									4,542	4,352	5,101
Purchases									(4,562)	(4,127)	(5,780)
Purchase of other investments									(306)	(408)	(347)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software									(133)	(113)	(105)
Other, net									11	(21)	46
Net cash used in investing activities									(514)	(715)	(802)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders									(465)	(426)	(401)
Repurchase of common shares									(1,741)	(1,577)	(1,583)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums									(392)	(417)	(396)
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums									16	59	0
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs									0	543	744
Repayments of long-term debt									(409)	(200)	(350)
Exercise of stock options									16	33	118
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation									81	162	120
Other, net									0	(1)	15
Net cash used in financing activities									(2,318)	(1,657)	(306)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(281)	6	261
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				2,638				2,632	2,638	2,632	2,371
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,357				2,638				2,357	2,638	2,632
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid, net									439	578	391
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial									1,562	1,619	1,334
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations									(1,754)	(1,816)	(1,570)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									0	2	3
Dividends received from subsidiaries									1,485	1,569	1,163
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries									183	614	(34)
Net cash provided by operating activities									1,476	1,988	896
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales									112	62	2
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls									506	284	191
Purchases									(28)	(756)	(109)
Proceeds from sale of other investments									62	0	43
Purchase of other investments									(5)	(50)	(1)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software									(47)	(40)	(54)
Contributions to subsidiaries									(271)	(31)	(106)
Return of capital from subsidiaries									146	284	470
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries									2,897	3,402	1,420
Issuance of loans to subsidiaries									(2,897)	(3,112)	(1,412)
Other, net									7	99	20
Net cash used in investing activities									482	142	464
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders									(465)	(426)	(401)
Repurchase of common shares									(1,741)	(1,577)	(1,583)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums									(19)	(388)	(4)
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums									0	59	23
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs									0	543	744
Repayments of long-term debt									(409)	(200)	(350)
Loans from subsidiaries									0	15	0
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries									(18)	(15)	0
Exercise of stock options									16	33	118
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation									81	162	120
Other, net									1	(4)	(2)
Net cash used in financing activities									(2,554)	(1,798)	(1,335)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(596)	332	25
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 1,257				$ 925	1,257	925	900
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 661				$ 1,257				661	1,257	925
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid on debt									154	145	129
Income taxes paid, net									378	482	354
Non-cash dividends from subsidiaries									52	152	0
Non-cash contributions to subsidiaries									$ 0	$ 51	$ 0