Investments (AFS contractual maturity) (Details 8) - Ameriprise Financial [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Amortized Cost
Due within one year	$ 1,485
Due after one year through five years	6,754
Due after five years through 10 years	5,382
Due after 10 years	4,518
Total having single maturity dates	18,139
Amortized cost	27,752	$ 28,066
Fair Value
Due within one year	1,496
Due after one year through five years	7,053
Due after five years through 10 years	5,371
Due after 10 years	5,010
Total having single maturity dates	18,930
Fair value	28,673	30,027
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	5,933
Amortized cost	5,933	6,099
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	5,973
Fair value	5,973	6,207
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	2,400
Amortized cost	2,400	2,513
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	2,456
Fair value	2,456	2,630
Asset backed securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	1,273
Amortized cost	1,273	1,417
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	1,296
Fair value	1,296	1,470
Common stocks [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	7
Amortized cost	7	8
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	18
Fair value	$ 18	$ 18