SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 1,314	$ 1,562	$ 1,619
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	2
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,971	2,572	2,399
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	366	294	516
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	4,421	4,542	4,352
Purchases	(6,498)	(4,562)	(4,127)
Purchase of other investments	(291)	(306)	(408)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(92)	(133)	(113)
Other, net	102	11	(21)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(804)	(514)	(715)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(479)	(465)	(426)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,707)	(1,741)	(1,577)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(341)	(392)	(417)
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums	276	16	59
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	496	0	543
Repayments of long-term debt	(257)	(409)	(200)
Exercise of stock options	9	16	33
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	14	81	162
Other, net	0	0	(1)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,131)	(2,318)	(1,657)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(39)	(281)	6
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,357	2,638	2,632
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,318	2,357	2,638
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (received), net	155	439	578
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	1,314	1,562	1,619
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations	(1,493)	(1,754)	(1,816)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	2
Dividends received from subsidiaries	1,465	1,485	1,569
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries	517	183	614
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,803	1,476	1,988
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	55	112	62
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	277	506	284
Purchases	(129)	(28)	(756)
Proceeds from sale of other investments	0	62	0
Purchase of other investments	0	(5)	(50)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(49)	(47)	(40)
Contributions to subsidiaries	(197)	(271)	(31)
Return of capital from subsidiaries	187	146	284
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries	1,910	2,897	3,402
Issuance of loans to subsidiaries	(1,910)	(2,897)	(3,112)
Other, net	59	7	99
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	203	482	142
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(479)	(465)	(426)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,707)	(1,741)	(1,577)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(22)	(19)	(388)
Cash received for purchased options with deferred premiums	0	0	59
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	496	0	543
Repayments of long-term debt	(257)	(409)	(200)
Borrowings from subsidiaries	0		15
Line of Credit with Parent as Borrower	0
Repayments of borrowings from subsidiaries	0	0	(15)
Exercise of stock options	9	16	33
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	14	81	162
Other, net	33	(17)	(4)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,913)	(2,554)	(1,798)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	93	(596)	332
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	661	1,257	925
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	754	661	1,257
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid on debt	121	154	145
Income taxes paid (received), net	(112)	378	482
Non-cash dividends from subsidiaries	11	52	152
Non-cash contributions to subsidiaries	$ 0	$ 0	$ 51