Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) - Ameriprise Financial [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 2,911				$ 2,917
Total long-term debt		2,911				2,917
Short-term borrowings		200				200
Total		3,111				3,117
Federal Home Loan Bank advances [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Short-term borrowings		$ 150				$ 150
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) short-term debt		0.80%				0.80%
Remaining maturity of outstanding amount of short term borrowings		3 months
Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Short-term borrowings		$ 50				$ 50
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) short-term debt		1.10%				0.90%
Remaining maturity of outstanding amount of short term borrowings		4 months				3 months
Senior notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 300				$ 300
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) long-term debt		7.30%				7.30%
Senior notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 750				$ 750
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) long-term debt		5.30%				5.30%
Senior notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 750				$ 750
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) long-term debt		4.00%				4.00%
Senior notes due 2024 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 550				$ 550
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) long-term debt		3.70%				3.70%
Senior notes due 2026 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Long-term debt		$ 500				$ 500
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent) long-term debt		2.90%				2.90%
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt			$ 500
Debt Related Commitment Fees and Debt Issuance Costs			$ 4
Capitalized lease obligations [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Capitalized lease obligations		$ 47				$ 49
Other [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Other	[1]	14				18
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Extinguishment of debt				$ 229	$ 16
Gain on extinguishment of debt					$ 1
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member] | Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral		33				33
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member] | Federal Home Loan Bank advances [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral		769				$ 771
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member] | Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Available-for-sale securities pledged as collateral		$ 19

[1] Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company’s long-term debt and unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. See Note 12 for information on the Company’s fair value hedges.