Debt (Schedule of debt) (Details) - Ameriprise Financial [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt and stated interest rates
Total long-term debt		$ 2,891	$ 2,917
Total Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		2,891	2,917
Short-term borrowings		200	200
Total Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		3,091	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		1.50%	0.80%
Repurchase agreements [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Short-term borrowings		$ 50	$ 50
Stated interest rate (as a percent) short-term debt		1.40%	0.90%
Senior notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Total 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
Total 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
Total 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
Total 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
Total long-term debt		$ 500	$ 500
Stated interest rate (as a percent) long-term debt		2.90%	2.90%
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Capital lease obligation		$ 38	$ 49
Other [Member]
Debt and stated interest rates
Debt Issuance and Other Adjustments	[1]	$ 3	$ 18

[1] Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company’s long-term debt and unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. See Note 16 for information on the Company’s fair value hedges.