SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 1,480	$ 1,314	$ 1,562
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,701	2,353	2,691
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	454	366	294
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	4,957	4,421	4,542
Purchases	(5,419)	(6,498)	(4,562)
Purchase of other investments	(487)	(291)	(306)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(162)	(92)	(133)
Other, net	(112)	101	16
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(199)	(805)	(509)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(491)	(479)	(465)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,485)	(1,707)	(1,741)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(282)	(341)	(392)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	0	496	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(11)	(257)	(409)
Exercise of stock options	15	9	16
Other, net	(1)	3	3
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,785)	(1,142)	(2,396)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(248)	331	(235)
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (received), net	418	155	439
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	1,480	1,314	1,562
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	(1,876)	(1,493)	(1,754)
Dividends received from subsidiaries	1,698	1,465	1,485
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries	712	528	262
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,014	1,814	1,555
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	0	55	112
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	44	277	506
Purchases	(77)	(129)	(28)
Proceeds from sale of other investments	3	0	62
Purchase of other investments	0	0	(5)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(69)	(49)	(47)
Contributions to subsidiaries	(79)	(197)	(271)
Return of capital from subsidiaries	47	187	146
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries	1,277	1,910	2,897
Issuance of loans to subsidiaries	(1,337)	(1,910)	(2,897)
Other, net	(91)	59	6
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(282)	203	481
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(491)	(479)	(465)
Repurchase of common shares	(1,485)	(1,707)	(1,741)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	(19)	(22)	(19)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs	0	496	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(11)	(257)	(409)
Borrowings from subsidiaries	15	0	3
Repayments of borrowings from subsidiaries	(15)	0	(18)
Exercise of stock options	15	9	16
Other, net	(1)	36	1
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,992)	(1,924)	(2,632)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(260)	93	(596)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	754	661	1,257
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	494	754	661
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid on debt	128	121	154
Income taxes paid (received), net	(368)	(112)	378
Non-cash dividends from subsidiaries	$ 0	$ 11	$ 52