CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues [Abstract]
Management and financial advice fees	$ 6,392	$ 5,778	$ 5,950
Distribution fees	1,770	1,795	1,847
Net investment income	1,509	1,576	1,688
Premiums	1,394	1,491	1,455
Other revenues	1,010	1,095	1,260
Total revenues	12,075	11,735	12,200
Banking and deposit interest expense	48	39	30
Total net revenues	12,027	11,696	12,170
Expenses
Distribution expenses	3,399	3,202	3,276
Interest credited to fixed accounts	656	623	668
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	2,233	2,646	2,261
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	267	415	354
Interest and debt expense	207	241	387
General and administrative expense	3,051	2,977	3,082
Total expenses	9,813	10,104	10,028
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	2,214	1,592	2,142
Income tax provision	734	278	455
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	1,480	1,314	1,687
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	125
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 1,480	$ 1,314	$ 1,562
Earnings Per Share, Basic:
Net income (in dollars per basic share)	$ 9.60	$ 7.90	$ 8.60
Earnings Per Share, Diluted:
Net income (in dollars per diluted share)	9.44	7.81	8.48
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 3.24	$ 2.92	$ 2.59
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract]
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	$ (1)	$ (2)	$ (8)
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes)	0	1	0
Net impairment losses recognized in net investment income	$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (8)