Investments (AFS contractual maturity) (Details 8) - Ameriprise Financial [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Amortized Cost
Due within one year	$ 2,314
Due after one year through five years	6,819
Due after five years through 10 years	3,575
Due after 10 years	4,283
Total having single maturity dates	16,991
Amortized cost	29,492	$ 29,472
Fair Value
Due within one year	2,333
Due after one year through five years	7,020
Due after five years through 10 years	3,701
Due after 10 years	5,301
Total having single maturity dates	18,355
Fair value	30,927	30,719
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	6,585
Amortized cost	6,585	6,899
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	6,611
Fair value	6,611	6,918
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	4,362
Amortized cost	4,362	3,347
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	4,374
Fair value	4,374	3,367
Asset backed securities [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	1,549
Amortized cost	1,549	1,532
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	1,580
Fair value	1,580	1,549
Common stocks [Member]
Amortized Cost
Without single maturity dates	5
Amortized cost	5	10
Fair Value
Without single maturity dates	7
Fair value	$ 7	$ 22