Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Financial Instruments not at FV) (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Financial Liabilities
Separate account liabilities		$ 86,592	$ 87,368
Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Financial Liabilities
Separate account liabilities		86,592	87,368
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]
Financial Assets
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net		2,684	2,756
Policy and certificate loans		854	845
Margin loans and securities borrowed		1,653	1,537
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents		2,219	2,524
Other Investments and Other Assets		559	725	[1]
Financial Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		9,786	10,246
Investment Certificate Reserves		7,319	6,390
Brokerage Customer Deposits		3,427	3,915
Separate account liabilities		5,275	5,177
Debt and Other Liabilities		3,249	3,290
Recurring basis [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]
Financial Assets
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net		2,620	2,752
Policy and certificate loans		805	801
Margin loans and securities borrowed		1,644	1,536
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents		2,219	2,524
Other Investments and Other Assets		562	726	[1]
Financial Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		9,846	10,755
Investment Certificate Reserves		7,303	6,374
Brokerage Customer Deposits		3,427	3,915
Separate account liabilities	[2]	5,275	5,177
Debt and Other Liabilities		3,251	3,417
Certificates of deposit with original or remaining maturities at the time of purchase of more than 90 days but less then 12 months			205
Recurring basis [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Financial Assets
Margin loans and securities borrowed		118	103
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents		2,219	2,524
Financial Liabilities
Brokerage Customer Deposits		3,427	3,915
Debt and Other Liabilities		124	118
Recurring basis [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Financial Assets
Margin loans and securities borrowed		1,023	946
Other Investments and Other Assets		525	677	[1]
Financial Liabilities
Debt and Other Liabilities		3,055	3,180
Recurring basis [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Financial Assets
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net		2,620	2,752
Policy and certificate loans		805	801
Margin loans and securities borrowed		503	487
Other Investments and Other Assets		37	49	[1]
Financial Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		9,846	10,755
Investment Certificate Reserves		7,303	6,374
Debt and Other Liabilities		$ 72	$ 119

[1] Amounts have been corrected to include certificates of deposit with original or remaining maturities at the time of purchase of more than 90 days but less than 12 months of $205 million as of December 31, 2017. The certificates of deposit are classified as Level 2 and recorded at cost, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected realization.

[2] Amounts are comprised of certain financial instruments that are measured at fair value using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient and have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy.