Shareholders' Equity Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net unrealized securities gains, before tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period before tax	[1]	$ (1,039)	$ 243	$ 339
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income before tax	[2]	(9)	(55)	(22)
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, unearned revenue, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables before tax		435	(180)	(242)
Net unrealized securities gains before tax		(613)	8	75
Net unrealized derivatives losses, before tax [Abstract]
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income before tax	[3]		5	6
Net unrealized derivatives losses before tax			5	6
Defined benefit plans, before tax [Abstract]
Prior service credit before tax			2
Net loss arising during the period before tax		(30)	38	(45)
Defined benefit plans before tax		(30)	40	(45)
Foreign currency translation before tax		(32)	74	(117)
Other comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial before tax			(1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		(675)	126	(81)
Net unrealized securities gains, tax impact [Abstract]
Net unrealized securities (gains) losses arising during the period tax impact	[1]	237	(77)	(121)
Reclassification of net securities gains (losses) included in net income tax impact	[2]	2	19	8
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, unearned revenue, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables tax impact		(91)	57	85
Net unrealized securities gains tax impact		148	(1)	(28)
Net unrealized derivatives losses, tax impact [Abstract]
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income tax impact	[3]		(2)	(2)
Net unrealized derivatives losses tax impact			(2)	(2)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax [Abstract]
Prior service credit tax impact			(1)
Net loss arising during the period tax		7	(11)	11
Defined benefit plans tax impact		7	(12)	11
Foreign currency translation tax impact		1	(82)	41
Other comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial tax impact			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		156	(97)	22
Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	[1]	(802)	166	218
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income net of tax	[2]	(7)	(36)	(14)
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, unearned revenue, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables net of tax		344	(123)	(157)
Net unrealized securities gains net of tax		(465)	7	47
Net unrealized derivative losses, net of tax [Abstract]
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income net of tax	[3]		3	4
Net unrealized derivatives losses net of tax		0	3	4
Defined benefit plans, net of tax [Abstract]
Prior service credit net of tax			1
Net loss arising during the period net of tax		(23)	27	(34)
Defined benefit plans net of tax		(23)	28	(34)
Foreign currency translation net of tax		(31)	(8)	(76)
Other		0	(1)	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(519)	29	(59)
Interest and debt expense [Member]
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income		2	2	1
Net investment income [Member]
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income		$ (2)	(5)	$ (6)
Decrease to other comprehensive income related to deferred taxes on currency translation adjustments [Member] | Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount			$ 87

[1] Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.

[2] Reclassification amounts are recorded in net investment income.

[3] Includes a $2 million, $2 million and $1 million pretax gain reclassified to interest and debt expenses and a $2 million, $5 million and $6 million pretax loss reclassified to net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.