SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues
Other revenues									$ 1,249	$ 1,105	$ 1,189
Total revenues									12,924	12,180	11,839
Banking and deposit interest expense									89	48	39
Total net revenues	$ 3,179	$ 3,292	$ 3,196	$ 3,168	$ 3,180	$ 3,014	$ 3,012	$ 2,926	12,835	12,132	11,800
Expenses
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses									2,302	2,233	2,646
Distribution expenses									3,637	3,397	3,200
Interest and debt expense									245	207	241
General and administrative expense									3,171	3,158	3,084
Total expenses									10,351	9,918	10,209
Income tax benefit									386	734	278
Net income	$ 539	$ 503	$ 462	$ 594	$ 177	$ 507	$ 393	$ 403	2,098	1,480	1,313
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(519)	29	(59)
Total comprehensive income									1,579	1,509	1,254
Management and financial advice fees [Member]
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									(6,776)	(6,415)	(5,802)
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Revenues
Net investment income									34	11	14
Other revenues									4	8	5
Total revenues									37	18	18
Banking and deposit interest expense									7	5	1
Total net revenues									30	13	17
Expenses
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses									4	76	41
Distribution expenses									4	18	0
Interest and debt expense									120	116	113
General and administrative expense									210	246	189
Total expenses									338	456	343
Pretax loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(308)	(443)	(326)
Income tax benefit									(73)	(47)	(146)
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(235)	(396)	(180)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									2,333	1,876	1,493
Net income									2,098	1,480	1,313
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax									(519)	29	(59)
Total comprehensive income									1,579	1,509	1,254
Ameriprise Financial, Inc: | Management and financial advice fees [Member]
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									$ (1)	$ (1)	$ (1)