SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Statement of Cash Flows) (Details 3) - 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
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 539	$ 503	$ 462	$ 594	$ 177	$ 507	$ 393	$ 403	$ 2,098	$ 1,480	$ 1,313
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities									2,597	1,523	2,331
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales									435	454	366
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls									6,738	4,957	4,421
Purchases									(8,346)	(5,419)	(6,498)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software									(162)	(162)	(92)
Other, net									(56)	(107)	31
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities									(587)	(171)	(783)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders									(506)	(491)	(479)
Repurchase of common shares									(1,630)	(1,485)	(1,707)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums									(228)	(282)	(341)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs											496
Repayments of long-term debt									(13)	(11)	(257)
Exercise of stock options									2	15	9
Other, net									3	(1)	3
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(1,263)	(1,785)	(1,142)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									739	(398)	331
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid (received), net									538	418	155
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income									2,098	1,480	1,313
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(2,333)	(1,876)	(1,493)
Dividends received from subsidiaries									2,093	1,589	1,465
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries									57	712	529
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities									1,915	1,905	1,814
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales									0	0	55
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls									94	44	277
Purchases									(222)	(77)	(129)
Proceeds from sale of other investments									0	3	0
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software									(62)	(69)	(49)
Contributions to subsidiaries									(73)	(79)	(197)
Return of capital from subsidiaries									454	47	187
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries									1,623	1,277	1,910
Issuance of loans to subsidiaries									(1,768)	(1,337)	(1,910)
Other, net									2	(91)	59
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities									48	(282)	203
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Dividends paid to shareholders									(506)	(491)	(479)
Repurchase of common shares									(1,630)	(1,485)	(1,707)
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums									(20)	(19)	(22)
Issuance of long-term debt, net of issuance costs									0	0	496
Repayments of long-term debt									(13)	(11)	(257)
Borrowings from subsidiaries									472	124	0
Repayments of borrowings from subsidiaries									(273)	(15)	0
Exercise of stock options									2	15	9
Other, net									(13)	(1)	36
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(1,981)	(1,883)	(1,924)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents									(18)	(260)	93
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				$ 494				$ 754	494	754	661
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 476				$ 494				476	494	754
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid on debt									126	128	121
Income taxes paid (received), net									(27)	(368)	(112)
Non-cash dividends from subsidiaries									$ 195	$ 109	$ 11