Shareholders' Equity Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Net unrealized securities gains, before tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period before tax	[1]	$ 1,404	$ (1,039)	$ 243
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income before tax	[2]	6	(9)	(55)
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, unearned revenue, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables before tax		(688)	435	(180)
Net unrealized securities gains before tax		722	(613)	8
Net unrealized derivatives losses, before tax [Abstract]
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income before tax	[3]	(3)		5
Net unrealized derivatives losses before tax		(3)		5
Defined benefit plans, before tax [Abstract]
Prior service credit before tax		14		2
Net loss arising during the period before tax		(36)	(30)	38
Defined benefit plans before tax		(22)	(30)	40
Foreign currency translation before tax		18	(32)	74
Other comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial before tax				(1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax		715	(675)	126
Net unrealized securities gains, tax impact [Abstract]
Net unrealized securities (gains) losses arising during the period tax impact	[1]	(309)	237	(77)
Reclassification of net securities gains (losses) included in net income tax impact	[2]	(1)	2	19
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, unearned revenue, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables tax impact		144	(91)	57
Net unrealized securities gains tax impact		(166)	148	(1)
Net unrealized derivatives losses, tax impact [Abstract]
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income tax impact	[3]	1		(2)
Net unrealized derivatives losses tax impact		1		(2)
Defined benefit plans, net of tax [Abstract]
Prior service credit tax impact		(3)		(1)
Net loss arising during the period tax		7	7	(11)
Defined benefit plans tax impact		4	7	(12)
Foreign currency translation tax impact		(1)	1	(82)	[4]
Other comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial tax impact				0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax		(162)	156	(97)
Net unrealized securities gains, net of tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	[1]	1,095	(802)	166
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income net of tax	[2]	5	(7)	(36)
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, unearned revenue, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables net of tax		(544)	344	(123)
Net unrealized securities gains net of tax		556	(465)	7
Net unrealized derivative losses, net of tax [Abstract]
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income net of tax	[3]	(2)		3
Net unrealized derivatives losses net of tax		(2)		3
Defined benefit plans, net of tax [Abstract]
Prior service credit net of tax		11		1
Net loss arising during the period net of tax		(29)	(23)	27
Defined benefit plans net of tax		(18)	(23)	28
Foreign currency translation net of tax		17	(31)	(8)
Other		0	0	(1)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		553	(519)	29
Interest expense [Member]
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income		2	2	2
Net investment income [Member]
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income		$ 0	$ (2)	(5)
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 OTTI 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 $2 million pretax gain reclassified to interest and debt expenses and nil, a $2 million and $5 million pretax loss reclassified to net investment income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

[4] Includes an $87 million decrease to OCI related to deferred taxes on currency translations adjustments.