SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									$ 4,537	$ 3,784	$ 2,558
Distribution fees									1,573	1,447	1,182
Other revenues									863	863	702
Total revenues									10,239	9,582	7,538
Banking and deposit interest expense									47	70	141
Total net revenues	2,582	2,455	2,623	2,532	2,558	2,334	2,462	2,158	10,192	9,512	7,397
Expenses
Distribution expenses									2,497	2,065	1,462
Interest and debt expense									317	290	127
General and administrative expense									2,965	2,737	2,434
Total expenses									8,807	7,878	6,477
Income tax benefit									355	350	184
Net income from continuing operations									1,136	1,121	721
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	13	2	(4)	(71)	(26)	(2)	2	2	(60)	(24)	1
Net income	298	168	281	223	254	312	398	296	970	1,260	737
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees										129	53
Distribution fees									9	11
Net investment income									18	17	22
Other revenues									30	29	68
Total revenues									57	186	143
Banking and deposit interest expense										1	1
Total net revenues									57	185	142
Expenses
Distribution expenses									5	(9)
Interest and debt expense									95	107	127
General and administrative expense									223	288	271
Total expenses									323	386	398
Pretax loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(266)	(201)	(256)
Income tax benefit									(102)	(120)	(114)
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(164)	(81)	(142)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations									1,300	1,202	863
Net income from continuing operations									1,136	1,121	721
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax									(60)	(24)	1
Net income									$ 1,076	$ 1,097	$ 722