SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Dec. 31, 2008
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,781	[1]	$ 2,861	[1]	$ 3,097	[1]	$ 6,228	[1]
Land, buildings, equipment, and software, net of accumulated depreciation of $707 and $676, respectively	774		693
Total assets	133,986		131,214
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	123,025		119,929
Shareholders' Equity:
Common shares ($.01 par value; shares authorized, 1,250,000,000; shares issued, 303,757,574 and 301,366,044, respectively)	3		3
Additional paid-in capital	6,237		6,029
Retained earnings	6,983		6,190
Treasury shares, at cost (81,814,591 and 54,668,152 shares, respectively)	(4,034)		(2,620)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, including amounts applicable to equity investments in subsidiaries	638		565
Total Ameriprise Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	10,255		10,725
Total liabilities and equity	133,986		131,214
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	712		1,316		938		734
Investments	846		49
Loan to subsidiaries	624		564
Due from subsidiaries	122		109
Receivables	46		50
Land, buildings, equipment, and software, net of accumulated depreciation of $707 and $676, respectively	263		272
Investments in subsidiaries from continuing operations	9,332		9,819
Investments in subsidiaries held for sale			94
Other assets	1,357		1,159
Total assets	13,302		13,432
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	167		178
Due to subsidiaries	261		354
Debt	2,393		2,311
Other liabilities	654		422
Total liabilities	3,475		3,265
Shareholders' Equity:
Common shares ($.01 par value; shares authorized, 1,250,000,000; shares issued, 303,757,574 and 301,366,044, respectively)	3		3
Additional paid-in capital	6,237		6,029
Retained earnings	6,983		6,190
Treasury shares, at cost (81,814,591 and 54,668,152 shares, respectively)	(4,034)		(2,620)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, including amounts applicable to equity investments in subsidiaries	638		565
Total Ameriprise Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	9,827		10,167
Total liabilities and equity	$ 13,302		$ 13,432

[1] Cash and cash equivalents includes cash held for sale. See Note 24 for additional information.