Name:	amp_DebtAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	amp_GuaranteesCommitmentsAndContingenciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the amount of maximum commitment under Capital Support Agreement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amp_MaximumCommitmentUnderCapitalSupportAgreement
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the amount of municipal bond inverse floater certificates that are non-recourse debt obligations.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amp_MunicipalBondInverseFloaterCertificates
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Cash inflow from the call of a portfolio of municipal bonds to fund the extinguishment of debt.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amp_ProceedsFromCallOfPortfolioOfMunicipalBonds
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ExtinguishmentOfDebtAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Bonds or similar securities issued by state, city, or local governments or the agencies operated by state, city, or local governments which are short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three-years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 8, 9

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MunicipalDebtSecuritiesAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the sale of a portion of the company's business, for example a segment, division, branch or other business, during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15, 16

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinesses
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value, as of the balance sheet date, of securities sold under agreements to repurchase where the transferor maintains effective control over the assets, accounting for them as secured debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 48, 100

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 860

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 51

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6964590&loc=d3e101761-111710

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(m)(1)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SecuredDebtRepurchaseAgreements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc:	Dec. 31, 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc:	Dec. 31, 2010 Ameriprise Financial, Inc:	Mar. 02, 2009 Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Proceeds from sale of business	$ 0	$ 150		$ 150
Debt
Non-recourse debt obligations					6
Portfolio of municipal bonds					10
Extinguished debt			6
Call of portfolio of municipal bonds			10
Repurchase agreements, debt				504	397
Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
Maximum commitment under Capital Support Agreement						$ 115