Investments (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Other-than-temporary impairments	$ (34)	$ (37)	$ (93)
Ameriprise Financial
Gross realized gains	52	72	216
Gross realized losses	(18)	(7)	(53)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(34)	(37)	(93)
Amortized Cost	32,447	31,133
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	34,505
Fair Value	34,505	32,619
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, due within one year	975
Amortized cost, due after one year through five years	6,544
Amortized cost, due after five years through 10 years	6,408
Amortized cost, due after 10 years	4,677
Amortized cost, debt maturities, single maturity date	18,604
Fair value, due within one year	992
Fair value, due after one year through five years	6,783
Fair value, due after five years through 10 years	7,125
Fair value, due after 10 years	5,496
Fair value, debt maturities, single maturity date	20,396
Residential mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7,440
Amortized Cost	7,440	7,213
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7,396
Fair Value	7,396	7,258
Commercial mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,430
Amortized Cost	4,430	4,583
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,719
Fair Value	4,719	4,868
Asset backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,968
Amortized Cost	1,968	1,982
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,985
Fair Value	1,985	2,020
Common Stocks | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	5
Amortized Cost	5	6
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	9
Fair Value	$ 9	$ 10