Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gross notional amount, guaranteed benefit contracts	$ 104,700,000,000	$ 55,500,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(149,000,000)	(432,000,000)	(228,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | GMWB and GMAB
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(144,000,000)	(440,000,000)	(212,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivatives
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(5,000,000)	8,000,000	(16,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate derivatives | GMWB and GMAB | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	709,000,000	95,000,000	(435,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Interest rate derivatives | Interest rate lock commitments | Other revenues
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(1,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | GMWB and GMAB | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	326,000,000	(370,000,000)	(1,245,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | GMDB | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		(4,000,000)	(10,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | EIA | Interest credited to fixed accounts
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(1,000,000)	2,000,000	4,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | EIA embedded derivatives | Interest credited to fixed accounts
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	1,000,000	7,000,000	7,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | IUL | Interest credited to fixed accounts
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	1,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | IUL embedded derivatives | Interest credited to fixed accounts
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(3,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | Stock market certificates | Banking and deposit interest expense
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	1,000,000	9,000,000	15,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | Stock market certificates embedded derivatives | Banking and deposit interest expense
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		(10,000,000)	(18,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | Seed money | Net investment income
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	4,000,000	(5,000,000)	(14,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Equity Plan | Distribution expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(4,000,000)	9,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Credit derivative contract | GMWB and GMAB | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(12,000,000)	(44,000,000)	(65,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contract | GMWB and GMAB | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(2,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contract | Foreign currency | Net investment income
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(3,000,000)	(1,000,000)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contract | Seed money | General and administrative expense
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(1,000,000)	1,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives | GMWB and GMAB | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	(1,165,000,000)	(121,000,000)	1,533,000,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity derivative contracts | Seed money | Net investment income
Summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	$ 1,000,000