SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									$ 4,692	$ 4,537	$ 3,784
Distribution fees									1,616	1,573	1,447
Other revenues									795	863	863
Total revenues									10,259	10,239	9,582
Banking and deposit interest expense									42	47	70
Total net revenues	2,674	2,468	2,514	2,561	2,582	2,455	2,623	2,532	10,217	10,192	9,512
Expenses
Distribution expenses									2,698	2,559	2,135
Interest and debt expense									276	317	290
General and administrative expense									3,042	3,059	2,845
Total expenses									8,979	8,745	8,043
Income tax benefit									335	377	293
Net income from continuing operations									1,031	1,176	1,013
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	1	(1)	(1)	(1)	13	2	(4)	(71)	(2)	(60)	(24)
Net income	332	151	170	248	281	219	287	223	901	1,010	1,152
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Revenues
Management and financial advice fees									1		129
Distribution fees										9	11
Net investment income									29	18	17
Other revenues									9	30	29
Total revenues									36	57	185
Banking and deposit interest expense									3		1
Total net revenues									36	57	185
Expenses
Distribution expenses									(5)	5	(9)
Interest and debt expense									94	95	107
General and administrative expense									255	223	288
Total expenses									344	323	386
Pretax loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(308)	(266)	(201)
Income tax benefit									(104)	(102)	(120)
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									(204)	(164)	(81)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations									1,235	1,340	1,094
Net income from continuing operations									1,031	1,176	1,013
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									(2)	(60)	(24)
Net income									$ 1,029	$ 1,116	$ 989