SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT (Details 3) (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
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 332	$ 151	$ 170	$ 248	$ 281	$ 219	$ 287	$ 223	$ 901	$ 1,010	$ 1,152
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1)	1	1	1	(13)	(2)	4	71	2	60	24
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries									214	(41)	(236)
Net cash provided by operating activities									1,505	2,178	1,847
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales									3,719	888	1,519
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls									4,994	5,206	6,404
Purchases									(4,957)	(7,236)	(7,502)
Purchase of other investments									(403)	(422)	(102)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software									(137)	(250)	(131)
Acquisitions											(866)
Proceeds from sale of business										150
Other, net									(8)	(7)	(15)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									4,417	(1,146)	(734)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Repayments of debt										(20)	(354)
Dividends paid to shareholders									(305)	(212)	(183)
Repurchase of common shares									(1,381)	(1,495)	(582)
Issuance of debt, net of issuance costs											744
Exercise of stock options									160	66	113
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation									64	90	9
Other, net									(4)		(5)
Net cash used in financing activities									(6,342)	(1,111)	(1,343)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents									(410)	(80)	(236)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				2,781				2,861	2,781	2,861	3,097
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,371				2,781				2,371	2,781	2,861
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid, net									217	370	61
Non-cash financing activity:
Dividends declared but not paid					62					62
Ameriprise Financial, Inc:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income									1,029	1,116	989
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries excluding discontinued operations									(1,235)	(1,340)	(1,094)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax									2	60	24
Dividends received from subsidiaries									1,366	1,210	796
Other operating activities, primarily with subsidiaries									197	(231)	921
Net cash provided by operating activities									1,359	815	1,636
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales											31
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls									30	239	151
Purchases										(22)	(151)
Proceeds from sale of other investments									1
Purchase of other investments									(55)		(32)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software									(38)	(56)	(32)
Contributions to subsidiaries									(131)	(128)	(73)
Return of capital from subsidiaries									347	22	116
Acquisitions											(866)
Proceeds from sale of business					150					150
Repayment of loans from subsidiaries									1,150	1,252	1,282
Issuance of loans to subsidiaries									(994)	(1,312)	(1,463)
Other, net									(16)	2	34
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									294	147	(1,003)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Repayments of debt										(14)	(354)
Dividends paid to shareholders									(305)	(212)	(183)
Repurchase of common shares									(1,381)	(1,495)	(582)
Issuance of debt, net of issuance costs											744
Exercise of stock options									160	66	113
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation									64	90	9
Other, net									(3)	(1)	(2)
Net cash used in financing activities									(1,465)	(1,566)	(255)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents									188	(604)	378
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period				712				1,316	712	1,316	938
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	900				712				900	712	1,316
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid on debt									139	139	140
Income taxes paid, net									170	334	2
Non-cash capital transactions to (from) subsidiaries										(850)	14
Non-cash financing activity:
Dividends declared but not paid					$ 62					$ 62