Represents the gross amount of commercial mortgage loans as a percentage of the total gross value.

No definition available.

Name:	amp_PercentageOfCommercialMortgageLoan
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Represents the percentage of commercial mortgage loans that the company has assigned its highest risk rating.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amp_PercentageOfCommercialMortgageLoansWithHighestRiskRating
Namespace Prefix:	amp_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

A valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-Subparagraph (c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=SL6953423-111524

+ Details

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

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount representing an agreement for an unconditional promise by the maker to pay the entity (holder) a definite sum of money at a future date. Such amount may include accrued interest receivable in accordance with the terms of the note. The note also may contain provisions and related items including a discount or premium, payable on demand, secured, or unsecured, interest bearing or noninterest bearing, among a myriad of other features and characteristics. Excludes amounts related to receivables held-for-sale.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10(3))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph 3

-Article 9

+ Details

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

- Definition

Net amount of the investment in a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in the creditor's statement of financial position. Examples include, but are not limited to, credit card receivables, notes receivable and receivables relating to lessor's rights to payments from leases other than operating leases that have been recorded as assets. Excludes trade accounts receivable with contractual maturity of one year or less and arose from the sale of goods or services.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

+ Details

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

Financing Receivables (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	$ 4,012	$ 4,368
Less: allowance for loan losses	44	60	64	71
Commercial Mortgage Loans
Commercial mortgage loans
Percent of commercial mortgage loans with highest risk rating	2.00%	3.00%
Total loans	2,606	2,624
Less: allowance for loan losses	29	35
Net commercial mortgage loans	2,577	2,589
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	100.00%	100.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Apartments
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	450	392
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	17.00%	15.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Hotel
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	36	51
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	1.00%	2.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Industrial
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	474	480
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	18.00%	18.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Mixed Use
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	42	42
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	2.00%	2.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Office
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	610	694
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	24.00%	26.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Retail
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	858	845
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	33.00%	32.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Other
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	136	120
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	5.00%	5.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| East North Central
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	260	252
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	10.00%	10.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| East South Central
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	66	65
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	3.00%	2.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Middle Atlantic
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	207	223
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	8.00%	9.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Mountain
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	272	284
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	10.00%	11.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| New England
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	146	141
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	6.00%	5.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Pacific
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	597	584
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	23.00%	22.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| South Atlantic
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	661	648
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	25.00%	25.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| West North Central
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	232	244
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	9.00%	9.00%
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| West South Central
Commercial mortgage loans
Total loans	$ 165	$ 183
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	6.00%	7.00%