Debt (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					1 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Ameriprise Financial	Nov. 22, 2011 Ameriprise Financial	Nov. 30, 2005 Unsecured senior notes Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2009 Senior notes due 2019 Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2010 Senior notes due 2020 Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2009 Senior notes due 2039 Ameriprise Financial	May 31, 2006 Junior subordinated notes due 2066 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Junior subordinated notes due 2066 Ameriprise Financial
Debt and stated interest rates
Unsecured senior notes issued					$ 1,500	$ 300	$ 750	$ 200	$ 500
Debt issuance costs					7	3	6	6	6
Fixed interest rate for junior notes from May 26, 2006 through May 31, 2016 (as a percent)										7.50%
Reference rate for junior notes from June 1, 2016 until maturity										three-month LIBOR
Spread on variable rate basis (as a percent)										2.905%
Fair value of securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements		518	521
Future maturities of debt
2015	700
Thereafter	1,544
Total future maturities	2,244
Credit facility, current borrowing capacity				500
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity				750
Outstanding letters of credit issued against credit facility		$ 2	$ 2