Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Financial Assets
Restricted and segregated cash	$ 107	$ 79
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	31,217	31,710
Separate account liabilities	72,397	66,780
Ameriprise Financial
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	31,217	31,710
Investment certificate reserves	3,502	2,772
Separate account liabilities	72,397	66,780
Ameriprise Financial \| Level 1
Financial Assets
Receivables	135
Restricted and segregated cash	2,538
Financial Liabilities
Banking and brokerage customer deposits	3,024
Debt and other liabilities	145
Ameriprise Financial \| Level 2
Financial Assets
Policy and certificate loans	2
Receivables	926
Other investments and assets	333
Financial Liabilities
Separate account liabilities	3,362
Debt and other liabilities	3,109
Ameriprise Financial \| Level 3
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	3,694
Policy and certificate loans	648
Receivables	12
Other investments and assets	60
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	15,982
Investment certificate reserves	3,494
Debt and other liabilities	142
Ameriprise Financial \| Total
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	3,694
Policy and certificate loans	650
Receivables	1,073
Restricted and segregated cash	2,538
Other investments and assets	393
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	15,982
Investment certificate reserves	3,494
Banking and brokerage customer deposits	3,024
Separate account liabilities	3,362
Debt and other liabilities	3,396
Carrying Value \| Ameriprise Financial
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	3,609	3,727
Policy and certificate loans	754	742
Receivables	1,067	1,267
Restricted and segregated cash	2,538	1,500
Other investments and assets	390	429
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	14,701	15,064
Investment certificate reserves	3,494	2,766
Banking and brokerage customer deposits	3,024	7,078
Separate account liabilities	3,362	3,966
Debt and other liabilities	3,033	3,180
Fair Value \| Ameriprise Financial
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net		3,613
Policy and certificate loans		715
Receivables		1,265
Restricted and segregated cash		1,500
Other investments and assets		429
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims		16,116
Investment certificate reserves		2,752
Banking and brokerage customer deposits		7,091
Separate account liabilities		3,966
Debt and other liabilities		$ 3,412

Carrying amount of consumer bank loans and other types of receivables.

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The total of current and noncurrent debt and other liabilities not individually reported in the financial statement disclosure.

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The aggregate amount of policy reserves (provided for future obligations including unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses) and policy benefits (liability for future policy benefits) as of the balance sheet date; grouped amount of all the liabilities associated with the company's insurance policies.

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Gross amount of loans made to policy and contract holders using their life insurance contracts' cash value or separate accounts as collateral.

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Amount of liability for variable contracts that meet specified criteria that are backed by assets held in separate accounts and carried at the fair value of those assets.

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