Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Balances of and changes in DAC
Amortization	$ 138	$ 171	$ 254	$ 289
Ameriprise Financial
Balances of and changes in DAC
Balance, at the beginning of the period			4,619	4,334
Capitalization of acquisition costs			249	233
Amortization			(254)	(289)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)			(32)	(155)
Balance, at the end of the period	4,582	4,123	4,582	4,123
Balances of and changes in DSIC, included in other assets
Balance, at the beginning of the period			545	524
Capitalization of sales inducement costs			5	26
Amortization			(30)	(35)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)			(5)	(22)
Balance, at the end of the period	$ 515	$ 493	$ 515	$ 493

The amount of change in the deferred policy acquisition cost balance related to the unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities.

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- Definition

The amount of change in the deferred sales inducement cost balance related to the unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities.

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- Definition

Amount of deferred policy acquisition costs charged to expense in the period, generally in proportion to related revenue earned, estimated gross profits, or over the customer relationship or some other period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 97
-Paragraph 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 16, 18
-Article 12

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Paragraph 7
-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 60
-Paragraph 60
-Subparagraph c

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 95-1
-Paragraph 19, 20, 21, 22, 23

+ Details

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- Definition

Net amount of deferred policy acquisition costs capitalized on contracts remaining in force as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 60
-Paragraph 28, 29, 30, 31

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 97
-Paragraph 22

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 60
-Paragraph 60
-Subparagraph c

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 7
-Article 7

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 95-1
-Paragraph 19-23

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 120
-Paragraph 5, 6

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 16
-Article 12

+ Details

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- Definition

Total amount of policy acquisition costs capitalized during the income statement period.

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- Definition

The amount of deferred sales inducement costs capitalized during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 39

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- Definition

The amount of deferred sales inducement costs charged against earnings during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 39

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- Definition

The unamortized carrying amount of deferred sales inducement costs as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher AICPA
-Name Statement of Position (SOP)
-Number 03-1
-Paragraph 39

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- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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