Issues that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Name:	amp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetIssues
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Purchases that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ Details

Name:	amp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchases
Namespace Prefix:	amp
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sales that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ Details

Name:	amp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Settlements that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ Details

Name:	amp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	amp
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the fair value of securities transferred from Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy to Level 3 (unobservable inputs).

+ Details

Name:	amp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersFromLevel2ToLevel3
Namespace Prefix:	amp
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the fair value of securities transferred from Level 3 (unobservable inputs) to Level 2 of the fair value measurement hierarchy.

+ Details

Name:	amp_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersFromLevel3ToLevel2
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in earnings or resulted in a change in net asset value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3), which are included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements (net) which have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(2)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlements
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents [net] transfers in to and out of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) which have taken place during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c(3)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersNet
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 157
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph c

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Details 3) (Ameriprise Financial, USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended								6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 Available-for-Sale Securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Available-for-Sale Securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Available-for-Sale Securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Available-for-Sale Securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Corporate debt securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Corporate debt securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Corporate debt securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Corporate debt securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Residential mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Residential mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Residential mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Residential mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Commercial mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Commercial mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Commercial mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Commercial mortgage backed securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Asset backed securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Asset backed securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Asset backed securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Asset backed securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Common and Preferred Stocks	Mar. 31, 2011 Common and Preferred Stocks	Dec. 31, 2010 Common and Preferred Stocks	Jun. 30, 2010 Common and Preferred Stocks	Mar. 31, 2010 Common and Preferred Stocks	Dec. 31, 2009 Common and Preferred Stocks	Jun. 30, 2010 Other structured investments	Jun. 30, 2011 Trading securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Trading securities	Jun. 30, 2011 Trading securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Trading securities	Jun. 30, 2010 Other assets	Jun. 30, 2010 Other assets	Jun. 30, 2011 GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	Jun. 30, 2010 GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	Jun. 30, 2011 GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	Jun. 30, 2010 GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Balance, at the beginning of the period	$ 5,927	$ 5,686	$ 6,104	$ 5,823	$ 1,315	$ 1,258	$ 1,325	$ 1,252	$ 4,093	$ 3,885	$ 4,247	$ 3,982	$ 26	$ 80	$ 51	$ 72	$ 488	$ 459	$ 476	$ 455	$ 5	$ 5	$ 5	$ 4	$ 4	$ 4	$ 58	$ 13	$ 16	$ 19	$ 16			$ (190)	$ 193	$ (421)	$ (299)
Total gains (losses) included in Net income	8	27	17	27	7	1	7	1		21	7	15		1		1	1	4	3	8							2		1	1	2	1	1	(88)	(851)	175	(716)
Total gains (losses) included in Other comprehensive income	(4)	155	15	279	11	24	12	43	(11)	120	2	196		1		10	(4)	10	1	28							2			1	(1)
Purchases	500		731		36		73		349		499		74		89		41		70											2
Sales			(3)								(3)																	(1)		(11)
Issuances																																		(36)		(68)
Settlements	(399)		(783)		(93)		(131)		(278)		(599)				(1)		(28)		(52)															(2)		(2)
Purchases, Sales, Issues and Settlements, Net		161		(100)		(40)		(53)		147		(20)		62		61		(8)		(26)							(62)		1		1				(39)		(68)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	(94)	(23)	(143)	(23)	(2)		(12)		(56)		(56)		(36)		(75)			(23)		(23)
Balance, at the end of the period	5,938	6,006	5,938	6,006	1,274	1,243	1,274	1,243	4,097	4,173	4,097	4,173	64	144	64	144	498	442	498	442	5	5	5	4	4	4		12	18	12	18	1	1	(316)	(1,083)	(316)	(1,083)
Fair value securities transferred to Level 2	104		145
Fair value securities transferred to Level 3	$ 10		$ 2