Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments	$ 82	$ 71
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	889	824
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	1,623	1,559
Total derivatives assets	971	895
Total derivatives liabilities	1,623	1,559
Other assets | Cash flow hedges | Asset-based distribution fees
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments		10
Other assets | Fair value hedges | Fixed rate debt
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivatives assets designated as hedging instruments	82	61
Other assets | Interest rate derivatives | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	464	366
Other assets | Interest rate derivatives | Interest rate lock commitments
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument		1
Other assets | Equity derivatives | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	342	354
Other assets | Equity derivatives | EIA
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument		1
Other assets | Equity derivatives | Stock market certificates
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	71	89
Other assets | Equity derivatives | Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Equity Plan
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	8	8
Other assets | Credit derivative contract | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	1	4
Other assets | Foreign exchange contract
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	1	1
Other assets | Foreign exchange contract | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	2
Other liabilities | Interest rate derivatives | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	451	379
Other liabilities | Equity derivatives | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	780	665
Other liabilities | Equity derivatives | Stock market certificates
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	61	75
Other liabilities | Credit derivative contract | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	1	1
Other liabilities | Foreign exchange contract
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument		1
Other liabilities | Foreign exchange contract | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	2
Future policy benefits and claims | Equity derivatives | Equity indexed annuity embedded derivatives
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	2	3
Future policy benefits and claims | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives | GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	316	421
Customer deposits. | Equity derivatives | Stock market certificates embedded derivatives
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	10	14
GMWB and GMAB
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	809	724
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	1,550	1,466
Other derivatives
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative Asset not designated as hedging instrument	80	100
Derivative Liability not designated as hedging instrument	$ 73	$ 93