Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Millions	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Future policy benefits and claims	$ 31,644	$ 30,208
Ameriprise Financial | Fixed annuities
Future policy benefits and claims	16,473	16,520
Ameriprise Financial | Equity indexed annuity accumulated host values
Future policy benefits and claims	61	100
Ameriprise Financial | Equity indexed annuity embedded derivatives
Future policy benefits and claims	1	3
Ameriprise Financial | Variable annuity fixed sub-accounts
Future policy benefits and claims	4,803	4,868
Ameriprise Financial | Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits ("GMWB")
Future policy benefits and claims	1,350	337
Ameriprise Financial | Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits ("GMAB")
Future policy benefits and claims	276	104
Ameriprise Financial | Other variable annuity guarantees
Future policy benefits and claims	17	13
Ameriprise Financial | Total annuities
Future policy benefits and claims	22,981	21,945
Ameriprise Financial | Variable universal life ("VUL")/ universal life ("UL") insurance
Future policy benefits and claims	2,631	2,588
Ameriprise Financial | VUL/UL insurance additional liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	203	143
Ameriprise Financial | Other life, disability income and long term care insurance
Future policy benefits and claims	5,278	5,004
Ameriprise Financial | Auto, home and other insurance
Future policy benefits and claims	418	394
Ameriprise Financial | Policy claims and other policyholders' funds
Future policy benefits and claims	$ 133	$ 134