Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Summary of segment operating results
Revenue from external customers	$ 2,467	$ 2,349	$ 7,646	$ 7,010
Total revenues	2,467	2,349	7,646	7,010
Banking and deposit interest expense	12	15	36	56
Net revenues	2,455	2,334	7,610	6,954
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision	247	446	1,033	1,266
Income tax provision	81	132	288	262
Income from continuing operations.	166	314	745	1,004
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2	(2)	(73)	2
Net income	168	312	672	1,006
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(105)	(32)	(151)	189
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	273	344	823	817
Advice and Wealth Management
Summary of segment operating results
Revenue from external customers	717	607	2,138	1,861
Intersegment revenue	231	238	705	640
Total revenues	948	845	2,843	2,501
Banking and deposit interest expense	12	15	36	53
Net revenues	936	830	2,807	2,448
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision	114	88	322	219
Asset Management
Summary of segment operating results
Revenue from external customers	686	641	2,136	1,533
Intersegment revenue	22	21	63	62
Total revenues	708	662	2,199	1,595
Banking and deposit interest expense	1		2	1
Net revenues	707	662	2,197	1,594
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision	97	104	329	178
Annuities
Summary of segment operating results
Revenue from external customers	648	600	1,886	1,782
Intersegment revenue	38	26	106	76
Total revenues	686	626	1,992	1,858
Net revenues	686	626	1,992	1,858
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision	136	264	433	517
Protection
Summary of segment operating results
Revenue from external customers	465	469	1,434	1,455
Intersegment revenue	36	31	109	69
Total revenues	501	500	1,543	1,524
Net revenues	501	500	1,543	1,524
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision	64	67	261	320
Corporate and Other
Summary of segment operating results
Revenue from external customers	(49)	32	52	379
Intersegment revenue			1	1
Total revenues	(49)	32	53	380
Banking and deposit interest expense				3
Net revenues	(49)	32	53	377
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax provision	(164)	(77)	(312)	32
Eliminations:
Summary of segment operating results
Intersegment revenue	(327)	(316)	(984)	(848)
Total revenues	(327)	(316)	(984)	(848)
Banking and deposit interest expense	(1)		(2)	(1)
Net revenues	(326)	(316)	(982)	(847)
Unallocated amount to segment
Summary of segment operating results
Income tax provision	81	132	288	262
Income from continuing operations.	166	314	745	1,004
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	2	(2)	(73)	2
Net income	168	312	672	1,006
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(105)	(32)	(151)	189
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$ 273	$ 344	$ 823	$ 817