Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Other debt obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Other debt obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Commercial Mortgage Loans, net Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Mortgage Loans, net Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Policy Loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Policy Loans Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial
Investments			$ 39,104	$ 38,775																			$ 34,805	$ 34,505	$ 2,615	$ 2,589	$ 741	$ 742	$ 943	$ 939
Amortized Cost			32,618	32,447	16,687	16,380	7,356	7,440	4,284	4,430	2,032	1,968	1,994	2,026	59	61	183	126	6	5	17	11
Gross Unrealized Gains			2,588	2,575	1,737	1,741	281	287	301	291	63	61	170	162	9	10	22	19	5	4
Gross Unrealized Losses			(401)	(517)	(31)	(81)	(279)	(331)	(1)	(2)	(39)	(44)	(51)	(58)				(1)
Fair Value			34,805	34,505	18,393	18,040	7,358	7,396	4,584	4,719	2,056	1,985	2,113	2,130	68	71	205	144	11	9	17	11
Non-Credit OTTI			(141)	(154)			(127)	(139)			(14)	(15)
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	447	470
Net realized gains (losses)	(2)	1
Affordable housing partnerships	(8)	(7)
Other	33	24
Consolidated investment entities	61	27
Net investment income	$ 531	$ 515