Investments (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Other-than-temporary impairments	$ (6)	$ (2)
Ameriprise Financial
Gross realized gains	5	18
Gross realized losses	(1)	(17)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(6)	(2)
Total	(2)	(1)
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	32,618
Amortized Cost	32,618		32,447
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	34,805
Fair Value	34,805		34,505
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, due within one year	1,252
Amortized cost, due after one year through five years	6,228
Amortized cost, due after five years through 10 years	6,672
Amortized cost, due after 10 years	4,788
Amortized cost, debt maturities, single maturity date	18,940
Fair value, due within one year	1,280
Fair value, due after one year through five years	6,524
Fair value, due after five years through 10 years	7,459
Fair value, due after 10 years	5,533
Fair value, debt maturities, single maturity date	20,796
Residential mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7,356
Amortized Cost	7,356		7,440
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7,358
Fair Value	7,358		7,396
Commercial mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,284
Amortized Cost	4,284		4,430
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,584
Fair Value	4,584		4,719
Asset backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	2,032
Amortized Cost	2,032		1,968
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	2,056
Fair Value	2,056		1,985
Common Stocks | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	6
Amortized Cost	6		5
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	11
Fair Value	$ 11		$ 9