Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	$ 2,780	$ 3,319
Derivative liability, fair value	3,630	3,879
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	148	157
Derivative liability, fair value		11
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Cash flow hedges | Interest on debt
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative liability, fair value		11
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | 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
Derivative asset, fair value	148	157
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	2,632	3,162
Derivative liability, fair value	3,630	3,868
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	2,552	3,123
Derivative liability, fair value	3,543	3,824
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other derivatives
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	80	39
Derivative liability, fair value	87	44
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	1,452	1,801
Derivative liability, fair value	1,097	1,198
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	1,094	1,314
Derivative liability, fair value	1,601	1,031
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | EIA embedded derivatives
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative liability, fair value	2	2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | IUL
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	2	1
Derivative liability, fair value	1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | IUL embedded derivatives
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative liability, fair value	9	3
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	72	34
Derivative liability, fair value	63	29
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	10	6
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	4	2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity derivatives | Seed money
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative liability, fair value		1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value		1
Derivative liability, fair value	1
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	6	7
Derivative liability, fair value	4	10
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Foreign exchange contract | Foreign currency
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	1
Derivative liability, fair value	2	3
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Commodity | Seed money
Balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives, by type of derivative and product
Derivative asset, fair value	1	2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | 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, fair value	$ 840	$ 1,585