Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Other debt obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Other debt obligations Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Commercial Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Policy Loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Policy Loans Ameriprise Financial	Jun. 30, 2012 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial
Investments					$ 38,874	$ 38,775																			$ 34,590	$ 34,505	$ 2,551	$ 2,589	$ 750	$ 742	$ 983	$ 939
Amortized Cost					32,156	32,447	16,551	16,380	7,210	7,440	4,146	4,430	1,978	1,968	2,009	2,026	58	61	190	126	6	5	8	11
Gross Unrealized Gains					2,820	2,575	1,915	1,741	286	287	297	291	72	61	210	162	10	10	26	19	4	4
Gross Unrealized Losses					(386)	(517)	(41)	(81)	(262)	(331)	(1)	(2)	(35)	(44)	(47)	(58)				(1)
Fair Value					34,590	34,505	18,425	18,040	7,234	7,396	4,442	4,719	2,015	1,985	2,172	2,130	68	71	216	144	10	9	8	11
Non-Credit OTTI					(140)	(154)			(126)	(139)			(14)	(15)
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	444	457	891	927
Net realized gains (losses)	(5)	6	(7)	7
Affordable housing partnerships	(4)	(8)	(12)	(15)
Other	23	26	56	50
Consolidated investment entities	14	17	75	44
Net investment income	$ 472	$ 498	$ 1,003	$ 1,013