Investments (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Other-than-temporary impairments	$ (8)	$ (16)	$ (14)	$ (18)
Ameriprise Financial
Gross realized gains	3	21	8	39
Gross realized losses		(1)	(1)	(18)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(8)	(16)	(14)	(18)
Total	(5)	4	(7)	3
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	32,156		32,156
Amortized Cost	32,156		32,156		32,447
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	34,590		34,590
Fair Value	34,590		34,590		34,505
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, due within one year	1,406		1,406
Amortized cost, due after one year through five years	6,012		6,012
Amortized cost, due after five years through 10 years	6,715		6,715
Amortized cost, due after 10 years	4,683		4,683
Amortized cost, debt maturities, single maturity date	18,816		18,816
Fair value, due within one year	1,432		1,432
Fair value, due after one year through five years	6,299		6,299
Fair value, due after five years through 10 years	7,567		7,567
Fair value, due after 10 years	5,591		5,591
Fair value, debt maturities, single maturity date	20,889		20,889
Residential mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7,210		7,210
Amortized Cost	7,210		7,210		7,440
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7,234		7,234
Fair Value	7,234		7,234		7,396
Commercial mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,146		4,146
Amortized Cost	4,146		4,146		4,430
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,442		4,442
Fair Value	4,442		4,442		4,719
Asset backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,978		1,978
Amortized Cost	1,978		1,978		1,968
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	2,015		2,015
Fair Value	2,015		2,015		1,985
Common Stocks | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	6		6
Amortized Cost	6		6		5
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	10		10
Fair Value	$ 10		$ 10		$ 9