Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2012 Ameriprise Financial, Inc:	Sep. 30, 2011 Previously reported	Sep. 30, 2011 Previously reported	Dec. 31, 2011 Previously reported	Dec. 31, 2010 Previously reported	Sep. 30, 2011 Effect of Change	Sep. 30, 2011 Effect of Change	Dec. 31, 2011 Effect of Change	Dec. 31, 2010 Effect of Change
Decrease to net income resulting from out-of-period correction for tax-related item			$ 32				$ 32
Adjustment for additional bond discount amortization investment income related to prior periods, pretax		40
Revenues
Total net revenues	2,468	2,455	7,543	7,610				2,455	7,610
Expenses
Distribution expenses	667	641	1,996	1,934				624	1,886			17	48
Interest credited to fixed accounts	207	214	622	634				213	632			1	2
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	529	258	1,417	1,046				257	1,045			1	1
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	67	202	197	366				318	572			(116)	(206)
Interest and debt expense	68	71	209	221				71	221
General and administrative expense	731	743	2,282	2,288				725	2,221			18	67
Total expenses	2,269	2,129	6,723	6,489				2,208	6,577			(79)	(88)
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	199	326	820	1,121				247	1,033			79	88
Income tax provision	47	109	248	319				81	288			28	31
Income from continuing operations	152	217	572	802				166	745			51	57
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(1)	2	(3)	(73)				2	(73)
Net income	151	219	569	729				168	672			51	57
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(22)	(105)	(71)	(151)				(105)	(151)
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	173	324	640	880				273	823			51	57
Basic
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 1.35	$ 2.91	$ 3.89				$ 1.14	$ 3.66			$ 0.21	$ 0.23
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01	$ (0.02)	$ (0.30)				$ 0.01	$ (0.30)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 1.36	$ 2.89	$ 3.59				$ 1.15	$ 3.36			$ 0.21	$ 0.23
Diluted
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 1.33	$ 2.85	$ 3.81				$ 1.12	$ 3.58			$ 0.21	$ 0.23
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.01	$ (0.01)	$ (0.29)				$ 0.01	$ (0.29)
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 1.34	$ 2.84	$ 3.52				$ 1.13	$ 3.29			$ 0.21	$ 0.23
Assets
Deferred acquisition costs	2,397		2,397		2,440					4,402				(1,962)
Other assets	8,224		8,224		7,751					7,468				283
Total assets	138,564		138,564		132,307					133,986				(1,679)
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits and claims	31,595		31,595		31,710					31,723				(13)
Other liabilities	5,779		5,779		5,033					5,432				(399)
Total liabilities	128,743		128,743		122,613					123,025				(412)
Equity:
Retained earnings	6,087		6,087		5,603	4,770				6,983	6,190			(1,380)	(1,420)
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,267		1,267		751	650				638	565			113	85
Total equity	9,821	9,737	9,821	9,737	9,694	9,950				10,961	11,285			(1,267)	(1,335)
Total liabilities and equity	$ 138,564		$ 138,564		$ 132,307					$ 133,986				$ (1,679)