Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Other debt obligations Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Commercial Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Commercial Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Policy and certificate loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Policy and certificate loans Ameriprise Financial	Sep. 30, 2012 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2011 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial
Investments					$ 38,702	$ 38,775																		$ 34,425	$ 34,505	$ 2,541	$ 2,589	$ 752	$ 742	$ 984	$ 939
Amortized Cost					31,333	32,447	16,552	16,380	6,746	7,440	3,933	4,430	1,834	1,968	2,022	2,026	52	61	188	126	6	5	11
Gross Unrealized Gains					3,291	2,575	2,250	1,741	321	287	337	291	88	61	246	162	9	10	35	19	5	4
Gross Unrealized Losses					(199)	(517)	(15)	(81)	(127)	(331)		(2)	(18)	(44)	(39)	(58)				(1)
Fair Value					34,425	34,505	18,787	18,040	6,940	7,396	4,270	4,719	1,904	1,985	2,229	2,130	61	71	223	144	11	9	11
Non-Credit OTTI					(68)	(154)			(67)	(139)			(1)	(15)
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	433	498	1,324	1,425
Net realized gains (losses)	(68)	(2)	(75)	5
Affordable housing partnerships	(5)	(9)	(17)	(24)
Other	24	23	80	73
Consolidated investment entities	43	(65)	118	(21)
Net investment income	$ 427	$ 445	$ 1,430	$ 1,458