Investments (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Other-than-temporary impairments	$ (15)	$ (5)	$ (29)	$ (23)
Ameriprise Financial
Gross realized gains	11		19	39
Gross realized losses	(64)		(65)	(18)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(15)	(5)	(29)	(23)
Total	(68)	(5)	(75)	(2)
Amortized Cost	31,333		31,333		32,447
Fair Value	34,425		34,425		34,505
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, due within one year	1,495		1,495
Amortized cost, due after one year through five years	5,904		5,904
Amortized cost, due after five years through 10 years	6,781		6,781
Amortized cost, due after 10 years	4,634		4,634
Amortized cost, debt maturities, single maturity date	18,814		18,814
Fair value, due within one year	1,521		1,521
Fair value, due after one year through five years	6,245		6,245
Fair value, due after five years through 10 years	7,799		7,799
Fair value, due after 10 years	5,735		5,735
Fair value, debt maturities, single maturity date	21,300		21,300
Residential mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	6,746		6,746
Amortized Cost	6,746		6,746		7,440
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	6,940		6,940
Fair Value	6,940		6,940		7,396
Commercial mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	3,933		3,933
Amortized Cost	3,933		3,933		4,430
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	4,270		4,270
Fair Value	4,270		4,270		4,719
Asset backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,834		1,834
Amortized Cost	1,834		1,834		1,968
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,904		1,904
Fair Value	1,904		1,904		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	11		11
Fair Value	$ 11		$ 11		$ 9