Investments (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Corporate debt securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Residential mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Commercial mortgage backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Asset backed securities Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 State and municipal obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. government and agencies obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Foreign government bonds and obligations Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Common Stocks Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Mortgage Loans Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Policy and certificate loans Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Policy and certificate loans Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2013 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial	Dec. 31, 2012 Other Investments Ameriprise Financial
Investments			$ 36,446	$ 36,877																	$ 31,049	$ 31,472	$ 3,573	$ 3,609	$ 754	$ 754	$ 1,070	$ 1,042
Amortized Cost			28,304	28,510	16,506	16,628	5,231	5,280	2,965	3,120	1,312	1,204	2,050	2,034	48	49	185	188	7	7
Gross Unrealized Gains			2,889	3,123	2,037	2,196	233	261	258	299	80	75	237	241	8	9	30	36	6	6
Gross Unrealized Losses			(144)	(161)	(10)	(9)	(100)	(112)	(1)		(2)	(4)	(31)	(36)
Fair Value			31,049	31,472	18,533	18,815	5,364	5,429	3,222	3,419	1,390	1,275	2,256	2,239	56	58	215	224	13	13
Non-Credit OTTI			(43)	(56)	2		(47)	(58)											2	2
Summary of net investment income
Investment income on fixed maturities	401	457
Net realized gains (losses)	1	(2)
Affordable housing partnerships	(7)	(8)
Other	17	23
Consolidated investment entities	77	61
Net investment income	$ 489	$ 531