Investments (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Other-than-temporary impairments	$ (3)	$ (6)
Ameriprise Financial
Gross realized gains	4	5
Gross realized losses		(1)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(3)	(6)
Total	1	(2)
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	28,304
Amortized Cost	28,304		28,510
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	31,049
Fair Value	31,049		31,472
Available-for-Sale Securities, at fair value | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, due within one year	1,777
Amortized cost, due after one year through five years	5,640
Amortized cost, due after five years through 10 years	6,781
Amortized cost, due after 10 years	4,591
Amortized cost, debt maturities, single maturity date	18,789
Fair value, due within one year	1,814
Fair value, due after one year through five years	6,007
Fair value, due after five years through 10 years	7,693
Fair value, due after 10 years	5,546
Fair value, debt maturities, single maturity date	21,060
Residential mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	5,231
Amortized Cost	5,231		5,280
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	5,364
Fair Value	5,364		5,429
Commercial mortgage backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	2,965
Amortized Cost	2,965		3,120
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	3,222
Fair Value	3,222		3,419
Asset backed securities | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,312
Amortized Cost	1,312		1,204
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	1,390
Fair Value	1,390		1,275
Common Stocks | Ameriprise Financial
Amortized cost, debt maturities, without single maturity date	7
Amortized Cost	7		7
Fair value, debt maturities, without single maturity date	13
Fair Value	$ 13		$ 13