Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013 Ameriprise Financial	Mar. 31, 2012 Ameriprise Financial
Balances of and changes in DAC
Balance, at the beginning of the period	$ 2,435	$ 2,399	$ 2,399	$ 2,440
Capitalization of acquisition costs			78	82
Amortization			(75)	(31)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)			33	(19)
Balance, at the end of the period	2,435	2,399	2,435	2,472
Balances of and changes in DSIC, included in other assets
Balance, at the beginning of the period			404	464
Capitalization of sales inducement costs			2	2
Amortization			(12)	(2)
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)			3	(4)
Balance, at the end of the period			$ 397	$ 460