Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Details 5) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	$ 30,545	$ 31,217
Separate account liabilities	75,499	72,397
Ameriprise Financial
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	30,545	31,217
Separate account liabilities	75,499	72,397
Ameriprise Financial \| Level 1
Financial Assets
Receivables	146	135
Restricted and segregated cash	2,262	2,538
Financial Liabilities
Brokerage customer deposits	2,798	3,024
Debt and other liabilities	177	145
Ameriprise Financial \| Level 2
Financial Assets
Policy and certificate loans	2	2
Receivables	918	926
Other investments and assets	318	333
Financial Liabilities
Separate account liabilities	3,342	3,362
Debt and other liabilities	3,117	3,109
Ameriprise Financial \| Level 3
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	3,676	3,694
Policy and certificate loans	686	725
Receivables	8	12
Other investments and assets	69	60
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	15,578	15,982
Investment certificate reserves	3,383	3,494
Debt and other liabilities	121	142
Ameriprise Financial \| Total
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	3,676	3,694
Policy and certificate loans	688	727
Receivables	1,072	1,073
Restricted and segregated cash	2,262	2,538
Other investments and assets	387	393
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	15,578	15,982
Investment certificate reserves	3,383	3,494
Brokerage customer deposits	2,798	3,024
Separate account liabilities	3,342	3,362
Debt and other liabilities	3,415	3,396
Carrying Value \| Ameriprise Financial
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	3,573	3,609
Policy and certificate loans	754	754
Receivables	1,068	1,067
Restricted and segregated cash	2,262	2,538
Other investments and assets	382	390
Financial Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	14,548	14,701
Investment certificate reserves	3,687	3,494
Brokerage customer deposits	2,798	3,024
Separate account liabilities	3,342	3,362
Debt and other liabilities	$ 3,042	$ 3,033

Carrying amount of consumer bank loans and other types of receivables.

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The total of current and noncurrent debt and other liabilities not individually reported in the financial statement disclosure.

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The total of all deposits held in bank or brokerage accounts for the benefit of customers.

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The total of all investment certificate deposits held by the entity.

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The aggregate amount of policy reserves (provided for future obligations including unpaid claims and claims adjustment expenses) and policy benefits (liability for future policy benefits) as of the balance sheet date; grouped amount of all the liabilities associated with the company's insurance policies.

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Gross amount of loans made to policy and contract holders using their life insurance contracts' cash value or separate accounts as collateral.

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Amount of liability for variable contracts that meet specified criteria that are backed by assets held in separate accounts and carried at the fair value of those assets.

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