Ameriprise Financial (AMP) 10-Q 3 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000820027	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	184,532,059

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues	'	'	'	'
Management and financial advice fees	$1,483	$1,318	$4,321	$3,856
Distribution fees	464	441	1,410	1,323
Net investment income	428	491	1,332	1,431
Premiums	351	324	1,026	949
Other revenues	392	247	1,111	718
Total revenues	3,118	2,821	9,200	8,277
Banking and deposit interest expense	7	8	21	24
Total net revenues	3,111	2,813	9,179	8,253
Expenses	'	'	'	'
Distribution expenses	813	731	2,409	2,161
Interest credited to fixed accounts	168	204	529	600
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	458	492	1,414	1,391
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	116	-14	281	153
Interest and debt expense	79	68	237	194
General and administrative expense	757	730	2,320	2,263
Total expenses	2,391	2,211	7,190	6,762
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision	720	602	1,989	1,491
Income tax provision	155	154	441	395
Income from continuing operations	565	448	1,548	1,096
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	1	-1	-1
Net income	565	449	1,547	1,095
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	145	67	353	57
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	420	382	1,194	1,038
Basic	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$2.21	$1.90	$6.20	$5.07
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	($0.01)	'
Net income (in dollars per share)	$2.21	$1.90	$6.19	$5.07
Diluted	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$2.17	$1.86	$6.09	$4.97
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	($0.01)	'
Net income (in dollars per share)	$2.17	$1.86	$6.08	$4.97
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.58	$0.52	$1.68	$1.49
Supplemental Disclosures	'	'	'	'
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities	-5	-7	-6	-11
Portion of loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (before taxes)	0	6	0	5
Net impairment losses recognized in net investment income	($5)	($1)	($6)	($6)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$565	$449	$1,547	$1,095
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-84	80	-31	7
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period	-137	-67	341	-869
Reclassification of net securities gains included in net income	-4	-5	-8	-5
Impact of deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	-1	18	-168	283
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	-142	-54	165	-591
Reclassification of net derivative losses included in net income	1	1	1	1
Total net unrealized losses on derivatives	1	1	1	1
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-225	27	135	-583
Total comprehensive income	340	476	1,682	512
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	94	114	337	63
Comprehensive income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$246	$362	$1,345	$449

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$2,876	$2,632
Total assets	147,193	144,576
Liabilities	'	'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	29,810	29,620
Separate account liabilities	82,420	81,223
Total liabilities	137,853	135,344
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	'	'
Common shares ($.01 par value; shares authorized, 1,250,000,000; shares issued, 320,039,778 and 316,816,851, respectively)	3	3
Additional paid-in capital	7,232	6,929
Retained earnings	8,152	7,289
Appropriated retained earnings of consolidated investment entities	308	337
Treasury shares, at cost (134,646,639 and 124,698,544 shares, respectively)	-8,181	-6,961
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	746	595
Total Ameriprise Financial, Inc. shareholders' equity	8,260	8,192
Noncontrolling interests	1,080	1,040
Total equity	9,340	9,232
Total liabilities and equity	147,193	144,576
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,876	2,632
Investments	35,899	35,735
Separate account assets	82,420	81,223
Receivables	4,827	4,538
Deferred acquisition costs	2,605	2,663
Restricted and segregated cash and investments	2,382	2,360
Other assets	8,158	7,983
Liabilities	'	'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	29,810	29,620
Separate account liabilities	82,420	81,223
Customer deposits	7,513	7,062
Short-term borrowings	200	500
Long-term debt	3,059	2,720
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	1,411	1,367
Other liabilities	6,882	6,829
Consolidated investment entities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	279	419
Investments	5,661	5,002
Receivables	68	72
Other assets	2,018	1,949
Liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt	6,394	5,736
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	50	62
Other liabilities	$114	$225

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common shares, shares authorized	1,250,000,000	1,250,000,000
Common shares, shares issued	320,039,778	316,816,851
Treasury shares	134,646,639	124,698,544
Consolidated investment entities [Member]	'	'
Receivables, fair value (in dollars)	$28	$32
Debt, fair value (in dollars)	5,466	4,804
Other liabilities, fair value (in dollars)	$81	$193

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_EQU

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Total Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Shareholders' Equity [Member]	Common Shares [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Appropriated Retained Earnings of Consolidated Investment Entities [Member]	Treasury Shares [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balances at Dec. 31, 2012	$9,712	$9,092	$3	$6,503	$6,381	$336	($5,325)	$1,194	$620
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	203,942,994	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	1,095	1,038	'	'	1,038	'	'	'	57
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-583	-589	'	'	'	'	'	-589	6
Total comprehensive income	512	449	'	'	'	'	'	'	63
Net loss reclassified to appropriated retained earnings	'	-1	'	'	'	-1	'	'	1
Dividends to shareholders	-307	-307	'	'	-307	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance	290	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	290
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-142	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-142
Repurchase of common shares	-1,339	-1,339	'	'	'	'	-1,339	'	'
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)	'	'	-17,362,549	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation plans	443	431	'	337	-5	'	99	'	12
Share-based compensation plans (in shares)	'	'	8,659,145	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2013	9,169	8,325	3	6,840	7,107	335	-6,565	605	844
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	195,239,590	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Dec. 31, 2013	9,232	8,192	3	6,929	7,289	337	-6,961	595	1,040
Balances (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	192,118,307	'	'	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	1,547	1,194	'	'	1,194	'	'	'	353
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	135	151	'	'	'	'	'	151	-16
Total comprehensive income	1,682	1,345	'	'	'	'	'	'	337
Net loss reclassified to appropriated retained earnings	'	-29	'	'	'	-29	'	'	29
Dividends to shareholders	-326	-326	'	'	-326	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance	113	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	113
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-448	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-448
Repurchase of common shares	-1,309	-1,309	'	'	'	'	-1,309	'	'
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)	'	'	-11,505,559	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation plans	396	387	'	303	-5	'	89	'	9
Share-based compensation plans (in shares)	'	'	4,780,391	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balances at Sep. 30, 2014	$9,340	$8,260	$3	$7,232	$8,152	$308	($8,181)	$746	$1,080
Balances (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	'	185,393,139	'	'	'	'	'	'

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$1,547	$1,095
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	193	175
Deferred income tax benefit	-75	-73
Share-based compensation	97	106
Net realized investment gains	-18	-13
Net trading gains	-6	0
Loss (income) from equity method investments	10	-28
Other-than-temporary impairments and provision for loan losses	8	7
Net gains of consolidated investment entities	-337	-63
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Restricted and segregated cash and investments	-23	193
Deferred acquisition costs	28	-98
Other investments, net	-152	-2
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims, net	516	-1,024
Derivatives, net of collateral	-485	1,094
Receivables	-346	-138
Brokerage deposits	202	-157
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	52	62
Cash held by consolidated investment entities	149	249
Investment properties of consolidated investment entities	177	-357
Other operating assets and liabilities of consolidated investment entities, net	39	-46
Other, net	405	124
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,981	1,106
Available-for-Sale securities:	'	'
Proceeds from sales	435	327
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	2,856	3,826
Purchases	-2,513	-4,094
Proceeds from maturities and repayments of mortgage loans	419	548
Funding of mortgage loans	-375	-478
Proceeds from sales and collections of other investments	153	248
Purchase of other investments	-334	-267
Purchase of investments by consolidated investment entities	-2,368	-2,437
Proceeds from sales, maturities and repayments of investments by consolidated investment entities	1,643	2,215
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	-89	-68
Other, net	1	37
Net cash used in investing activities	-172	-143
Investment certificates:	'	'
Proceeds from additions	1,894	1,752
Maturities, withdrawals and cash surrenders	-1,646	-1,377
Policyholder account balances:	'	'
Deposits and other additions	1,526	1,589
Net transfers to separate accounts	-167	-54
Surrenders and other benefits	-1,896	-1,479
Cash paid for purchased options with deferred premiums	-318	-290
Cash received from purchased options with deferred premiums	54	0
Issuance from debt, net of issuance costs	543	593
Repayments of debt	-200	0
Change in short-term borrowings, net	-301	-2
Dividends paid to shareholders	-319	-300
Repurchase of common shares	-1,191	-1,205
Exercise of stock options	25	100
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	133	101
Borrowings by consolidated investment entities	1,559	1,187
Repayments of debt by consolidated investment entities	-918	-969
Noncontrolling interests investments in subsidiaries	113	290
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-448	-142
Other, net	-1	-1
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,558	-207
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-7	-2
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	244	754
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,632	2,371
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,876	3,125
Supplemental Disclosures	'	'
Income taxes paid, net	345	182
Non-cash investing activity:	'	'
Affordable housing partnership commitments not yet remitted	0	26
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Supplemental Disclosures	'	'
Interest paid	123	124
Consolidated investment entities [Member]	'	'
Policyholder account balances:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	419	'
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	279	'
Supplemental Disclosures	'	'
Interest paid	$140	$113

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of presentation [Member]	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a holding company, which primarily conducts business through its subsidiaries to provide financial planning, products and services that are designed to be utilized as solutions for clients’ cash and liquidity, asset accumulation, income, protection and estate and wealth transfer needs. The foreign operations of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. are conducted primarily through its subsidiary, Threadneedle Asset Management Holdings Sàrl (“Threadneedle”).
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., companies in which it directly or indirectly has a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which it is the primary beneficiary (collectively, the “Company”). The income or loss generated by consolidated entities which will not be realized by the Company’s shareholders is attributed to noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Noncontrolling interests are the ownership interests in subsidiaries not attributable, directly or indirectly, to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and are classified as equity within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company, excluding noncontrolling interests, is defined as “Ameriprise Financial.” All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. See Note 3 for additional information related to VIEs.
	The results of Securities America Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, “Securities America”) have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The Company completed the sale of Securities America in the fourth quarter of 2011.
	The interim financial information in this report has not been audited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated results of operations and financial position for the interim periods have been made. All adjustments made were of a normal recurring nature.
	The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Results of operations reported for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. These Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2014.
	In the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the Company reclassified certain fixed wholesaling costs from distribution expenses to general and administrative expense on a retroactive basis to improve consistency in its presentation of wholesaling distribution expense. The amount reclassified for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $26 million and $82 million, respectively. The Company also reclassified certain prior period amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as discussed below, to improve the transparency of its cash flows. Total cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities did not change as a result of the reclassifications.
	Within investing activities, the change in residential mortgage loans was reclassified from “Change in consumer loans, net” to “Proceeds from maturities and repayments of mortgage loans” and “Funding of mortgage loans.” These lines also include changes in commercial mortgage loans.
	Within financing activities, the increase in policyholder account balances for interest credited was reclassified from “Policyholder account balances: Surrenders and other benefits” to “Policyholder account balances: Deposits and other additions.” The increase in certificate account balances for interest credited was reclassified from “Investment certificates: Maturities, withdrawals and cash surrenders” to “Investment certificates: Proceeds from additions.”
	The Company evaluated events or transactions that may have occurred after the balance sheet date for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Adoption of New Accounting Standards
	Income Taxes
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) updated the accounting standard for income taxes. The update provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The Company adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2014. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Investment Companies
	In June 2013, the FASB updated the accounting standard related to investment companies. The standard provides a new two-tiered approach for determining whether a company is an investment company and requires new disclosures for investment companies. The guidance does not directly apply to the Company and did not impact investment entities that the Company consolidates. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013 and is required to be applied prospectively. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Future Adoption of New Accounting Standards
	Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern
	In August 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standard related to an entity’s assessment of its ability to continue as a going concern. The standard requires that management evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. In situations where there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosure should be made so that a reader can understand the conditions that raise substantial doubt, management’s assessment of those conditions and any plan management has to mitigate those conditions. The standard is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Consolidation
	In August 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standard related to consolidation of collateralized financing entities. The update applies to reporting entities that consolidate a collateralized financing entity and measures all financial assets and liabilities of the collateralized financing entity at fair value. The update provides a measurement alternative which would allow an entity to measure both the financial assets and financial liabilities at the fair value of the more observable of the fair value of the financial assets or financial liabilities. When the measurement alternative is elected, the reporting entity’s net income should reflect its own economic interests in the collateralized financing entity, including changes in the fair value of the beneficial interests retained by the reporting entity and beneficial interests that represent compensation for services. If the measurement alternative is not elected, the financial assets and financial liabilities should be measured separately in accordance with the requirements of the fair value topic. Any difference in the fair value of the assets and liabilities would be recorded to net income attributable to the reporting entity. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Compensation - Stock Compensation
	In June 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to stock compensation. The update clarifies the accounting for share-based payments with a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period. The update specifies the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Instead, the probability of achieving the performance target should impact vesting of the award. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Transfers and Servicing
	In June 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standards related to transfers and servicing. The update requires repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to be accounted for as secured borrowings consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. The standard requires disclosures related to transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales in transactions that are similar to repurchase agreements. The standard also requires disclosures on the remaining contractual maturity of the agreements, disaggregation of the gross obligation by class of collateral pledged and potential risks associated with the agreements and the related collateral pledged in repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, except for the disclosure requirements for repurchase-to-maturity transactions accounted for as secured borrowings which are effective for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. Early adoption of the standard is prohibited. The standard requires entities to present changes in accounting for transactions outstanding at the effective date as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. As the Company does not have repurchase-to-maturity transactions, the adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Revenue from Contracts with Customers
	In May 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standards for revenue from contracts with customers. The update provides a five step revenue recognition model for all revenue arising from contracts with customers and affects all entities that enter into contracts to provide goods or services to their customers (unless the contracts are in the scope of other standards). The standard also updates the accounting for certain costs associated with obtaining and fulfilling a customer contract. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of quantitative and qualitative information that enables users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is prohibited. The standard may be applied retrospectively for all periods presented or retrospectively with a cumulative-effect adjustment at the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors
	In January 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standard related to recognizing residential real estate obtained through a repossession or foreclosure from a troubled debtor. The update clarifies the criteria for derecognition of the loan receivable and recognition of the real estate property. The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and can be applied under a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
	Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures
	In January 2014, the FASB updated the accounting standard related to investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The update allows for an accounting policy election to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, the investment in a qualified affordable housing project is amortized in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received. The net investment performance is recognized as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti

Consolidated Investment Entities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidated Investment Entities	'
Consolidated investment entities [Text Block]	'
	Consolidated Investment Entities
	The Company provides asset management services to various collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and other investment products (collectively, “investment entities”), which are sponsored by the Company. Certain of these investment entities are considered to be VIEs while others are considered to be voting rights entities (“VREs”). The Company consolidates certain of these investment entities.
	The CDOs managed by the Company are considered VIEs. These CDOs are asset backed financing entities collateralized by a pool of assets, primarily syndicated loans and, to a lesser extent, high-yield bonds. Multiple tranches of debt securities are issued by a CDO, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics. The debt securities issued by the CDOs are non-recourse to the Company. The CDO’s debt holders have recourse only to the assets of the CDO. The assets of the CDOs cannot be used by the Company. Scheduled debt payments are based on the performance of the CDO’s collateral pool. The Company generally earns management fees from the CDOs based on the par value of outstanding debt and, in certain instances, may also receive performance-based fees. In the normal course of business, the Company has invested in certain CDOs, generally an insignificant portion of the unrated, junior subordinated debt.
	For certain of the CDOs, the Company has determined that consolidation is required as it has power over the CDOs and holds a variable interest in the CDOs for which the Company has the potential to receive benefits or the potential obligation to absorb losses that are significant to the CDO. For other CDOs managed by the Company, the Company has determined that consolidation is not required as the Company does not hold a variable interest in the CDOs or it does hold a variable interest but does not have the potential to receive benefits or the potential obligation to absorb losses that are significant to the CDO.
	The Company provides investment advice and related services to private, pooled investment vehicles organized as limited partnerships, limited liability companies or foreign (non-U.S.) entities. Certain of these pooled investment vehicles are considered VIEs while others are VREs. For investment management services, the Company generally earns management fees based on the market value of assets under management, and in certain instances may also receive performance-based fees. The Company provides seed money occasionally to certain of these funds. For certain of the pooled investment vehicles, the Company has determined that consolidation is required as the Company stands to absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses or receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns. For other VIE pooled investment vehicles, the Company has determined that consolidation is not required because the Company is not expected to absorb the majority of the expected losses or receive the majority of the expected residual returns. For the pooled investment vehicles which are VREs, the Company consolidates the structure when it has a controlling financial interest.
	The Company also provides investment advisory, distribution and other services to the Columbia and Threadneedle mutual fund families. The Company has determined that consolidation is not required for these mutual funds.
	In addition, the Company may invest in structured investments including VIEs for which it is not the sponsor. These structured investments typically invest in fixed income instruments and are managed by third parties and include asset backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and residential mortgage backed securities. The Company includes these investments in Available-for-Sale securities. The Company has determined that it is not the primary beneficiary of these structures due to its relative size, position in the capital structure of these entities and the Company’s lack of power over the structures. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss as a result of its investment in structured investments that it does not consolidate is limited to its carrying value. The Company has no obligation to provide further financial or other support to these structured investments nor has the Company provided any support to these structured investments. See Note 4 for additional information about these structured investments.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company consolidated three new investment entities with assets of approximately $1.3 billion and liquidated one investment entity resulting in the sale of approximately $300 million in assets.
	Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities
	The Company categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy. See Note 10 for the definition of the three levels of the fair value hierarchy.
	The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		30-Sep-14
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	—			$	183			$	—			$	183
	Common stocks	152				44				7				203
	Other investments	4				25				—				29
	Syndicated loans	—				4,932				314				5,246
	Total investments	156				5,184				321				5,661
	Receivables	—				28				—				28
	Other assets	—				1				2,017				2,018
	Total assets at fair value	$	156			$	5,213			$	2,338			$	7,707
	Liabilities
	Debt	$	—			$	—			$	5,466			$	5,466
	Other liabilities	—				81				—				81
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	—			$	81			$	5,466			$	5,547
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	—			$	200			$	2			$	202
	Common stocks	147				31				14				192
	Other investments	3				33				—				36
	Syndicated loans	—				4,204				368				4,572
	Total investments	150				4,468				384				5,002
	Receivables	—				32				—				32
	Other assets	—				13				1,936				1,949
	Total assets at fair value	$	150			$	4,513			$	2,320			$	6,983
	Liabilities
	Debt	$	—			$	—			$	4,804			$	4,804
	Other liabilities	—				193				—				193
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	—			$	193			$	4,804			$	4,997
	The following tables provide a summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2014	$	—			$	7			$	427			$	2,389			$	(5,511	)
	Total gains (losses) included in:
	Net income	—				—				(1		)	(1)	144			(2)	(7		)	(1)
	Other comprehensive income	—				—				—				(151		)		—
	Purchases	—				—				41				23				—
	Sales	—				—				(14		)		(388		)		—
	Settlements	—				—				(38		)		—				52
	Transfers into Level 3	—				1				84				—				—
	Transfers out of Level 3	—				(1		)		(185		)		—				—
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—			$	7			$	314			$	2,017			$	(5,466	)
	Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in	$	—			$	—			$	(1	)	(1)	$	95		(2)	$	(7	)	(1)
	income relating to assets and liabilities held at
	September 30, 2014
	(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
	(in millions)
Balance, July 1, 2013	$	3			$	16			$	292			$	1,322			$	(4,677	)
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	—				(1		)	(1)	(1		)	(1)	20			(2)	50			(1)
Other comprehensive loss	—				—				—				73				—
Purchases	—				—				72				239				—
Sales	—				—				(8		)		(54		)		—
Settlements	(1		)		—				(13		)		—				168
Transfers into Level 3	—				—				105				—				—
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(8		)		(145		)		(9		)		—
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	2			$	7			$	302			$	1,591			$	(4,459	)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in	$	—			$	(1	)	(1)	$	(2	)	(1)	$	(1	)	(2)	$	50		(1)
income relating to assets and liabilities held at
September 30, 2013
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	2			$	14			$	368			$	1,936			$	(4,804	)
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	1			(1)	2			(1)	5			(1)	330			(2)	(32		)	(1)
Other comprehensive income	—				—				—				(84		)		—
Purchases	2				—				280				282				—
Sales	(9		)		(2		)		(42		)		(458		)		—
Issues	—				—				—				—				(1,064		)
Settlements	—				—				(76		)		—				434
Transfers into Level 3	10				12				328				11				—
Transfers out of Level 3	(6		)		(19		)		(549		)		—				—
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—			$	7			$	314			$	2,017			$	(5,466	)
Changes in unrealized gains included in	$	—			$	1		(1)	$	1		(1)	$	280		(2)	$	3		(1)
income relating to assets and liabilities held at
September 30, 2014
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	3			$	14			$	202			$	1,214			$	(4,450	)
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	—				—				—				22			(2)	(38		)	(1)
Other comprehensive loss	—				—				—				(1		)		—
Purchases	1				—				265				434				—
Sales	(1		)		(3		)		(52		)		(77		)		—
Issues	—				—				—				—				(926		)
Settlements	(1		)		—				(46		)		—				955
Transfers into Level 3	—				15				232				8				—
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(19		)		(299		)		(9		)		—
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	2			$	7			$	302			$	1,591			$	(4,459	)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in	$	—			$	(2	)	(1)	$	(1	)	(1)	$	5		(2)	$	(10	)	(1)
income relating to assets and liabilities held at
September 30, 2013
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Securities and loans transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 represent assets with fair values that are now based on a single non-binding broker quote. Securities and loans transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 represent assets with fair values that are now obtained from a third party pricing service with observable inputs or priced in active markets. During the reporting periods, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
The following tables provide a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements developed by the Company or reasonably available to the Company of Level 3 assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities:
	September 30, 2014
	Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
	(in millions)
Other assets	$	2,017			Discounted cash flow/ market comparables		Equivalent yield		4.1	%	–	12.00%		6.7	%
							Expected rental value (per square foot)		$3		–	$103		$35
Debt	$	5,466			Discounted cash flow		Annual default rate		2.50%
							Discount rate		1.3	%	–	7.30%		2.5	%
							Constant prepayment rate		5	%	–	10.00%		9.8	%
							Loss recovery		36.4	%	–	63.60%		62.6	%
	December 31, 2013
	Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
	(in millions)
Other assets	$	1,936			Discounted cash flow/ market comparables		Equivalent yield		4.4	%	–	12.40%		7.4	%
							Expected rental value (per square foot) (1)		$3		–	$165		$27
Debt	$	4,804			Discounted cash flow		Annual default rate		2.50%
							Discount rate		1.5	%	–	8.30%		2.7	%
							Constant prepayment rate		5	%	–	10.00%		9.8	%
							Loss recovery		36.4	%	–	63.60%		62.3	%
(1)	The previously reported range and weighted average for the expected rental value was $5-$373 per square foot and $33 per square foot, respectively. These inputs have been revised in this disclosure only and the change does not impact the fair value of other assets.
Level 3 measurements not included in the tables above are obtained from non-binding broker quotes where unobservable inputs are not reasonably available to the Company.
Sensitivity of Fair Value Measurements to Changes in Unobservable Inputs
Generally, a significant increase (decrease) in the expected rental value used in the fair value measurement of properties held by consolidated investment entities in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement and a significant increase (decrease) in the equivalent yield in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Generally, a significant increase (decrease) in the annual default rate and discount rate used in the fair value measurement of the CDO’s debt in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement and a significant increase (decrease) in loss recovery in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. A significant increase (decrease) in the constant prepayment rate in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Determination of Fair Value
Assets
Investments
The fair value of syndicated loans obtained from third party pricing services using a market approach with observable inputs is classified as Level 2. The fair value of syndicated loans obtained from third party pricing services with a single non-binding broker quote as the underlying valuation source is classified as Level 3. The underlying inputs used in non-binding broker quotes are not readily available to the Company.
In consideration of the above, management is responsible for the fair values recorded on the financial statements. Prices received from third party pricing services are subjected to exception reporting that identifies loans with significant daily price movements as well as no movements. The Company reviews the exception reporting and resolves the exceptions through reaffirmation of the price or recording an appropriate fair value estimate. The Company also performs subsequent transaction testing. The Company performs annual due diligence of the third party pricing services. The Company’s due diligence procedures include assessing the vendor’s valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions and unobservable assumptions, if any, employed in the valuation methodology. The Company also considers the results of its exception reporting controls and any resulting price challenges that arise.
See Note 10 for a description of the Company’s determination of the fair value of corporate debt securities, U.S. government and agencies obligations, common stocks and other investments.
Receivables
For receivables of the consolidated CDOs, the carrying value approximates fair value as the nature of these assets has historically been short term and the receivables have been collectible. The fair value of these receivables is classified as Level 2.
Other Assets
Other assets consist primarily of properties held in consolidated pooled investment vehicles managed by Threadneedle. The fair value of these properties is calculated by a third party appraisal service by discounting future cash flows generated by the expected market rental value for the property using the equivalent yield of a similar investment property. Inputs used in determining the equivalent yield and expected rental value of the property may include: rental cash flows, current occupancy, historical vacancy rates, tenant history and assumptions regarding how quickly the property can be occupied and at what rental rates. Management reviews the valuation report and assumptions used to ensure that the valuation was performed in accordance with applicable independence, appraisal and valuation standards. Given the significance of the unobservable inputs to these measurements, these assets are classified as Level 3.
Other assets of the consolidated CDOs consist primarily of warrants. Warrants are classified as Level 2 when the price is derived from observable market data. Warrants from an issuer whose securities are not priced in active markets are classified as Level 3.
Liabilities
Debt
The fair value of the CDOs’ debt is determined using a discounted cash flow model. Inputs used to determine the expected cash flows include assumptions about default, discount, prepayment and recovery rates of the CDOs’ underlying assets. Given the significance of the unobservable inputs to this fair value measurement, the fair value of the CDOs’ debt is classified as Level 3.
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consist primarily of securities purchased but not yet settled held by consolidated CDOs. The carrying value approximates fair value as the nature of these liabilities has historically been short term. The fair value of these liabilities is classified as Level 2.
Fair Value Option
The Company has elected the fair value option for the financial assets and liabilities of the consolidated CDOs. Management believes that the use of the fair value option better matches the changes in fair value of assets and liabilities related to the CDOs.
The following table presents the fair value and unpaid principal balance of loans and debt for which the fair value option has been elected:
	30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
	(in millions)
Syndicated loans
Unpaid principal balance	$	5,301			$	4,628
Excess unpaid principal over fair value	(55		)		(56		)
Fair value	$	5,246			$	4,572
Fair value of loans more than 90 days past due	$	34			$	23
Fair value of loans in nonaccrual status	34				23
Difference between fair value and unpaid principal of loans more than 90 days past due, loans in nonaccrual status or both	23				33
Debt
Unpaid principal balance	$	5,680			$	5,032
Excess unpaid principal over fair value	(214		)		(228		)
Fair value	$	5,466			$	4,804
Interest income from syndicated loans, bonds and structured investments is recorded based on contractual rates in net investment income. Gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of investments and gains and losses on sales of investments are also recorded in net investment income. Interest expense on debt is recorded in interest and debt expense with gains and losses related to changes in the fair value of debt recorded in net investment income.
Total net gains (losses) recognized in net investment income related to changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected were $(16) million and $32 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Total net gains recognized in net investment income related to changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected were $4 million and $23 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The majority of the syndicated loans and debt have floating rates; as such, changes in their fair values are primarily attributable to changes in credit spreads.
Debt of the consolidated investment entities and the stated interest rates were as follows:
	Carrying Value								Weighted Average Interest Rate
	30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13				30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
	(in millions)
Debt of consolidated CDOs due 2016-2026	$	5,466			$	4,804			1.2	%		1	%
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2014	181				305				2.3			2.6
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2015	63				97				2.4			2.4
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2017	118				120				2.6			4.5
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2018	416				377				2.6			3.5
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2019	150				33				3.3			3
Total	$	6,394			$	5,736
The debt of the consolidated CDOs has both fixed and floating interest rates, which range from 0% to 9.23%. The interest rates on the debt of CDOs are weighted average rates based on the outstanding principal and current interest rates. The carrying value of the debt of the consolidated CDOs represents the fair value of the aggregate debt. The carrying value of the floating rate revolving credit borrowings represents the outstanding principal amount of debt of certain consolidated pooled investment vehicles managed by Threadneedle. The fair value of this debt was $928 million and $932 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The consolidated pooled investment vehicles have entered into interest rate swaps and collars to manage the interest rate exposure on the floating rate revolving credit borrowings. The fair value of these derivative instruments is recorded gross and was a liability of $5 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The overall effective interest rate reflecting the impact of the derivative contracts was 3.2% and 4.2% as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments [Text Block]	'
	Investments
	The following is a summary of Ameriprise Financial investments:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Available-for-Sale securities, at fair value	$	30,256		$	30,310
	Mortgage loans, net	3,457			3,510
	Policy and certificate loans	805			774
	Other investments	1,381			1,141
	Total	$	35,899		$	35,735
	The following is a summary of net investment income:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Investment income on fixed maturities	$	365		$	390		$	1,114			$	1,194
	Net realized gains	4			6			10				7
	Affordable housing partnerships	(8		)	(3		)	(20		)		(11		)
	Other	26			17			70				76
	Consolidated investment entities	41			81			158				165
	Total net investment income	$	428		$	491		$	1,332			$	1,431
	Available-for-Sale securities distributed by type were as follows:
			30-Sep-14
	Description of Securities		Amortized			Gross			Gross				Fair Value				Noncredit
			Cost			Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses								OTTI (1)
			(in millions)
	Corporate debt securities		$	15,804		$	1,551		$	(33	)		$	17,322			$	3
	Residential mortgage backed securities		6,152			153			(73		)		6,232				(16		)
	Commercial mortgage backed securities		2,522			120			(5		)		2,637				—
	Asset backed securities		1,440			52			(4		)		1,488				—
	State and municipal obligations		2,066			220			(29		)		2,257				—
	U.S. government and agencies obligations		42			5			—				47				—
	Foreign government bonds and obligations		237			21			(5		)		253				—
	Common stocks		8			12			—				20				5
	Total		$	28,271		$	2,134		$	(149	)		$	30,256			$	(8	)
			31-Dec-13
	Description of Securities		Amortized			Gross			Gross				Fair Value				Noncredit
			Cost			Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses								OTTI (1)
			(in millions)
	Corporate debt securities		$	16,233		$	1,330		$	(97	)		$	17,466			$	3
	Residential mortgage backed securities		6,114			147			(137		)		6,124				(33		)
	Commercial mortgage backed securities		2,612			141			(12		)		2,741				—
	Asset backed securities		1,459			53			(8		)		1,504				—
	State and municipal obligations		2,132			106			(78		)		2,160				—
	U.S. government and agencies obligations		47			5			—				52				—
	Foreign government bonds and obligations		235			18			(8		)		245				—
	Common stocks		7			11			—				18				4
	Total		$	28,839		$	1,811		$	(340	)		$	30,310			$	(26	)
	(1)	Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date. These amounts are included in gross unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the period.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, investment securities with a fair value of $1.7 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, were pledged to meet contractual obligations under derivative contracts and short-term borrowings.
	At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, fixed maturity securities comprised approximately 84% and 85%, respectively, of Ameriprise Financial investments. Rating agency designations are based on the availability of ratings from Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSROs”), including Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) and Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”). The Company uses the median of available ratings from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch, or, if fewer than three ratings are available, the lower rating is used. When ratings from Moody’s, S&P and Fitch are unavailable, the Company may utilize ratings from other NRSROs or rate the securities internally. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s internal analysts rated $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, of securities using criteria similar to those used by NRSROs.
	A summary of fixed maturity securities by rating was as follows:
			30-Sep-14									31-Dec-13
	Ratings		Amortized Cost			Fair Value			Percent of Total			Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Percent of Total
									Fair Value											Fair Value
			(in millions, except percentages)
	AAA		$	7,545		$	7,785		26	%		$	7,562			$	7,746			25	%
	AA		1,657			1,851			6			1,587				1,707				6
	A		5,977			6,572			22			6,381				6,738				22
	BBB		11,236			12,190			40			11,427				12,272				41
	Below investment grade		1,848			1,838			6			1,875				1,829				6
	Total fixed maturities		$	28,263		$	30,236		100	%		$	28,832			$	30,292			100	%
	At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately 51% and 45%, respectively, of the securities rated AAA were GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC mortgage backed securities. No holdings of any other issuer were greater than 10% of total equity.
	The following tables provide information about Available-for-Sale securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
			30-Sep-14
		Less than 12 months									12 months or more										Total
Description of Securities		Number of		Fair			Unrealized				Number of			Fair				Unrealized			Number of	Fair		Unrealized
		Securities		Value			Losses				Securities			Value				Losses			Securities	Value		Losses
		(in millions, except number of securities)
Corporate debt securities		132		$	1,464		$	(12	)		43			$	748			$	(21	)	175	$	2,212	$	(33	)
Residential mortgage backed securities		66		847			(9		)		140			1,454				(64		)	206	2,301		(73		)
Commercial mortgage backed securities		13		134			(1		)		11			125				(4		)	24	259		(5		)
Asset backed securities		17		173			—				14			227				(4		)	31	400		(4		)
State and municipal obligations		10		26			—				28			151				(29		)	38	177		(29		)
Foreign government bonds and obligations		4		18			—				14			27				(5		)	18	45		(5		)
Total		242		$	2,662		$	(22	)		250			$	2,732			$	(127	)	492	$	5,394	$	(149	)
		31-Dec-13
		Less than 12 months									12 months or more										Total
Description of Securities		Number of		Fair			Unrealized				Number of			Fair				Unrealized			Number of	Fair		Unrealized
		Securities		Value			Losses				Securities			Value				Losses			Securities	Value		Losses
		(in millions, except number of securities)
Corporate debt securities		181		$	2,817		$	(83	)		12			$	181			$	(14	)	193	$	2,998	$	(97	)
Residential mortgage backed securities		128		2,393			(66		)		113			663				(71		)	241	3,056		(137		)
Commercial mortgage backed securities		35		426			(10		)		4			22				(2		)	39	448		(12		)
Asset backed securities		40		531			(7		)		4			32				(1		)	44	563		(8		)
State and municipal obligations		169		468			(36		)		14			117				(42		)	183	585		(78		)
Foreign government bonds and obligations		23		77			(8		)		—			—				—			23	77		(8		)
Total		576		$	6,712		$	(210	)		147			$	1,015			$	(130	)	723	$	7,727	$	(340	)
As part of Ameriprise Financial’s ongoing monitoring process, management determined that a majority of the change in gross unrealized losses on its Available-for-Sale securities is attributable to movement in interest rates.
The following table presents a rollforward of the cumulative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses on Available-for-Sale securities for which a portion of the securities’ total other-than-temporary impairments was recognized in other comprehensive income:
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014				2013
	(in millions)
Beginning balance	$	148		$	157		$	147			$	176
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	—			2			—				2
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	—			—			1				4
Reductions for securities sold during the period (realized)	(50		)	—			(50		)		(23		)
Ending balance	$	98		$	159		$	98			$	159
The change in net unrealized securities gains (losses) in other comprehensive income (loss) includes three components, net of tax: (i) unrealized gains (losses) that arose from changes in the market value of securities that were held during the period; (ii) (gains) losses that were previously unrealized, but have been recognized in current period net income due to sales of Available-for-Sale securities and due to the reclassification of noncredit other-than-temporary impairment losses to credit losses; and (iii) other items primarily consisting of adjustments in asset and liability balances, such as deferred acquisition costs (“DAC”), deferred sales inducement costs (“DSIC”), benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables, to reflect the expected impact on their carrying values had the unrealized gains (losses) been realized as of the respective balance sheet dates.
The following table presents a rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”):
	Net Unrealized			Deferred			AOCI Related to
	Securities Gains			Income Tax			Net Unrealized
							Securities Gains
	(in millions)
Balance at January 1, 2013	$	2,017		$	(705	)	$	1,312
Net unrealized securities losses arising during the period (1)	(1,326		)	457			(869		)
Reclassification of net securities gains included in net income	(7		)	2			(5		)
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	436			(153		)	283
Balance at September 30, 2013	$	1,120		$	(399	)	$	721		(2)
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	1,016		$	(361	)	$	655
Net unrealized securities gains arising during the period (1)	526			(185		)	341
Reclassification of net securities gains included in net income	(12		)	4			(8		)
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	(258		)	90			(168		)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	1,272		$	(452	)	$	820		(2)
(1) Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.
(2) Includes $5 million and $(11) million of noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities gains (losses) on previously impaired securities at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Net realized gains and losses on Available-for-Sale securities, determined using the specific identification method, recognized in earnings were as follows:
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014				2013
	(in millions)
Gross realized gains	$	12		$	8		$	23			$	15
Gross realized losses	(1		)	—			(5		)		(2		)
Other-than-temporary impairments	(5		)	(1		)	(6		)		(6		)
Total	$	6		$	7		$	12			$	7
Other-than-temporary impairments for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily related to credit losses on corporate debt securities and non-agency residential mortgage backed securities. Other-than-temporary impairments for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily related to credit losses on non-agency residential mortgage backed securities.
Available-for-Sale securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
	Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	(in millions)
Due within one year	$	1,556		$	1,578
Due after one year through five years	7,171			7,761
Due after five years through 10 years	4,781			5,022
Due after 10 years	4,641			5,518
	18,149			19,879
Residential mortgage backed securities	6,152			6,232
Commercial mortgage backed securities	2,522			2,637
Asset backed securities	1,440			1,488
Common stocks	8			20
Total	$	28,271		$	30,256
Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and asset backed securities are not due at a single maturity date. As such, these securities, as well as common stocks, were not included in the maturities distribution.

Financing_Receivables

Financing Receivables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Financing Receivables [Text Block]	'
	Financing Receivables
	The Company’s financing receivables include commercial mortgage loans, syndicated loans, consumer loans, policy loans, certificate loans and margin loans. Commercial mortgage loans, syndicated loans, consumer loans, policy loans and certificate loans are reflected in investments. Margin loans are recorded in receivables.
	Allowance for Loan Losses
	Policy and certificate loans do not exceed the cash surrender value at origination. As there is minimal risk of loss related to policy and certificate loans, the Company does not record an allowance for loan losses. The Company monitors collateral supporting margin loans and requests additional collateral when necessary in order to mitigate the risk of loss. As there is minimal risk of loss related to margin loans, the allowance for loan losses is immaterial.
	The following tables present a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended and the ending balance of the allowance for loan losses by impairment method and type of loan:
		30-Sep-14
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	26			$	6			$	5			$	37
	Charge-offs	(1		)		(2		)		(1		)		(4		)
	Provisions	—				2				—				2
	Ending balance	$	25			$	6			$	4			$	35
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	8			$	—			$	1			$	9
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	17				6				3				26
		30-Sep-13
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	29			$	7			$	8			$	44
	Charge-offs	(3		)		(1		)		(2		)		(6		)
	Recoveries	—				—				1				1
	Ending balance	$	26			$	6			$	7			$	39
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	6			$	—			$	1			$	7
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	20				6				6				32
	The recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan was as follows:
		30-Sep-14
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	36			$	5			$	7			$	48
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,678				489				780				3,947
	Total	$	2,714			$	494			$	787			$	3,995
		31-Dec-13
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	42			$	9			$	7			$	58
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,640				370				873				3,883
	Total	$	2,682			$	379			$	880			$	3,941
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s recorded investment in financing receivables individually evaluated for impairment for which there was no related allowance for loan losses was $17 million and $21 million, respectively. Unearned income, unamortized premiums and discounts, and net unamortized deferred fees and costs are not material to the Company’s total loan balance. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company purchased $96 million and $186 million, respectively, and sold $1 million and $11 million, respectively, of syndicated loans. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company purchased $8 million and $67 million, respectively, and sold nil and $2 million, respectively, of syndicated loans.
	The Company has not acquired any loans with deteriorated credit quality as of the acquisition date.
	Credit Quality Information
	Nonperforming loans, which are generally loans 90 days or more past due, were $12 million and $22 million as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. All other loans were considered to be performing.
	Commercial Mortgage Loans
	The Company reviews the credit worthiness of the borrower and the performance of the underlying properties in order to determine the risk of loss on commercial mortgage loans. Based on this review, the commercial mortgage loans are assigned an internal risk rating, which management updates as necessary. Commercial mortgage loans which management has assigned its highest risk rating were 1% and 2% of total commercial mortgage loans at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Loans with the highest risk rating represent distressed loans which the Company has identified as impaired or expects to become delinquent or enter into foreclosure within the next six months. In addition, the Company reviews the concentrations of credit risk by region and property type.
	Concentrations of credit risk of commercial mortgage loans by U.S. region were as follows:
		Loans								Percentage
		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013				September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in millions)
	East North Central	$	235			$	251			9	%		9	%
	East South Central	65				71				2			3
	Middle Atlantic	220				211				8			8
	Mountain	261				257				10			10
	New England	141				149				5			5
	Pacific	680				661				25			25
	South Atlantic	733				713				27			26
	West North Central	217				207				8			8
	West South Central	162				162				6			6
		2,714				2,682				100	%		100	%
	Less: allowance for loan losses	25				26
	Total	$	2,689			$	2,656
	Concentrations of credit risk of commercial mortgage loans by property type were as follows:
	Loans								Percentage
	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013				September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(in millions)
Apartments	$	478			$	488			18	%		18	%
Hotel	34				33				1			1
Industrial	476				454				18			17
Mixed use	45				36				2			1
Office	556				559				20			21
Retail	977				951				36			36
Other	148				161				5			6
	2,714				2,682				100	%		100	%
Less: allowance for loan losses	25				26
Total	$	2,689			$	2,656
Syndicated Loans
The Company’s syndicated loan portfolio is diversified across industries and issuers. The primary credit indicator for syndicated loans is whether the loans are performing in accordance with the contractual terms of the syndication. Total nonperforming syndicated loans at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $5 million and $4 million, respectively.
Consumer Loans
The Company considers the credit worthiness of borrowers (FICO score), collateral characteristics such as loan-to-value (“LTV”) and geographic concentration in determining the allowance for loan losses for consumer loans. At a minimum, management updates FICO scores and LTV ratios semiannually.
As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately 6% and 5%, respectively, of consumer loans had FICO scores below 640. As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately 2% of the Company’s residential mortgage loans had LTV ratios greater than 90%. The Company’s most significant geographic concentration for consumer loans is in California representing 37% and 38% of the portfolio as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. No other state represents more than 10% of the total consumer loan portfolio.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
The following table presents the number of loans restructured by the Company during the period and their recorded investment at the end of the period:
	Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014							2013							2014			2013
	Number of Loans			Recorded Investment				Number of Loans			Recorded Investment				Number of Loans	Recorded Investment		Number of Loans	Recorded Investment
	(in millions, except number of loans)
Commercial mortgage loans	1			$	6			3			$	12			3	$	14	7	$	22
Syndicated loans	—			—				—			—				1	1		1	—
Consumer loans	—			—				4			—				4	—		13	—
Total	1			$	6			7			$	12			8	$	15	21	$	22
The troubled debt restructurings did not have a material impact to the Company’s allowance for loan losses or income recognized for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. There are no material commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers whose loans have been restructured.

Deferred_Acquisition_Costs_and

Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs	'
Deferred acquisition costs and deferred sales inducement costs [Text Block]	'
	Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs
	In the third quarter of the year, management conducts its annual review of insurance and annuity valuation assumptions relative to current experience and management expectations. To the extent that expectations change as a result of this review, management updates valuation assumptions. The impact in the third quarter of 2014 primarily reflected the difference between the Company’s previously assumed interest rates versus the continued low interest rate environment, partially offset by favorable persistency and mortality experience and a benefit from updating the Company's variable annuity living benefit withdrawal utilization assumption. The impact in the third quarter of 2013 primarily reflected the impact of assumed interest rates and changes in assumed policyholder behavior.
	The balances of and changes in DAC were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1	$	2,663		$	2,399
	Capitalization of acquisition costs	253			252
	Amortization, excluding the impact of valuation assumptions review	(274		)	(231		)
	Amortization impact of valuation assumptions review	(7		)	78
	Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	(30		)	112
	Balance at September 30	$	2,605		$	2,610
	The balances of and changes in DSIC, which is included in other assets, were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1	$	409		$	404
	Capitalization of sales inducement costs	4			4
	Amortization, excluding the impact of valuation assumptions review	(39		)	(39		)
	Amortization impact of valuation assumptions review	(2		)	25
	Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	(3		)	18
	Balance at September 30	$	369		$	412

Policyholder_Account_Balances_

Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities	'
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities [Text Block]	'
	Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims consisted of the following:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Policyholder account balances
	Fixed annuities	$	12,922		$	13,826
	Variable annuity fixed sub-accounts	4,869			4,926
	Variable universal life (“VUL”)/universal life (“UL”) insurance	2,841			2,790
	Indexed universal life (“IUL”) insurance	475			315
	Other life insurance	846			878
	Total policyholder account balances	21,953			22,735
	Future policy benefits
	Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”)(1)	145			(383		)
	Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”)(1)	(55		)	(62		)
	Other annuity liabilities	118			76
	Fixed annuities life contingent liabilities	1,518			1,523
	Equity indexed annuities (“EIA”)	29			29
	Life, disability income and long term care insurance	5,041			4,739
	VUL/UL and other life insurance additional liabilities	403			336
	Total future policy benefits	7,199			6,258
	Policy claims and other policyholders’ funds	658			627
	Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	$	29,810		$	29,620
	(1)	Includes the value of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives that was a net asset at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 reported as a contra liability.
	Separate account liabilities consisted of the following:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Variable annuity	$	71,345		$	70,687
	VUL insurance	6,925			6,885
	Other insurance	43			44
	Threadneedle investment liabilities	4,107			3,607
	Total	$	82,420		$	81,223

Variable_Annuity_and_Insurance

Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Insurance [Abstract]	'
Variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Text Block]	'
	Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees
	The majority of the variable annuity contracts offered by the Company contain guaranteed minimum death benefit (“GMDB”) provisions. The Company also offers variable annuities with death benefit provisions that gross up the amount payable by a certain percentage of contract earnings, which are referred to as gain gross-up (“GGU”) benefits. In addition, the Company offers contracts with GMWB and GMAB provisions. The Company previously offered contracts containing guaranteed minimum income benefit (“GMIB”) provisions.
	Certain UL policies offered by the Company provide secondary guarantee benefits. The secondary guarantee ensures that, subject to specified conditions, the policy will not terminate and will continue to provide a death benefit even if there is insufficient policy value to cover the monthly deductions and charges.
	The following table provides information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities:
			30-Sep-14												31-Dec-13
	Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type (1)		Total Contract Value			Contract Value in Separate Accounts				Net Amount at Risk			Weighted Average Attained Age		Total Contract Value				Contract Value in Separate Accounts		Net Amount at Risk		Weighted Average Attained Age
			(in millions, except age)
	GMDB:
	Return of premium		$	54,378		$	52,566			$	39		64		$	52,616			$	50,790	$	28	64
	Five/six-year reset		10,465			7,925				36			64		11,220				8,663		42		64
	One-year ratchet		7,424			7,030				64			66		7,676				7,261		38		65
	Five-year ratchet		1,770			1,715				3			62		1,781				1,725		1		62
	Other		965			947				40			70		1,015				996		36		69
	Total — GMDB		$	75,002		$	70,183			$	182		64		$	74,308			$	69,435	$	145	64
	GGU death benefit		$	1,058		$	1,006			$	121		67		$	1,052			$	998	$	121	64
	GMIB		$	359		$	336			$	9		67		$	413			$	389	$	8	66
	GMWB:
	GMWB		$	3,702		$	3,689			$	1		68		$	3,936			$	3,921	$	1	67
	GMWB for life		35,967			35,853				92			65		34,069				33,930		77		64
	Total — GMWB		$	39,669		$	39,542			$	93		65		$	38,005			$	37,851	$	78	64
	GMAB		$	4,188		$	4,177			$	3		58		$	4,194			$	4,181	$	2	58
	(1) Individual variable annuity contracts may have more than one guarantee and therefore may be included in more than one benefit type. Variable annuity contracts for which the death benefit equals the account value are not shown in this table.
	The net amount at risk for GMDB, GGU and GMAB guarantees is defined as the current guaranteed benefit amount in excess of the current contract value. The net amount at risk for GMIB and GMWB guarantees is defined as the greater of the present value of the minimum guaranteed withdrawal payments less the current contract value or zero. The present value is calculated using a discount rate that is consistent with assumptions embedded in the Company’s annuity pricing models.
	The following table provides information related to insurance guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities:
		30-Sep-14					31-Dec-13
		Net Amount at Risk			Weighted Average Attained Age		Net Amount at Risk				Weighted Average Attained Age
		(in millions, except age)
	UL secondary guarantees	$	5,943		62		$	5,674			62
	The net amount at risk for UL secondary guarantees is defined as the current guaranteed death benefit amount in excess of the current policyholder value.
	Changes in additional liabilities (contra liabilities) for variable annuity and insurance guarantees were as follows:
		GMDB & GGU			GMIB				GMWB (1)			GMAB (1)				UL
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	4		$	9			$	799		$	103			$	155
	Incurred claims	2			(2		)		(908		)	(127		)		45
	Paid claims	(3		)	—				—			—				(11		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3		$	7			$	(109	)	$	(24	)		$	189
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	4		$	6			$	(383	)	$	(62	)		$	206
	Incurred claims	8			1				528			7				46
	Paid claims	(3		)	—				—			—				(5		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	9		$	7			$	145		$	(55	)		$	247
	(1) The incurred claims for GMWB and GMAB represent the total change in the liabilities (contra liabilities).
	The liabilities for guaranteed benefits are supported by general account assets.
	The following table summarizes the distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	$	40,751		$	39,195
	Bond	25,218			26,519
	Other	4,149			3,764
	Total mutual funds	$	70,118		$	69,478

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt [Text Block]	'
	Debt
	The balances and the stated interest rates of outstanding debt of Ameriprise Financial were as follows:
		Outstanding Balance						Stated Interest Rate
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13			30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Long-term debt:
	Senior notes due 2015	$	360	(1)	$	366	(1)	5.7	%	5.7	%
	Senior notes due 2019	324		(1)	327		(1)	7.3		7.3
	Senior notes due 2020	783		(1)	783		(1)	5.3		5.3
	Senior notes due 2023	750			750			4		4
	Senior notes due 2024	548			—			3.7		—
	Senior notes due 2039	—			200			—		7.8
	Junior subordinated notes due 2066	294			294			7.5		7.5
	Total long-term debt	3,059			2,720
	Short-term borrowings:
	Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances	150			450			0.3		0.3
	Repurchase agreements	50			50			0.3		0.3
	Total short-term borrowings	200			500
	Total	$	3,259		$	3,220
	(1) Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company’s long-term debt. See Note 12 for information on the Company’s fair value hedges.
	The amounts included in the table above are net of any unamortized discount and premium associated with issuing these notes.
	On September 30, 2013, the Company entered into a restated credit agreement for $500 million expiring on September 28, 2018. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company may increase the amount of this facility to $750 million upon satisfaction of certain approval requirements. Available borrowings under the agreement are reduced by any outstanding letters of credit. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under this facility and outstanding letters of credit issued against this facility were $2 million as of September 30, 2014.
	The Company’s junior subordinated notes due 2066 and credit facility contain various administrative, reporting, legal and financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Long-term Debt
	On September 18, 2014, the Company issued $550 million of unsecured senior notes due October 15, 2024, and incurred debt issuance costs of $5 million. Interest payments are due semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, commencing on April 15, 2015.
	In May 2014, the Company issued a notice of redemption for $200 million of its senior notes due 2039. The notes were redeemed on June 16, 2014 pursuant to the terms of the indenture at the principal value plus accrued interest to the redemption date. The Company recognized an expense for the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs on the notes in the second quarter of 2014.
	Short-term Borrowings
	The Company enters into repurchase agreements in exchange for cash, which it accounts for as secured borrowings. The Company has pledged Available-for-Sale securities consisting of agency residential mortgage backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities to collateralize its obligation under the repurchase agreements. The fair value of the securities pledged is recorded in investments and was $52 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The stated interest rate of the repurchase agreements is a weighted average annualized interest rate on repurchase agreements held as of the balance sheet date.
	The Company’s life insurance subsidiary is a member of the FHLB of Des Moines which provides access to collateralized borrowings. The Company has pledged Available-for-Sale securities consisting of commercial mortgage backed securities to collateralize its obligation under these borrowings. The fair value of the securities pledged is recorded in investments and was $456 million and $574 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The stated interest rate of the FHLB advances is a weighted average annualized interest rate on the outstanding borrowings as of the balance sheet date.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair values of assets and liabilities [Text Block]	'
	Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities
	GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date; that is, an exit price. The exit price assumes the asset or liability is not exchanged subject to a forced liquidation or distressed sale.
	Valuation Hierarchy
	The Company categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used by the Company’s valuation techniques. A level is assigned to each fair value measurement based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:
	Level 1    Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.
	Level 2	Prices or valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 3	Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
	The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities of Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		30-Sep-14
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	29			$	2,404			$	—			$	2,433
	Available-for-Sale securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—				15,756				1,566				17,322
	Residential mortgage backed securities	—				5,959				273				6,232
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	—				2,544				93				2,637
	Asset backed securities	—				1,295				193				1,488
	State and municipal obligations	—				2,257				—				2,257
	U.S. government and agencies obligations	12				35				—				47
	Foreign government bonds and obligations	—				253				—				253
	Common stocks	6				9				5				20
	Total Available-for-Sale securities	18				28,108				2,130				30,256
	Trading securities	114				81				1				196
	Separate account assets	—				82,420				—				82,420
	Other assets:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,587				—				1,587
	Equity derivative contracts	314				1,552				—				1,866
	Credit derivative contracts	—				4				—				4
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	2				4				—				6
	Other derivative contracts	—				—				1				1
	Other	1				—				—				1
	Total other assets	317				3,147				1				3,465
	Total assets at fair value	$	478			$	116,160			$	2,132			$	118,770
	Liabilities
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims:
	EIA embedded derivatives	$	—			$	6			$	—			$	6
	IUL embedded derivatives	—				—				202				202
	GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	—				—				(77		)		(77		)	(2)
	Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	—				6				125				131			(1)
	Customer deposits	—				6				—				6
	Other liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,208				—				1,208
	Equity derivative contracts	472				2,205				—				2,677
	Other derivative contracts	—				117				—				117
	Other	—				17				—				17
	Total other liabilities	472				3,547				—				4,019
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	472			$	3,559			$	125			$	4,156
	(1) The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $238 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivatives.
	(2) The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at September 30, 2014 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	12			$	1,841			$	—			$	1,853
	Available-for-Sale securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—				15,826				1,640				17,466
	Residential mortgage backed securities	—				5,937				187				6,124
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	—				2,711				30				2,741
	Asset backed securities	—				1,244				260				1,504
	State and municipal obligations	—				2,160				—				2,160
	U.S. government and agencies obligations	17				35				—				52
	Foreign government bonds and obligations	—				245				—				245
Common stocks	5				7				6				18
Total Available-for-Sale securities	22				28,165				2,123				30,310
Trading securities	3				32				2				37
Separate account assets	—				81,223				—				81,223
Other assets:
Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,566				—				1,566
Equity derivative contracts	265				1,576				—				1,841
Credit derivative contracts	—				3				—				3
Foreign exchange derivative contracts	2				2				—				4
Other derivative contracts	—				4				—				4
Total other assets	267				3,151				—				3,418
Total assets at fair value	$	304			$	114,412			$	2,125			$	116,841
Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims:
EIA embedded derivatives	$	—			$	5			$	—			$	5
IUL embedded derivatives	—				—				125				125
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	—				—				(575		)		(575		)	(2)
Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	—				5				(450		)		(445		)	(1)
Customer deposits	—				7				—				7
Other liabilities:
Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,672				—				1,672
Equity derivative contracts	550				2,447				—				2,997
Other derivative contracts	—				139				—				139
Other	—				12				—				12
Total other liabilities	550				4,270				—				4,820
Total liabilities at fair value	$	550			$	4,282			$	(450	)		$	4,382
(1)	The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $150 million cumulative increase to the embedded derivatives.
(2)	The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at December 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
The following tables provide a summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities of Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total				Trading Securities			Other Derivative Contracts
	(in millions)
Balance, July 1, 2014	$	1,565			$	214			$	15			$	185			$	6		$	1,985			$	1		$	1
Total losses included in:
Net income	—				—				—				—				—			—				—			(1		)	(1)
Other comprehensive loss	(12		)		—				—				(1		)		—			(13		)		—			—
Purchases	37				170				—				11				—			218				—			1
Settlements	(24		)		(6		)		—				(2		)		—			(32		)		—			—
Transfers into Level 3	—				—				78				—				—			78				—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(105		)		—				—				(1		)	(106		)		—			—
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,566			$	273			$	93			$	193			$	5		$	2,130			$	1		$	1
Changes in unrealized losses relating to assets held at September 30, 2014 included in:
Net investment income	$	(1	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	(1	)		$	—		$	—
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				—				—				—				—			—				—			(1		)
(1) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Policyholder Account Balances,
	Future Policy Benefits and Claims
	IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
	(in millions)
Balance, July 1, 2014	$	184			$	(347	)		$	(163	)
Total losses included in:
Net income	—				207			(1)	207
Issues	21				65				86
Settlements	(3		)		(2		)		(5		)
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	202			$	(77	)		$	125
Changes in unrealized losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2014 included in:
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	$	—			$	208			$	208
(1) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total
	(in millions)
Balance, July 1, 2013	$	1,667			$	69			$	210			$	214			$	5		$	2,165
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	(1		)		—				—				—				—			(1		)	(1)
Other comprehensive income	3				(1		)		—				(2		)		—			—
Purchases	—				245				—				29				—			274
Settlements	(37		)		(6		)		(36		)		(1		)		—			(80		)
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(19		)		(159		)		(37		)		—			(215		)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,632			$	288			$	15			$	203			$	5		$	2,143
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at September 30, 2013 included in:
Net investment income	$	(1	)		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	—		$	—
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Policyholder Account Balances,
	Future Policy Benefits and Claims
	IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
	(in millions)
Balance, July 1, 2013	$	76			$	11			$	87
Total (gains) losses included in:
Net income	2			(1)	(322		)	(2)	(320		)
Issues	17				60				77
Settlements	1				(5		)		(4		)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	96			$	(256	)		$	(160	)
Changes in unrealized (gains) losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2013 included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	$	2			$	—			$	2
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				(321		)		(321		)
(1) Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total				Trading Securities			Other Derivative Contracts
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	1,640			$	187			$	30			$	260			$	6		$	2,123			$	2		$	—
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	(1		)		—				—				1				—			—			(1)	—			(1		)	(2)
Other comprehensive income	4				—				—				(1		)		—			3				—			—
Purchases	159				388				60				32				—			639				1			2
Sales	(11		)		—				—				—				—			(11		)		(2		)	—
Settlements	(225		)		(18		)		—				(10		)		—			(253		)		—			—
Transfers into Level 3	—				—				78				—				—			78				—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(284		)		(75		)		(89		)		(1		)	(449		)		—			—
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,566			$	273			$	93			$	193			$	5		$	2,130			$	1		$	1
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at September 30, 2014 included in:
Net investment income	$	(2	)		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	—		$	(1	)		$	—		$	—
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				—				—				—				—			—				—			(1		)
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Policyholder Account Balances,
	Future Policy Benefits and Claims
	IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	125			$	(575	)		$	(450	)
Total losses included in:
Net income	14			(1)	327			(2)	341
Issues	69				184				253
Settlements	(6		)		(13		)		(19		)
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	202			$	(77	)		$	125
Changes in unrealized losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2014 included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	$	14			$	—			$	14
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				327				327
(1) Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	1,764			$	284			$	206			$	178			$	6		$	2,438
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	(2		)		—				—				1				—			(1		)	(1)
Other comprehensive loss	(34		)		(1		)		(6		)		5				—			(36		)
Purchases	74				307				10				200				—			591
Settlements	(170		)		(7		)		(36		)		(4		)		—			(217		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				—				—				8				—			8
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(295		)		(159		)		(185		)		(1		)	(640		)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,632			$	288			$	15			$	203			$	5		$	2,143
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at September 30, 2013 included in:
Net investment income	$	(2	)		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	—		$	(1	)
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Policyholder Account Balances,
	Future Policy Benefits and Claims
	IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	45			$	833			$	878
Total (gains) losses included in:
Net income	8			(1)	(1,246		)	(2)	(1,238		)
Issues	42				163				205
Settlements	1				(6		)		(5		)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	96			$	(256	)		$	(160	)
Changes in unrealized (gains) losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2013 included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	$	8			$	—			$	8
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				(1,229		)		(1,229		)
(1) Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The impact to pretax income of the Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk on the fair value of its embedded derivatives was $59 million and $(14) million, net of DAC, DSIC, unearned revenue amortization and the reinsurance accrual, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The impact to pretax income of the Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk on the fair value of its embedded derivatives was $68 million and $(104) million, net of DAC, DSIC, unearned revenue amortization and the reinsurance accrual, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Securities transferred from Level 3 primarily represent securities with fair values that are now obtained from a third party pricing service with observable inputs. Securities transferred to Level 3 represent securities with fair values that are now based on a single non-binding broker quote. The Company recognizes transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the beginning of the quarter in which each transfer occurred. For assets and liabilities held at the end of the reporting periods that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
The following tables provide a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements developed by the Company or reasonably available to the Company of Level 3 assets and liabilities:
	September 30, 2014
	Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
	(in millions)
Corporate debt securities (private placements)	$	1,509			Discounted cash flow		Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries		0.9	%	–	3.50%		1.20%
Other derivative contracts	$	1			Option pricing model		Correlation (1)		(3.0	)%	–	-84.00%		-60.00%
IUL embedded derivatives	$	202			Discounted cash flow		Nonperformance risk (2)		69			bps
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	$	(77	)		Discounted cash flow		Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals (3)		0	%	–	51.10%
							Surrender rate		0	%	–	59.10%
							Market volatility (4)		4.9	%	–	19.40%
							Nonperformance risk (2)		69			bps
							Elective contractholder strategy allocations (5)		0	%	–	31.00%
	December 31, 2013
	Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
	(in millions)
Corporate debt securities (private placements)	$	1,589			Discounted cash flow		Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries		0.9	%	–	5.30%		1.50%
IUL embedded derivatives	$	125			Discounted cash flow		Nonperformance risk (2)		74			bps
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	$	(575	)		Discounted cash flow		Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals (3)		0	%	–	51.10%
							Surrender rate		0.1	%	–	57.90%
							Market volatility (4)		4.9	%	–	18.80%
							Nonperformance risk (2)		74			bps
							Elective contractholder strategy allocations (5)		0	%	–	50.00%
(1)	Represents the correlation between equity returns and interest rates used in the valuation of the derivative contract.
(2)	The nonperformance risk is the spread added to the observable interest rates used in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
(3)	The utilization of guaranteed withdrawals represents the percentage of contractholders that will begin withdrawing in any given year.
(4)	Market volatility is implied volatility of fund of funds and managed volatility funds.
(5)	The elective allocation represents the percentage of contractholders that are assumed to electively switch their investment allocation to a different allocation model.
Level 3 measurements not included in the table above are obtained from non-binding broker quotes where unobservable inputs are not reasonably available to the Company.
Sensitivity of Fair Value Measurements to Changes in Unobservable Inputs
Significant increases (decreases) in the yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 corporate debt securities in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Significant (decreases) increases in the correlation used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 derivatives in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Significant increases (decreases) in nonperformance risk used in the fair value measurement of the IUL embedded derivatives in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Significant increases (decreases) in utilization, surrender rate and volatility used in the fair value measurement of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) asset value, possibly creating a liability. Significant increases (decreases) in nonperformance risk and elective investment allocation model used in the fair value measurement of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) asset value. Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals and surrender rates vary with the type of rider, the duration of the policy, the age of the contractholder, the distribution system and whether the value of the guaranteed benefit exceeds the contract accumulation value.
Determination of Fair Value
The Company uses valuation techniques consistent with the market and income approaches to measure the fair value of its assets and liabilities. The Company’s market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. The Company’s income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future projected cash flows to a single discounted present value amount. When applying either approach, the Company maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.
The following is a description of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value and the general classification of these instruments pursuant to the fair value hierarchy.
Assets
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less. Actively traded money market funds are measured at their net asset value (“NAV”) and classified as Level 1. The Company’s remaining cash equivalents are classified as Level 2 and measured at amortized cost, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected realization.
Investments (Available-for-Sale Securities and Trading Securities)
When available, the fair value of securities is based on quoted prices in active markets. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are obtained from third party pricing services, non-binding broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques. Level 1 securities primarily include U.S. Treasuries. Level 2 securities primarily include corporate bonds, residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities, asset backed securities, municipal bonds and U.S. agency and foreign government securities. The fair value of these Level 2 securities is based on a market approach with prices obtained from third party pricing services. Observable inputs used to value these securities can include, but are not limited to, reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads and non-binding broker quotes. Level 3 securities primarily include certain corporate bonds, non-agency residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and asset backed securities. The fair value of corporate bonds, non-agency residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities and certain asset backed securities classified as Level 3 is typically based on a single non-binding broker quote. The underlying inputs used for some of the non-binding broker quotes are not readily available to the Company. The Company’s privately placed corporate bonds are typically based on a single non-binding broker quote. In addition to the general pricing controls, the Company reviews the broker prices to ensure that the broker quotes are reasonable and, when available, compares prices of privately issued securities to public issues from the same issuer to ensure that the implicit illiquidity premium applied to the privately placed investment is reasonable considering investment characteristics, maturity, and average life of the investment.
In consideration of the above, management is responsible for the fair values recorded on the financial statements. Prices received from third party pricing services are subjected to exception reporting that identifies investments with significant daily price movements as well as no movements. The Company reviews the exception reporting and resolves the exceptions through reaffirmation of the price or recording an appropriate fair value estimate. The Company also performs subsequent transaction testing. The Company performs annual due diligence of third party pricing services. The Company’s due diligence procedures include assessing the vendor’s valuation qualifications, control environment, analysis of asset-class specific valuation methodologies, and understanding of sources of market observable assumptions and unobservable assumptions, if any, employed in the valuation methodology. The Company also considers the results of its exception reporting controls and any resulting price challenges that arise.
Separate Account Assets
The fair value of assets held by separate accounts is determined by the NAV of the funds in which those separate accounts are invested. The NAV represents the exit price for the separate account. Separate account assets are classified as Level 2 as they are traded in principal-to-principal markets with little publicly released pricing information.
Other Assets
Derivatives that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, such as foreign currency forwards, or derivatives that are exchange-traded are classified as Level 1 measurements. The fair value of derivatives that are traded in less active over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets is generally measured using pricing models with market observable inputs such as interest rates and equity index levels. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and include swaps and the majority of the Company’s options. The fair value of certain derivatives measured using pricing models which include significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Other derivative contracts consist of the Company’s macro hedge program. See Note 12 for further information on the macro hedge program. The counterparties’ nonperformance risk associated with uncollateralized derivative assets was immaterial at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. See Note 11 and Note 12 for further information on the credit risk of derivative instruments and related collateral.
Liabilities
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims
The Company values the embedded derivatives attributable to the provisions of certain variable annuity riders using internal valuation models. These models calculate fair value by discounting expected cash flows from benefits plus margins for profit, risk and expenses less embedded derivative fees. The projected cash flows used by these models include observable capital market assumptions and incorporate significant unobservable inputs related to contractholder behavior assumptions, implied volatility, and margins for risk, profit and expenses that the Company believes an exit market participant would expect. The fair value also reflects a current estimate of the Company’s nonperformance risk specific to these embedded derivatives. Given the significant unobservable inputs to this valuation, these measurements are classified as Level 3. The embedded derivatives attributable to these provisions are recorded in policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims.
The Company uses various Black-Scholes calculations to determine the fair value of the embedded derivatives associated with the provisions of its EIA and IUL products. Significant inputs to the EIA calculation include observable interest rates, volatilities and equity index levels and, therefore, are classified as Level 2. The fair value of the IUL embedded derivatives includes significant observable interest rates, volatilities and equity index levels and the significant unobservable estimate of the Company’s nonperformance risk. Given the significance of the nonperformance risk assumption to the fair value, the IUL embedded derivatives are classified as Level 3. The embedded derivatives attributable to these provisions are recorded in policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims.
The Company’s Corporate Actuarial Department calculates the fair value of the embedded derivatives on a monthly basis. During this process, control checks are performed to validate the completeness of the data. Actuarial management approves various components of the valuation along with the final results. The change in the fair value of the embedded derivatives is reviewed monthly with senior management. The Level 3 inputs into the valuation are consistent with the pricing assumptions and updated as experience develops. Significant unobservable inputs that reflect policyholder behavior are reviewed quarterly along with other valuation assumptions.
Customer Deposits
The Company uses various Black-Scholes calculations to determine the fair value of the embedded derivative liability associated with the provisions of its stock market certificates. The inputs to these calculations are primarily market observable and include interest rates, volatilities and equity index levels. As a result, these measurements are classified as Level 2.
Other Liabilities
Derivatives that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, such as foreign currency forwards, or derivatives that are exchange-traded, are classified as Level 1 measurements. The fair value of derivatives that are traded in less active OTC markets are generally measured using pricing models with market observable inputs such as interest rates and equity index levels. These measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy and include swaps and the majority of options. Other derivative contracts consist of the Company’s macro hedge program. See Note 12 for further information on the macro hedge program. The Company’s nonperformance risk associated with uncollateralized derivative liabilities was immaterial at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. See Note 11 and Note 12 for further information on the credit risk of derivative instruments and related collateral.
Securities sold but not yet purchased include highly liquid investments which are short-term in nature. Securities sold but not yet purchased are measured using amortized cost, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between the purchase of the instrument and its expected realization and are classified as Level 2.
During the reporting periods, there were no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.
The following tables provide the carrying value and the estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not reported at fair value. All other financial instruments that are reported at fair value have been included above in the table with balances of assets and liabilities Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	30-Sep-14
	Carrying Value				Fair Value
					Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	(in millions)
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	$	3,457			$	—			$	—			$	3,495			$	3,495
Policy and certificate loans	805				—				1				788				789
Receivables	1,357				174				1,176				6				1,356
Restricted and segregated cash	2,382				2,382				—				—				2,382
Other investments and assets	537				—				460				74				534
Financial Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	$	13,203			$	—			$	—			$	13,819			$	13,819
Investment certificate reserves	4,225				—				—				4,218				4,218
Brokerage customer deposits	3,290				3,290				—				—				3,290
Separate account liabilities	4,500				—				4,500				—				4,500
Debt and other liabilities	3,536				249				3,440				94				3,783
	31-Dec-13
	Carrying Value				Fair Value
					Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	(in millions)
Financial Assets
Mortgage loans, net	$	3,510			$	—			$	—			$	3,490			$	3,490
Policy and certificate loans	774				—				1				765				766
Receivables	1,141				107				1,026				8				1,141
Restricted and segregated cash	2,360				2,360				—				—				2,360
Other investments and assets	440				—				368				73				441
Financial Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	$	14,106			$	—			$	—			$	14,724			$	14,724
Investment certificate reserves	3,977				—				—				3,982				3,982
Brokerage customer deposits	3,088				3,088				—				—				3,088
Separate account liabilities	4,007				—				4,007				—				4,007
Debt and other liabilities	3,416				137				3,372				134				3,643
Mortgage Loans, Net
The fair value of commercial mortgage loans, except those with significant credit deterioration, is determined by discounting contractual cash flows using discount rates that reflect current pricing for loans with similar remaining maturities, liquidity and characteristics including loan-to-value ratio, occupancy rate, refinance risk, debt-service coverage, location, and property condition. For commercial mortgage loans with significant credit deterioration, fair value is determined using the same adjustments as above with an additional adjustment for the Company’s estimate of the amount recoverable on the loan. Given the significant unobservable inputs to the valuation of commercial mortgage loans, these measurements are classified as Level 3.
The fair value of consumer loans is determined by discounting estimated cash flows and incorporating adjustments for prepayment, administration expenses, loss severity, liquidity and credit loss estimates, with discount rates based on the Company’s estimate of current market conditions. The fair value of consumer loans is classified as Level 3 as the valuation includes significant unobservable inputs.
Policy and Certificate Loans
Policy loans represent loans made against the cash surrender value of the underlying life insurance or annuity product. These loans and the related interest are usually realized at death of the policyholder or contractholder or at surrender of the contract and are not transferable without the underlying insurance or annuity contract. The fair value of policy loans is determined by estimating expected cash flows discounted at rates based on the U.S. Treasury curve. Policy loans are classified as Level 3 as the discount rate used may be adjusted for the underlying performance of individual policies.
Certificate loans represent loans made against and collateralized by the underlying certificate balance. These loans do not transfer to third parties separate from the underlying certificate. The outstanding balance of these loans is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value and is classified as Level 2.
Receivables
Brokerage margin loans are measured at outstanding balances, which are a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the sufficiency of the collateral and short term nature of these loans. Margin loans that are sufficiently collateralized are classified as Level 2. Margin loans that are not sufficiently collateralized are classified as Level 3.
Securities borrowed require the Company to deposit cash or collateral with the lender. As the market value of the securities borrowed is monitored daily, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value. The fair value of securities borrowed is classified as Level 1 as the value of the underlying securities is based on unadjusted prices for identical assets.
Restricted and Segregated Cash
Restricted and segregated cash is generally set aside for specific business transactions and restrictions are specific to the Company and do not transfer to third party market participants; therefore, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.
Amounts segregated under federal and other regulations may also reflect resale agreements and are measured at the price at which the securities will be sold. This measurement is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the short time between entering into the transaction and its expected realization and the reduced risk of credit loss due to pledging U.S. government-backed securities as collateral.
The fair value of restricted and segregated cash is classified as Level 1.
Other Investments and Assets
Other investments and assets primarily consist of syndicated loans. The fair value of syndicated loans is obtained from a third party pricing service or non-binding broker quotes. Syndicated loans that are priced using a market approach with observable inputs are classified as Level 2 and syndicated loans priced using a single non-binding broker quote are classified as Level 3.
Other investments and assets also include the Company’s membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and investments related to the Community Reinvestment Act. The fair value of these assets is approximated by the carrying value and classified as Level 3 due to restrictions on transfer and lack of liquidity in the primary market for these assets.
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims
The fair value of fixed annuities, in deferral status, is determined by discounting cash flows using a risk neutral discount rate with adjustments for profit margin, expense margin, early policy surrender behavior, a margin for adverse deviation from estimated early policy surrender behavior and the Company’s nonperformance risk specific to these liabilities. The fair value of non-life contingent fixed annuities in payout status, equity indexed annuity host contracts and the fixed portion of a small number of variable annuity contracts classified as investment contracts is determined in a similar manner. Given the use of significant unobservable inputs to these valuations, the measurements are classified as Level 3.
Investment Certificate Reserves
The fair value of investment certificate reserves is determined by discounting cash flows using discount rates that reflect current pricing for assets with similar terms and characteristics, with adjustments for early withdrawal behavior, penalty fees, expense margin and the Company’s nonperformance risk specific to these liabilities. Given the use of significant unobservable inputs to this valuation, the measurement is classified as Level 3.
Brokerage Customer Deposits
Brokerage customer deposits are liabilities with no defined maturities and fair value is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of these deposits is classified as Level 1.
Separate Account Liabilities
Certain separate account liabilities are classified as investment contracts and are carried at an amount equal to the related separate account assets. The NAV of the related separate account assets represents the exit price for the separate account liabilities. Separate account liabilities are classified as Level 2 as they are traded in principal-to-principal markets with little publicly released pricing information. A nonperformance adjustment is not included as the related separate account assets act as collateral for these liabilities and minimize nonperformance risk.
Debt and Other Liabilities
The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted prices in active markets, when available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are obtained from third party pricing services, broker quotes, or other model-based valuation techniques such as present value of cash flows. The fair value of long-term debt is classified as Level 2.
The fair value of short-term borrowings is obtained from a third party pricing service. A nonperformance adjustment is not included as collateral requirements for these borrowings minimize the nonperformance risk. The fair value of short-term borrowings is classified as Level 2.
The fair value of future funding commitments to affordable housing partnerships is determined by discounting cash flows. The fair value of these commitments includes an adjustment for the Company’s nonperformance risk and is classified as Level 3 due to the use of the significant unobservable input.
Securities loaned require the borrower to deposit cash or collateral with the Company. As the market value of the securities loaned is monitored daily, the carrying value is a reasonable estimate of fair value. Securities loaned are classified as Level 1 as the fair value of the underlying securities is based on unadjusted prices for identical assets.

Offsetting_Assets_and_Liabilit

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Offsetting [Abstract]	'
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities [Text Block]	'
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	Certain financial instruments and derivative instruments are eligible for offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s derivative instruments, repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and lending agreements are subject to master netting arrangements and collateral arrangements and qualify for offset. A master netting arrangement with a counterparty creates a right of offset for amounts due to and from that same counterparty that is enforceable in the event of a default or bankruptcy. Securities borrowed and loaned result from transactions between the Company’s broker dealer subsidiary and other financial institutions and are recorded at the amount of cash collateral advanced or received. The Company’s policy is to recognize amounts subject to master netting arrangements on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following tables present the gross and net information about the Company’s assets subject to master netting arrangements:
		30-Sep-14
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
								Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	3,248	$	—	$	3,248	$	(2,895	)	$	(157	)	$	(176	)	$	20
	OTC cleared	145		—		145		(92		)	(53		)	—			—
	Exchange-traded	71		—		71		—			—			—			71
	Total derivatives	3,464		—		3,464		(2,987		)	(210		)	(176		)	91
	Securities borrowed	175		—		175		(82		)	—			(92		)	1
	Total	$	3,639	$	—	$	3,639	$	(3,069	)	$	(210	)	$	(268	)	$	92
		31-Dec-13
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
								Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	3,337	$	—	$	3,337	$	(3,227	)	$	(75	)	$	(15	)	$	20
	OTC cleared	21		—		21		(20		)	(1		)	—			—
	Exchange-traded	60		—		60		—			—			—			60
	Total derivatives	3,418		—		3,418		(3,247		)	(76		)	(15		)	80
	Securities borrowed	107		—		107		(15		)	—			(90		)	2
	Total	$	3,525	$	—	$	3,525	$	(3,262	)	$	(76	)	$	(105	)	$	82
	(1) Represents the amount of assets that could be offset by liabilities with the same counterparty under master netting or similar arrangements that management elects not to offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following tables present the gross and net information about the Company’s liabilities subject to master netting arrangements:
		30-Sep-14
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated		Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
				Balance Sheets				Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	3,908	$	—	$	3,908	$	(2,895	)	$	(8	)	$	(1,005	)	$	—
	OTC cleared	94		—		94		(92		)	(2		)	—			—
	Total derivatives	4,002		—		4,002		(2,987		)	(10		)	(1,005		)	—
	Securities loaned	249		—		249		(82		)	—			(159		)	8
	Repurchase agreements	50		—		50		—			—			(50		)	—
	Total	$	4,301	$	—	$	4,301	$	(3,069	)	$	(10	)	$	(1,214	)	$	8
		31-Dec-13
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated		Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
				Balance Sheets				Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	4,786	$	—	$	4,786	$	(3,227	)	$	—		$	(1,498	)	$	61
	OTC cleared	22		—		22		(20		)	(2		)	—			—
	Total derivatives	4,808		—		4,808		(3,247		)	(2		)	(1,498		)	61
	Securities loaned	136		—		136		(15		)	—			(117		)	4
	Repurchase agreements	50		—		50		—			—			(50		)	—
	Total	$	4,994	$	—	$	4,994	$	(3,262	)	$	(2	)	$	(1,665	)	$	65
	(1) Represents the amount of liabilities that could be offset by assets with the same counterparty under master netting or similar arrangements that management elects not to offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	In the tables above, the amounts of assets or liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are offset first by financial instruments that have the right of offset under master netting or similar arrangements, then any remaining amount is reduced by the amount of cash and securities collateral. The actual collateral may be greater than amounts presented in the tables.
	The Company’s freestanding derivative instruments are reflected in other assets and other liabilities. Repurchase agreements are reflected in short-term borrowings. Securities borrowing and lending agreements are reflected in receivables and other liabilities, respectively. See Note 12 for additional disclosures related to the Company’s derivative instruments, Note 9 for additional disclosures related to the Company’s repurchase agreements and Note 3 for information related to derivatives held by consolidated investment entities.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and hedging activities [Text Block]	'
	Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	Derivative instruments enable the Company to manage its exposure to various market risks. The value of such instruments is derived from an underlying variable or multiple variables, including equity, foreign exchange and interest rate indices or prices. The Company primarily enters into derivative agreements for risk management purposes related to the Company’s products and operations.
	The Company’s freestanding derivatives are recorded at fair value and are reflected in other assets or other liabilities. The Company’s freestanding derivative instruments are all subject to master netting arrangements. The Company’s policy on the recognition of derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets is to not offset fair value amounts recognized for derivatives and collateral arrangements executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. See Note 11 for additional information regarding the estimated fair value of the Company’s freestanding derivatives after considering the effect of master netting arrangements and collateral.
	The Company uses derivatives as economic hedges and accounting hedges. The following table presents the balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives:
	Derivatives designated as			Assets										Liabilities
	hedging instruments	Balance Sheet		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13				Balance Sheet		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		Location										Location
				(in millions)										(in millions)
	Fair value hedges
	Fixed rate debt	Other assets		$	75			$	82			Other liabilities		$	—			$	—
	Total qualifying hedges			75				82						—				—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	GMWB and GMAB
	Interest rate contracts	Other assets		1,512				1,484				Other liabilities		1,208				1,672
	Equity contracts	Other assets		1,798				1,741				Other liabilities		2,636				2,918
	Credit contracts	Other assets		4				3				Other liabilities		—				—
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other assets		4				2				Other liabilities		—				—
	Embedded derivatives (1)	N/A		—				—				Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims (2)		(77		)		(575		)
	Total GMWB and GMAB			3,318				3,230						3,767				4,015
	Other derivatives:
	Equity
	EIA embedded derivatives	N/A		—				—				Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		6				5
	IUL	Other assets		28				27				Other liabilities		7				13
	IUL embedded derivatives	N/A		—				—				Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		202				125
	Stock market certificates	Other assets		40				73				Other liabilities		34				66
	Stock market certificates embedded derivatives	N/A		—				—				Customer deposits		6				7
	Foreign exchange
	Foreign currency	Other assets		2				2				Other liabilities		—				—
	Other
	Macro hedge program	Other assets		1				4				Other liabilities		117				139
	Total other derivatives			71				106						372				355
	Total non-designated hedges			3,389				3,336						4,139				4,370
	Total derivatives			$	3,464			$	3,418					$	4,139			$	4,370
	N/A  Not applicable.
	(1) The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.
	(2) The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
	See Note 10 for additional information regarding the Company’s fair value measurement of derivative instruments.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
	The following table presents a summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		Amount of Gain (Loss) on
				Derivatives Recognized in Income
				Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
				(in millions)
	GMWB and GMAB
	Interest rate contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		$	100			$	(63	)		$	609			$	(575	)
	Equity contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		143				(319		)		(244		)		(799		)
	Credit contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		(1		)		(3		)		(23		)		5
	Foreign exchange contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		(13		)		8				(14		)		15
	Embedded derivatives (1)	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		(270		)		267				(498		)		1,089
	Total GMWB and GMAB			(41		)		(110		)		(170		)		(265		)
	Other derivatives:
	Interest rate
	Tax hedge	Net investment income		—				—				3				—
	Seed money	Net investment income		—				—				(1		)		2
	Equity
	IUL	Interest credited to fixed accounts		2				2				13				8
	IUL embedded derivatives	Interest credited to fixed accounts		(2		)		3				9				8
	EIA	Interest credited to fixed accounts		—				1				1				2
	EIA embedded derivatives	Interest credited to fixed accounts		—				—				(1		)		(1		)
	Stock market certificates	Banking and deposit interest expense		—				1				2				5
	Stock market certificates embedded derivatives	Banking and deposit interest expense		—				—				(2		)		(4		)
	Seed money	Net investment income		1				(4		)		(2		)		(12		)
Deferred compensation	Distribution expenses		1				1				6				3
Deferred compensation	General and administrative expense		(1		)		2				1				2
Foreign exchange
Foreign currency	Net investment income		4				—				2				(3		)
Deferred compensation	Distribution expenses		(3		)		—				(2		)		—
Commodity
Seed money	Net investment income		—				—				(1		)		1
Other
Macro hedge program	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		17				—				(8		)		—
Total other derivatives			19				6				20				11
Total derivatives			$	(22	)		$	(104	)		$	(150	)		$	(254	)
(1) The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.
The Company holds derivative instruments that either do not qualify or are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. These derivative instruments are used as economic hedges of equity, interest rate, credit and foreign currency exchange rate risk related to various products and transactions of the Company.
Certain annuity contracts contain GMWB or GMAB provisions, which guarantee the right to make limited partial withdrawals each contract year regardless of the volatility inherent in the underlying investments or guarantee a minimum accumulation value of consideration received at the beginning of the contract period, after a specified holding period, respectively. The Company economically hedges the exposure related to non-life contingent GMWB and GMAB provisions primarily using various futures, options, interest rate swaptions, interest rate swaps, total return swaps and variance swaps. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the gross notional amount of derivative contracts for the Company’s GMWB and GMAB provisions was $135.8 billion and $142.4 billion, respectively.
The deferred premium associated with certain of the above options is paid or received semi-annually over the life of the option contract or at maturity. The following is a summary of the payments the Company is scheduled to make and receive for these options:
	Premiums Payable				Premiums Receivable
	(in millions)
2014 (1)	$	111			$	49
2015	369				71
2016	336				55
2017	260				70
2018	209				70
2019-2027	655				138
Total	$	1,940			$	453
(1) 2014 amounts represent the amounts payable and receivable for the period from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
Actual timing and payment amounts may differ due to future contract settlements, modifications or exercises of options prior to the full premium being paid or received.
The Company has a macro hedge program to provide protection against the statutory tail scenario risk arising from variable annuity reserves on its statutory surplus and to cover some of the residual risks not covered by other hedging activities. As a means of economically hedging these risks, the Company uses a combination of options and/or swaps. Certain of the macro hedge derivatives used contain settlement provisions linked to both equity returns and interest rates; the remaining are interest rate contracts or equity contracts. The gross notional amount of these derivative contracts was $3.6 billion and $2.8 billion at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
EIA, IUL and stock market certificate products have returns tied to the performance of equity markets. As a result of fluctuations in equity markets, the obligation incurred by the Company related to EIA, IUL and stock market certificate products will positively or negatively impact earnings over the life of these products. As a means of economically hedging its obligations under the provisions of these products, the Company enters into index options and futures contracts. The gross notional amount of these derivative contracts was $1.8 billion and $1.5 billion at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The Company enters into futures, commodity swaps, and foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to price risk arising from seed money investments in proprietary investment products. The gross notional amount of these contracts was $99 million and $111 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge its exposure to certain transactions denominated in non-functional currencies. The gross notional amount of these contracts was $17 million and $30 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
The Company enters into futures contracts to economically hedge its exposure related to deferred compensation plans. The gross notional amount of these contracts was $251 million and $224 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Embedded Derivatives
Certain annuities contain GMAB and non-life contingent GMWB provisions, which are considered embedded derivatives. In addition, the equity component of the EIA, IUL and stock market certificate product obligations are also considered embedded derivatives. These embedded derivatives are bifurcated from their host contracts for valuation purposes and reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings. As discussed above, the Company uses derivatives to mitigate the financial statement impact of these embedded derivatives.
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company has designated and accounts for the following as cash flow hedges: (i) interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate exposure on debt, (ii) interest rate lock agreements to hedge interest rate exposure on debt issuances and (iii) swaptions used to hedge the risk of increasing interest rates on forecasted fixed premium product sales.
For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, amounts recognized in earnings related to cash flow hedges due to ineffectiveness were not material. The estimated net amount of existing pretax losses as of September 30, 2014 that the Company expects to reclassify to earnings within the next twelve months is $1 million, which consists of $5 million of pretax gains to be recorded as a reduction to interest and debt expense and $6 million of pretax losses to be recorded in net investment income.
The following table presents the impact of the effective portion of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Equity:
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
	Other Comprehensive Income into Income
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014				2013				2014				2013
	(in millions)
Interest and debt expense	$	1			$	2			$	3			$	3
Net investment income	(2		)		(3		)		(4		)		(4		)
Total	$	(1	)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)
Currently, the longest period of time over which the Company is hedging exposure to the variability in future cash flows is 21 years and relates to forecasted debt interest payments.
Fair Value Hedges
In 2010, the Company entered into and designated as fair value hedges three interest rate swaps to convert senior notes due 2015, 2019 and 2020 from fixed rate debt to floating rate debt. The swaps have identical terms as the underlying debt being hedged so no ineffectiveness is expected to be realized. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the derivatives and the related hedged items within interest and debt expense. The following table presents the amounts recognized in income related to fair value hedges:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	Location of Gain Recorded into Income		Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives
			Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014				2013				2014				2013
			(in millions)
Fixed rate debt	Interest and debt expense		$	9			$	20			$	25			$	30
Credit Risk
Credit risk associated with the Company’s derivatives is the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable derivative contract. To mitigate such risk, the Company has established guidelines and oversight of credit risk through a comprehensive enterprise risk management program that includes members of senior management. Key components of this program are to require preapproval of counterparties and the use of master netting arrangements and collateral arrangements whenever practical. See Note 11 for additional information on the Company’s credit exposure related to derivative assets.
Certain of the Company’s derivative contracts contain provisions that adjust the level of collateral the Company is required to post based on the Company’s debt rating (or based on the financial strength of the Company’s life insurance subsidiaries for contracts in which those subsidiaries are the counterparty). Additionally, certain of the Company’s derivative contracts contain provisions that allow the counterparty to terminate the contract if the Company’s debt does not maintain a specific credit rating (generally an investment grade rating) or the Company’s life insurance subsidiary does not maintain a specific financial strength rating. If these termination provisions were to be triggered, the Company’s counterparty could require immediate settlement of any net liability position. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate fair value of derivative contracts in a net liability position containing such credit contingent provisions was $550 million and $1.0 billion, respectively. The aggregate fair value of assets posted as collateral for such instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $550 million and $959 million, respectively. If the credit contingent provisions of derivative contracts in a net liability position at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were triggered, the aggregate fair value of additional assets that would be required to be posted as collateral or needed to settle the instruments immediately would have been nil and $56 million, respectively.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity [Text Block]	'
	Shareholders’ Equity
	The following table provides information related to amounts reclassified from AOCI:
	AOCI Reclassification	Location of Loss (Gain) Recognized in Income	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	Net unrealized gains on Available-for-Sale securities	Net investment income	$	(6	)	$	(7	)	$	(12	)	$	(7	)
	Tax expense	Income tax provision	2			2			4			2
	Net of tax		$	(4	)	$	(5	)	$	(8	)	$	(5	)
	Losses (gains) on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate contracts	Interest and debt expense	$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	(3	)	$	(3	)
	Swaptions	Net investment income	2			3			4			4
	Total before tax		1			1			1			1
	Tax benefit	Income tax provision	—			—			—			—
	Net of tax		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1
	See Note 4 for additional information related to the impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverable on net unrealized securities gains/losses included in AOCI. See Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company’s cash flow hedges.
	In October 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an expenditure of up to $2.0 billion for the repurchase of shares of our common stock through 2014. In April 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an expenditure of up to an additional $2.5 billion for the repurchase of shares of our common stock through April 28, 2016. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had $2.1 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company repurchased a total of 9.1 million shares and 14.3 million shares, respectively, of its common stock for an aggregate cost of $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.
	The Company may also reacquire shares of its common stock under its share-based compensation plans related to restricted stock awards and certain option exercises. The holders of restricted shares may elect to surrender a portion of their shares on the vesting date to cover their income tax obligation. These vested restricted shares are reacquired by the Company and the Company’s payment of the holders’ income tax obligations are recorded as a treasury share purchase. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company reacquired 0.8 million shares and 0.4 million shares, respectively, of its common stock through the surrender of shares upon vesting and paid in the aggregate $92 million and $26 million, respectively, related to the holders’ income tax obligations on the vesting date. Option holders may elect to net settle their vested awards resulting in the surrender of the number of shares required to cover the strike price and tax obligation of the options exercised. These shares are reacquired by the Company and recorded as treasury shares. For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company reacquired 1.6 million shares and 2.7 million shares of its common stock through the net settlement of options for an aggregate value of $180 million and $203 million, respectively.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company reissued 1.6 million and 1.9 million treasury shares, respectively, for restricted stock award grants, performance share units and issuance of shares vested under the Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan.
	In April 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase of 16.5 million shares to the total number of shares available for all awards under the Amended and Restated Ameriprise Financial 2005 Incentive Compensation Plan (“2005 ICP”). This increases the total shares available to be issued under the 2005 ICP to 54.4 million shares. No more than 4.5 million shares may be issued after April 30, 2014 for full value awards, which are awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes [Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 21.6% and 25.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 22.2% and 26.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are lower than the statutory rate as a result of tax preferred items including the dividends received deduction and low income housing tax credits, as well as a $17 million benefit in the first quarter of 2014 related to the completion of an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit.
	Included in the Company’s deferred income tax assets are tax benefits related to state net operating losses of $23 million which will expire beginning December 31, 2014.
	The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of the deferred tax assets that management believes will not be realized. Included in deferred tax assets is a significant deferred tax asset relating to capital losses that have been recognized for financial statement purposes but not yet for tax return purposes. Under current U.S. federal income tax law, capital losses generally must be used against capital gain income within five years of the year in which the capital losses are recognized for tax purposes. Significant judgment is required in determining if a valuation allowance should be established, and the amount of such allowance if required. Factors used in making this determination include estimates relating to the performance of the business including the ability to generate capital gains. Consideration is given to, among other things in making this determination, (i) future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, (ii) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (iii) taxable income in prior carryback years, and (iv) tax planning strategies. Based on analysis of the Company’s tax position, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize certain state deferred tax assets and state net operating losses and therefore a valuation allowance has been established. The valuation allowance was $19 million at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $226 million and $209 million, respectively, of gross unrecognized tax benefits. If recognized, approximately $48 million and $62 million, net of federal tax benefits, of unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	It is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months. Based on the current audit position of the Company, it is estimated that the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $160 million to $170 million in the next 12 months.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the income tax provision. The Company recognized a net increase of $1 million and $4 million in interest and penalties for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company recognized a net increase of $2 million and $4 million in interest and penalties for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had a payable of $46 million and $42 million, respectively, related to accrued interest and penalties.
	The Company or one or more of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The IRS has completed its field examination of the 1997 through 2007 tax returns. However, for federal income tax purposes, these years, except for 2007, continue to remain open as a consequence of certain unagreed-upon issues. The IRS completed the audits of the Company’s 2008 and 2009 tax returns in the first quarter of 2014. The IRS is in the process of completing the audits of the Company’s income tax returns for 2010 and 2011 and the Company expects these audits to be completed in 2014. The Company’s or certain of its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns are currently under examination by various jurisdictions for years ranging from 1997 through 2011 and remain open for all years after 2011.

Guarantees_and_Contingencies

Guarantees and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Guarantees and contingencies [Text Block]	'
	Guarantees and Contingencies
	Guarantees
	The Company is required by law to be a member of the guaranty fund association in every state where it is licensed to do business. In the event of insolvency of one or more unaffiliated insurance companies, the Company could be adversely affected by the requirement to pay assessments to the guaranty fund associations. Uncertainty and volatility in the U.S. economy and financial markets in recent years have weakened the financial condition of numerous insurers, including insurers currently in receiverships, increasing the risk of triggering guaranty fund assessments.
	The Company projects its cost of future guaranty fund assessments based on estimates of insurance company insolvencies provided by the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations (“NOLHGA”) and the amount of its premiums written relative to the industry-wide premium in each state. The Company accrues the estimated cost of future guaranty fund assessments when it is considered probable that an assessment will be imposed, the event obligating the Company to pay the assessment has occurred and the amount of the assessment can be reasonably estimated.
	The Company has a liability for estimated guaranty fund assessments and a related premium tax asset. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the estimated liability was $13 million and $14 million, respectively. At both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the related premium tax asset was $11 million. The expected period over which guaranty fund assessments will be made and the related tax credits recovered is not known.
	Contingencies
	The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in the normal course of business in legal, regulatory and arbitration proceedings, including class actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of its activities as a diversified financial services firm. These include proceedings specific to the Company as well as proceedings generally applicable to business practices in the industries in which it operates. The Company can also be subject to litigation arising out of its general business activities, such as its investments, contracts, leases and employment relationships. Uncertain economic conditions, heightened and sustained volatility in the financial markets and significant financial reform legislation may increase the likelihood that clients and other persons or regulators may present or threaten legal claims or that regulators increase the scope or frequency of examinations of the Company or the financial services industry generally.
	As with other financial services firms, the level of regulatory activity and inquiry concerning the Company’s businesses remains elevated. From time to time, the Company receives requests for information from, and/or has been subject to examination or claims by, the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the UK Financial Conduct Authority, state insurance and securities regulators, state attorneys general and various other domestic or foreign governmental and quasi-governmental authorities on behalf of themselves or clients concerning the Company’s business activities and practices, and the practices of the Company’s financial advisors. The Company has numerous pending matters which include information requests, exams or inquiries that the Company has received during recent periods regarding certain matters, including: sales and distribution of mutual funds, annuities, equity and fixed income securities, investment personnel’s potential access and use of material non-public information, real estate investment trusts, insurance products, and financial advice offerings; supervision of the Company’s financial advisors; administration of insurance claims; security of client information; and front office systems and controls at the Company’s UK subsidiary. The Company is also responding to regulatory audits, market conduct examinations and other state inquiries relating to an industry-wide investigation of unclaimed property and escheatment practices and procedures. The number of reviews and investigations has increased in recent years with regard to many firms in the financial services industry, including Ameriprise Financial. The Company has cooperated and will continue to cooperate with the applicable regulators regarding their inquiries.
	These legal and regulatory proceedings and disputes are subject to uncertainties and, as such, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible, or to reasonably estimate the amount of any loss. The Company cannot predict with certainty if, how or when any such proceedings will be initiated or resolved or what the eventual settlement, fine, penalty or other relief, if any, may be, particularly for proceedings that are in their early stages of development or where plaintiffs seek indeterminate damages. Numerous issues may need to be resolved, including through potentially lengthy discovery and determination of important factual matters, and by addressing unsettled legal questions relevant to the proceedings in question, before a loss or range of loss can be reasonably estimated for any proceeding. An adverse outcome in one or more proceeding could eventually result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other sanctions, in addition to further claims, examinations or adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
	In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company establishes an accrued liability for contingent litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. In such cases, there still may be an exposure to loss in excess of any amounts reasonably estimated and accrued. When a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability, but continues to monitor, in conjunction with any outside counsel handling a matter, further developments that would make such loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. Once the Company establishes an accrued liability with respect to a loss contingency, the Company continues to monitor the matter for further developments that could affect the amount of the accrued liability that has been previously established, and any appropriate adjustments are made each quarter.
	Certain legal and regulatory proceedings are described below.
	In October 2011, a putative class action lawsuit entitled Roger Krueger, et al. vs. Ameriprise Financial, et al. was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota against the Company, certain of its present or former employees and directors, as well as certain fiduciary committees on behalf of participants and beneficiaries of the Ameriprise Financial 401(k) Plan. The alleged class period is from October 1, 2005 to the present. The action alleges that Ameriprise breached fiduciary duties under ERISA, by selecting and retaining primarily proprietary mutual funds with allegedly poor performance histories, higher expenses relative to other investment options and improper fees paid to Ameriprise Financial or its subsidiaries. The action also alleges that the Company breached fiduciary duties under ERISA because it paid excessive record-keeping fees, used its affiliate Ameriprise Trust Company as the Plan trustee and record-keeper and improperly reaped profits from the sale of the record-keeping business to Wachovia Bank, N.A. Plaintiffs allege over $20 million in damages. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on February 7, 2012. On April 11, 2012, the Company filed its motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint, which was denied on November 20, 2012. On July 3, 2013, the Company moved for summary judgment on statute of limitations grounds. On March 20, 2014, the Court filed its decision, granting in part and denying in part the motion. On October 1, 2013, Plaintiffs filed their Motion to Certify Class Action, and by order dated May 23, 2014, the Court granted Plaintiffs’ motion. The case is scheduled to begin trial on April 13, 2015. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter due to the procedural status of the case, the difficulty of predicting the likelihood of success on the merits of any of plaintiffs’ claims, and plaintiffs’ failure to allege any specific, evidence-based damages.
	In October 2012, a putative class action lawsuit entitled Jeffers vs. Ameriprise Financial Services, et al. was filed against the Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois relating to its sales of the Inland Western (now known as Retail Properties of America, Inc. (“RPAI”)) REIT. The action also names as defendants RPAI, several of RPAI’s executives, and several members of RPAI’s board. The action alleges that the Company failed to perform required due diligence and misrepresented various aspects of the REIT including fees charged to clients, risks associated with the product, and valuation of the shares on client account statements. Plaintiffs seek unspecified damages. The Company was served in December 2012, and, on April 19, 2013, moved to dismiss the complaint. On June 10, 2014, the Court granted the Company’s motion to dismiss. On July 10, 2014, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, naming only Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. as a defendant. On August 11, 2014, the Company moved to dismiss the amended complaint. Briefing is complete. The Company is awaiting the Court’s ruling. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter due to the early procedural status of the case, the absence of class certification, the lack of a formal demand on the Company by the plaintiffs and plaintiffs’ failure to allege any specific, evidence-based damages.
	In September 2010, the California Department of Insurance (“CA DOI”) issued an Order to Show Cause administrative action against the Company’s life insurance subsidiary alleging that certain claims handling practices reviewed in connection with a 2007-2008 market conduct exam did not comply with applicable law. In August 2014, the Company’s life insurance subsidiary and the CA DOI reached agreement in principle to settle all pending allegations for $800,000, with the exception of a single allegation related to certain coverage determinations made under long term care insurance policies issued between 1989-1992. An administrative hearing on this remaining allegation is scheduled to conclude in November 2014. The Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter given the procedural status of the matter, the lack of specific penalty allegations, and the difficulty of predicting outcomes in these administrative proceedings which involve multiple phases and appellate procedures.

Earnings_per_Share_Attributabl

Earnings per Share Attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per share attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common shareholders [Text Block]	'
	Earnings per Share Attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common shareholders are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in millions, except per share amounts)
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	565	$	448	$	1,548		$	1,096
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	145		67		353			57
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial	420		381		1,195			1,039
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		1		(1		)	(1		)
	Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$	420	$	382	$	1,194		$	1,038
	Denominator:
	Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	190.3		201.3		192.8			204.8
	Effect of potentially dilutive nonqualified stock options and other share-based awards	3.4		3.8		3.5			3.9
	Diluted: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	193.7		205.1		196.3			208.7
	Earnings per share attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common shareholders:
	Basic:
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.21	$	1.9	$	6.2		$	5.07
	Loss from discontinued operations	—		—		(0.01		)	—
	Net income	$	2.21	$	1.9	$	6.19		$	5.07
	Diluted:
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.17	$	1.86	$	6.09		$	4.97
	Loss from discontinued operations	—		—		(0.01		)	—
	Net income	$	2.17	$	1.86	$	6.08		$	4.97
	The calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes the incremental effect of 0.2 million and nil options as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, due to their anti-dilutive effect.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information[Text Block]	'
	Segment Information
	The Company’s segments are Advice & Wealth Management, Asset Management, Annuities, Protection and Corporate & Other.
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company made the following changes to its previously reported segment data:
	•	Ameriprise interest and debt expense was allocated to all segments to more accurately reflect management’s assessment of capital allocation.
	•	Interest accretion income from the intercompany transfer of former bank assets was eliminated for segment reporting resulting in this accretion no longer being allocated to the Annuities and Protection segments. The corresponding offset is no longer reported in the Corporate & Other segment.
	•	Certain fixed wholesaling costs were reclassified from distribution expenses to general and administrative expense to improve consistency in our presentation of wholesaling distribution expense across all segments.
	Management uses segment operating measures in goal setting, as a basis for determining employee compensation and in evaluating performance on a basis comparable to that used by some securities analysts and investors. Consistent with GAAP accounting guidance for segment reporting, operating earnings is the Company’s measure of segment performance. Operating earnings should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP income from continuing operations before income tax provision. The Company believes the presentation of segment operating earnings as the Company measures it for management purposes enhances the understanding of its business by reflecting the underlying performance of its core operations and facilitating a more meaningful trend analysis.
	The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of the Company, except for operating adjustments defined below, the method of capital allocation, the accounting for gains (losses) from intercompany revenues and expenses and not providing for income taxes on a segment basis.
	Operating earnings is defined as operating net revenues less operating expenses. Operating net revenues and operating expenses exclude the results of discontinued operations, the market impact on IUL benefits (net of hedges and the related DAC amortization, unearned revenue amortization, and the reinsurance accrual), restructuring charges and the impact of consolidating investment entities. Operating net revenues also exclude net realized gains or losses. Operating expenses also exclude the market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits (net of hedges and the related DSIC and DAC amortization). The market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits and IUL benefits includes changes in liability values caused by changes in financial market conditions, net of changes in associated economic hedge values. The market impact also includes certain valuation adjustments made in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, including the impact on liability values of discounting projected benefits to reflect a current estimate of the Company’s life insurance subsidiary’s nonperformance spread. Restructuring charges include expenses related to the Company’s transition of its federal savings bank subsidiary, Ameriprise Bank, FSB, to a limited powers national trust bank.
	The following tables summarize selected financial information by segment and reconcile segment totals to those reported on the consolidated financial statements:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Advice & Wealth Management	$	10,264		$	9,571
	Asset Management	7,863			7,223
	Annuities	97,723			98,354
	Protection	20,409			19,605
	Corporate & Other	10,934			9,823
	Total assets	$	147,193		$	144,576
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Operating net revenues:
	Advice & Wealth Management	$	1,210		$	1,074		$	3,557		$	3,168
	Asset Management	839			777			2,490			2,345
	Annuities	655			649			1,942			1,908
	Protection	553			535			1,687			1,622
	Corporate & Other	(1		)	1			3			8
	Eliminations(1) (2)	(357		)	(341		)	(1,053		)	(1,010		)
	Total segment operating revenues	2,899			2,695			8,626			8,041
	Net realized gains	4			6			10			7
	Revenues attributable to CIEs	206			114			543			208
	Market impact on IUL benefits, net	2			(2		)	—			(3		)
	Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	$	3,111		$	2,813		$	9,179		$	8,253
	(1) Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($250 and $243, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $10, respectively); Annuities ($85 and $77, respectively); Protection ($11 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).
	(2) Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($740 and $723, respectively); Asset Management ($33 and $29, respectively); Annuities ($248 and $226, respectively); Protection ($31 and $30, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and $2, respectively).
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Operating earnings:
	Advice & Wealth Management	$	205		$	152		$	580		$	432
	Asset Management	208			172			590			504
	Annuities	128			205			474			457
	Protection	66			68			216			262
	Corporate & Other	(53		)	(45		)	(183		)	(155		)
	Total segment operating earnings	554			552			1,677			1,500
	Net realized gains	4			6			10			7
	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	145			67			353			57
	Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	9			(21		)	(60		)	(66		)
	Market impact on IUL benefits, net	8			(2		)	9			(4		)
	Restructuring charges	—			—			—			(3		)
	Income from continuing operations before income tax provision per consolidated statements of operations	$	720		$	602		$	1,989		$	1,491

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti1

Consolidated Investment Entities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Consolidated investment entities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities of Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		30-Sep-14
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	29			$	2,404			$	—			$	2,433
	Available-for-Sale securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—				15,756				1,566				17,322
	Residential mortgage backed securities	—				5,959				273				6,232
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	—				2,544				93				2,637
	Asset backed securities	—				1,295				193				1,488
	State and municipal obligations	—				2,257				—				2,257
	U.S. government and agencies obligations	12				35				—				47
	Foreign government bonds and obligations	—				253				—				253
	Common stocks	6				9				5				20
	Total Available-for-Sale securities	18				28,108				2,130				30,256
	Trading securities	114				81				1				196
	Separate account assets	—				82,420				—				82,420
	Other assets:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,587				—				1,587
	Equity derivative contracts	314				1,552				—				1,866
	Credit derivative contracts	—				4				—				4
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	2				4				—				6
	Other derivative contracts	—				—				1				1
	Other	1				—				—				1
	Total other assets	317				3,147				1				3,465
	Total assets at fair value	$	478			$	116,160			$	2,132			$	118,770
	Liabilities
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims:
	EIA embedded derivatives	$	—			$	6			$	—			$	6
	IUL embedded derivatives	—				—				202				202
	GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	—				—				(77		)		(77		)	(2)
	Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	—				6				125				131			(1)
	Customer deposits	—				6				—				6
	Other liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,208				—				1,208
	Equity derivative contracts	472				2,205				—				2,677
	Other derivative contracts	—				117				—				117
	Other	—				17				—				17
	Total other liabilities	472				3,547				—				4,019
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	472			$	3,559			$	125			$	4,156
	(1) The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $238 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivatives.
	(2) The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at September 30, 2014 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	12			$	1,841			$	—			$	1,853
	Available-for-Sale securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—				15,826				1,640				17,466
	Residential mortgage backed securities	—				5,937				187				6,124
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	—				2,711				30				2,741
	Asset backed securities	—				1,244				260				1,504
	State and municipal obligations	—				2,160				—				2,160
	U.S. government and agencies obligations	17				35				—				52
	Foreign government bonds and obligations	—				245				—				245
	Common stocks	5				7				6				18
	Total Available-for-Sale securities	22				28,165				2,123				30,310
	Trading securities	3				32				2				37
	Separate account assets	—				81,223				—				81,223
	Other assets:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,566				—				1,566
	Equity derivative contracts	265				1,576				—				1,841
Credit derivative contracts	—				3				—				3
Foreign exchange derivative contracts	2				2				—				4
Other derivative contracts	—				4				—				4
Total other assets	267				3,151				—				3,418
Total assets at fair value	$	304			$	114,412			$	2,125			$	116,841
Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims:
EIA embedded derivatives	$	—			$	5			$	—			$	5
IUL embedded derivatives	—				—				125				125
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	—				—				(575		)		(575		)	(2)
Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	—				5				(450		)		(445		)	(1)
Customer deposits	—				7				—				7
Other liabilities:
Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,672				—				1,672
Equity derivative contracts	550				2,447				—				2,997
Other derivative contracts	—				139				—				139
Other	—				12				—				12
Total other liabilities	550				4,270				—				4,820
Total liabilities at fair value	$	550			$	4,282			$	(450	)		$	4,382
(1)	The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $150 million cumulative increase to the embedded derivatives.
(2)	The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at December 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
Schedule of fair value and unpaid principal balance of assets and liabilities carried at fair value under the fair value option [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the fair value and unpaid principal balance of loans and debt for which the fair value option has been elected:
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Syndicated loans
	Unpaid principal balance	$	5,301			$	4,628
	Excess unpaid principal over fair value	(55		)		(56		)
	Fair value	$	5,246			$	4,572
	Fair value of loans more than 90 days past due	$	34			$	23
	Fair value of loans in nonaccrual status	34				23
	Difference between fair value and unpaid principal of loans more than 90 days past due, loans in nonaccrual status or both	23				33
	Debt
	Unpaid principal balance	$	5,680			$	5,032
	Excess unpaid principal over fair value	(214		)		(228		)
	Fair value	$	5,466			$	4,804
Schedule of debt of the consolidated investment entities and the stated interest rates [Table Text Block]	'
	The balances and the stated interest rates of outstanding debt of Ameriprise Financial were as follows:
		Outstanding Balance								Stated Interest Rate
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13				30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Long-term debt:
	Senior notes due 2015	$	360		(1)	$	366		(1)	5.7	%		5.7	%
	Senior notes due 2019	324			(1)	327			(1)	7.3			7.3
	Senior notes due 2020	783			(1)	783			(1)	5.3			5.3
	Senior notes due 2023	750				750				4			4
	Senior notes due 2024	548				—				3.7			—
	Senior notes due 2039	—				200				—			7.8
	Junior subordinated notes due 2066	294				294				7.5			7.5
	Total long-term debt	3,059				2,720
	Short-term borrowings:
	Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances	150				450				0.3			0.3
	Repurchase agreements	50				50				0.3			0.3
	Total short-term borrowings	200				500
	Total	$	3,259			$	3,220
	(1) Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company’s long-term debt. See Note 12 for information on the Company’s fair value hedges.
Consolidated investment entities [Member]	'
Consolidated investment entities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		30-Sep-14
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	—			$	183			$	—			$	183
	Common stocks	152				44				7				203
	Other investments	4				25				—				29
	Syndicated loans	—				4,932				314				5,246
	Total investments	156				5,184				321				5,661
	Receivables	—				28				—				28
	Other assets	—				1				2,017				2,018
	Total assets at fair value	$	156			$	5,213			$	2,338			$	7,707
	Liabilities
	Debt	$	—			$	—			$	5,466			$	5,466
	Other liabilities	—				81				—				81
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	—			$	81			$	5,466			$	5,547
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Investments:
	Corporate debt securities	$	—			$	200			$	2			$	202
	Common stocks	147				31				14				192
	Other investments	3				33				—				36
	Syndicated loans	—				4,204				368				4,572
	Total investments	150				4,468				384				5,002
	Receivables	—				32				—				32
	Other assets	—				13				1,936				1,949
	Total assets at fair value	$	150			$	4,513			$	2,320			$	6,983
	Liabilities
	Debt	$	—			$	—			$	4,804			$	4,804
	Other liabilities	—				193				—				193
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	—			$	193			$	4,804			$	4,997
Schedule of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables provide a summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2014	$	—			$	7			$	427			$	2,389			$	(5,511	)
	Total gains (losses) included in:
	Net income	—				—				(1		)	(1)	144			(2)	(7		)	(1)
	Other comprehensive income	—				—				—				(151		)		—
	Purchases	—				—				41				23				—
	Sales	—				—				(14		)		(388		)		—
	Settlements	—				—				(38		)		—				52
	Transfers into Level 3	—				1				84				—				—
	Transfers out of Level 3	—				(1		)		(185		)		—				—
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—			$	7			$	314			$	2,017			$	(5,466	)
	Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in	$	—			$	—			$	(1	)	(1)	$	95		(2)	$	(7	)	(1)
	income relating to assets and liabilities held at
	September 30, 2014
	(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2013	$	3			$	16			$	292			$	1,322			$	(4,677	)
	Total gains (losses) included in:
	Net income	—				(1		)	(1)	(1		)	(1)	20			(2)	50			(1)
	Other comprehensive loss	—				—				—				73				—
	Purchases	—				—				72				239				—
	Sales	—				—				(8		)		(54		)		—
	Settlements	(1		)		—				(13		)		—				168
	Transfers into Level 3	—				—				105				—				—
	Transfers out of Level 3	—				(8		)		(145		)		(9		)		—
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	2			$	7			$	302			$	1,591			$	(4,459	)
	Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in	$	—			$	(1	)	(1)	$	(2	)	(1)	$	(1	)	(2)	$	50		(1)
	income relating to assets and liabilities held at
	September 30, 2013
	(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
		(in millions)
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	2			$	14			$	368			$	1,936			$	(4,804	)
	Total gains (losses) included in:
	Net income	1			(1)	2			(1)	5			(1)	330			(2)	(32		)	(1)
	Other comprehensive income	—				—				—				(84		)		—
	Purchases	2				—				280				282				—
	Sales	(9		)		(2		)		(42		)		(458		)		—
	Issues	—				—				—				—				(1,064		)
	Settlements	—				—				(76		)		—				434
	Transfers into Level 3	10				12				328				11				—
	Transfers out of Level 3	(6		)		(19		)		(549		)		—				—
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	—			$	7			$	314			$	2,017			$	(5,466	)
	Changes in unrealized gains included in	$	—			$	1		(1)	$	1		(1)	$	280		(2)	$	3		(1)
	income relating to assets and liabilities held at
	September 30, 2014
	(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Corporate Debt Securities				Common Stocks				Syndicated Loans				Other Assets				Debt
		(in millions)
	Balance, January 1, 2013	$	3			$	14			$	202			$	1,214			$	(4,450	)
	Total gains (losses) included in:
	Net income	—				—				—				22			(2)	(38		)	(1)
	Other comprehensive loss	—				—				—				(1		)		—
	Purchases	1				—				265				434				—
	Sales	(1		)		(3		)		(52		)		(77		)		—
	Issues	—				—				—				—				(926		)
	Settlements	(1		)		—				(46		)		—				955
Transfers into Level 3	—				15				232				8				—
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(19		)		(299		)		(9		)		—
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	2			$	7			$	302			$	1,591			$	(4,459	)
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) included in	$	—			$	(2	)	(1)	$	(1	)	(1)	$	5		(2)	$	(10	)	(1)
income relating to assets and liabilities held at
September 30, 2013
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables provide a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements developed by the Company or reasonably available to the Company of Level 3 assets and liabilities held by consolidated investment entities:
		September 30, 2014
		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
		(in millions)
	Other assets	$	2,017			Discounted cash flow/ market comparables		Equivalent yield		4.1	%	–	12.00%		6.7	%
								Expected rental value (per square foot)		$3		–	$103		$35
	Debt	$	5,466			Discounted cash flow		Annual default rate		2.50%
								Discount rate		1.3	%	–	7.30%		2.5	%
								Constant prepayment rate		5	%	–	10.00%		9.8	%
								Loss recovery		36.4	%	–	63.60%		62.6	%
		December 31, 2013
		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
		(in millions)
	Other assets	$	1,936			Discounted cash flow/ market comparables		Equivalent yield		4.4	%	–	12.40%		7.4	%
								Expected rental value (per square foot) (1)		$3		–	$165		$27
	Debt	$	4,804			Discounted cash flow		Annual default rate		2.50%
								Discount rate		1.5	%	–	8.30%		2.7	%
								Constant prepayment rate		5	%	–	10.00%		9.8	%
								Loss recovery		36.4	%	–	63.60%		62.3	%
Schedule of debt of the consolidated investment entities and the stated interest rates [Table Text Block]	'
	Debt of the consolidated investment entities and the stated interest rates were as follows:
		Carrying Value								Weighted Average Interest Rate
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13				30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Debt of consolidated CDOs due 2016-2026	$	5,466			$	4,804			1.2	%		1	%
	Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2014	181				305				2.3			2.6
	Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2015	63				97				2.4			2.4
	Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2017	118				120				2.6			4.5
	Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2018	416				377				2.6			3.5
	Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2019	150				33				3.3			3
	Total	$	6,394			$	5,736

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Summary of investments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of Ameriprise Financial investments:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Available-for-Sale securities, at fair value	$	30,256		$	30,310
	Mortgage loans, net	3,457			3,510
	Policy and certificate loans	805			774
	Other investments	1,381			1,141
	Total	$	35,899		$	35,735
Summary of net investment income [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of net investment income:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Investment income on fixed maturities	$	365		$	390		$	1,114			$	1,194
	Net realized gains	4			6			10				7
	Affordable housing partnerships	(8		)	(3		)	(20		)		(11		)
	Other	26			17			70				76
	Consolidated investment entities	41			81			158				165
	Total net investment income	$	428		$	491		$	1,332			$	1,431
Available-for-Sale Securities Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Available-for-Sale securities distributed by type were as follows:
			30-Sep-14
	Description of Securities		Amortized			Gross			Gross				Fair Value				Noncredit
			Cost			Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses								OTTI (1)
			(in millions)
	Corporate debt securities		$	15,804		$	1,551		$	(33	)		$	17,322			$	3
	Residential mortgage backed securities		6,152			153			(73		)		6,232				(16		)
	Commercial mortgage backed securities		2,522			120			(5		)		2,637				—
	Asset backed securities		1,440			52			(4		)		1,488				—
	State and municipal obligations		2,066			220			(29		)		2,257				—
	U.S. government and agencies obligations		42			5			—				47				—
	Foreign government bonds and obligations		237			21			(5		)		253				—
	Common stocks		8			12			—				20				5
	Total		$	28,271		$	2,134		$	(149	)		$	30,256			$	(8	)
			31-Dec-13
	Description of Securities		Amortized			Gross			Gross				Fair Value				Noncredit
			Cost			Unrealized Gains			Unrealized Losses								OTTI (1)
			(in millions)
	Corporate debt securities		$	16,233		$	1,330		$	(97	)		$	17,466			$	3
	Residential mortgage backed securities		6,114			147			(137		)		6,124				(33		)
	Commercial mortgage backed securities		2,612			141			(12		)		2,741				—
	Asset backed securities		1,459			53			(8		)		1,504				—
	State and municipal obligations		2,132			106			(78		)		2,160				—
	U.S. government and agencies obligations		47			5			—				52				—
	Foreign government bonds and obligations		235			18			(8		)		245				—
	Common stocks		7			11			—				18				4
	Total		$	28,839		$	1,811		$	(340	)		$	30,310			$	(26	)
	(1)	Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date. These amounts are included in gross unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the period.
Investments with fixed maturities disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of fixed maturity securities by rating was as follows:
			30-Sep-14									31-Dec-13
	Ratings		Amortized Cost			Fair Value			Percent of Total			Amortized Cost				Fair Value				Percent of Total
									Fair Value											Fair Value
			(in millions, except percentages)
	AAA		$	7,545		$	7,785		26	%		$	7,562			$	7,746			25	%
	AA		1,657			1,851			6			1,587				1,707				6
	A		5,977			6,572			22			6,381				6,738				22
	BBB		11,236			12,190			40			11,427				12,272				41
	Below investment grade		1,848			1,838			6			1,875				1,829				6
	Total fixed maturities		$	28,263		$	30,236		100	%		$	28,832			$	30,292			100	%
Available-for-Sale securities continuous unrealized loss disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables provide information about Available-for-Sale securities with gross unrealized losses and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:
			30-Sep-14
			Less than 12 months									12 months or more										Total
	Description of Securities		Number of		Fair			Unrealized				Number of			Fair				Unrealized			Number of	Fair		Unrealized
			Securities		Value			Losses				Securities			Value				Losses			Securities	Value		Losses
			(in millions, except number of securities)
	Corporate debt securities		132		$	1,464		$	(12	)		43			$	748			$	(21	)	175	$	2,212	$	(33	)
	Residential mortgage backed securities		66		847			(9		)		140			1,454				(64		)	206	2,301		(73		)
	Commercial mortgage backed securities		13		134			(1		)		11			125				(4		)	24	259		(5		)
	Asset backed securities		17		173			—				14			227				(4		)	31	400		(4		)
	State and municipal obligations		10		26			—				28			151				(29		)	38	177		(29		)
	Foreign government bonds and obligations		4		18			—				14			27				(5		)	18	45		(5		)
	Total		242		$	2,662		$	(22	)		250			$	2,732			$	(127	)	492	$	5,394	$	(149	)
			31-Dec-13
			Less than 12 months									12 months or more										Total
	Description of Securities		Number of		Fair			Unrealized				Number of			Fair				Unrealized			Number of	Fair		Unrealized
			Securities		Value			Losses				Securities			Value				Losses			Securities	Value		Losses
			(in millions, except number of securities)
	Corporate debt securities		181		$	2,817		$	(83	)		12			$	181			$	(14	)	193	$	2,998	$	(97	)
	Residential mortgage backed securities		128		2,393			(66		)		113			663				(71		)	241	3,056		(137		)
	Commercial mortgage backed securities		35		426			(10		)		4			22				(2		)	39	448		(12		)
	Asset backed securities		40		531			(7		)		4			32				(1		)	44	563		(8		)
	State and municipal obligations		169		468			(36		)		14			117				(42		)	183	585		(78		)
	Foreign government bonds and obligations		23		77			(8		)		—			—				—			23	77		(8		)
	Total		576		$	6,712		$	(210	)		147			$	1,015			$	(130	)	723	$	7,727	$	(340	)
Credit losses on available-for-sale securities disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents a rollforward of the cumulative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses on Available-for-Sale securities for which a portion of the securities’ total other-than-temporary impairments was recognized in other comprehensive income:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	148		$	157		$	147			$	176
	Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	—			2			—				2
	Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	—			—			1				4
	Reductions for securities sold during the period (realized)	(50		)	—			(50		)		(23		)
	Ending balance	$	98		$	159		$	98			$	159
Other comprehensive income available-for-sale securities disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents a rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”):
		Net Unrealized			Deferred			AOCI Related to
		Securities Gains			Income Tax			Net Unrealized
								Securities Gains
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	2,017		$	(705	)	$	1,312
	Net unrealized securities losses arising during the period (1)	(1,326		)	457			(869		)
	Reclassification of net securities gains included in net income	(7		)	2			(5		)
	Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	436			(153		)	283
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	1,120		$	(399	)	$	721		(2)
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	1,016		$	(361	)	$	655
	Net unrealized securities gains arising during the period (1)	526			(185		)	341
	Reclassification of net securities gains included in net income	(12		)	4			(8		)
	Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	(258		)	90			(168		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	1,272		$	(452	)	$	820		(2)
	(1) Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.
	(2) Includes $5 million and $(11) million of noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities gains (losses) on previously impaired securities at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Available-for-Sale securities recognized in earnings disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Net realized gains and losses on Available-for-Sale securities, determined using the specific identification method, recognized in earnings were as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Gross realized gains	$	12		$	8		$	23			$	15
	Gross realized losses	(1		)	—			(5		)		(2		)
	Other-than-temporary impairments	(5		)	(1		)	(6		)		(6		)
	Total	$	6		$	7		$	12			$	7
Available-for-Sale securities contractual maturity disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Available-for-Sale securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2014 were as follows:
		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
		(in millions)
	Due within one year	$	1,556		$	1,578
	Due after one year through five years	7,171			7,761
	Due after five years through 10 years	4,781			5,022
	Due after 10 years	4,641			5,518
		18,149			19,879
	Residential mortgage backed securities	6,152			6,232
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	2,522			2,637
	Asset backed securities	1,440			1,488
	Common stocks	8			20
	Total	$	28,271		$	30,256

Financing_Receivables_Tables

Financing Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Rollforward of the allowance for loan losses [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present a rollforward of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended and the ending balance of the allowance for loan losses by impairment method and type of loan:
		30-Sep-14
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	26			$	6			$	5			$	37
	Charge-offs	(1		)		(2		)		(1		)		(4		)
	Provisions	—				2				—				2
	Ending balance	$	25			$	6			$	4			$	35
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	8			$	—			$	1			$	9
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	17				6				3				26
		30-Sep-13
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Beginning balance	$	29			$	7			$	8			$	44
	Charge-offs	(3		)		(1		)		(2		)		(6		)
	Recoveries	—				—				1				1
	Ending balance	$	26			$	6			$	7			$	39
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	6			$	—			$	1			$	7
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	20				6				6				32
Schedule of recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan [Table Text Block]	'
	The recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan was as follows:
		30-Sep-14
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	36			$	5			$	7			$	48
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,678				489				780				3,947
	Total	$	2,714			$	494			$	787			$	3,995
		31-Dec-13
		Commercial				Syndicated Loans				Consumer Loans				Total
		Mortgage Loans
		(in millions)
	Individually evaluated for impairment	$	42			$	9			$	7			$	58
	Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,640				370				873				3,883
	Total	$	2,682			$	379			$	880			$	3,941
Schedule of commercial mortgage loans by geographic region [Table Text Block]	'
	Concentrations of credit risk of commercial mortgage loans by U.S. region were as follows:
		Loans								Percentage
		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013				September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in millions)
	East North Central	$	235			$	251			9	%		9	%
	East South Central	65				71				2			3
	Middle Atlantic	220				211				8			8
	Mountain	261				257				10			10
	New England	141				149				5			5
	Pacific	680				661				25			25
	South Atlantic	733				713				27			26
	West North Central	217				207				8			8
	West South Central	162				162				6			6
		2,714				2,682				100	%		100	%
	Less: allowance for loan losses	25				26
	Total	$	2,689			$	2,656
Schedule of commercial mortgage loans by property type [Table Text Block]	'
	Concentrations of credit risk of commercial mortgage loans by property type were as follows:
		Loans								Percentage
		September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013				September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(in millions)
	Apartments	$	478			$	488			18	%		18	%
	Hotel	34				33				1			1
	Industrial	476				454				18			17
	Mixed use	45				36				2			1
	Office	556				559				20			21
	Retail	977				951				36			36
	Other	148				161				5			6
		2,714				2,682				100	%		100	%
	Less: allowance for loan losses	25				26
	Total	$	2,689			$	2,656
Schedule of troubled debt restructurings [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the number of loans restructured by the Company during the period and their recorded investment at the end of the period:
		Three Months Ended September 30,														Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014							2013							2014			2013
		Number of Loans			Recorded Investment				Number of Loans			Recorded Investment				Number of Loans	Recorded Investment		Number of Loans	Recorded Investment
		(in millions, except number of loans)
	Commercial mortgage loans	1			$	6			3			$	12			3	$	14	7	$	22
	Syndicated loans	—			—				—			—				1	1		1	—
	Consumer loans	—			—				4			—				4	—		13	—
	Total	1			$	6			7			$	12			8	$	15	21	$	22

Deferred_Acquisition_Costs_and1

Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs	'
Schedule of balances of and changes in DAC [Table Text Block]	'
	The balances of and changes in DAC were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1	$	2,663		$	2,399
	Capitalization of acquisition costs	253			252
	Amortization, excluding the impact of valuation assumptions review	(274		)	(231		)
	Amortization impact of valuation assumptions review	(7		)	78
	Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	(30		)	112
	Balance at September 30	$	2,605		$	2,610
Schedule of balances of and changes in DSIC [Table Text Block]	'
	The balances of and changes in DSIC, which is included in other assets, were as follows:
		2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1	$	409		$	404
	Capitalization of sales inducement costs	4			4
	Amortization, excluding the impact of valuation assumptions review	(39		)	(39		)
	Amortization impact of valuation assumptions review	(2		)	25
	Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	(3		)	18
	Balance at September 30	$	369		$	412

Policyholder_Account_Balances_1

Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities	'
Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims consisted of the following:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Policyholder account balances
	Fixed annuities	$	12,922		$	13,826
	Variable annuity fixed sub-accounts	4,869			4,926
	Variable universal life (“VUL”)/universal life (“UL”) insurance	2,841			2,790
	Indexed universal life (“IUL”) insurance	475			315
	Other life insurance	846			878
	Total policyholder account balances	21,953			22,735
	Future policy benefits
	Variable annuity guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (“GMWB”)(1)	145			(383		)
	Variable annuity guaranteed minimum accumulation benefits (“GMAB”)(1)	(55		)	(62		)
	Other annuity liabilities	118			76
	Fixed annuities life contingent liabilities	1,518			1,523
	Equity indexed annuities (“EIA”)	29			29
	Life, disability income and long term care insurance	5,041			4,739
	VUL/UL and other life insurance additional liabilities	403			336
	Total future policy benefits	7,199			6,258
	Policy claims and other policyholders’ funds	658			627
	Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	$	29,810		$	29,620
	(1)	Includes the value of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives that was a net asset at both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 reported as a contra liability.
Schedule of Separate Account Liabilities by Policy Type [Table Text Block]	'
	Separate account liabilities consisted of the following:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Variable annuity	$	71,345		$	70,687
	VUL insurance	6,925			6,885
	Other insurance	43			44
	Threadneedle investment liabilities	4,107			3,607
	Total	$	82,420		$	81,223

Variable_Annuity_and_Insurance1

Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Insurance [Abstract]	'
Schedule of variable annuity guarantees [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides information related to variable annuity guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities:
			30-Sep-14												31-Dec-13
	Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type (1)		Total Contract Value			Contract Value in Separate Accounts				Net Amount at Risk			Weighted Average Attained Age		Total Contract Value				Contract Value in Separate Accounts		Net Amount at Risk		Weighted Average Attained Age
			(in millions, except age)
	GMDB:
	Return of premium		$	54,378		$	52,566			$	39		64		$	52,616			$	50,790	$	28	64
	Five/six-year reset		10,465			7,925				36			64		11,220				8,663		42		64
	One-year ratchet		7,424			7,030				64			66		7,676				7,261		38		65
	Five-year ratchet		1,770			1,715				3			62		1,781				1,725		1		62
	Other		965			947				40			70		1,015				996		36		69
	Total — GMDB		$	75,002		$	70,183			$	182		64		$	74,308			$	69,435	$	145	64
	GGU death benefit		$	1,058		$	1,006			$	121		67		$	1,052			$	998	$	121	64
	GMIB		$	359		$	336			$	9		67		$	413			$	389	$	8	66
	GMWB:
	GMWB		$	3,702		$	3,689			$	1		68		$	3,936			$	3,921	$	1	67
	GMWB for life		35,967			35,853				92			65		34,069				33,930		77		64
	Total — GMWB		$	39,669		$	39,542			$	93		65		$	38,005			$	37,851	$	78	64
	GMAB		$	4,188		$	4,177			$	3		58		$	4,194			$	4,181	$	2	58
	(1) Individual variable annuity contracts may have more than one guarantee and therefore may be included in more than one benefit type. Variable annuity contracts for which the death benefit equals the account value are not shown in this table.
Schedule of net amount of risk UL secondary guarantees [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides information related to insurance guarantees for which the Company has established additional liabilities:
		30-Sep-14					31-Dec-13
		Net Amount at Risk			Weighted Average Attained Age		Net Amount at Risk				Weighted Average Attained Age
		(in millions, except age)
	UL secondary guarantees	$	5,943		62		$	5,674			62
Schedule of changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in additional liabilities (contra liabilities) for variable annuity and insurance guarantees were as follows:
		GMDB & GGU			GMIB				GMWB (1)			GMAB (1)				UL
		(in millions)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	4		$	9			$	799		$	103			$	155
	Incurred claims	2			(2		)		(908		)	(127		)		45
	Paid claims	(3		)	—				—			—				(11		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	3		$	7			$	(109	)	$	(24	)		$	189
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	4		$	6			$	(383	)	$	(62	)		$	206
	Incurred claims	8			1				528			7				46
	Paid claims	(3		)	—				—			—				(5		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	9		$	7			$	145		$	(55	)		$	247
	(1) The incurred claims for GMWB and GMAB represent the total change in the liabilities (contra liabilities).
Schedule of separate account balances by asset type [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Mutual funds:
	Equity	$	40,751		$	39,195
	Bond	25,218			26,519
	Other	4,149			3,764
	Total mutual funds	$	70,118		$	69,478

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	'
	The balances and the stated interest rates of outstanding debt of Ameriprise Financial were as follows:
		Outstanding Balance						Stated Interest Rate
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13			30-Sep-14		31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Long-term debt:
	Senior notes due 2015	$	360	(1)	$	366	(1)	5.7	%	5.7	%
	Senior notes due 2019	324		(1)	327		(1)	7.3		7.3
	Senior notes due 2020	783		(1)	783		(1)	5.3		5.3
	Senior notes due 2023	750			750			4		4
	Senior notes due 2024	548			—			3.7		—
	Senior notes due 2039	—			200			—		7.8
	Junior subordinated notes due 2066	294			294			7.5		7.5
	Total long-term debt	3,059			2,720
	Short-term borrowings:
	Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances	150			450			0.3		0.3
	Repurchase agreements	50			50			0.3		0.3
	Total short-term borrowings	200			500
	Total	$	3,259		$	3,220
	(1) Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Company’s long-term debt. See Note 12 for information on the Company’s fair value hedges.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab1

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following tables present the balances of assets and liabilities of Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
		30-Sep-14
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	29			$	2,404			$	—			$	2,433
	Available-for-Sale securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—				15,756				1,566				17,322
	Residential mortgage backed securities	—				5,959				273				6,232
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	—				2,544				93				2,637
	Asset backed securities	—				1,295				193				1,488
	State and municipal obligations	—				2,257				—				2,257
	U.S. government and agencies obligations	12				35				—				47
	Foreign government bonds and obligations	—				253				—				253
	Common stocks	6				9				5				20
	Total Available-for-Sale securities	18				28,108				2,130				30,256
	Trading securities	114				81				1				196
	Separate account assets	—				82,420				—				82,420
	Other assets:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,587				—				1,587
	Equity derivative contracts	314				1,552				—				1,866
	Credit derivative contracts	—				4				—				4
	Foreign exchange derivative contracts	2				4				—				6
	Other derivative contracts	—				—				1				1
	Other	1				—				—				1
	Total other assets	317				3,147				1				3,465
	Total assets at fair value	$	478			$	116,160			$	2,132			$	118,770
	Liabilities
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims:
	EIA embedded derivatives	$	—			$	6			$	—			$	6
	IUL embedded derivatives	—				—				202				202
	GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	—				—				(77		)		(77		)	(2)
	Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	—				6				125				131			(1)
	Customer deposits	—				6				—				6
	Other liabilities:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,208				—				1,208
	Equity derivative contracts	472				2,205				—				2,677
	Other derivative contracts	—				117				—				117
	Other	—				17				—				17
	Total other liabilities	472				3,547				—				4,019
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	472			$	3,559			$	125			$	4,156
	(1) The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $238 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivatives.
	(2) The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at September 30, 2014 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
		31-Dec-13
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	12			$	1,841			$	—			$	1,853
	Available-for-Sale securities:
	Corporate debt securities	—				15,826				1,640				17,466
	Residential mortgage backed securities	—				5,937				187				6,124
	Commercial mortgage backed securities	—				2,711				30				2,741
	Asset backed securities	—				1,244				260				1,504
	State and municipal obligations	—				2,160				—				2,160
	U.S. government and agencies obligations	17				35				—				52
	Foreign government bonds and obligations	—				245				—				245
	Common stocks	5				7				6				18
	Total Available-for-Sale securities	22				28,165				2,123				30,310
	Trading securities	3				32				2				37
	Separate account assets	—				81,223				—				81,223
	Other assets:
	Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,566				—				1,566
	Equity derivative contracts	265				1,576				—				1,841
Credit derivative contracts	—				3				—				3
Foreign exchange derivative contracts	2				2				—				4
Other derivative contracts	—				4				—				4
Total other assets	267				3,151				—				3,418
Total assets at fair value	$	304			$	114,412			$	2,125			$	116,841
Liabilities
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims:
EIA embedded derivatives	$	—			$	5			$	—			$	5
IUL embedded derivatives	—				—				125				125
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	—				—				(575		)		(575		)	(2)
Total policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	—				5				(450		)		(445		)	(1)
Customer deposits	—				7				—				7
Other liabilities:
Interest rate derivative contracts	—				1,672				—				1,672
Equity derivative contracts	550				2,447				—				2,997
Other derivative contracts	—				139				—				139
Other	—				12				—				12
Total other liabilities	550				4,270				—				4,820
Total liabilities at fair value	$	550			$	4,282			$	(450	)		$	4,382
(1)	The Company’s adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $150 million cumulative increase to the embedded derivatives.
(2)	The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at December 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total				Trading Securities			Other Derivative Contracts
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2014	$	1,565			$	214			$	15			$	185			$	6		$	1,985			$	1		$	1
	Total losses included in:
	Net income	—				—				—				—				—			—				—			(1		)	(1)
	Other comprehensive loss	(12		)		—				—				(1		)		—			(13		)		—			—
	Purchases	37				170				—				11				—			218				—			1
	Settlements	(24		)		(6		)		—				(2		)		—			(32		)		—			—
	Transfers into Level 3	—				—				78				—				—			78				—			—
	Transfers out of Level 3	—				(105		)		—				—				(1		)	(106		)		—			—
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,566			$	273			$	93			$	193			$	5		$	2,130			$	1		$	1
	Changes in unrealized losses relating to assets held at September 30, 2014 included in:
	Net investment income	$	(1	)		$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—		$	(1	)		$	—		$	—
	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				—				—				—				—			—				—			(1		)
	(1) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Policyholder Account Balances,
		Future Policy Benefits and Claims
		IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2014	$	184			$	(347	)		$	(163	)
	Total losses included in:
	Net income	—				207			(1)	207
	Issues	21				65				86
	Settlements	(3		)		(2		)		(5		)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	202			$	(77	)		$	125
	Changes in unrealized losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2014 included in:
	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	$	—			$	208			$	208
	(1) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2013	$	1,667			$	69			$	210			$	214			$	5		$	2,165
	Total gains (losses) included in:
	Net income	(1		)		—				—				—				—			(1		)	(1)
	Other comprehensive income	3				(1		)		—				(2		)		—			—
	Purchases	—				245				—				29				—			274
	Settlements	(37		)		(6		)		(36		)		(1		)		—			(80		)
	Transfers out of Level 3	—				(19		)		(159		)		(37		)		—			(215		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,632			$	288			$	15			$	203			$	5		$	2,143
	Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at September 30, 2013 included in:
	Net investment income	$	(1	)		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	—		$	—
	(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Policyholder Account Balances,
		Future Policy Benefits and Claims
		IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
		(in millions)
	Balance, July 1, 2013	$	76			$	11			$	87
	Total (gains) losses included in:
	Net income	2			(1)	(322		)	(2)	(320		)
	Issues	17				60				77
	Settlements	1				(5		)		(4		)
	Balance, September 30, 2013	$	96			$	(256	)		$	(160	)
	Changes in unrealized (gains) losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2013 included in:
	Interest credited to fixed accounts	$	2			$	—			$	2
	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				(321		)		(321		)
	(1) Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
		Available-for-Sale Securities
		Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total				Trading Securities			Other Derivative Contracts
		(in millions)
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	1,640			$	187			$	30			$	260			$	6		$	2,123			$	2		$	—
	Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	(1		)		—				—				1				—			—			(1)	—			(1		)	(2)
Other comprehensive income	4				—				—				(1		)		—			3				—			—
Purchases	159				388				60				32				—			639				1			2
Sales	(11		)		—				—				—				—			(11		)		(2		)	—
Settlements	(225		)		(18		)		—				(10		)		—			(253		)		—			—
Transfers into Level 3	—				—				78				—				—			78				—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(284		)		(75		)		(89		)		(1		)	(449		)		—			—
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,566			$	273			$	93			$	193			$	5		$	2,130			$	1		$	1
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at September 30, 2014 included in:
Net investment income	$	(2	)		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	—		$	(1	)		$	—		$	—
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				—				—				—				—			—				—			(1		)
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Policyholder Account Balances,
	Future Policy Benefits and Claims
	IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2014	$	125			$	(575	)		$	(450	)
Total losses included in:
Net income	14			(1)	327			(2)	341
Issues	69				184				253
Settlements	(6		)		(13		)		(19		)
Balance, September 30, 2014	$	202			$	(77	)		$	125
Changes in unrealized losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2014 included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	$	14			$	—			$	14
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				327				327
(1) Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Available-for-Sale Securities
	Corporate Debt Securities				Residential Mortgage Backed Securities				Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities				Asset Backed Securities				Common Stocks			Total
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	1,764			$	284			$	206			$	178			$	6		$	2,438
Total gains (losses) included in:
Net income	(2		)		—				—				1				—			(1		)	(1)
Other comprehensive loss	(34		)		(1		)		(6		)		5				—			(36		)
Purchases	74				307				10				200				—			591
Settlements	(170		)		(7		)		(36		)		(4		)		—			(217		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				—				—				8				—			8
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(295		)		(159		)		(185		)		(1		)	(640		)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,632			$	288			$	15			$	203			$	5		$	2,143
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at September 30, 2013 included in:
Net investment income	$	(2	)		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	—		$	(1	)
(1) Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Policyholder Account Balances,
	Future Policy Benefits and Claims
	IUL Embedded Derivatives				GMWB and GMAB Embedded Derivatives				Total
	(in millions)
Balance, January 1, 2013	$	45			$	833			$	878
Total (gains) losses included in:
Net income	8			(1)	(1,246		)	(2)	(1,238		)
Issues	42				163				205
Settlements	1				(6		)		(5		)
Balance, September 30, 2013	$	96			$	(256	)		$	(160	)
Changes in unrealized (gains) losses relating to liabilities held at September 30, 2013 included in:
Interest credited to fixed accounts	$	8			$	—			$	8
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	—				(1,229		)		(1,229		)
(1) Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements	'
	The following tables provide a summary of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements developed by the Company or reasonably available to the Company of Level 3 assets and liabilities:
		September 30, 2014
		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
		(in millions)
	Corporate debt securities (private placements)	$	1,509			Discounted cash flow		Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries		0.9	%	–	3.50%		1.20%
	Other derivative contracts	$	1			Option pricing model		Correlation (1)		(3.0	)%	–	-84.00%		-60.00%
	IUL embedded derivatives	$	202			Discounted cash flow		Nonperformance risk (2)		69			bps
	GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	$	(77	)		Discounted cash flow		Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals (3)		0	%	–	51.10%
								Surrender rate		0	%	–	59.10%
								Market volatility (4)		4.9	%	–	19.40%
								Nonperformance risk (2)		69			bps
								Elective contractholder strategy allocations (5)		0	%	–	31.00%
		December 31, 2013
		Fair Value				Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		Range					Weighted Average
		(in millions)
	Corporate debt securities (private placements)	$	1,589			Discounted cash flow		Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries		0.9	%	–	5.30%		1.50%
	IUL embedded derivatives	$	125			Discounted cash flow		Nonperformance risk (2)		74			bps
	GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives	$	(575	)		Discounted cash flow		Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals (3)		0	%	–	51.10%
								Surrender rate		0.1	%	–	57.90%
								Market volatility (4)		4.9	%	–	18.80%
								Nonperformance risk (2)		74			bps
								Elective contractholder strategy allocations (5)		0	%	–	50.00%
	(1)	Represents the correlation between equity returns and interest rates used in the valuation of the derivative contract.
	(2)	The nonperformance risk is the spread added to the observable interest rates used in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
	(3)	The utilization of guaranteed withdrawals represents the percentage of contractholders that will begin withdrawing in any given year.
	(4)	Market volatility is implied volatility of fund of funds and managed volatility funds.
	(5)	The elective allocation represents the percentage of contractholders that are assumed to electively switch their investment allocation to a different allocation model.
Schedule of carrying value and the estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not reported at fair value	'
	The following tables provide the carrying value and the estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not reported at fair value. All other financial instruments that are reported at fair value have been included above in the table with balances of assets and liabilities Ameriprise Financial measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
		30-Sep-14
		Carrying Value				Fair Value
						Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Financial Assets
	Mortgage loans, net	$	3,457			$	—			$	—			$	3,495			$	3,495
	Policy and certificate loans	805				—				1				788				789
	Receivables	1,357				174				1,176				6				1,356
	Restricted and segregated cash	2,382				2,382				—				—				2,382
	Other investments and assets	537				—				460				74				534
	Financial Liabilities
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	$	13,203			$	—			$	—			$	13,819			$	13,819
	Investment certificate reserves	4,225				—				—				4,218				4,218
	Brokerage customer deposits	3,290				3,290				—				—				3,290
	Separate account liabilities	4,500				—				4,500				—				4,500
	Debt and other liabilities	3,536				249				3,440				94				3,783
		31-Dec-13
		Carrying Value				Fair Value
						Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(in millions)
	Financial Assets
	Mortgage loans, net	$	3,510			$	—			$	—			$	3,490			$	3,490
	Policy and certificate loans	774				—				1				765				766
	Receivables	1,141				107				1,026				8				1,141
	Restricted and segregated cash	2,360				2,360				—				—				2,360
	Other investments and assets	440				—				368				73				441
	Financial Liabilities
	Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	$	14,106			$	—			$	—			$	14,724			$	14,724
	Investment certificate reserves	3,977				—				—				3,982				3,982
	Brokerage customer deposits	3,088				3,088				—				—				3,088
	Separate account liabilities	4,007				—				4,007				—				4,007
	Debt and other liabilities	3,416				137				3,372				134				3,643

Offsetting_Assets_and_Liabilit1

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Offsetting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of gross and net information about the Company's assets subject to master netting arrangements [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the gross and net information about the Company’s assets subject to master netting arrangements:
		30-Sep-14
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
								Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	3,248	$	—	$	3,248	$	(2,895	)	$	(157	)	$	(176	)	$	20
	OTC cleared	145		—		145		(92		)	(53		)	—			—
	Exchange-traded	71		—		71		—			—			—			71
	Total derivatives	3,464		—		3,464		(2,987		)	(210		)	(176		)	91
	Securities borrowed	175		—		175		(82		)	—			(92		)	1
	Total	$	3,639	$	—	$	3,639	$	(3,069	)	$	(210	)	$	(268	)	$	92
		31-Dec-13
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
								Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	3,337	$	—	$	3,337	$	(3,227	)	$	(75	)	$	(15	)	$	20
	OTC cleared	21		—		21		(20		)	(1		)	—			—
	Exchange-traded	60		—		60		—			—			—			60
	Total derivatives	3,418		—		3,418		(3,247		)	(76		)	(15		)	80
	Securities borrowed	107		—		107		(15		)	—			(90		)	2
	Total	$	3,525	$	—	$	3,525	$	(3,262	)	$	(76	)	$	(105	)	$	82
	(1) Represents the amount of assets that could be offset by liabilities with the same counterparty under master netting or similar arrangements that management elects not to offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Schedule of gross and net information about the Company's liabilities subject to master netting arrangements [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables present the gross and net information about the Company’s liabilities subject to master netting arrangements:
		30-Sep-14
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated		Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
				Balance Sheets				Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	3,908	$	—	$	3,908	$	(2,895	)	$	(8	)	$	(1,005	)	$	—
	OTC cleared	94		—		94		(92		)	(2		)	—			—
	Total derivatives	4,002		—		4,002		(2,987		)	(10		)	(1,005		)	—
	Securities loaned	249		—		249		(82		)	—			(159		)	8
	Repurchase agreements	50		—		50		—			—			(50		)	—
	Total	$	4,301	$	—	$	4,301	$	(3,069	)	$	(10	)	$	(1,214	)	$	8
		31-Dec-13
		Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities		Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated		Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
				Balance Sheets				Consolidated Balance Sheets
								Financial Instruments (1)			Cash Collateral			Securities Collateral			Net Amount
		(in millions)
	Derivatives:
	OTC	$	4,786	$	—	$	4,786	$	(3,227	)	$	—		$	(1,498	)	$	61
	OTC cleared	22		—		22		(20		)	(2		)	—			—
	Total derivatives	4,808		—		4,808		(3,247		)	(2		)	(1,498		)	61
	Securities loaned	136		—		136		(15		)	—			(117		)	4
	Repurchase agreements	50		—		50		—			—			(50		)	—
	Total	$	4,994	$	—	$	4,994	$	(3,262	)	$	(2	)	$	(1,665	)	$	65
	(1) Represents the amount of liabilities that could be offset by assets with the same counterparty under master netting or similar arrangements that management elects not to offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'
Schedule of gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives [Table Text Block]	'
	The Company uses derivatives as economic hedges and accounting hedges. The following table presents the balance sheet location and the gross fair value of derivative instruments, including embedded derivatives:
	Derivatives designated as			Assets										Liabilities
	hedging instruments	Balance Sheet		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13				Balance Sheet		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		Location										Location
				(in millions)										(in millions)
	Fair value hedges
	Fixed rate debt	Other assets		$	75			$	82			Other liabilities		$	—			$	—
	Total qualifying hedges			75				82						—				—
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	GMWB and GMAB
	Interest rate contracts	Other assets		1,512				1,484				Other liabilities		1,208				1,672
	Equity contracts	Other assets		1,798				1,741				Other liabilities		2,636				2,918
	Credit contracts	Other assets		4				3				Other liabilities		—				—
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other assets		4				2				Other liabilities		—				—
	Embedded derivatives (1)	N/A		—				—				Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims (2)		(77		)		(575		)
	Total GMWB and GMAB			3,318				3,230						3,767				4,015
	Other derivatives:
	Equity
	EIA embedded derivatives	N/A		—				—				Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		6				5
	IUL	Other assets		28				27				Other liabilities		7				13
	IUL embedded derivatives	N/A		—				—				Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims		202				125
	Stock market certificates	Other assets		40				73				Other liabilities		34				66
	Stock market certificates embedded derivatives	N/A		—				—				Customer deposits		6				7
	Foreign exchange
	Foreign currency	Other assets		2				2				Other liabilities		—				—
	Other
	Macro hedge program	Other assets		1				4				Other liabilities		117				139
	Total other derivatives			71				106						372				355
	Total non-designated hedges			3,389				3,336						4,139				4,370
	Total derivatives			$	3,464			$	3,418					$	4,139			$	4,370
	N/A  Not applicable.
	(1) The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.
	(2) The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
Schedule of payments to make and receive for options [Table Text Block]	'
	The deferred premium associated with certain of the above options is paid or received semi-annually over the life of the option contract or at maturity. The following is a summary of the payments the Company is scheduled to make and receive for these options:
		Premiums Payable				Premiums Receivable
		(in millions)
	2014 (1)	$	111			$	49
	2015	369				71
	2016	336				55
	2017	260				70
	2018	209				70
	2019-2027	655				138
	Total	$	1,940			$	453
	(1) 2014 amounts represent the amounts payable and receivable for the period from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014.
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member]	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'
Schedule of gain (loss) on derivative instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents a summary of the impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income		Amount of Gain (Loss) on
				Derivatives Recognized in Income
				Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
				(in millions)
	GMWB and GMAB
	Interest rate contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		$	100			$	(63	)		$	609			$	(575	)
	Equity contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		143				(319		)		(244		)		(799		)
	Credit contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		(1		)		(3		)		(23		)		5
	Foreign exchange contracts	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		(13		)		8				(14		)		15
	Embedded derivatives (1)	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		(270		)		267				(498		)		1,089
	Total GMWB and GMAB			(41		)		(110		)		(170		)		(265		)
	Other derivatives:
	Interest rate
	Tax hedge	Net investment income		—				—				3				—
	Seed money	Net investment income		—				—				(1		)		2
	Equity
	IUL	Interest credited to fixed accounts		2				2				13				8
	IUL embedded derivatives	Interest credited to fixed accounts		(2		)		3				9				8
	EIA	Interest credited to fixed accounts		—				1				1				2
	EIA embedded derivatives	Interest credited to fixed accounts		—				—				(1		)		(1		)
	Stock market certificates	Banking and deposit interest expense		—				1				2				5
	Stock market certificates embedded derivatives	Banking and deposit interest expense		—				—				(2		)		(4		)
	Seed money	Net investment income		1				(4		)		(2		)		(12		)
	Deferred compensation	Distribution expenses		1				1				6				3
	Deferred compensation	General and administrative expense		(1		)		2				1				2
	Foreign exchange
	Foreign currency	Net investment income		4				—				2				(3		)
	Deferred compensation	Distribution expenses		(3		)		—				(2		)		—
	Commodity
	Seed money	Net investment income		—				—				(1		)		1
	Other
	Macro hedge program	Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses		17				—				(8		)		—
	Total other derivatives			19				6				20				11
	Total derivatives			$	(22	)		$	(104	)		$	(150	)		$	(254	)
	(1) The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.
Cash flow hedges [Member]	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'
Schedule of gain (loss) on derivative instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the impact of the effective portion of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Equity:
	Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income	Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated
		Other Comprehensive Income into Income
		Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
		(in millions)
	Interest and debt expense	$	1			$	2			$	3			$	3
	Net investment income	(2		)		(3		)		(4		)		(4		)
	Total	$	(1	)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)
Fair value hedges [Member]	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'
Schedule of gain (loss) on derivative instruments [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the amounts recognized in income related to fair value hedges:
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments	Location of Gain Recorded into Income		Amount of Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives
				Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
				2014				2013				2014				2013
				(in millions)
	Fixed rate debt	Interest and debt expense		$	9			$	20			$	25			$	30

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Information related to amounts reclassified from AOCI [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table provides information related to amounts reclassified from AOCI:
	AOCI Reclassification	Location of Loss (Gain) Recognized in Income	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			(in millions)
	Net unrealized gains on Available-for-Sale securities	Net investment income	$	(6	)	$	(7	)	$	(12	)	$	(7	)
	Tax expense	Income tax provision	2			2			4			2
	Net of tax		$	(4	)	$	(5	)	$	(8	)	$	(5	)
	Losses (gains) on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate contracts	Interest and debt expense	$	(1	)	$	(2	)	$	(3	)	$	(3	)
	Swaptions	Net investment income	2			3			4			4
	Total before tax		1			1			1			1
	Tax benefit	Income tax provision	—			—			—			—
	Net of tax		$	1		$	1		$	1		$	1

Earnings_per_Share_Attributabl1

Earnings per Share Attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of earnings per common share [Table Text Block]	'
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common shareholders are as follows:
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in millions, except per share amounts)
	Numerator:
	Income from continuing operations	$	565	$	448	$	1,548		$	1,096
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	145		67		353			57
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial	420		381		1,195			1,039
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		1		(1		)	(1		)
	Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$	420	$	382	$	1,194		$	1,038
	Denominator:
	Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	190.3		201.3		192.8			204.8
	Effect of potentially dilutive nonqualified stock options and other share-based awards	3.4		3.8		3.5			3.9
	Diluted: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	193.7		205.1		196.3			208.7
	Earnings per share attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. common shareholders:
	Basic:
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.21	$	1.9	$	6.2		$	5.07
	Loss from discontinued operations	—		—		(0.01		)	—
	Net income	$	2.21	$	1.9	$	6.19		$	5.07
	Diluted:
	Income from continuing operations	$	2.17	$	1.86	$	6.09		$	4.97
	Loss from discontinued operations	—		—		(0.01		)	—
	Net income	$	2.17	$	1.86	$	6.08		$	4.97

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of segment reporting information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following tables summarize selected financial information by segment and reconcile segment totals to those reported on the consolidated financial statements:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in millions)
	Assets:
	Advice & Wealth Management	$	10,264		$	9,571
	Asset Management	7,863			7,223
	Annuities	97,723			98,354
	Protection	20,409			19,605
	Corporate & Other	10,934			9,823
	Total assets	$	147,193		$	144,576
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Operating net revenues:
	Advice & Wealth Management	$	1,210		$	1,074		$	3,557		$	3,168
	Asset Management	839			777			2,490			2,345
	Annuities	655			649			1,942			1,908
	Protection	553			535			1,687			1,622
	Corporate & Other	(1		)	1			3			8
	Eliminations(1) (2)	(357		)	(341		)	(1,053		)	(1,010		)
	Total segment operating revenues	2,899			2,695			8,626			8,041
	Net realized gains	4			6			10			7
	Revenues attributable to CIEs	206			114			543			208
	Market impact on IUL benefits, net	2			(2		)	—			(3		)
	Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	$	3,111		$	2,813		$	9,179		$	8,253
	(1) Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($250 and $243, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $10, respectively); Annuities ($85 and $77, respectively); Protection ($11 and $10, respectively); and Corporate & Other (nil and $1, respectively).
	(2) Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: Advice & Wealth Management ($740 and $723, respectively); Asset Management ($33 and $29, respectively); Annuities ($248 and $226, respectively); Protection ($31 and $30, respectively); and Corporate & Other ($1 and $2, respectively).
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(in millions)
	Operating earnings:
	Advice & Wealth Management	$	205		$	152		$	580		$	432
	Asset Management	208			172			590			504
	Annuities	128			205			474			457
	Protection	66			68			216			262
	Corporate & Other	(53		)	(45		)	(183		)	(155		)
	Total segment operating earnings	554			552			1,677			1,500
	Net realized gains	4			6			10			7
	Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	145			67			353			57
	Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	9			(21		)	(60		)	(66		)
	Market impact on IUL benefits, net	8			(2		)	9			(4		)
	Restructuring charges	—			—			—			(3		)
	Income from continuing operations before income tax provision per consolidated statements of operations	$	720		$	602		$	1,989		$	1,491

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Prior period reclassification adjustment [Member]	$26	$82

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti2

Consolidated Investment Entities (Asset & Liability Balances) (Details) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities	'	'
Debt	$5,466	$4,804
Other liabilities	81	193
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	156	150
Total assets at fair value	156	150
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Common stocks [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	152	147
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	4	3
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	5,184	4,468
Receivables	28	32
Other assets	1	13
Total assets at fair value	5,213	4,513
Liabilities	'	'
Other liabilities	81	193
Total liabilities at fair value	81	193
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	183	200
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Common stocks [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	44	31
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	25	33
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Syndicated loans [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	4,932	4,204
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	321	384
Other assets	2,017	1,936
Total assets at fair value	2,338	2,320
Liabilities	'	'
Debt	5,466	4,804
Total liabilities at fair value	5,466	4,804
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	'	2
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Common stocks [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	7	14
Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Syndicated loans [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	314	368
Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	5,661	5,002
Receivables	28	32
Other assets	2,018	1,949
Total assets at fair value	7,707	6,983
Liabilities	'	'
Debt	5,466	4,804
Other liabilities	81	193
Total liabilities at fair value	5,547	4,997
Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	183	202
Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Common stocks [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	203	192
Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Other Investments [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	29	36
Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Syndicated loans [Member]	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	$5,246	$4,572

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti3

Consolidated Investment Entities (Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities) (Details 2) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2	$0		$0		$0		$0
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	'		3,000,000		2,000,000		3,000,000
Total gains (losses) included in net income	'		'		1,000,000	[1]	'
Purchases	'		'		2,000,000		1,000,000
Sales	'		'		-9,000,000		-1,000,000
Settlements	'		-1,000,000		'		-1,000,000
Transfers into Level 3	'		'		10,000,000		'
Transfers out of Level 3	'		'		-6,000,000		'
Balance, at the end of the period	0		2,000,000		0		2,000,000
Common stocks [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	7,000,000		16,000,000		14,000,000		14,000,000
Total gains (losses) included in net income	'		-1,000,000	[1]	2,000,000	[1]	'
Sales	'		'		-2,000,000		-3,000,000
Transfers into Level 3	1,000,000		'		12,000,000		15,000,000
Transfers out of Level 3	-1,000,000		-8,000,000		-19,000,000		-19,000,000
Balance, at the end of the period	7,000,000		7,000,000		7,000,000		7,000,000
Changes in unrealized gains/ (losses) included in income relating to assets held at end of period	'		-1,000,000	[1]	1,000,000	[1]	-2,000,000	[1]
Syndicated loans [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	427,000,000		292,000,000		368,000,000		202,000,000
Total gains (losses) included in net income	-1,000,000	[1]	-1,000,000	[1]	5,000,000	[1]	'
Purchases	41,000,000		72,000,000		280,000,000		265,000,000
Sales	-14,000,000		-8,000,000		-42,000,000		-52,000,000
Settlements	-38,000,000		-13,000,000		-76,000,000		-46,000,000
Transfers into Level 3	84,000,000		105,000,000		328,000,000		232,000,000
Transfers out of Level 3	-185,000,000		-145,000,000		-549,000,000		-299,000,000
Balance, at the end of the period	314,000,000		302,000,000		314,000,000		302,000,000
Changes in unrealized gains/ (losses) included in income relating to assets held at end of period	-1,000,000	[1]	-2,000,000	[1]	1,000,000	[1]	-1,000,000	[1]
Other assets [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	2,389,000,000		1,322,000,000		1,936,000,000		1,214,000,000
Total gains (losses) included in net income	144,000,000	[2]	20,000,000	[2]	330,000,000	[2]	22,000,000	[2]
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive loss	-151,000,000		73,000,000		-84,000,000		-1,000,000
Purchases	23,000,000		239,000,000		282,000,000		434,000,000
Sales	-388,000,000		-54,000,000		-458,000,000		-77,000,000
Transfers into Level 3	'		'		11,000,000		8,000,000
Transfers out of Level 3	'		-9,000,000		'		-9,000,000
Balance, at the end of the period	2,017,000,000		1,591,000,000		2,017,000,000		1,591,000,000
Changes in unrealized gains/ (losses) included in income relating to assets held at end of period	95,000,000	[2]	-1,000,000	[2]	280,000,000	[2]	5,000,000	[2]
Debt [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	-5,511,000,000		-4,677,000,000		-4,804,000,000		-4,450,000,000
Total gains (losses) included in net income	-7,000,000	[1]	50,000,000	[1]	-32,000,000	[1]	-38,000,000	[1]
Issues	'		'		-1,064,000,000		-926,000,000
Settlements	52,000,000		168,000,000		434,000,000		955,000,000
Balance, at the end of the period	-5,466,000,000		-4,459,000,000		-5,466,000,000		-4,459,000,000
Changes in unrealized gains/ (losses) included in income relating to liabilities held at end of period	($7,000,000)	[1]	$50,000,000	[1]	$3,000,000	[1]	($10,000,000)	[1]
[1]	Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Included in other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti4

Consolidated Investment Entities (Fair Value Unobservable Inputs) (Details 3) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Debt	$5,466	$4,804
Other assets [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow/market comparables [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Equivalent yield	4.10%	4.40%
Expected rental value (per square foot)	3	3	[1]
Other assets [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow/market comparables [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Equivalent yield	12.00%	12.40%
Expected rental value (per square foot)	103	165	[1]
Other assets [Member] | Weighted average [Member] | Discounted cash flow/market comparables [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Equivalent yield	6.70%	7.40%
Expected rental value (per square foot)	35	27	[1]
Debt [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Annual default rate	2.50%	2.50%
Debt [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Discount rate	1.30%	1.50%
Constant prepayment rate	5.00%	5.00%
Loss recovery	36.40%	36.40%
Debt [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Discount rate	7.30%	8.30%
Constant prepayment rate	10.00%	10.00%
Loss recovery	63.60%	63.60%
Debt [Member] | Weighted average [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Discount rate	2.50%	2.70%
Constant prepayment rate	9.80%	9.80%
Loss recovery	62.60%	62.30%
Level 3 [Member] | Recurring basis [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Other assets	2,017	1,936
Debt	$5,466	$4,804
Scenario, previously reported [Member] | Other assets [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Discounted cash flow/market comparables [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Expected rental value (per square foot)	'	5
Scenario, previously reported [Member] | Other assets [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Discounted cash flow/market comparables [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Expected rental value (per square foot)	'	373
Scenario, previously reported [Member] | Other assets [Member] | Weighted average [Member] | Discounted cash flow/market comparables [Member]	'	'
Summary of the significant unobservable inputs	'	'
Expected rental value (per square foot)	'	33
[1]	The previously reported range and weighted average for the expected rental value was $5-$373 per square foot and $33 per square foot, respectively. These inputs have been revised in this disclosure only and the change does not impact the fair value of other assets.

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti5

Consolidated Investment Entities (FV Options for consolidated CDOs) (Details 4) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated investment entities [Member]	'	'
Syndicated loans [Abstract]	'	'
Unpaid principal balance	$5,301	$4,628
Excess estimated unpaid principal over fair value	-55	-56
Fair value	5,246	4,572
Fair value of loans more than 90 days past due	34	23
Fair value of loans in nonaccrual status	34	23
Difference between fair value and unpaid principal of loans more than 90 days past due, loans in nonaccrual status or both	23	33
Debt [Abstract]	'	'
Unpaid principal balance	5,680	5,032
Excess unpaid principal over fair value	-214	-228
Fair value	$5,466	$4,804

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti6

Consolidated Investment Entities (Debt of Consolidated Investment Entities) (Details 5) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	$6,394	$5,736
Debt of Consolidated CDOs Maturing in 2016 to 2026 [Member]	'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	5,466	4,804
Weighted average interest rate	1.20%	1.00%
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2014 [Member]	'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	181	305
Weighted average interest rate	2.30%	2.60%
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2015 [Member]	'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	63	97
Weighted average interest rate	2.40%	2.40%
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	118	120
Weighted average interest rate	2.60%	4.50%
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	416	377
Weighted average interest rate	2.60%	3.50%
Floating rate revolving credit borrowings due 2019 [Member]	'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'	'
Carrying value of debt	$150	$33
Weighted average interest rate	3.30%	3.00%

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti7

Consolidated Investment Entities Consolidated Investment Entities (Fair Value of Derivatives) (Details 6) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of variable interest or voting rights entities consolidated	'	'	3	'
Value of variable interest or voting rights entities consolidated	'	'	$1,300,000,000	'
Number of variable interest or voting rights entities liquidated	'	'	1	'
Value of variable interest or voting rights entities liquidated	'	'	300,000,000	'
Net investment income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total net losses recognized in net investment income related to changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected	($16,000,000)	$32,000,000	$4,000,000	$23,000,000

Consolidated_Investment_Entiti8

Consolidated Investment Entities CDO Debt (Details 7) (Consolidated investment entities [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stated interest rate according to the terms of CDO structure	'	'	0.00%	9.23%
Floating Rate Debt Instrument, Fair Value	$928	$932	'	'
Fair value of derivative instruments	$5	$5	'	'
Effective interest rate reflecting the impact of derivative contracts	3.20%	4.20%	'	'

Investments_Investments_Holdin

Investments Investments (Holdings info) (Details) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments	$35,899	$35,735
Available-for-sale securities [Member]	'	'
Investments	30,256	30,310
Mortgage loans, net [Member]	'	'
Investments	3,457	3,510
Policy and certificate loans [Member]	'	'
Investments	805	774
Other investments [Member]	'	'
Investments	$1,381	$1,141

Investments_Investments_Net_In

Investments Investments (Net Inv Inc summary) (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Investment income on fixed maturities	$365	$390	$1,114	$1,194
Net realized gains (losses)	4	6	10	7
Affordable housing partnerships	-8	-3	-20	-11
Other	26	17	70	76
Consolidated investment entities	41	81	158	165
Total net investment income	$428	$491	$1,332	$1,431

Investments_AFS_by_Type_Detail

Investments (AFS by Type) (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Investments	'		'
Security owned and pledged as collateral, fair value	$1,700,000,000		$2,300,000,000
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	28,271,000,000		28,839,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	2,134,000,000		1,811,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-149,000,000		-340,000,000
Fair value	30,256,000,000		30,310,000,000
Noncredit OTTI	-8,000,000	[1]	-26,000,000	[1]
Corporate debt securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	15,804,000,000		16,233,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	1,551,000,000		1,330,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-33,000,000		-97,000,000
Fair value	17,322,000,000		17,466,000,000
Noncredit OTTI	3,000,000	[1]	3,000,000	[1]
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	6,152,000,000		6,114,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	153,000,000		147,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-73,000,000		-137,000,000
Fair value	6,232,000,000		6,124,000,000
Noncredit OTTI	-16,000,000	[1]	-33,000,000	[1]
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	2,522,000,000		2,612,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	120,000,000		141,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-5,000,000		-12,000,000
Fair value	2,637,000,000		2,741,000,000
Asset backed securities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	1,440,000,000		1,459,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	52,000,000		53,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-4,000,000		-8,000,000
Fair value	1,488,000,000		1,504,000,000
State and municipal obligations [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	2,066,000,000		2,132,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	220,000,000		106,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-29,000,000		-78,000,000
Fair value	2,257,000,000		2,160,000,000
U.S. government and agencies obligations [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	42,000,000		47,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	5,000,000		5,000,000
Fair value	47,000,000		52,000,000
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	237,000,000		235,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	21,000,000		18,000,000
Gross unrealized losses	-5,000,000		-8,000,000
Fair value	253,000,000		245,000,000
Common stocks [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Investments	'		'
Amortized cost	8,000,000		7,000,000
Gross unrealized gains	12,000,000		11,000,000
Fair value	20,000,000		18,000,000
Noncredit OTTI	$5,000,000	[1]	$4,000,000	[1]
[1]	Represents the amount of other-than-temporary impairment (bOTTIb) losses in accumulated other comprehensive income. Amount includes unrealized gains and losses on impaired securities subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date. These amounts are included in gross unrealized gains and losses as of the end of the period.

Investments_Rating_info_Detail

Investments (Rating info) (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	item
Investments	'	'
Fixed maturity securities as percentage of the entity's total investments	84.00%	85.00%
Number of holdings of other than GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC having greater than 10% of total equity	0	'
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amount of securities internally rated	1,300,000,000	1,400,000,000
Percentage of GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC securities rated AAA	51.00%	45.00%
AAA [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amortized cost	7,545,000,000	7,562,000,000
Fair value	7,785,000,000	7,746,000,000
Percent of total fair value	26.00%	25.00%
AA [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amortized cost	1,657,000,000	1,587,000,000
Fair value	1,851,000,000	1,707,000,000
Percent of total fair value	6.00%	6.00%
A [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amortized cost	5,977,000,000	6,381,000,000
Fair value	6,572,000,000	6,738,000,000
Percent of total fair value	22.00%	22.00%
BBB [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amortized cost	11,236,000,000	11,427,000,000
Fair value	12,190,000,000	12,272,000,000
Percent of total fair value	40.00%	41.00%
Below investment grade [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amortized cost	1,848,000,000	1,875,000,000
Fair value	1,838,000,000	1,829,000,000
Percent of total fair value	6.00%	6.00%
Total fixed maturities [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Investments	'	'
Amortized cost	28,263,000,000	28,832,000,000
Fair value	30,236,000,000	30,292,000,000
Percent of total fair value	100.00%	100.00%

Investments_EITF_info_Details_

Investments (EITF info) (Details 5) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Positions	Positions
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	242	576
12 months or more	250	147
Total	492	723
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	$2,662	$6,712
12 months or more	2,732	1,015
Total	5,394	7,727
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	-22	-210
12 months or more	-127	-130
Total	-149	-340
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'	'
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	132	181
12 months or more	43	12
Total	175	193
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	1,464	2,817
12 months or more	748	181
Total	2,212	2,998
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	-12	-83
12 months or more	-21	-14
Total	-33	-97
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'	'
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	66	128
12 months or more	140	113
Total	206	241
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	847	2,393
12 months or more	1,454	663
Total	2,301	3,056
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	-9	-66
12 months or more	-64	-71
Total	-73	-137
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'	'
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	13	35
12 months or more	11	4
Total	24	39
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	134	426
12 months or more	125	22
Total	259	448
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	-1	-10
12 months or more	-4	-2
Total	-5	-12
Asset backed securities [Member]	'	'
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	17	40
12 months or more	14	4
Total	31	44
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	173	531
12 months or more	227	32
Total	400	563
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	0	-7
12 months or more	-4	-1
Total	-4	-8
State and municipal obligations [Member]	'	'
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	10	169
12 months or more	28	14
Total	38	183
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	26	468
12 months or more	151	117
Total	177	585
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	0	-36
12 months or more	-29	-42
Total	-29	-78
Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member]	'	'
Number of securities	'	'
Less than 12 months	4	23
12 months or more	14	0
Total	18	23
Fair Value	'	'
Less than 12 months	18	77
12 months or more	27	0
Total	45	77
Unrealized losses	'	'
Less than 12 months	0	-8
12 months or more	-5	0
Total	($5)	($8)

Investments_Investments_OTTI_r

Investments Investments (OTTI rollforward) (Details 6) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Rollforward of the cumulative amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for other-than-temporary impairments related to credit losses on securities	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$148	$157	$147	$176
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	'	2	'	2
Credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	'	'	1	4
Reductions for securities sold during the period (realized)	-50	'	-50	-23
Ending balance	$98	$159	$98	$159

Investments_OCI_rollforward_De

Investments (OCI rollforward) (Details 7) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income	'		'		'		'
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	($137)		($67)		$341		($869)
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	-4		-5		-8		-5
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables, net of tax	-1		18		-168		283
Net unrealized securities gains/losses, gross [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'		'		'
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income	'		'		'		'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'		'		1,016		2,017
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period	'		'		526	[1]	-1,326	[1]
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	'		'		-12		-7
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	'		'		-258		436
Balance at the end of the period	1,272		1,120		1,272		1,120
Deferred income tax [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'		'		'
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income	'		'		'		'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'		'		-361		-705
Net unrealized securities (gains) losses arising during the period	'		'		-185	[1]	457	[1]
Reclassification of net securities gains (losses) included in net income	'		'		4		2
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables	'		'		90		-153
Balance at the end of the period	-452		-399		-452		-399
Net unrealized securities gains/losses, net of tax [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'		'		'
Rollforward of the net unrealized securities gains (losses) on Available-for-Sale securities included in accumulated other comprehensive income	'		'		'		'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'		'		655		1,312
Net unrealized securities gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax	'		'		341	[1]	-869	[1]
Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income	'		'		-8		-5
Impact of DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables, net of tax	'		'		-168		283
Balance at the end of the period	820	[2]	721	[2]	820	[2]	721	[2]
Noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities, included in accumulated other comprehensive income	$5		($11)		$5		($11)
[1]	Includes other-than-temporary impairment losses on Available-for-Sale securities related to factors other than credit that were recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) during the period.
[2]	Includes $5 million and $(11) million of noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities gains (losses) on previously impaired securities at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Investments_Investments_Realiz

Investments Investments (Realized GL Info) (Details 8) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	($5)	($1)	($6)	($6)
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'
Gross realized gains	12	8	23	15
Gross realized losses	-1	'	-5	-2
Other-than-temporary impairments	-5	-1	-6	-6
Total	$6	$7	$12	$7

Investments_AFS_contractual_ma

Investments (AFS contractual maturity) (Details 9) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amortized cost	'	'
Due within one year	$1,556	'
Due after one year through five years	7,171	'
Due after five years through 10 years	4,781	'
Due after 10 years	4,641	'
Total having single maturity dates	18,149	'
Amortized cost	28,271	28,839
Fair value	'	'
Due within one year	1,578	'
Due after one year through five years	7,761	'
Due after five years through 10 years	5,022	'
Due after 10 years	5,518	'
Total having single maturity dates	19,879	'
Fair value	30,256	30,310
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'	'
Amortized cost	'	'
Without single maturity dates	6,152	'
Amortized cost	6,152	6,114
Fair value	'	'
Without single maturity dates	6,232	'
Fair value	6,232	6,124
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'	'
Amortized cost	'	'
Without single maturity dates	2,522	'
Amortized cost	2,522	2,612
Fair value	'	'
Without single maturity dates	2,637	'
Fair value	2,637	2,741
Asset backed securities [Member]	'	'
Amortized cost	'	'
Without single maturity dates	1,440	'
Amortized cost	1,440	1,459
Fair value	'	'
Without single maturity dates	1,488	'
Fair value	1,488	1,504
Common stocks [Member]	'	'
Amortized cost	'	'
Without single maturity dates	8	'
Amortized cost	8	7
Fair value	'	'
Without single maturity dates	20	'
Fair value	$20	$18

Financing_Receivables_Allowanc

Financing Receivables (Allowance for Loan Losses) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Rollforward of the allowance for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	$37	$44	'
Charge-offs	'	'	-4	-6	'
Provisions	'	'	2	'	'
Recoveries	'	'	'	1	'
Ending balance	35	39	35	39	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	9	7	9	7	'
Collectively evaluated for impairment	26	32	26	32	'
Recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan	'	'	'	'	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	48	'	48	'	58
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,947	'	3,947	'	3,883
Total	3,995	'	3,995	'	3,941
Recorded investment in financing receivables individually evaluated for impairment with no related allowance for loan losses	17	'	17	'	21
Commercial mortgage loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Rollforward of the allowance for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	26	29	'
Charge-offs	'	'	-1	-3	'
Ending balance	25	26	25	26	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	8	6	8	6	'
Collectively evaluated for impairment	17	20	17	20	'
Recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan	'	'	'	'	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	36	'	36	'	42
Collectively evaluated for impairment	2,678	'	2,678	'	2,640
Total	2,714	'	2,714	'	2,682
Syndicated loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Rollforward of the allowance for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	6	7	'
Charge-offs	'	'	-2	-1	'
Provisions	'	'	2	'	'
Ending balance	6	6	6	6	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	0	0	0	0	'
Collectively evaluated for impairment	6	6	6	6	'
Recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan	'	'	'	'	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	5	'	5	'	9
Collectively evaluated for impairment	489	'	489	'	370
Total	494	'	494	'	379
Total loans purchased	96	8	186	67	'
Loans sold	1	0	11	2	'
Consumer loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Rollforward of the allowance for loan losses	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	'	5	8	'
Charge-offs	'	'	-1	-2	'
Recoveries	'	'	'	1	'
Ending balance	4	7	4	7	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	1	1	1	1	'
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3	6	3	6	'
Recorded investment in financing receivables by impairment method and type of loan	'	'	'	'	'
Individually evaluated for impairment	7	'	7	'	7
Collectively evaluated for impairment	780	'	780	'	873
Total	$787	'	$787	'	$880

Financing_Receivables_Financin

Financing Receivables Financing Receivables (Credit Quality Information Text) (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financing receivables	'	'
Nonperforming loans	$12	$22
Syndicated loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivables	'	'
Nonperforming loans	$5	$4
Commercial mortgage loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivables	'	'
Percentage of commercial mortgage loans with highest risk rating	1.00%	2.00%
Consumer loans [Member]	'	'
Financing receivables	'	'
Percentage of residential mortgage loans below specific FICO score	6.00%	5.00%
FICO score	640	640
Percentage of residential mortgage loans above specific LTV ratio	2.00%	2.00%
LTV ratio	90.00%	90.00%
Percentage of loan portfolio represented by state of California	37.00%	38.00%

Financing_Receivables_Financin1

Financing Receivables Financing Receivables (Credit Quality Information Tables) (Details 3) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	$3,995	$3,941	'	'
Less: allowance for loan losses	35	37	39	44
Commercial mortgage loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	2,714	2,682	'	'
Less: allowance for loan losses	25	26	'	'
Total loans, net	2,689	2,656	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	100.00%	100.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Apartment Building [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	478	488	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	18.00%	18.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Hotel [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	34	33	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	1.00%	1.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Industrial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	476	454	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	18.00%	17.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Mixed use [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	45	36	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	2.00%	1.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Office [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	556	559	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	20.00%	21.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Retail [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	977	951	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	36.00%	36.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	148	161	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	5.00%	6.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | East North Central [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	235	251	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	9.00%	9.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | East South Central [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	65	71	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	2.00%	3.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Middle Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	220	211	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	8.00%	8.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Mountain [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	261	257	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	10.00%	10.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | New England [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	141	149	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	5.00%	5.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	680	661	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	25.00%	25.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | South Atlantic [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	733	713	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	27.00%	26.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | West North Central [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	217	207	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	8.00%	8.00%	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member] | West South Central [Member]	'	'	'	'
Commercial mortgage loans	'	'	'	'
Total loans, gross	$162	$162	'	'
Percentage of gross commercial mortgage loans	6.00%	6.00%	'	'

Financing_Receivables_Financin2

Financing Receivables Financing Receivables (Troubled Debt Restructurings) (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	loan	loan	loan	loan
Troubled Debt Restructurings	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable, modifications, number of contracts	1	7	8	21
Financing receivable, modifications, post-modification recorded investment	$6,000,000	$12,000,000	$15,000,000	$22,000,000
Commitments to lend additional funds to borrowers for restructured loans	0	'	0	'
Commercial mortgage loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Troubled Debt Restructurings	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable, modifications, number of contracts	1	3	3	7
Financing receivable, modifications, post-modification recorded investment	6,000,000	12,000,000	14,000,000	22,000,000
Syndicated loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Troubled Debt Restructurings	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable, modifications, number of contracts	0	0	1	1
Financing receivable, modifications, post-modification recorded investment	0	0	1,000,000	0
Consumer loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Troubled Debt Restructurings	'	'	'	'
Financing receivable, modifications, number of contracts	0	4	4	13
Financing receivable, modifications, post-modification recorded investment	$0	$0	$0	$0

Deferred_Acquisition_Costs_and2

Deferred Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducement Costs (Details) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Balances of and changes in DAC [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	$2,663	$2,399
Capitalization of acquisition costs	253	252
Amortization, excluding the impact of valuation assumptions review	-274	-231
Amortization impact of valuation assumptions review	-7	78
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	-30	112
Balance, at the end of the period	2,605	2,610
Balances of and changes in DSIC [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	409	404
Capitalization of sales inducement costs	4	4
Amortization, excluding the impact of valuation assumptions review	-39	-39
Amortization impact of valuation assumptions review	-2	25
Impact of change in net unrealized securities losses (gains)	-3	18
Balance at the end of the period	$369	$412

Policyholder_Account_Balances_2

Policyholder Account Balances, Future Policy Benefits and Claims and Separate Account Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Policyholder account balances	$21,953		$22,735
Future policy benefits	7,199		6,258
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds	658		627
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	29,810		29,620
Separate account liability	'		'
Variable annuity	71,345		70,687
VUL insurance	6,925		6,885
Other insurance	43		44
Threadneedle investment liabilities	4,107		3,607
Total	82,420		81,223
Fixed annuities [Member]	'		'
Policyholder account balances	12,922		13,826
Variable annuity fixed sub-accounts [Member]	'		'
Policyholder account balances	4,869		4,926
VUL/UL insurance [Member]	'		'
Policyholder account balances	2,841		2,790
IUL [Member]	'		'
Policyholder account balances	475		315
Other life insurance [Member]	'		'
Policyholder account balances	846		878
Variable annuity GMWB [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	145	[1]	-383	[1]
Variable annuity GMAB [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	-55	[1]	-62	[1]
Other annuity liabilities [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	118		76
Fixed annuities life contingent liabilities [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	1,518		1,523
EIA [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	29		29
Life disability income and long term care insurance [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	5,041		4,739
VUL/UL and other life insurance additional liabilities [Member]	'		'
Future policy benefits	$403		$336
[1]	Includes the value of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives that was a net asset at both SeptemberB 30, 2014 and DecemberB 31, 2013 reported as a contra liability.

Variable_Annuity_and_Insurance2

Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Variable Annuity Guarantees with Additional Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
GMDB [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	$75,002	[1]	$74,308	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	70,183	[1]	69,435	[1]
Net amount at risk	182	[1]	145	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'64 years	[1]	'64 years	[1]
GMDB [Member] | Return of premium [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	54,378	[1]	52,616	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	52,566	[1]	50,790	[1]
Net amount at risk	39	[1]	28	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'64 years	[1]	'64 years	[1]
GMDB [Member] | Five/six-year reset [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	10,465	[1]	11,220	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	7,925	[1]	8,663	[1]
Net amount at risk	36	[1]	42	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'64 years	[1]	'64 years	[1]
GMDB [Member] | One-year ratchet [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	7,424	[1]	7,676	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	7,030	[1]	7,261	[1]
Net amount at risk	64	[1]	38	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'66 years	[1]	'65 years	[1]
GMDB [Member] | Five-year ratchet [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	1,770	[1]	1,781	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	1,715	[1]	1,725	[1]
Net amount at risk	3	[1]	1	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'62 years	[1]	'62 years	[1]
GMDB [Member] | Other [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	965	[1]	1,015	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	947	[1]	996	[1]
Net amount at risk	40	[1]	36	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'70 years	[1]	'69 years	[1]
GGU death benefit [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	1,058	[1]	1,052	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	1,006	[1]	998	[1]
Net amount at risk	121	[1]	121	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'67 years	[1]	'64 years	[1]
GMIB [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	359	[1]	413	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	336	[1]	389	[1]
Net amount at risk	9	[1]	8	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'67 years	[1]	'66 years	[1]
GMWB [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	39,669	[1]	38,005	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	39,542	[1]	37,851	[1]
Net amount at risk	93	[1]	78	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'65 years	[1]	'64 years	[1]
GMWB [Member] | GMWB standard benefit [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	3,702	[1]	3,936	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	3,689	[1]	3,921	[1]
Net amount at risk	1	[1]	1	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'68 years	[1]	'67 years	[1]
GMWB [Member] | GMWB for life [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	35,967	[1]	34,069	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	35,853	[1]	33,930	[1]
Net amount at risk	92	[1]	77	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'65 years	[1]	'64 years	[1]
GMAB [Member]	'		'
Variable Annuity Guarantees by Benefit Type	'		'
Total contract value	4,188	[1]	4,194	[1]
Contract value in separate accounts	4,177	[1]	4,181	[1]
Net amount at risk	$3	[1]	$2	[1]
Weighted average attained age	'58 years	[1]	'58 years	[1]
[1]	Individual variable annuity contracts may have more than one guarantee and therefore may be included in more than one benefit type. Variable annuity contracts for which the death benefit equals the account value are not shown in this table.

Variable_Annuity_and_Insurance3

Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (IUL Secondary Guarantees) (Details 2) (UL Secondary Guarantees [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
UL Secondary Guarantees [Member]	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee	'	'
Net amount at risk	$5,943	$5,674
Weighted average attained age	'62 years	'62 years

Variable_Annuity_and_Insurance4

Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Changes in Additional Liabilities) (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
GMDB and GGU [Member]	'		'
Changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Rollforward]	'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	$4		$4
Incurred claims	8		2
Paid claims	-3		-3
Balance, at the end of the period	9		3
GMIB [Member]	'		'
Changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Rollforward]	'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	6		9
Incurred claims	1		-2
Paid claims	'		'
Balance, at the end of the period	7		7
GMWB [Member]	'		'
Changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Rollforward]	'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	-383		799
Incurred claims	528	[1]	-908	[1]
Paid claims	'		'
Balance, at the end of the period	145		-109
GMAB [Member]	'		'
Changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Rollforward]	'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	-62		103
Incurred claims	7	[1]	-127	[1]
Paid claims	'		'
Balance, at the end of the period	-55		-24
GMWB for life [Member]	'		'
Changes in additional liabilities for variable annuity and insurance guarantees [Rollforward]	'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	206		155
Incurred claims	46		45
Paid claims	-5		-11
Balance, at the end of the period	$247		$189
[1]	The incurred claims for GMWB and GMAB represent the total change in the liabilities (contra liabilities).

Variable_Annuity_and_Insurance5

Variable Annuity and Insurance Guarantees (Distribution of Account Balances by Asset Type) (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mutual funds [Member]	'	'
Distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Total mutual funds	$70,118	$69,478
Equity [Member]	'	'
Distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Total mutual funds	40,751	39,195
Bond [Member]	'	'
Distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Total mutual funds	25,218	26,519
Other [Member]	'	'
Distribution of separate account balances by asset type for variable annuity contracts providing guaranteed benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Total mutual funds	$4,149	$3,764

Debt_Schedule_of_Debt_Details

Debt (Schedule of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 18, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Senior notes 2024 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Debt issuance costs	'		$5	'
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	3,059		'	2,720
Short-term borrowings	200		'	500
Total Outstanding Balance of Debt	3,259		'	3,220
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Federal Home Loan Bank Advances [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	0.30%		'	0.30%
Short-term borrowings	150		'	450
Securities pledged as collateral	456		'	574
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Repurchase Agreements [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	0.30%		'	0.30%
Short-term borrowings	50		'	50
Securities pledged as collateral	52		'	52
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2015 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	360	[1]	'	366	[1]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	5.70%		'	5.70%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2019 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	324	[1]	'	327	[1]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	7.30%		'	7.30%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2020 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	783	[1]	'	783	[1]
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	5.30%		'	5.30%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes 2023 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	750		'	750
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	4.00%		'	4.00%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes 2024 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	548		550	0
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	3.70%		'	0.00%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Senior notes due 2039 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	'		'	200
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	'		'	7.80%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Junior subordinated notes due 2066 [Member]	'		'	'
Debt and stated interest rates	'		'	'
Long-term debt	$294		'	$294
Stated Interest Rate (as a percent)	7.50%		'	7.50%
[1]	Amounts include adjustments for fair value hedges on the Companybs long-term debt. See Note 12 for information on the Companybs fair valueB hedges.

Debt_Line_of_Credit_Narrative_

Debt Line of Credit Narrative (Details 2) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'
Line of Credit Facility	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$500,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	2,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$750,000,000

Debt_Debt_Extinguishment_Detai

Debt Debt Extinguishment (Details 3) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], Unsecured Senior Notes [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Unsecured Senior Notes [Member]	'
Extinguishment of Debt	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$200

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab2

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Assets & liabilities reported at FV) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Liabilities	'		'
Cumulative change in embedded derivatives due to nonperformance	($238)		$150
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	30,256		30,310
Separate account assets	82,420		81,223
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	17,322		17,466
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	6,232		6,124
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,637		2,741
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	1,488		1,504
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | State and municipal obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,257		2,160
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | U.S. government and agencies obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	47		52
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	253		245
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	20		18
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Cash equivalents	29		12
Available-for-Sale securities	18		22
Trading securities	114		3
Other assets	317		267
Total assets at fair value	478		304
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	472		550
Total liabilities at fair value	472		550
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1		'
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	314		265
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	472		550
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Foreign exchange derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	2		2
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | U.S. government and agencies obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	12		17
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	6		5
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Cash equivalents	2,404		1,841
Available-for-Sale securities	28,108		28,165
Trading securities	81		32
Separate account assets	82,420		81,223
Other assets	3,147		3,151
Total assets at fair value	116,160		114,412
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	6		5
Customer deposits	6		7
Other liabilities	3,547		4,270
Total liabilities at fair value	3,559		4,282
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	17		12
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Interest rate derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1,587		1,566
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	1,208		1,672
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1,552		1,576
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	2,205		2,447
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Credit derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	4		3
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Foreign exchange derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	4		2
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Other derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	'		4
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	117		139
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | EIA embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	6		5
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	15,756		15,826
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	5,959		5,937
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,544		2,711
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	1,295		1,244
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | State and municipal obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,257		2,160
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government and agencies obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	35		35
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	253		245
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	9		7
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,130		2,123
Trading securities	1		2
Other assets	1		'
Total assets at fair value	2,132		2,125
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	125		-450
Total liabilities at fair value	125		-450
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Other derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1		'
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | IUL embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	202		125
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	-77		-575
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	1,566		1,640
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	273		187
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	93		30
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	193		260
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	5		6
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Cash equivalents	2,433		1,853
Available-for-Sale securities	30,256		30,310
Trading securities	196		37
Separate account assets	82,420		81,223
Other assets	3,465		3,418
Total assets at fair value	118,770		116,841
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	131	[1]	-445	[2]
Customer deposits	6		7
Other liabilities	4,019		4,820
Total liabilities at fair value	4,156		4,382
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1		'
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	17		12
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Interest rate derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1,587		1,566
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	1,208		1,672
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Equity derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1,866		1,841
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	2,677		2,997
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Credit derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	4		3
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Foreign exchange derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	6		4
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Other derivative contracts [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Other assets	1		4
Liabilities	'		'
Other liabilities	117		139
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | EIA embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	6		5
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | IUL embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	202		125
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'
Liabilities	'		'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	-77	[3]	-575	[4]
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	17,322		17,466
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	6,232		6,124
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,637		2,741
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	1,488		1,504
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | State and municipal obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	2,257		2,160
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | U.S. government and agencies obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	47		52
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Foreign government bonds and obligations [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	253		245
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Recurring basis [Member] | Total [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Assets	'		'
Available-for-Sale securities	$20		$18
[1]	The Companybs adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $238 million cumulative decrease to the embedded derivatives.
[2]	The Companybs adjustment for nonperformance risk resulted in a $150 million cumulative increase to the embedded derivatives.
[3]	The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
[4]	The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at DecemberB 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contraB liability.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab3

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Level 3 rollforwards-Assets) (Details 2) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Corporate debt securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	$1,565		$1,667		$1,640		$1,764
Total gains (losses) included in net income	'		-1		-1		-2
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	-12		3		4		-34
Purchases	37		'		159		74
Sales	'		'		-11		'
Settlements	-24		-37		-225		-170
Transfers out of Level 3	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the end of the period	1,566		1,632		1,566		1,632
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Net investment income	-1		-1		-2		-2
Residential mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	214		69		187		284
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'		-1		'		-1
Purchases	170		245		388		307
Settlements	-6		-6		-18		-7
Transfers out of Level 3	-105		-19		-284		-295
Balance, at the end of the period	273		288		273		288
Commercial mortgage backed securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	15		210		30		206
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	'		'		'		-6
Purchases	'		'		60		10
Settlements	'		-36		'		-36
Transfers into Level 3	78		'		78		'
Transfers out of Level 3	'		-159		-75		-159
Balance, at the end of the period	93		15		93		15
Asset backed securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	185		214		260		178
Total gains (losses) included in net income	'		'		1		1
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	-1		-2		-1		5
Purchases	11		29		32		200
Settlements	-2		-1		-10		-4
Transfers into Level 3	'		'		'		8
Transfers out of Level 3	'		-37		-89		-185
Balance, at the end of the period	193		203		193		203
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Net investment income	'		1		1		1
Common stocks [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	6		5		6		6
Transfers out of Level 3	-1		0		-1		-1
Balance, at the end of the period	5		5		5		5
Total available-for-sale securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	1,985		2,165		2,123		2,438
Total gains (losses) included in net income	'		-1	[1]	'		-1	[1]
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (loss)	-13		'		3		-36
Purchases	218		274		639		591
Sales	'		'		-11		'
Settlements	-32		-80		-253		-217
Transfers into Level 3	78		'		78		8
Transfers out of Level 3	-106		-215		-449		-640
Balance, at the end of the period	2,130		2,143		2,130		2,143
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Net investment income	-1		'		-1		-1
Trading securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	1		'		2		'
Purchases	'		'		1		'
Sales	'		'		-2		'
Transfers out of Level 3	0		'		'		'
Balance, at the end of the period	1		'		1		'
Other derivative contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	1		'		'		'
Total gains (losses) included in net income	-1	[2]	'		-1	[2]	'
Purchases	1		'		2		'
Balance, at the end of the period	1		'		1		'
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	($1)		'		($1)		'
[1]	Included in net investment income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab4

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Level 3 rollforwards-Liabilities) (Details 3) (Ameriprise Financial [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	'		'		'		'
Net increase (decrease) to pretax income from embedded derivative liability	$59		($14)		$68		($104)
IUL embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	184		76		125		45
Total gains (losses) included in net income	'		2	[1]	14	[1]	8	[1]
Issues	21		17		69		42
Settlements	-3		1		-6		1
Balance, at the end of the period	202		96		202		96
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Interest credited to fixed accounts	'		2		14		8
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	-347		11		-575		833
Total gains (losses) included in net income	207	[2]	-322	[2]	327	[2]	-1,246	[2]
Issues	65		60		184		163
Settlements	-2		-5		-13		-6
Balance, at the end of the period	-77		-256		-77		-256
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	208		-321		327		-1,229
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis [Rollforward]	'		'		'		'
Balance, at the beginning of the period	-163		87		-450		878
Total gains (losses) included in net income	207		-320		341		-1,238
Issues	86		77		253		205
Settlements	-5		-4		-19		-5
Balance, at the end of the period	125		-160		125		-160
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to liabilities held at the end of the period included in:	'		'		'		'
Interest credited to fixed accounts	'		2		14		8
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses	$208		($321)		$327		($1,229)
[1]	Included in interest credited to fixed accounts in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
[2]	Included in benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab5

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Unobservable inputs) (Details 4) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
IUL embedded derivatives [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Liabilities at fair value	202		125
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Liabilities at fair value	-77		-575
Corporate debt securities [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Assets at fair value	1,509		1,589
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | IUL embedded derivatives [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Nonperformance risk	0.69%	[1]	0.74%	[1]
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Nonperformance risk	0.69%	[1]	0.74%	[1]
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals (as a percent)	0.00%	[2]	0.00%	[2]
Surrender rate (as a percent)	0.00%		0.10%
Market volatility	4.90%	[3]	4.90%	[3]
Elective contractholder strategy allocations	0.00%	[4]	0.00%	[4]
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Utilization of guaranteed withdrawals (as a percent)	51.10%	[2]	51.10%	[2]
Surrender rate (as a percent)	59.10%		57.90%
Market volatility	19.40%	[3]	18.80%	[3]
Elective contractholder strategy allocations	31.00%	[4]	50.00%	[4]
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries (as a percent)	0.90%		0.90%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries (as a percent)	3.50%		5.30%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Corporate debt securities [Member] | Discounted cash flow [Member] | Weighted average [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Yield/spread to U.S. Treasuries (as a percent)	1.20%		1.50%
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Option pricing model technique [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Assets at fair value	1		'
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Option pricing model technique [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Correlation	-3.00%	[5]	'
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Option pricing model technique [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Correlation	-84.00%	[5]	'
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Option pricing model technique [Member] | Weighted average [Member]	'		'
Fair values of assets and liabilities	'		'
Correlation	-60.00%	[5]	'
[1]	The nonperformance risk is the spread added to the observable interest rates used in the valuation of the embedded derivatives.
[2]	The utilization of guaranteed withdrawals represents the percentage of contractholders that will begin withdrawing in any given year.
[3]	Market volatility is implied volatility of fund of funds and managed volatility funds.
[4]	The elective allocation represents the percentage of contractholders that are assumed to electively switch their investment allocation to a different allocation model.
[5]	Represents the correlation between equity returns and interest rates used in the valuation of the derivative contract.

Fair_Values_of_Assets_and_Liab6

Fair Values of Assets and Liabilities (Carrying & Estimated Fair Value of non-Fair Value Reported Instruments) (Details 5) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Separate account liabilities	$82,420	$81,223
Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Separate account liabilities	82,420	81,223
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Receivables	174	107
Restricted and segregated cash	2,382	2,360
Other investments and assets	'	'
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Brokerage customer deposits	3,290	3,088
Debt and other liabilities	249	137
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Policy and certificate loans	1	1
Receivables	1,176	1,026
Other investments and assets	460	368
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Separate account liabilities	4,500	4,007
Debt and other liabilities	3,440	3,372
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Mortgage loans, net	3,495	3,490
Policy and certificate loans	788	765
Receivables	6	8
Other investments and assets	74	73
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	13,819	14,724
Investment certificate reserves	4,218	3,982
Debt and other liabilities	94	134
Ameriprise Financial [Member] | Total [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Mortgage loans, net	3,495	3,490
Policy and certificate loans	789	766
Receivables	1,356	1,141
Restricted and segregated cash	2,382	2,360
Other investments and assets	534	441
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	13,819	14,724
Investment certificate reserves	4,218	3,982
Brokerage customer deposits	3,290	3,088
Separate account liabilities	4,500	4,007
Debt and other liabilities	3,783	3,643
Carrying value [Member] | Ameriprise Financial [Member]	'	'
Financial Assets	'	'
Mortgage loans, net	3,457	3,510
Policy and certificate loans	805	774
Receivables	1,357	1,141
Restricted and segregated cash	2,382	2,360
Other investments and assets	537	440
Financial Liabilities	'	'
Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims	13,203	14,106
Investment certificate reserves	4,225	3,977
Brokerage customer deposits	3,290	3,088
Separate account liabilities	4,500	4,007
Debt and other liabilities	$3,536	$3,416

Offsetting_Assets_and_Liabilit2

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Assets Subject to Netting) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	$3,464		$3,418
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-2,987	[1]	-3,247	[1]
Cash collateral	-210		-76
Securities collateral	-176		-15
Net amount	91		80
Securities borrowed [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	175		107
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-82	[1]	-15	[1]
Securities borrowed	-92		-90
Net amount	1		2
Total [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	3,639		3,525
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-3,069	[1]	-3,262	[1]
Cash collateral	-210		-76
Securities collateral	-268		-105
Net amount	92		82
OTC [Member]	'		'
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	3,248		3,337
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-2,895	[1]	-3,227	[1]
Cash collateral	-157		-75
Securities collateral	-176		-15
Net amount	20		20
OTC cleared [Member]	'		'
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	145		21
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-92	[1]	-20	[1]
Cash collateral	-53		-1
Net amount	'		'
Exchange-traded [Member]	'		'
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized assets	71		60
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Net amount	$71		$60
[1]	Represents the amount of assets that could be offset by liabilities with the same counterparty under master netting or similar arrangements that management elects not to offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Offsetting_Assets_and_Liabilit3

Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Liabilities Subject to Netting) (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	$4,139		$4,370
Securities loaned [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	249		136
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-82	[1]	-15	[1]
Securities collateral	-159		-117
Net amount	8		4
Repurchase agreements [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	50		50
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Securities collateral	-50		-50
Net amount	0		0
Total [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	4,301		4,994
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-3,069	[1]	-3,262	[1]
Cash collateral	-10		-2
Securities collateral	-1,214		-1,665
Net amount	8		65
OTC [Member]	'		'
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	3,908		4,786
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-2,895	[1]	-3,227	[1]
Cash collateral	-8		'
Securities collateral	-1,005		-1,498
Net amount	0		61
OTC cleared [Member]	'		'
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	94		22
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-92	[1]	-20	[1]
Cash collateral	-2		-2
Net amount	'		'
Total derivatives [Member]	'		'
Derivatives [Abstract]	'		'
Gross amounts of recognized liabilities	4,002		4,808
Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets [Abstract]	'		'
Financial instruments	-2,987	[1]	-3,247	[1]
Cash collateral	-10		-2
Securities collateral	-1,005		-1,498
Net amount	$0		$61
[1]	Represents the amount of liabilities that could be offset by assets with the same counterparty under master netting or similar arrangements that management elects not to offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	$3,464		$3,418
Liability	4,139		4,370
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Fair value hedges [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	75		82
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Fixed rate debt [Member] | Other assets [Member] | Fair value hedges [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	75		82
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	3,389		3,336
Liability	4,139		4,370
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	3,318		3,230
Liability	3,767		4,015
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	1,512		1,484
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	1,208		1,672
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	1,798		1,741
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	2,636		2,918
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Credit contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	4		3
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	4		2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member] | Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	-77	[1],[2]	-575	[1],[2]
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | EIA embedded derivatives [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	6		5
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | IUL [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	28		27
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | IUL [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	7		13
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | IUL embedded derivatives [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Policyholder account balances, future policy benefits and claims [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	202		125
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Stock market certificates [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	40		73
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Stock market certificates [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	34		66
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Stock market certificates embedded derivatives [Member] | Equity contracts [Member] | Customer deposits [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	6		7
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	2		2
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Other contract [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	1		4
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Other contract [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Liability	117		139
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Total other [Member]	'		'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'		'
Asset	71		106
Liability	$372		$355
[1]	The fair value of the GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives was a net asset at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and DecemberB 31, 2013 and the amount is reported as a contra liability.
[2]	The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Income Statement) (Details 2) (Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	($22)		($104)		($150)		($254)
GMWB and GMAB [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-41		-110		-170		-265
Total other [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	19		6		20		11
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	100		-63		609		-575
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	143		-319		-244		-799
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Credit contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-1		-3		-23		5
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | Foreign currency [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-13		8		-14		15
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses [Member] | GMWB and GMAB [Member] | GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-270	[1]	267	[1]	-498	[1]	1,089	[1]
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses [Member] | Macro hedge program [Member] | Other contract [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	17		'		-8		'
Net investment income [Member] | Tax hedge [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		'		3		'
Net investment income [Member] | Seed money [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		'		-1		2
Net investment income [Member] | Seed money [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	1		-4		-2		-12
Net investment income [Member] | Seed money [Member] | Commodity	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		'		-1		1
Net investment income [Member] | Foreign currency [Member] | Foreign currency [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	4		'		2		-3
Interest credited to fixed accounts [Member] | IUL [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	2		2		13		8
Interest credited to fixed accounts [Member] | IUL embedded derivatives [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-2		3		9		8
Interest credited to fixed accounts [Member] | EIA [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		1		1		2
Interest credited to fixed accounts [Member] | EIA embedded derivatives [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		'		-1		-1
Banking and deposit interest expense [Member] | Stock market certificates [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		1		2		5
Banking and deposit interest expense [Member] | Stock market certificates embedded derivatives [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	'		'		-2		-4
Distribution expenses [Member] | Deferred compensation [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	1		1		6		3
Distribution expenses [Member] | Deferred compensation [Member] | Foreign currency [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	-3		'		-2		'
General and administrative expense [Member] | Deferred compensation [Member] | Equity contracts [Member]	'		'		'		'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'		'		'		'
Amount of gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in income	($1)		$2		$1		$2
[1]	The fair values of GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives fluctuate based on changes in equity, interest rate and credit markets.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Notional and Related Party Information) (Details 3) (Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Gross notional amount of forwards, futures, total return swaps and commodity swaps	$99,000,000	$111,000,000
Gross notional amount of foreign currency forward contracts	17,000,000	30,000,000
GMWB and GMAB embedded derivatives [Member]	'	'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Derivative, notional amount	135,800,000,000	142,400,000,000
Macro hedge program [Member]	'	'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Derivative, notional amount	3,600,000,000	2,800,000,000
Freestanding non-VA derivatives [Member]	'	'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Notional amounts of index options and futures contracts	1,800,000,000	1,500,000,000
Deferred compensation [Member]	'	'
Impact of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments on Consolidated Statements of Income	'	'
Gross notional amount of futures contracts	$251,000,000	$224,000,000

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives and Hedging Activites (Option Pay/Rec) (Details 4) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	$1,940
Premiums receivable	453
Current Year [Member]	'
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	111	[1]
Premiums receivable	49	[1]
2015 [Member]	'
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	369
Premiums receivable	71
2016 [Member]	'
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	336
Premiums receivable	55
2017 [Member]	'
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	260
Premiums receivable	70
2018 [Member]	'
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	209
Premiums receivable	70
2019-2027 [Member]	'
Summary of Option Premiums Payable and Receivable	'
Premiums payable	655
Premiums receivable	$138
[1]	2014 amounts represent the amounts payable and receivable for the period from OctoberB 1, 2014 to DecemberB 31, 2014.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi6

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Impact of Hedging Activity) (Details 5) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Estimated reclassification of net pretax losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months	'	'	$1	'
Cash flow hedge gain to be reclassified within twelve months to interest and debt expense	'	'	5	'
Cash flow hedge loss to be reclassified within twelve months recorded in net investment income	'	'	6	'
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income	-1	-1	-1	-1
Longest period of time over which the entity hedges exposure to the variability in future cash flows	'	'	'21 years	'
Cash flow hedges [Member] | Interest and debt expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income	1	2	3	3
Cash flow hedges [Member] | Net investment income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income	-2	-3	-4	-4
Fair value hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Number of interest rate swaps held	3	'	3	'
Fair value hedges [Member] | Fixed rate debt [Member] | Interest and debt expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)	'	'	'	'
Amount of gain recognized in income on derivatives	$9	$20	$25	$30

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi7

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Credit Risk) (Details 6) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives liabilities, credit risk related contingent features	'	'
Aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments containing credit risk features	$550	$1,000
Aggregate fair value of assets posted as collateral	550	959
Additional fair value of assets needed to settle derivative liabilities	$0	$56

Shareholders_Equity_Table_Deta

Shareholders' Equity Table (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	$428	$491	$1,332	$1,431
Income tax provision	155	154	441	395
Interest and debt expense	79	68	237	194
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	720	602	1,989	1,491
Net unrealized (gains) losses on available-for-sale securities [Member] | Amount reclassified from AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	-6	-7	-12	-7
Income tax provision	2	2	4	2
Net of tax	-4	-5	-8	-5
Losses (gains) on cash flow hedges [Member] | Amount reclassified from AOCI [Member]	'	'	'	'
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Income tax provision	0	0	0	0
Net of tax	1	1	1	1
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	1	1	1	1
Losses (gains) on cash flow hedges [Member] | Amount reclassified from AOCI [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Interest and debt expense	-1	-2	-3	-3
Losses (gains) on cash flow hedges [Member] | Amount reclassified from AOCI [Member] | Swaptions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Amounts Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	$2	$3	$4	$4

Shareholders_Equity_Shareholde

Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Text) (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 28, 2014	Oct. 24, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount	'	'	$2,500,000,000	$2,000,000,000
Remaining balance under stock repurchase program	2,100,000,000	'	'	'
Repurchase of common shares (in shares)	9.1	14.3	'	'
Repurchase of common shares	1,000,000,000	1,100,000,000	'	'
Number of shares reacquired through surrender of restricted shares	0.8	0.4	'	'
Value of shares reacquired through surrender of restricted shares	92,000,000	26,000,000	'	'
Number of shares reacquired through net settlement of options	1.6	2.7	'	'
Aggregate value of shares reacquired through net settlement of options	$180,000,000	$203,000,000	'	'
Treasury shares reissued for restricted stock award grants and Ameriprise Financial Franchise Advisor Deferred Compensation Plan (in shares)	1.6	1.9	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Shareholde1

Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity (Sharebased Compensation Text) (Details 3) (Incentive Compensation Plan 2005 [Member])	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014
Incentive Compensation Plan 2005 [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Approved increase of shares under the plan	16.5
Total shares available to be issued under the plan	54.4
Maximum shares to be issued for full value awards	4.5

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate on income from continuing operations (as a percent)	21.60%	25.50%	22.20%	26.40%	'
Benefits tax planning and completion of audits	'	'	$17	'	'
Period within which capital losses must be used against capital gain income	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Valuation allowance	19	'	19	'	19
Gross unrecognized tax benefit (expense)	226	'	226	'	209
Unrecognized tax benefits (net of federal tax benefits) that would impact the effective tax rate	48	'	48	'	62
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible, estimated range of change, lower bound	160	'	160	'	'
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible, estimated range of change, upper bound	170	'	170	'	'
Increase (reduction) in interest and penalties	1	2	4	4	'
Accrued interest and penalties	46	'	46	'	42
State and Local [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'
State net operating losses	$23	'	$23	'	'

Guarantees_and_Contingencies_D

Guarantees and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014
	Minimum [Member]	Insurance-related Assessments [Member]	Insurance-related Assessments [Member]	Unfavorable Regulatory Action [Member]
Contingencies	'	'	'	'
Liability related to guaranty fund assessments	'	$13,000,000	$14,000,000	'
Premium tax asset	'	11,000,000	11,000,000	'
Damages sought by plaintiffs	20,000,000	'	'	'
Litigation settlement, amount	'	'	'	$800,000

Earnings_per_Share_Attributabl2

Earnings per Share Attributable to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Common Shareholders (Basic & Diluted) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$565	$448	$1,548	$1,096
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	145	67	353	57
Income from continuing operations attributable to Ameriprise Financial	420	381	1,195	1,039
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	1	-1	-1
Net income attributable to Ameriprise Financial	$420	$382	$1,194	$1,038
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Basic: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	190.3	201.3	192.8	204.8
Effect of potentially dilutive nonqualified stock options and other share-based awards (in shares)	3.4	3.8	3.5	3.9
Diluted: Weighted-average common shares outstanding	193.7	205.1	196.3	208.7
Basic:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$2.21	$1.90	$6.20	$5.07
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	($0.01)	'
Net income (in dollars per share)	$2.21	$1.90	$6.19	$5.07
Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$2.17	$1.86	$6.09	$4.97
Loss from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	'	($0.01)	'
Net income (in dollars per share)	$2.17	$1.86	$6.08	$4.97
Effect of potentially dilutive nonqualified stock options and other share-based awards (in shares)	'	'	0.2	0

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of assets by segment	'	'
Total assets	$147,193	$144,576
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets by segment	'	'
Total assets	10,264	9,571
Asset Management [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets by segment	'	'
Total assets	7,863	7,223
Annuities [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets by segment	'	'
Total assets	97,723	98,354
Protection [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets by segment	'	'
Total assets	20,409	19,605
Corporate & Other [Member]	'	'
Summary of assets by segment	'	'
Total assets	$10,934	$9,823

Segment_Information_Details_2

Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Net realized gains	$4		$6		$10		$7
Revenues attributable to CIEs	206		114		543		208
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	2		-2		'		-3
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	3,111		2,813		9,179		8,253
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating earnings	554		552		1,677		1,500
Net realized gains	4		6		10		7
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	145		67		353		57
Market impact on variable annuity guaranteed benefits, net	9		-21		-60		-66
Market impact on IUL benefits, net	8		-2		9		-4
Restructuring charges	'		'		'		-3
Income from continuing operations before income tax provision per consolidated statement of operations	720		602		1,989		1,491
Advice & Wealth Management [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	1,210		1,074		3,557		3,168
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating earnings	205		152		580		432
Asset Management [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	839		777		2,490		2,345
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating earnings	208		172		590		504
Annuities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	655		649		1,942		1,908
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating earnings	128		205		474		457
Protection [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	553		535		1,687		1,622
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating earnings	66		68		216		262
Corporate & Other [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	-1		1		3		8
Reconciliation of operating profit (loss) from segments to consolidated	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating earnings	-53		-45		-183		-155
Eliminations [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	-357	[1]	-341	[1]	-1,053	[2]	-1,010	[2]
Operating Segments [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	2,899		2,695		8,626		8,041
Total net revenues per consolidated statements of operations	3,111		2,813		9,179		8,253
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Advice & Wealth Management [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	250		243		740		723
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Asset Management [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	11		10		33		29
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Annuities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	85		77		248		226
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Protection [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	11		10		31		30
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Corporate & Other [Member]	'		'		'		'
Summary of segment operating results [Abstract]	'		'		'		'
Total segment operating revenues	$0		$1		$1		$2
[1]	Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the three months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: AdviceB & Wealth Management ($250 and $243, respectively); Asset Management ($11 and $10, respectively); Annuities ($85 and $77, respectively); Protection ($11 and $10, respectively); and CorporateB & Other (nil and $1, respectively).
[2]	Represents the elimination of intersegment revenues recognized for the nine months ended SeptemberB 30, 2014 and 2013 in each segment as follows: AdviceB & Wealth Management ($740 and $723, respectively); Asset Management ($33 and $29, respectively); Annuities ($248 and $226, respectively); Protection ($31 and $30, respectively); and CorporateB & Other ($1 and $2, respectively).