Tiaa Real Estate Account 10-K 6 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TIAA REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0
Entity Public Float	$0
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	946155
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_ASS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Investments, at fair value:
Real estate properties (cost: $11,309.0 and $10,679.5)	$13,139	$11,565.10
Real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships (cost: $2,583.5 and $2,465.9)	3,379.60	2,925.60
Marketable securities:
Real estate related (cost: $1,400.2 and $1,384.3)	1,818.40	1,499.30
Other (cost: $3,831.1 and $3,119.3)	3,831.10	3,119.60
Total investments (cost: $19,123.8 and $17,649.0)	22,168.10	19,109.60
Cash and cash equivalents	36.5	14.6
Due from investment manager	7.2	2.5
Other	196.9	290.4
TOTAL ASSETS	22,408.70	19,417.10
LIABILITIES
Mortgage loans payable, at fair value—Note 9 (principal outstanding: $2,337.5 and $2,307.7)	2,373.80	2,279.10
Accrued real estate property expenses	165.5	198.6
Other	40.4	31.5
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,579.70	2,509.20
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES—Note 12
NET ASSETS
Accumulation Fund	19,409.70	16,535.40
Annuity Fund	419.3	372.5
TOTAL NET ASSETS	$19,829	$16,907.90
NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION UNITS OUTSTANDING—Note 11 (in Shares)	57.9	55.3
NET ASSET VALUE, PER ACCUMULATION UNIT—Note 10 (in Dollars per share)	$335.39	$298.87

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_ASS1

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Real estate properties at cost	$11,309	$10,679.50
Real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships at cost	2,583.50	2,465.90
Real estate related marketable securities at cost	1,400.20	1,384.30
Other marketable securities at cost	3,831.10	3,119.30
Cost of total investments	19,123.80	17,649
Principal outstanding on mortgage loans payable	$2,337.50	$2,307.70

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_OPE

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Real estate income, net:
Rental income	$897.80	$831.50	$872
Real estate property level expenses and taxes:
Operating expenses	208	202.4	218.2
Real estate taxes	134.1	121.3	119.1
Interest expense	98.7	116.8	146
Total real estate property level expenses and taxes	440.8	440.5	483.3
Real estate income, net	457	391	388.7
Income from real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships	148.1	104.7	80.9
Interest	2.8	2.9	3
Dividends	44.9	42.2	32.3
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME	652.8	540.8	504.9
Expenses:
Investment advisory charges	70.7	59.3	56.3
Administrative charges	44.9	41.7	32.4
Distribution charges	17.3	12.8	13.9
Mortality and expense risk charges	0.9	0.8	2.8
Liquidity guarantee charges	29.2	30.5	31.3
TOTAL EXPENSES	163	145.1	136.7
INVESTMENT INCOME, NET	489.8	395.7	368.2
Net realized gain (loss) on investments:
Real estate properties	69	-210	-11.3
Real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships	-34.7	-153	-104.5
Marketable securities	65.4	31.6	53.7
Net realized gain (loss) on investments	99.7	-331.4	-62.1
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Real estate properties	918.8	863.1	555.8
Real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships	372	479	424.1
Marketable securities	302.8	-41.7	126.8
Mortgage loans payable	-64.9	91.2	-33.4
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and mortgage loans payable	1,528.70	1,391.60	1,073.30
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS AND MORTGAGE LOANS PAYABLE	1,628.40	1,060.20	1,011.20
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS	$2,118.20	$1,455.90	$1,379.40

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
FROM OPERATIONS
Investment income, net	$489.80	$395.70	$368.20
Net realized gain (loss) on investments	99.7	-331.4	-62.1
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and mortgage loans payable	1,528.70	1,391.60	1,073.30
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS	2,118.20	1,455.90	1,379.40
FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS
Premiums	2,432.60	2,439	2,068.40
Liquidity units redeemed—Note 3		-325.4	-940.3
Annuity payments	-31.6	-28.3	-25.1
Withdrawals and death benefits	-1,598.10	-1,494.40	-1,148.50
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM PARTICIPANT TRANSACTIONS	802.9	590.9	-45.5
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS	2,921.10	2,046.80	1,333.90
NET ASSETS
Beginning of period	16,907.90	14,861.10	13,527.20
End of period	$19,829	$16,907.90	$14,861.10

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$2,118.20	$1,455.90	$1,379.40
Adjustments to reconcile net changes in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities:
Deferred financing costs			3.8
Net realized (gain) loss on investments	-99.7	331.4	62.1
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments and mortgage loans payable	-1,528.70	-1,391.60	-1,073.30
Purchase of real estate properties	-1,368.20	-582	-619.3
Capital improvements on real estate properties	-206.7	-196.1	-186.3
Proceeds from sale of real estate properties	933.8	435.8	449.8
Purchases of long term investments	-458.9	-370.2	-1,076.60
Proceeds from long term investments	431.9	224.9	675.5
(Increase) decrease in other investments	-711.8	-550	233.3
Change in due (from) to investment manager	-4.7	-13.1	17.4
Decrease (increase) in other assets	85.7	-21.4	-30.6
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	-1.7	8.6	15.6
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES	-810.8	-667.8	-149.2
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Mortgage loan proceeds received	252.5	900	208.1
Payments of mortgage loans	-222.7	-830.2	-9.2
Premiums	2,432.60	2,439	2,068.40
Liquidity units redeemed		-325.4	-940.3
Annuity payments	-31.6	-28.3	-25.1
Withdrawals and death benefits	-1,598.10	-1,494.40	-1,148.50
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	832.7	660.7	153.4
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	21.9	-7.1	4.2
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Beginning of period	14.6	21.7	17.5
End of period	36.5	14.6	21.7
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash paid for interest	100.1	116.2	117
Debt assumed in acquisition of property			$36.90

Organization_and_Significant_A

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
	Business: The TIAA Real Estate Account (“Account”) is a segregated investment account of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”) and was established by resolution of TIAA’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) on February 22, 1995, under the insurance laws of the State of New York, for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts issued by TIAA. The Account offers individual and group accumulating annuity contracts (with contributions made on a pre-tax or after-tax basis), as well as individual lifetime and term-certain variable payout annuity contracts (including the payment of death benefits to beneficiaries). Investors are entitled to transfer funds to or from the Account, and make withdrawals from the Account on a daily basis under certain circumstances. Funds invested in the Account for each category of contract are expressed in terms of units, and unit values will fluctuate depending on the Account’s performance.
	The investment objective of the Account is to seek favorable long-term returns primarily through rental income and capital appreciation from real estate and real estate-related investments owned by the Account. The Account holds real estate properties directly and through subsidiaries wholly owned by TIAA for the benefit of the Account. The Account also holds interests in real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships in which the Account does not hold a controlling interest; as such, such interests are not consolidated into these consolidated financial statements. The Account also has invested in mortgage loans receivable collateralized by commercial real estate properties. Additionally, the Account invests in real estate-related and non-real estate-related publicly traded securities, cash and other instruments to maintain adequate liquidity levels for operating expenses, capital expenditures and to fund benefit payments (withdrawals, transfers and related transactions).
	The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires the use of estimates made by management. Actual results may vary from those estimates and such differences may be material. The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies of the Account.
	Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Account and those subsidiaries wholly owned by TIAA for the benefit of the Account. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Account and such subsidiaries have been eliminated.
	The Accumulation Unit Value (“AUV”) used for financial reporting purposes may differ from the AUV used for processing transactions. The AUV used for financial reporting purposes includes security and participant transactions effective through the period end date to which this report relates.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	The amount disclosed in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and consolidated schedules of investments for the cost of real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships as of December 31, 2013 has been revised by $41.2 million. This revision was not considered material to the previously issued financial statements and it had no impact to the Account’s net assets, results of operations or cash flows.
	Determination of Investments at Fair Value: The Account reports all investments at fair value in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies. Further in accordance with the adoption of the fair value option allowed under ASC 825, Financial Instruments, and at the election of Account management, mortgage loans payable are reported at fair value. The FASB has defined 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.
	The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to determine the fair value of the Account’s investments and investment related mortgage loans payable.
	Valuation of Real Estate Properties—Investments in real estate properties are stated at fair value, as determined in accordance with policies and procedures reviewed by the Investment Committee of the Board and in accordance with the responsibilities of the Board as a whole. Accordingly, the Account does not record depreciation. Determination of fair value involves significant levels of judgment because the actual fair value of real estate can be determined only by negotiation between the parties in a sales transaction. The Account’s primary objective when valuing its real estate investments will be to produce a valuation that represents a reasonable estimate of the fair value of its investments. Implicit in the Account’s definition of fair value are the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby:
		•	Buyer and seller are typically motivated;
		•	Both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests;
		•	A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market;
		•	Payment is made in terms of cash or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and
		•	The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.
	Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates, and interest and inflation rates. As a result, determining real estate and investment values involves many assumptions. Key inputs and assumptions include rental income and expense amounts, related rental income and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates. Valuation techniques include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or multiples applied to earnings from the property, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties. Amounts ultimately realized from each investment may vary significantly from the fair value presented.
	Real estate properties owned by the Account are initially valued based on an independent third party appraisal, as reviewed by TIAA’s internal appraisal staff and as applicable the Account’s independent fiduciary at the time of the closing of the purchase, which may result in a potential unrealized gain or loss reflecting the difference between an investment’s fair value (i.e., exit price) and its cost basis (which is inclusive of transaction costs).
	Subsequently, each property is appraised each quarter by an independent third party appraiser, reviewed by TIAA’s internal appraisal staff and as applicable the Account’s independent fiduciary. In general, the Account obtains appraisals of its real estate properties spread out throughout the quarter, which is intended to result in appraisal adjustments, and thus, adjustments to the valuations of its holdings (to the extent such adjustments are made) that happen regularly throughout each quarter and not on one specific day or month in each period.
	Further, management reserves the right to order an appraisal and/or conduct another valuation outside of the normal quarterly process when facts or circumstances at a specific property change. For example, under certain circumstances a valuation adjustment could be made when the account receives a bona fide bid for the sale of a property held within the Account or one of the Account’s joint ventures. In addition, adjustments may be made for events or circumstances indicating an impairment of a tenant’s ability to pay amounts due to the Account under a lease (including due to a bankruptcy filing of that tenant). Alternatively, adjustments may be made to reflect the execution or renewal of a significant lease. Also, adjustments may be made to reflect factors (such as sales values for comparable properties or local employment rate) bearing uniquely on a particular region in which the Account holds properties. TIAA’s internal appraisal staff oversees the entire appraisal process, in conjunction with the Account’s independent fiduciary (the independent fiduciary is more fully described in the paragraph below). Any differences in the conclusions of TIAA’s internal appraisal staff and the independent appraiser will be reviewed by the independent fiduciary, which will make a final determination on the matter (which may include ordering a subsequent independent appraisal).
	The independent fiduciary, RERC, has been appointed by a special subcommittee of the Investment Committee of the Board to, among other things, oversee the appraisal process. The independent fiduciary must approve all independent appraisers used by the Account. All appraisals are performed in accordance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices, the real estate appraisal industry standards created by The Appraisal Foundation. Real estate appraisals are estimates of property values based on a professional’s opinion. Appraisals of properties held outside of the U.S. are performed in accordance with industry standards commonly applied in the applicable jurisdiction. These independent appraisers are always expected to be MAI-designated members of the Appraisal Institute (or its European equivalent, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) and state certified appraisers from national or regional firms with relevant property type experience and market knowledge. Under the Account’s current procedures, each independent appraisal firm will be rotated off of a particular property at least every three years, although such appraisal firm may perform appraisals of other Account properties subsequent to such rotation.
	Also, the independent fiduciary can require additional appraisals if factors or events have occurred that could materially change a property’s value (including those identified above) and such change is not reflected in the quarterly valuation review, or otherwise to ensure that the Account is valued appropriately. The independent fiduciary must also approve any valuation change of real estate-related assets where a property’s value changed by more than 6% from the most recent independent annual appraisal, or if the value of the Account would change by more than 4% within any calendar quarter or more than 2% since the prior calendar month. When a real estate property is subject to a mortgage, the property is valued independently of the mortgage and the property and mortgage fair values are reported separately (see Valuation of Mortgage Loans Payable below). The independent fiduciary reviews and approves all mortgage valuation adjustments before such adjustments are recorded by the Account. The Account continues to use the revised value for each real estate property and mortgage loan payable to calculate the Account’s daily net asset value until the next valuation review or appraisal.
	Valuation of Real Estate Joint Ventures—Real estate joint ventures are stated at the fair value of the Account’s ownership interests of the underlying entities. The Account’s ownership interests are valued based on the fair value of the underlying real estate, any related mortgage loans payable, and other factors, such as ownership percentage, ownership rights, buy/sell agreements, distribution provisions and capital call obligations. Upon the disposition of all real estate investments by an investee entity, the Account will continue to state its equity in the remaining net assets of the investee entity during the wind down period, if any, which occurs prior to the dissolution of the investee entity.
	Valuation of Real Estate Limited Partnerships—Limited partnership interests are stated at the fair value of the Account’s ownership in the partnership which are recorded based upon the changes in the net asset values of the limited partnerships as determined from the financial statements of the limited partnerships when received by the Account. Prior to the receipt of the financial statements from the limited partnerships, the Account estimates the value of its interest in good faith and will from time to time seek input from the issuer or the sponsor of the investments. Since market quotations are not readily available, the limited partnership interests are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by management under the direction of the Investment Committee of the Board and in accordance with the responsibilities of the Board as a whole.
	Valuation of Marketable Securities—Equity securities listed or traded on any national market or exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of the principal securities market or exchange on which such securities are traded or, if there is no sale, at the mean of the last bid and asked prices on such market or exchange, exclusive of transaction costs.
	Debt securities, other than money market instruments, are generally valued at the most recent bid price or the equivalent quoted yield for such securities (or those of comparable maturity, quality and type). Money market instruments, with maturities of one year or less, are valued in the same manner as debt securities or derived from a pricing matrix.
	Short-term investments with maturities of 60 days or less (excluding money market instruments) are valued at amortized cost. Short-term investments with maturities in excess of 60 days (excluding money market instruments) are valued in the same manner as debt securities, as described above.
	Money market instruments are valued at amortized cost.
	Equity and fixed income securities traded on a foreign exchange or in foreign markets are valued using their closing values under the valuation methods generally accepted in the country where traded, as of the valuation date. This value is converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the valuation day. Under certain circumstances (for example, if there are significant movements in the United States markets and there is an expectation the securities traded on foreign markets will adjust based on such movements when the foreign markets open the next day), the Account may adjust the value of equity or fixed income securities that trade on a foreign exchange or market after the foreign exchange or market has closed.
	Valuation of Mortgage Loans Payable—Mortgage loans payable are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values of mortgage loans payable are based on the amount at which the liability could be transferred to a third party exclusive of transaction costs. Mortgage loans payable are valued internally by TIAA’s internal valuation department, as reviewed by the Account’s independent fiduciary, at least quarterly based on market factors, such as market interest rates and spreads for comparable loans, the performance of the underlying collateral (such as the loan-to-value ratio and the cash flow of the underlying collateral), the liquidity for mortgage loans of similar characteristics, the maturity date of the loan, the return demands of the market.
	See Note 6—Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for further discussion and disclosure regarding the determination of the fair value of the Account’s investments.
	Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation: Portfolio investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments made in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of the transactions. The effect of any changes in foreign currency exchange rates on portfolio investments and mortgage loans payable are included in net realized and unrealized gains and losses on real estate properties and mortgage loans payable. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions include disposition of foreign currencies, and currency gains and losses between the accrual and receipt dates of portfolio investment income and between the trade and settlement dates of portfolio investment transactions.
	Accumulation and Annuity Funds: The accumulation fund represents the net assets attributable to participants in the accumulation phase of their investment (“Accumulation Fund”). The annuity fund represents the net assets attributable to the participants currently receiving annuity payments (“Annuity Fund”). The net increase or decrease in net assets from investment operations is apportioned between the accounts based upon their relative daily net asset values. Once an Account participant begins receiving lifetime annuity income benefits, payment levels cannot be reduced as a result of the Account’s actual mortality experience. In addition, the contracts pursuant to which the Account is offered are required to stipulate the maximum expense charge for all Account level expenses that can be assessed, which is not to exceed 2.5% of average net assets per year. The Account pays a fee to TIAA to assume mortality and expense risks.
	Accounting for Investments: The investments held by the Account are accounted for as follows:
	Real Estate Properties—Rent from real estate properties consists of all amounts earned under tenant operating leases, including base rent, recoveries of real estate taxes and other expenses and charges for miscellaneous services provided to tenants. Rental income is recognized in accordance with the billing terms of the lease agreements. The Account bears the direct expenses of the real estate properties owned. These expenses include, but are not limited to, fees to local property management companies, property taxes, utilities, maintenance, repairs, insurance, and other operating and administrative costs. An estimate of the net operating income earned from each real estate property is accrued by the Account on a daily basis and such estimates are adjusted when actual operating results are determined.
	Real Estate Joint Ventures—The Account has limited ownership interests in various real estate joint ventures (collectively, the “joint ventures”). The Account records its contributions as increases to its investments in the joint ventures, and distributions from the joint ventures are treated as income within income from real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships in the Account’s consolidated statements of operations. Distributions that are identified as returns of capital are recorded as a reduction to the cost basis of the investment, whereas distributions identified as capital gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses. Income from the joint ventures is recorded based on the Account’s proportional interest of the income distributed by the joint ventures. Income earned but not yet distributed to the Account by the joint ventures is recorded as unrealized gains and losses.
	Limited Partnerships—The Account has limited ownership interests in various private real estate funds (primarily limited partnerships) and a private real estate investment trust (collectively, the “limited partnerships”). The Account records its contributions as increases to the investments, and distributions from the investments are treated as income within income from real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships in the Account’s consolidated statements of operations. Distributions that are identified as returns of capital are recorded as a reduction to the cost basis of the investment, whereas distributions identified as capital gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded based upon the changes in the net asset values of the limited partnerships as determined from the financial statements of the limited partnerships when received by the Account. Prior to the receipt of the financial statements from the limited partnerships, the Account estimates the value of its interest in good faith and will from time to time seek input from the issuer or the sponsor of the investments. Changes in value based on such estimates are recorded by the Account as unrealized gains and losses.
	Marketable Securities—Transactions in marketable securities are accounted for as of the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Interest income is recorded as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date within dividend income. Dividends that are identified as returns of capital are recorded as a reduction to the cost basis of the investment, whereas dividends identified as capital gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses. Realized gains and losses on securities transactions are accounted for on the specific identification method.
	Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses—Realized gains and losses are recorded at the time an investment is sold or a distribution is received in relation to an investment sale from a joint venture or limited partnership. Real estate transactions are accounted for as of the date on which the purchase or sale transactions for the real estate properties close (settlement date). The Account recognizes a realized gain on the sale of a real estate property to the extent that the contract sales price exceeds the cost-to-date of the property being sold. A realized loss occurs when the cost-to-date exceeds the sales price.
	Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as the fair values of the Account’s investments are adjusted, and as discussed within the Real Estate Joint Ventures and Limited Partnerships sections above.
	Net Assets—The Account’s net assets as of the close of each valuation day are valued by taking the sum of:
		•	the value of the Account’s cash; cash equivalents, and short-term and other debt instruments;
		•	the value of the Account’s other securities and other non-real estate assets;
		•	the value of the individual real properties (based on the most recent valuation of that property) and other real estate-related investments owned by the Account;
		•	an estimate of the net operating income accrued by the Account from its properties, other real estate-related investments and non-real estate-related investments (including short-term marketable securities) since the end of the prior valuation day; and
		•	actual net operating income earned from the Account’s properties, other real estate-related investments and non-real estate-related investments (but only to the extent any such item of income differs from the estimated income accrued for on such investments),
	and then reducing the sum by liabilities held within the Account, including the daily investment management fee, administration and distribution fees, mortality and expense fee, and liquidity guarantee fee, and certain other expenses attributable to operating the Account. Daily estimates of net operating income are adjusted to reflect actual net operating income on a monthly basis, at which time such adjustments (if any) are reflected in the Account’s unit value.
	After the end of every quarter, the Account reconciles the amount of expenses deducted from the Account (which is established in order to approximate the costs that the Account will incur) with the expenses the Account actually incurred. If there is a difference, the Account adds it to or deducts it from the Account in equal daily installments over the remaining days of the following quarter. Material differences may be repaid in the current calendar quarter. The Account’s at-cost deductions are based on projections of Account assets and overall expenses, and the size of any adjusting payments will be directly affected by the difference between management’s projections and the Account’s actual assets or expenses.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents are balances held by the Account in bank deposit accounts which, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Account’s management monitors these balances to mitigate the exposure of risk due to concentration and has not experienced any losses from such concentration.
	Other Assets and Other Liabilities: Other assets and other liabilities are comprised of operating assets and liabilities utilized and held at each individual real estate property investment. Other assets consist of, amongst other items, cash, tenant receivables and prepaid expenses; whereas other liabilities primarily consist of security deposits.
	Federal Income Taxes: Based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 817, the Account is taxed as a segregated asset account of TIAA and as such, the Account incurs no material federal income tax attributable to the net investment activity of the Account. The Account’s federal income tax return is generally subject to examination for a period of three years after filed. State and local tax returns may be subject to examination for an additional period of time depending on the jurisdiction. Management has analyzed the Accounts’ tax positions taken for all open federal income tax years and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Accounts’ financial statements.
	Restricted Cash: The Account held $20.4 million and $46.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in escrow accounts for property taxes, insurance, and various other property related matters as required by certain creditors related to outstanding mortgage loans payable collateralized by certain real estate investments. These amounts are recorded within other assets on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. See Note 9—Mortgage Loans Payable for additional information regarding the Account’s outstanding mortgage loans payable.
	Changes in Net Assets: Premiums include premiums paid by existing accumulation unit holders in the Account and transfers into the Account. Withdrawals and death benefits include withdrawals out of the Account which include transfers out of the Account and required minimum distributions.
	Due to/from Investment Manager: Due to/from investment manager represents amounts that are to be paid or received by TIAA on behalf of the Account. Amounts generally are paid or received by the Account within one or two business days and no interest is contractually charged on these amounts.
	New Accounting Pronouncement: In June 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-08 Financial Services—Investment Companies (Topic 946)—Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements (the “ASU”) which amends the criteria for an entity to qualify as an investment company and introduces new disclosure requirements that apply to all investment companies. Effective January 1, 2014, the Account adopted the ASU. The adoption of the ASU did not have an impact on the Account’s consolidated financial statements.

Management_Agreements_and_Arra

Management Agreements and Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Manangement Agreements And Arrangements [Abstract]
Manangement Agreements And Arrangements [Text Block]	Note 2—Management Agreements and Arrangements
	Investment advisory services for the Account are provided by TIAA employees, under the direction of the Board and its Investment Committee, pursuant to investment management procedures adopted by TIAA for the Account. TIAA’s investment management decisions for the Account are subject to review by the Account’s independent fiduciary. TIAA also provides various portfolio accounting and related services for the Account.
	The Account is a party to the Distribution Agreement for the Contracts Funded by the TIAA Real Estate Account (the “Distribution Agreement”), dated January 1, 2008, by and among TIAA, for itself and on behalf of the Account, and TIAA-CREF Individual and Institutional Services, LLC (“Services”), a wholly owned subsidiary of TIAA, a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, Services performs distribution services for the Account which include, among other things, (i) distribution of annuity contracts issued by TIAA and funded by the Account, (ii) advising existing annuity contract owners in connection with their accumulations and (iii) helping employers implement and manage retirement plans. In addition, TIAA performs administrative functions for the Account, which include, among other things, (i) maintaining accounting records and performing accounting services, (ii) receiving and allocating premiums, (iii) calculating and making annuity payments, (iv) processing withdrawal requests, (v) providing regulatory compliance and reporting services, (vi) maintaining the Account’s records of contract ownership and (vii) otherwise assisting generally in all aspects of the Account’s operations. Both distribution services (pursuant to the Distribution Agreement) and administrative services are provided to the Account by Services and TIAA, as applicable, on a cost basis.
	The Distribution Agreement is terminable by either party upon 60 days written notice and terminates automatically upon any assignment thereof.
	TIAA and Services provide investment management, administrative and distribution services at cost. TIAA and Services receive payments from the Account on a daily basis according to formulas established each year and adjusted periodically with the objective of keeping the payments as close as possible to the Account’s expenses actually incurred. Any differences between actual expenses and the amounts paid by the Account are adjusted quarterly.
	TIAA also provides a liquidity guarantee to the Account, for a fee, to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet participant transfer and cash withdrawal requests in the event that the Account’s cash flows and liquid investments are insufficient to fund such requests. TIAA ensures sufficient funds are available for such transfer and withdrawal requests by purchasing accumulation units of the Account. See Note 3—Related Party Transactions below.
	To the extent TIAA owns accumulation units issued pursuant to the liquidity guarantee, the independent fiduciary monitors and oversees, among other things, TIAA’s ownership interest in the Account and may require TIAA to eventually redeem some of its units, particularly when the Account has un-invested cash or liquid investments available. TIAA also receives a fee for assuming certain mortality and expense risks.
	The expenses for the services noted above that are provided to the Account by TIAA and Services are identified in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and are reflected in Note 10—Financial Highlights.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 3—Related Party Transactions
	Pursuant to its existing liquidity guarantee obligation, the TIAA General Account purchased in multiple transactions an aggregate of 4.7 million accumulation units (which are generally referred to as “liquidity units”) in the Account between December 2008 and June 2009 for an aggregate amount of $1.2 billion. TIAA has not purchased additional liquidity units since June 2009.
	In accordance with this liquidity guarantee obligation, TIAA guarantees that all participants in the Account may redeem their accumulation units at their accumulation unit value next determined after their transfer or cash withdrawal request is received in good order. Liquidity units owned by TIAA are valued in the same manner as accumulation units owned by the Account’s participants. Management believes that TIAA has the ability to meet its obligations under the liquidity guarantee.
	As discussed in the Account’s prospectus and in accordance with a prohibited transaction exemption from the U.S. Department of Labor (PTE 96-76), the Account’s independent fiduciary, RERC, has certain responsibilities with respect to the Account that it has undertaken or is currently undertaking with respect to TIAA’s purchase of liquidity units, including among other things, reviewing the purchase and redemption of liquidity units by TIAA to ensure the Account uses the correct unit values. In addition, as set forth in PTE 96-76, the independent fiduciary’s responsibilities include:
		•	establishing the percentage of total accumulation units that TIAA’s ownership should not exceed (the “trigger point”) and creating a method for changing the trigger point;
		•	approving any adjustment of TIAA’s ownership interest in the Account and, in its discretion, requiring an adjustment if TIAA’s ownership of liquidity units reaches the trigger point; and
		•	once the trigger point has been reached, participating in any program to reduce TIAA’s ownership in the Account by utilizing cash flow or liquid investments in the Account, or by utilizing the proceeds from asset sales. The independent fiduciary’s role in participating in any such asset sales program would include (i) participating in the selection of properties for sale, (ii) providing sales guidelines and (iii) approving those sales if, in the independent fiduciary’s opinion, such sales are desirable to reduce TIAA’s ownership of liquidity units.
	The independent fiduciary, which has the right to adjust the trigger point, has established the trigger point at 45% of the outstanding accumulation units and it will continue to monitor TIAA’s ownership interest in the Account and provide further recommendations as necessary.
	As of March 31, 2013, the independent fiduciary completed the systematic redemption of all of the liquidity units held by TIAA. Approximately one-quarter of such units were redeemed evenly over the business days in each of the months of June, September, December 2012, and March 2013, representing a total of $940.3 million and $325.4 million redeemed during 2012 and 2013, respectively.
	As discussed in Note 2—Management Agreements and Arrangements, TIAA and Services provide certain services to the Account on an at cost basis. See Note 10—Financial Highlights for details of the expense charge and expense ratio.

Credit_Risk_Concentrations

Credit Risk Concentrations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 4—Credit Risk Concentrations
	Concentrations of credit risk may arise when a number of properties or tenants are located in a similar geographic region such that the economic conditions of that region could impact tenants’ obligations to meet their contractual obligations or cause the values of individual properties to decline. The Account has no significant concentrations of tenants as no single tenant has annual contract rent that makes up more than 2.6% of the rental income of the Account.
	The following table represents the diversification of the Account’s portfolio by region and property type:
	Diversification by Fair Value(1)
			East				West			South			Midwest			Total
	Office				20.9	%		16.8	%		6.9	%		0.3	%		44.9	%
	Apartment				10.6	%		8.6	%		3.5	%		—			22.7	%
	Retail				4	%		3.9	%		7.5	%		0.3	%		15.7	%
	Industrial				1.4	%		7.4	%		3.8	%		0.9	%		13.5	%
	Other(2)				2.8	%		0.2	%		0.1	%		0.1	%		3.2	%
	Total				39.7	%		36.9	%		21.8	%		1.6	%		100	%
		-1		Wholly owned properties are represented at fair value and gross of any debt, while joint venture properties are represented at the net equity value.
		-2		Represents interest in Storage Portfolio investment and a fee interest encumbered by a ground lease real estate investment.
				Properties in the “East” region are located in: CT, DC, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WV
				Properties in the “West” region are located in: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
				Properties in the “South” region are located in: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX
				Properties in the “Midwest” region are located in: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
Operating Leases of Lessor Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 5—Leases
	The Account’s wholly owned real estate properties are leased to tenants under operating lease agreements which expire on various dates through 2090. Aggregate minimum annual rentals for wholly owned real estate investments owned by the Account, excluding short-term residential leases, are as follows (in millions):
		Years Ending
		December 31,
	2015		$	493.8
	2016			466.3
	2017			415.3
	2018			363.7
	2019			313.6
	Thereafter			2,990.90
	Total		$	5,043.60
	Certain leases provide for additional rental amounts based upon the recovery of actual operating expenses in excess of specified base amounts, sales volume or contractual increases as defined in the lease agreement. These contractual contingent rentals are not included in the table above.

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Note 6—Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	Valuation Hierarchy: The Account’s fair value measurements are grouped categorically into three levels, as defined by the FASB. The levels are defined as follows:
	Level 1—Valuations using unadjusted quoted prices for assets traded in active markets, such as stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Active markets are defined as having the following characteristics for the measured asset or liability: (i) many transactions, (ii) current prices, (iii) price quotes not varying substantially among market makers, (iv) narrow bid/ask spreads and (v) most information regarding the issuer is publicly available. Level 1 assets held by the Account are generally marketable equity securities.
	Level 2—Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active, dealer or broker markets. Fair values are primarily obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs for fair value measurements are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include:
	a. Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
	b. Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active (that is, markets in which there are few transactions for the asset (or liability), the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially either over time or among market makers (for example, some brokered markets), or in which little information is released publicly);
	c. Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable within the market for the asset (or liability) (for example, interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals); and
	d. Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (for example, market-corroborated inputs).
	Examples of securities which may be held by the Account and included in Level 2 include certificates of deposit, commercial paper, government agency notes, variable notes, United States Treasury securities, and debt securities.
	Level 3—Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other valuation methodologies, including pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, and are not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker-traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections that are not observable in the market, and require significant professional judgment in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities. Examples of Level 3 assets and liabilities which may be held by the Account from time to time include investments in real estate, investments in joint ventures and limited partnerships, and mortgage loans receivable and payable.
	An investment’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy described above is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
	The Account’s determination of fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, fair value is based upon vendor-provided, evaluated prices or internally developed models that primarily use market-based or independently sourced market data, including interest rate yield curves, market spreads, and currency rates. Valuation adjustments will be made to reflect changes in credit quality, counterparty’s creditworthiness, the Account’s creditworthiness, liquidity, and other observable and unobservable inputs that are applied consistently over time.
	The methods described above are considered to produce fair values that represent a good faith estimate of what an unaffiliated buyer in the marketplace would pay to purchase the asset or would receive to transfer the liability. Since fair value calculations involve significant professional judgment in the application of both observable and unobservable attributes, actual realizable values or future fair values may differ from amounts reported. Furthermore, while the Account believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments, while reasonable, could result in different estimates of fair value at the reporting date. As discussed in Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies in more detail, the Account generally obtains independent third party appraisals on a quarterly basis; there may be circumstances in the interim in which the true realizable value of a property is not reflected in the Account’s daily net asset value calculation or in the Account’s periodic consolidated financial statements. This disparity may be more apparent when the commercial and/or residential real estate markets experience an overall and possibly dramatic decline (or increase) in property values in a relatively short period of time between appraisals.
	The following tables show the major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1); significant other observable inputs (Level 2); and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions):
	Description		Level 1:						Level 2:				Level 3:				Total at
			Quoted						Significant				Significant				December 31,
			Prices in						Other				Unobservable				2014
			Active Markets						Observable				Inputs
			for Identical						Inputs
			Assets
	Real estate properties			$		—				$	—			$	13,139.00			$	13,139.00
	Real estate joint ventures					—					—				3,022.10				3,022.10
	Limited partnerships					—					—				357.5				357.5
	Marketable securities:
	Real estate related					1,818.40					—				—				1,818.40
	Government agency notes					—					2,369.90				—				2,369.90
	United States Treasury securities					—					1,461.20				—				1,461.20
	Total Investments at December 31, 2014			$		1,818.40				$	3,831.10			$	16,518.60			$	22,168.10
	Mortgage loans payable			$		—				$	—			$	(2,373.8	)		$	(2,373.8	)
	Description		Level 1:						Level 2:				Level 3:				Total at
			Quoted						Significant				Significant				December 31,
			Prices in						Other				Unobservable				2013
			Active Markets						Observable				Inputs
			for Identical						Inputs
			Assets
	Real estate properties			$		—				$	—			$	11,565.10			$	11,565.10
	Real estate joint ventures					—					—				2,563.60				2,563.60
	Limited partnerships					—					—				362				362
	Marketable securities:
	Real estate related					1,499.30					—				—				1,499.30
	Government agency notes					—					1,989.10				—				1,989.10
	United States Treasury securities					—					1,130.50				—				1,130.50
	Total Investments at December 31, 2013			$		1,499.30				$	3,119.60			$	14,490.70			$	19,109.60
	Mortgage loans payable			$		—				$	—			$	(2,279.1	)		$	(2,279.1	)
	The following tables show the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):
			Real Estate						Real Estate				Limited				Total				Mortgage
			Properties						Joint				Partnerships				Level 3				Loans
									Ventures								Investments				Payable
	For the year ended December 31, 2014
	Beginning balance January 1, 2014			$		11,565.10				$	2,563.60			$	362			$	14,490.70			$	(2,279.1	)
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets					987.8					308.4				28.9				1,325.10				(64.9	)
	Purchases(1)					1,562.50					232.9				—				1,795.40				(252.5	)
	Sales					(976.4	)				—				—				(976.4	)			—
	Settlements(2)					—					(82.8	)			(33.4	)			(116.2	)			222.7
	Ending balance December 31, 2014			$		13,139.00				$	3,022.10			$	357.5			$	16,518.60			$	(2,373.8	)
			Real Estate						Real Estate				Limited				Total				Mortgage
			Properties						Joint				Partnerships				Level 3				Loans
									Ventures								Investments				Payable
	For the year ended December 31, 2013
	Beginning balance January 1, 2013			$		10,554.60				$	2,291.50			$	339.8			$	13,185.90			$	(2,282.6	)
	Total realized and unrealized gains included in changes in net assets					653.1					294.1				31.9				979.1				73.3
	Purchases(1)					793.2					48.7				3.2				845.1				(900.0	)
	Sales					(435.8	)				—				—				(435.8	)			—
	Settlements(2)					—					(70.7	)			(12.9	)			(83.6	)			830.2
Ending balance December 31, 2013			$		11,565.10				$	2,563.60			$	362			$	14,490.70			$	(2,279.1	)
	-1		Includes purchases, contributions for joint ventures and limited partnerships, and capital expenditures.
	-2		Includes operating income for real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships, net of distributions and principal payments on mortgage loans payable.
The following table shows quantitative information about unobservable inputs related to the Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2014.
Type		Asset Class		Valuation		Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average)
				Technique(s)
Real Estate Properties and Joint Ventures		Office		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	6.00%	-	8.80%
								-6.70%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.00%	-	7.80%
								-5.70%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	4.00%	-	7.50%
								-5.00%
		Industrial		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	6.00%	-	10.00%
								-7.10%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.30%	-	8.00%
								-6.00%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	4.30%	-	8.30%
								-5.30%
		Residential		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	5.30%	-	7.80%
								-6.30%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	4.00%	-	5.80%
								-4.80%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	3.30%	-	5.40%
								-4.20%
		Retail		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	5.80%	-	10.20%
								-7.30%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.00%	-	9.50%
								-6.10%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	4.50%	-	8.80%
								-5.60%
Mortgage Loans Payable		Office and Industrial		Discounted Cash Flow		Loan to Value Ratio	35.00%	-	47.90%
								-43.10%
						Equivalency Rate	2.90%	-	3.90%
								-3.60%
				Net Present Value		Loan to Value Ratio	35.00%	-	47.90%
								-43.10%
						Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk	1.2	-	1.3
						Premium Multiple
								-1.3
		Residential		Discounted Cash Flow		Loan to Value Ratio	32.90%	-	63.70%
								-45.30%
						Equivalency Rate	2.20%	-	3.60%
								-3.20%
				Net Present Value		Loan to Value Ratio	32.90%	-	63.70%
								-45.30%
						Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk	1.2	-	1.5
						Premium Multiple
								-1.3
		Retail		Discounted Cash Flow		Loan to Value Ratio	24.80%	-	124.40%
								-55.40%
						Equivalency Rate	2.20%	-	6.30%
								-3.50%
				Net Present Value		Loan to Value Ratio	24.80%	-	124.40%
								-55.40%
						Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk	1.1	-	3
						Premium Multiple
								-1.5
Real Estate Properties and Joint Ventures: The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Account’s real estate properties and joint ventures are the selection of certain investment rates (Discount Rate, Terminal Capitalization Rate, and Overall Capitalization Rate). Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in significantly lower (higher) fair value measurements, respectively.
Mortgage Loans Payable: The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Account’s mortgage loans payable are the loan to value ratios and the selection of certain credit spreads and weighted average cost of capital risk premiums. Significant increases (decreases) in any of those inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 there were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 or 3.
The amount of total net unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets attributable to the change in net unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 investments and mortgage loans payable using significant unobservable inputs still held as of the reporting date is as follows (in millions):
		Real Estate						Real Estate				Limited				Total				Mortgage
		Properties						Joint Ventures				Partnerships				Level 3				Loans
																Investments				Payable
For the year ended December 31, 2014			$		1,007.20				$	305.4			$	30.8			$	1,343.40			$	(64.9	)
For the year ended December 31, 2013			$		676.1				$	300.6			$	31			$	1,007.70			$	57.4

Investments_in_Joint_Ventures

Investments in Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 7—Investments in Joint Ventures
	The Account owns interests in several real estate properties through joint ventures and receives distributions and allocations of profits and losses from the joint ventures based on the Account’s ownership interest in those investments. Several of these joint ventures have mortgage loans payable collateralized by the properties owned by the aforementioned joint ventures. At December 31, 2014, the Account held investments in joint ventures with non-controlling ownership interest percentages that ranged from 33% to 85%. Certain joint ventures are subject to adjusted distribution percentages when earnings in the investment reach a pre-determined threshold. The fair value of the Account’s equity interest in these joint ventures was $3.0 billion and $2.6 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Account’s most significant joint venture investment is the The Florida Mall which represented 2.7% of the Account’s net assets and 2.4% of the Account’s invested assets at December 31, 2014. The Account’s proportionate share of the mortgage loans payable held within the joint venture investments at fair value was $1.8 billion and $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Account’s share in the outstanding principal of the mortgage loans payable held within the joint venture investments was $1.7 billion and $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	A condensed summary of the financial position and results of operations of the joint ventures are shown below (in millions):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Assets
	Real Estate properties, at fair value		$	7,980.20		$	6,715.60
	Other assets			246.8			249
	Total assets		$	8,227.00		$	6,964.60
	Liabilities & Equity
	Mortgage notes payable and other obligations, at fair value		$	2,750.00		$	2,360.40
	Other liabilities			147			139.9
	Total liabilities			2,897.00			2,500.30
	Equity			5,330.00			4,464.30
	Total liabilities and equity		$	8,227.00		$	6,964.60
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Operating Revenue and Expenses
	Revenues		$	612.8		$	562.5		$	478.9
	Expenses			315.8			309.6			273.5
	Excess of revenues over expenses		$	297		$	252.9		$	205.4

Investments_in_Limited_Partner

Investments in Limited Partnerships	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments In Limited Partnerships [Abstract]
Investments In Limited Partnerships [Text Block]	Note 8—Investments in Limited Partnerships
	The Account invests in limited partnerships, limited liability companies and private real estate equity investment trusts that own real estate properties and real estate related securities including mezzanine debt.
	The Account receives distributions from these investments based on the Account’s ownership interest percentage. At December 31, 2014, the Account held interests in three limited partnerships, one limited liability and one private real estate equity investment trust. The Account held non-controlling ownership interest in these investments ranging from 5.3% to 18.5%. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of the Account’s ownership interest was $357.5 million and $362.0 million, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2014, three of the limited partnership investments were in dissolution. The Heitman Value Partners Fund began liquidation in 2013, with the remaining investment assets anticipated to be liquidated during 2015. Colony Realty Partners LP began liquidation in May 2014, with final liquidation anticipated during 2016. In December 2014, all underlying assets held by Cobalt Industrial REIT were sold with final liquidation expected in September 2015. Subsequent to December 31, 2014, the Lion Gables Apartment Fund liquidated all assets as further discussed in Note 13—Subsequent Events.
	Transwestern Mezzanine Realty Partners III may engage in liquidation activities in 2017 based on the terms of its partnership agreement. The Account may elect to sell or transfer its ownership units by giving notice and acquiring consent from the management committee of the limited partnership, which requires approval by a majority of the members.

Mortgage_Loans_Payable

Mortgage Loans Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 9—Mortgage Loans Payable
	At December 31, 2014, the Account had outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by the following properties (in millions):
	Property		Interest Rate		Principal							Maturity
			and		Amounts as of
			Payment Frequency(2)		December 31,
					2014			2013
	Wilshire Rodeo Plaza(4)		5.28% paid monthly			$	—		$	112.7			11-Apr-14
	99 High Street		5.52% paid monthly				185			185			11-Nov-15
	Lincoln Centre		5.51% paid monthly				153			153			1-Feb-16
	Charleston Plaza(1)(4)		5.60% paid monthly				35.5			36.2			11-Sep-16
	The Legend at Kierland(4)(5)		4.97% paid monthly				21.8			21.8			1-Aug-17
	The Tradition at Kierland(4)(5)		4.97% paid monthly				25.8			25.8			1-Aug-17
	Mass Court(4)		2.88% paid monthly				92.6			92.6			1-Sep-19
	Red Canyon at Palomino Park(4)(6)		5.34% paid monthly				27.1			27.1			1-Aug-20
	Green River at Palomino Park(4)(6)		5.34% paid monthly				33.2			33.2			1-Aug-20
	Blue Ridge at Palomino Park(4)(6)		5.34% paid monthly				33.4			33.4			1-Aug-20
	Ashford Meadows(4)		5.17% paid monthly				44.6			44.6			1-Aug-20
	The Corner(4)		4.66% paid monthly				105			105			1-Jun-21
	The Palatine(4)		4.25% paid monthly				80			80			10-Jan-22
	The Forum at Carlsbad(4)		4.25% paid monthly				90			90			1-Mar-22
	The Colorado(4)		3.69% paid monthly				91.7			91.7			1-Nov-22
	The Legacy at Westwood(4)		3.69% paid monthly				46.7			46.7			1-Nov-22
	Regents Court(4)		3.69% paid monthly				39.6			39.6			1-Nov-22
	The Caruth(4)		3.69% paid monthly				45			45			1-Nov-22
	Fourth & Madison(4)		3.75% paid monthly				200			200			1-Jun-23
	1001 Pennsylvania Avenue		3.70% paid monthly				330			330			1-Jun-23
	50 Fremont Street(4)(8)		3.75% paid monthly				200			200			1-Jun-23
	1401 H Street NW(4)(7)		3.65% paid monthly				115			109.3			5-Nov-24
	780 Third Avenue(4)		3.55% paid monthly				150			150			1-Aug-25
	780 Third Avenue(4)		3.55% paid monthly				20			20			1-Aug-25
	55 Second Street(4)		3.74% paid monthly				137.5			—			1-Oct-26
	Publix at Weston Commons(4)		5.08% paid monthly				35			35			1-Jan-36
	Total Principal Outstanding					$	2,337.50		$	2,307.70
	Fair Value Adjustment(3)						36.3			(28.6	)
	Total mortgage loans payable					$	2,373.80		$	2,279.10
		-1		The mortgage is adjusted monthly for principal payments.
		-2		Interest rates are fixed, unless stated otherwise.
		-3		The fair value adjustment consists of the difference (positive or negative) between the principal amount of the outstanding debt and the fair value of the outstanding debt. See Note 1—Organization and Significant Accounting Policies.
		-4		These properties are each owned by separate wholly owned subsidiaries of TIAA for benefit of the Account. The assets and credit of each of these borrowings entities are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Account or any other entity or person other than such borrowing entity.
		-5		Represents mortgage loans on these individual properties which are held within the Kierland Apartment portfolio.
		-6		Represents mortgage loans on these individual properties which are held within the Palomino Park portfolio.
		-7		Mortgage loan was refinanced on October 7, 2014 into a 10-year $115.0 million interest only loan at 3.65% with a maturity date of November 5, 2024.
		-8		This property was sold on February 12, 2015.
	Principal payment schedule on mortgage loans payable as of December 31, 2014 was as follows (in millions):
			Amount
	2015			$		185.8
	2016					188.5
	2017					51.9
	2018					16.8
	2019					112.4
	Thereafter					1,782.10
	Total maturities			$		2,337.50

Financial_Highlights

Financial Highlights	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10—Financial Highlights
	Selected condensed financial information for an Accumulation Unit of the Account is presented below. Per Accumulation Unit data is calculated on average units outstanding.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	Per Accumulation Unit data:
	Rental income			$	15.862		$	15.313		$	16.345		$	17.224		$	19.516
	Real estate property level expenses and taxes				7.788			8.112			9.059			8.64			9.987
	Real estate income, net				8.074			7.201			7.286			8.584			9.529
	Other income				3.459			2.759			2.178			2.143			2.214
	Total income				11.533			9.96			9.464			10.727			11.743
	Expense charges(1)				2.88			2.672			2.562			2.39			2.167
	Investment income, net				8.653			7.288			6.902			8.337			9.576
	Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and mortgage loans payable				27.868			19.015			18.013			20.144			16.143
	Net increase in Accumulation Unit Value				36.521			26.303			24.915			28.481			25.719
	Accumulation Unit Value:
	Beginning of period				298.872			272.569			247.654			219.173			193.454
	End of period			$	335.393		$	298.872		$	272.569		$	247.654		$	219.173
	Total return				12.22%			9.65%			10.06%			12.99%			13.29%
	Ratios to Average net Assets:
	Expenses(1)				0.89%			0.92%			0.95%			0.98%			1.09%
	Investment income, net				2.68%			2.50%			2.55%			3.42%			4.84%
	Portfolio turnover rate:
	Real estate properties(2)				6.50%			2.10%			10.20%			3.00%			1.00%
	Marketable securities(3)				15.90%			8.40%			21.90%			3.40%			19.20%
	Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in millions):				57.9			55.3			53.3			53.4			48.1
	Net assets end of period (in millions)			$	19,829.00		$	16,907.90		$	14,861.10		$	13,527.20		$	10,803.10
		-1		Expense charges per Accumulation Unit and the Ratio of Expenses to average net assets reflect the year to date Account level expenses and exclude real estate property level expenses which are included in real estate income, net.
		-2		Real estate investment portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of real estate property investments (including contributions to, or return of capital distributions received from, existing joint venture and limited partnership investments) by the average value of the portfolio of real estate investments held during the period.
		-3		Marketable securities portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of securities, excluding securities having maturity dates at acquisition of one year or less, by the average value of the portfolio securities held during the period.

Accumulation_Units

Accumulation Units	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Units Disclosure [Abstract]
Accumulated Units Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 11—Accumulation Units
	Changes in the number of Accumulation Units outstanding were as follows (in millions):
		2014			2013			2012
	Outstanding:
	Beginning of period		55.3			53.3			53.4
	Credited for premiums		7.7			8.5			7.9
	Liquidity units redeemed (See Note 3)		—			(1.2	)		(3.6	)
	Annuity, other periodic payments, withdrawals and death benefits		(5.1	)		(5.3	)		(4.4	)
	End of period		57.9			55.3			53.3

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 12—Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments—The Account had $0.2 million and $0.5 million of outstanding immediately callable commitments to purchase additional interests in its limited partnership investments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The commitment at December 31, 2014 is related to the Heitman Value Partners Fund, which is in dissolution. Currently, there is no expectation the limited partnership will call the remaining commitment.
	The Account has committed a total of $63.9 million and $74.1 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to various tenants for tenant improvements and leasing inducements.
	Contingencies—The Account is party to various claims and routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. Management of the Account does not believe the results of any such claims or litigation, individually, or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on the Account’s business, financial position, or results of operations.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Note 13—Subsequent Events
	Purchases
	837 Washington Street—New York, NY
	On January 30, 2015, the Account purchased a six-story, 55,497 square foot office building located in New York, New York for $190.8 million. At the time of purchase, the property was 100% leased.
	Sales
	50 Fremont Street—San Francisco, CA
	On February 12, 2015, the Account sold an office property located in San Francisco, California for a net sales price of $621.4 million. Concurrent with the sale of the property, a $200.0 million mortgage loan was extinguished.
	Lion Gables Apartment Fund
	On February 18, 2015, the Account’s 18.46% interest in the Lion Gables Apartment Fund was dissolved. The Account received $341.6 million as a result of the dissolution.
	Concurrent with the liquidation of the Account’s interest, the Account purchased a $100.0 million 5 year convertible note in a newly formed fund, CGMT REIT, L.P. The note is convertible into units of CGMT REIT, L.P.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies) [Line Items]
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounting for Investments: The investments held by the Account are accounted for as follows:
	Real Estate Properties—Rent from real estate properties consists of all amounts earned under tenant operating leases, including base rent, recoveries of real estate taxes and other expenses and charges for miscellaneous services provided to tenants. Rental income is recognized in accordance with the billing terms of the lease agreements. The Account bears the direct expenses of the real estate properties owned. These expenses include, but are not limited to, fees to local property management companies, property taxes, utilities, maintenance, repairs, insurance, and other operating and administrative costs. An estimate of the net operating income earned from each real estate property is accrued by the Account on a daily basis and such estimates are adjusted when actual operating results are determined.
	Real Estate Joint Ventures—The Account has limited ownership interests in various real estate joint ventures (collectively, the “joint ventures”). The Account records its contributions as increases to its investments in the joint ventures, and distributions from the joint ventures are treated as income within income from real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships in the Account’s consolidated statements of operations. Distributions that are identified as returns of capital are recorded as a reduction to the cost basis of the investment, whereas distributions identified as capital gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses. Income from the joint ventures is recorded based on the Account’s proportional interest of the income distributed by the joint ventures. Income earned but not yet distributed to the Account by the joint ventures is recorded as unrealized gains and losses.
	Limited Partnerships—The Account has limited ownership interests in various private real estate funds (primarily limited partnerships) and a private real estate investment trust (collectively, the “limited partnerships”). The Account records its contributions as increases to the investments, and distributions from the investments are treated as income within income from real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships in the Account’s consolidated statements of operations. Distributions that are identified as returns of capital are recorded as a reduction to the cost basis of the investment, whereas distributions identified as capital gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses. Unrealized gains and losses are recorded based upon the changes in the net asset values of the limited partnerships as determined from the financial statements of the limited partnerships when received by the Account. Prior to the receipt of the financial statements from the limited partnerships, the Account estimates the value of its interest in good faith and will from time to time seek input from the issuer or the sponsor of the investments. Changes in value based on such estimates are recorded by the Account as unrealized gains and losses.
	Marketable Securities—Transactions in marketable securities are accounted for as of the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Interest income is recorded as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date within dividend income. Dividends that are identified as returns of capital are recorded as a reduction to the cost basis of the investment, whereas dividends identified as capital gains or losses are recorded as realized gains or losses. Realized gains and losses on securities transactions are accounted for on the specific identification method.
	Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses—Realized gains and losses are recorded at the time an investment is sold or a distribution is received in relation to an investment sale from a joint venture or limited partnership. Real estate transactions are accounted for as of the date on which the purchase or sale transactions for the real estate properties close (settlement date). The Account recognizes a realized gain on the sale of a real estate property to the extent that the contract sales price exceeds the cost-to-date of the property being sold. A realized loss occurs when the cost-to-date exceeds the sales price.
	Unrealized gains and losses are recorded as the fair values of the Account’s investments are adjusted, and as discussed within the Real Estate Joint Ventures and Limited Partnerships sections above.
	Net Assets—The Account’s net assets as of the close of each valuation day are valued by taking the sum of:
		•	the value of the Account’s cash; cash equivalents, and short-term and other debt instruments;
		•	the value of the Account’s other securities and other non-real estate assets;
		•	the value of the individual real properties (based on the most recent valuation of that property) and other real estate-related investments owned by the Account;
		•	an estimate of the net operating income accrued by the Account from its properties, other real estate-related investments and non-real estate-related investments (including short-term marketable securities) since the end of the prior valuation day; and
		•	actual net operating income earned from the Account’s properties, other real estate-related investments and non-real estate-related investments (but only to the extent any such item of income differs from the estimated income accrued for on such investments),
	and then reducing the sum by liabilities held within the Account, including the daily investment management fee, administration and distribution fees, mortality and expense fee, and liquidity guarantee fee, and certain other expenses attributable to operating the Account. Daily estimates of net operating income are adjusted to reflect actual net operating income on a monthly basis, at which time such adjustments (if any) are reflected in the Account’s unit value.
	After the end of every quarter, the Account reconciles the amount of expenses deducted from the Account (which is established in order to approximate the costs that the Account will incur) with the expenses the Account actually incurred. If there is a difference, the Account adds it to or deducts it from the Account in equal daily installments over the remaining days of the following quarter. Material differences may be repaid in the current calendar quarter. The Account’s at-cost deductions are based on projections of Account assets and overall expenses, and the size of any adjusting payments will be directly affected by the difference between management’s projections and the Account’s actual assets or expenses.
Basis Of Presentation Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the Account and those subsidiaries wholly owned by TIAA for the benefit of the Account. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the Account and such subsidiaries have been eliminated.
	The Accumulation Unit Value (“AUV”) used for financial reporting purposes may differ from the AUV used for processing transactions. The AUV used for financial reporting purposes includes security and participant transactions effective through the period end date to which this report relates.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	The amount disclosed in the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and consolidated schedules of investments for the cost of real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships as of December 31, 2013 has been revised by $41.2 million. This revision was not considered material to the previously issued financial statements and it had no impact to the Account’s net assets, results of operations or cash flows.
Determination Of Investments At Fair Value Policy [Policy Text Block]	Determination of Investments at Fair Value: The Account reports all investments at fair value in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies. Further in accordance with the adoption of the fair value option allowed under ASC 825, Financial Instruments, and at the election of Account management, mortgage loans payable are reported at fair value. The FASB has defined 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.
	The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used to determine the fair value of the Account’s investments and investment related mortgage loans payable.
	Valuation of Real Estate Properties—Investments in real estate properties are stated at fair value, as determined in accordance with policies and procedures reviewed by the Investment Committee of the Board and in accordance with the responsibilities of the Board as a whole. Accordingly, the Account does not record depreciation. Determination of fair value involves significant levels of judgment because the actual fair value of real estate can be determined only by negotiation between the parties in a sales transaction. The Account’s primary objective when valuing its real estate investments will be to produce a valuation that represents a reasonable estimate of the fair value of its investments. Implicit in the Account’s definition of fair value are the consummation of a sale as of a specified date and the passing of title from seller to buyer under conditions whereby:
		•	Buyer and seller are typically motivated;
		•	Both parties are well informed or well advised, and acting in what they consider their best interests;
		•	A reasonable time is allowed for exposure in the open market;
		•	Payment is made in terms of cash or in terms of financial arrangements comparable thereto; and
		•	The price represents the normal consideration for the property sold unaffected by special or creative financing or sales concessions granted by anyone associated with the sale.
	Property and investment values are affected by, among other things, the availability of capital, occupancy rates, rental rates, and interest and inflation rates. As a result, determining real estate and investment values involves many assumptions. Key inputs and assumptions include rental income and expense amounts, related rental income and expense growth rates, discount rates and capitalization rates. Valuation techniques include discounted cash flow analysis, prevailing market capitalization rates or multiples applied to earnings from the property, analysis of recent comparable sales transactions, actual sale negotiations and bona fide purchase offers received from third parties. Amounts ultimately realized from each investment may vary significantly from the fair value presented.
	Real estate properties owned by the Account are initially valued based on an independent third party appraisal, as reviewed by TIAA’s internal appraisal staff and as applicable the Account’s independent fiduciary at the time of the closing of the purchase, which may result in a potential unrealized gain or loss reflecting the difference between an investment’s fair value (i.e., exit price) and its cost basis (which is inclusive of transaction costs).
	Subsequently, each property is appraised each quarter by an independent third party appraiser, reviewed by TIAA’s internal appraisal staff and as applicable the Account’s independent fiduciary. In general, the Account obtains appraisals of its real estate properties spread out throughout the quarter, which is intended to result in appraisal adjustments, and thus, adjustments to the valuations of its holdings (to the extent such adjustments are made) that happen regularly throughout each quarter and not on one specific day or month in each period.
	Further, management reserves the right to order an appraisal and/or conduct another valuation outside of the normal quarterly process when facts or circumstances at a specific property change. For example, under certain circumstances a valuation adjustment could be made when the account receives a bona fide bid for the sale of a property held within the Account or one of the Account’s joint ventures. In addition, adjustments may be made for events or circumstances indicating an impairment of a tenant’s ability to pay amounts due to the Account under a lease (including due to a bankruptcy filing of that tenant). Alternatively, adjustments may be made to reflect the execution or renewal of a significant lease. Also, adjustments may be made to reflect factors (such as sales values for comparable properties or local employment rate) bearing uniquely on a particular region in which the Account holds properties. TIAA’s internal appraisal staff oversees the entire appraisal process, in conjunction with the Account’s independent fiduciary (the independent fiduciary is more fully described in the paragraph below). Any differences in the conclusions of TIAA’s internal appraisal staff and the independent appraiser will be reviewed by the independent fiduciary, which will make a final determination on the matter (which may include ordering a subsequent independent appraisal).
	The independent fiduciary, RERC, has been appointed by a special subcommittee of the Investment Committee of the Board to, among other things, oversee the appraisal process. The independent fiduciary must approve all independent appraisers used by the Account. All appraisals are performed in accordance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices, the real estate appraisal industry standards created by The Appraisal Foundation. Real estate appraisals are estimates of property values based on a professional’s opinion. Appraisals of properties held outside of the U.S. are performed in accordance with industry standards commonly applied in the applicable jurisdiction. These independent appraisers are always expected to be MAI-designated members of the Appraisal Institute (or its European equivalent, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) and state certified appraisers from national or regional firms with relevant property type experience and market knowledge. Under the Account’s current procedures, each independent appraisal firm will be rotated off of a particular property at least every three years, although such appraisal firm may perform appraisals of other Account properties subsequent to such rotation.
	Also, the independent fiduciary can require additional appraisals if factors or events have occurred that could materially change a property’s value (including those identified above) and such change is not reflected in the quarterly valuation review, or otherwise to ensure that the Account is valued appropriately. The independent fiduciary must also approve any valuation change of real estate-related assets where a property’s value changed by more than 6% from the most recent independent annual appraisal, or if the value of the Account would change by more than 4% within any calendar quarter or more than 2% since the prior calendar month. When a real estate property is subject to a mortgage, the property is valued independently of the mortgage and the property and mortgage fair values are reported separately (see Valuation of Mortgage Loans Payable below). The independent fiduciary reviews and approves all mortgage valuation adjustments before such adjustments are recorded by the Account. The Account continues to use the revised value for each real estate property and mortgage loan payable to calculate the Account’s daily net asset value until the next valuation review or appraisal.
	Valuation of Real Estate Joint Ventures—Real estate joint ventures are stated at the fair value of the Account’s ownership interests of the underlying entities. The Account’s ownership interests are valued based on the fair value of the underlying real estate, any related mortgage loans payable, and other factors, such as ownership percentage, ownership rights, buy/sell agreements, distribution provisions and capital call obligations. Upon the disposition of all real estate investments by an investee entity, the Account will continue to state its equity in the remaining net assets of the investee entity during the wind down period, if any, which occurs prior to the dissolution of the investee entity.
	Valuation of Real Estate Limited Partnerships—Limited partnership interests are stated at the fair value of the Account’s ownership in the partnership which are recorded based upon the changes in the net asset values of the limited partnerships as determined from the financial statements of the limited partnerships when received by the Account. Prior to the receipt of the financial statements from the limited partnerships, the Account estimates the value of its interest in good faith and will from time to time seek input from the issuer or the sponsor of the investments. Since market quotations are not readily available, the limited partnership interests are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by management under the direction of the Investment Committee of the Board and in accordance with the responsibilities of the Board as a whole.
	Valuation of Marketable Securities—Equity securities listed or traded on any national market or exchange are valued at the last sale price as of the close of the principal securities market or exchange on which such securities are traded or, if there is no sale, at the mean of the last bid and asked prices on such market or exchange, exclusive of transaction costs.
	Debt securities, other than money market instruments, are generally valued at the most recent bid price or the equivalent quoted yield for such securities (or those of comparable maturity, quality and type). Money market instruments, with maturities of one year or less, are valued in the same manner as debt securities or derived from a pricing matrix.
	Short-term investments with maturities of 60 days or less (excluding money market instruments) are valued at amortized cost. Short-term investments with maturities in excess of 60 days (excluding money market instruments) are valued in the same manner as debt securities, as described above.
	Money market instruments are valued at amortized cost.
	Equity and fixed income securities traded on a foreign exchange or in foreign markets are valued using their closing values under the valuation methods generally accepted in the country where traded, as of the valuation date. This value is converted to U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect on the valuation day. Under certain circumstances (for example, if there are significant movements in the United States markets and there is an expectation the securities traded on foreign markets will adjust based on such movements when the foreign markets open the next day), the Account may adjust the value of equity or fixed income securities that trade on a foreign exchange or market after the foreign exchange or market has closed.
	Valuation of Mortgage Loans Payable—Mortgage loans payable are stated at fair value. The estimated fair values of mortgage loans payable are based on the amount at which the liability could be transferred to a third party exclusive of transaction costs. Mortgage loans payable are valued internally by TIAA’s internal valuation department, as reviewed by the Account’s independent fiduciary, at least quarterly based on market factors, such as market interest rates and spreads for comparable loans, the performance of the underlying collateral (such as the loan-to-value ratio and the cash flow of the underlying collateral), the liquidity for mortgage loans of similar characteristics, the maturity date of the loan, the return demands of the market.
	See Note 6—Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for further discussion and disclosure regarding the determination of the fair value of the Account’s investments.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation: Portfolio investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period. Purchases and sales of securities, income receipts and expense payments made in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing on the respective dates of the transactions. The effect of any changes in foreign currency exchange rates on portfolio investments and mortgage loans payable are included in net realized and unrealized gains and losses on real estate properties and mortgage loans payable. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions include disposition of foreign currencies, and currency gains and losses between the accrual and receipt dates of portfolio investment income and between the trade and settlement dates of portfolio investment transactions.
Accumulation And Annuity Funds Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accumulation and Annuity Funds: The accumulation fund represents the net assets attributable to participants in the accumulation phase of their investment (“Accumulation Fund”). The annuity fund represents the net assets attributable to the participants currently receiving annuity payments (“Annuity Fund”). The net increase or decrease in net assets from investment operations is apportioned between the accounts based upon their relative daily net asset values. Once an Account participant begins receiving lifetime annuity income benefits, payment levels cannot be reduced as a result of the Account’s actual mortality experience. In addition, the contracts pursuant to which the Account is offered are required to stipulate the maximum expense charge for all Account level expenses that can be assessed, which is not to exceed 2.5% of average net assets per year. The Account pays a fee to TIAA to assume mortality and expense risks.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents are balances held by the Account in bank deposit accounts which, at times, exceed federally insured limits. The Account’s management monitors these balances to mitigate the exposure of risk due to concentration and has not experienced any losses from such concentration.
Other Assets and Other Liabilities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Other Assets and Other Liabilities: Other assets and other liabilities are comprised of operating assets and liabilities utilized and held at each individual real estate property investment. Other assets consist of, amongst other items, cash, tenant receivables and prepaid expenses; whereas other liabilities primarily consist of security deposits.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Federal Income Taxes: Based on provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 817, the Account is taxed as a segregated asset account of TIAA and as such, the Account incurs no material federal income tax attributable to the net investment activity of the Account. The Account’s federal income tax return is generally subject to examination for a period of three years after filed. State and local tax returns may be subject to examination for an additional period of time depending on the jurisdiction. Management has analyzed the Accounts’ tax positions taken for all open federal income tax years and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Accounts’ financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restricted Cash: The Account held $20.4 million and $46.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in escrow accounts for property taxes, insurance, and various other property related matters as required by certain creditors related to outstanding mortgage loans payable collateralized by certain real estate investments. These amounts are recorded within other assets on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. See Note 9—Mortgage Loans Payable for additional information regarding the Account’s outstanding mortgage loans payable.
Changes In Net Assets Policy [Policy Text Block]	Changes in Net Assets: Premiums include premiums paid by existing accumulation unit holders in the Account and transfers into the Account. Withdrawals and death benefits include withdrawals out of the Account which include transfers out of the Account and required minimum distributions.
Due To Form Investment Advisor Policy [Policy Text Block]	Due to/from Investment Manager: Due to/from investment manager represents amounts that are to be paid or received by TIAA on behalf of the Account. Amounts generally are paid or received by the Account within one or two business days and no interest is contractually charged on these amounts.
Accounting Standards Update 2013-08 [Member]
Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies) [Line Items]
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Pronouncement: In June 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-08 Financial Services—Investment Companies (Topic 946)—Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements (the “ASU”) which amends the criteria for an entity to qualify as an investment company and introduces new disclosure requirements that apply to all investment companies. Effective January 1, 2014, the Account adopted the ASU. The adoption of the ASU did not have an impact on the Account’s consolidated financial statements.

Credit_Risk_Concentrations_Tab

Credit Risk Concentrations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]	The following table represents the diversification of the Account’s portfolio by region and property type:
		East			West			South			Midwest			Total
	Office		20.9	%		16.8	%		6.9	%		0.3	%		44.9	%
	Apartment		10.6	%		8.6	%		3.5	%		—			22.7	%
	Retail		4	%		3.9	%		7.5	%		0.3	%		15.7	%
	Industrial		1.4	%		7.4	%		3.8	%		0.9	%		13.5	%
	Other(2)		2.8	%		0.2	%		0.1	%		0.1	%		3.2	%
	Total		39.7	%		36.9	%		21.8	%		1.6	%		100	%

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases, Operating [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Aggregate minimum annual rentals for wholly owned real estate investments owned by the Account, excluding short-term residential leases, are as follows (in millions):
		Years Ending
		December 31,
	2015		$	493.8
	2016			466.3
	2017			415.3
	2018			363.7
	2019			313.6
	Thereafter			2,990.90
	Total		$	5,043.60

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure1

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	The following tables show the major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1); significant other observable inputs (Level 2); and significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions):
	Description	Level 1:						Level 2:				Level 3:				Total at
		Quoted						Significant				Significant				December 31,
		Prices in						Other				Unobservable				2014
		Active Markets						Observable				Inputs
		for Identical						Inputs
		Assets
	Real estate properties		$		—				$	—			$	13,139.00			$	13,139.00
	Real estate joint ventures				—					—				3,022.10				3,022.10
	Limited partnerships				—					—				357.5				357.5
	Marketable securities:
	Real estate related				1,818.40					—				—				1,818.40
	Government agency notes				—					2,369.90				—				2,369.90
	United States Treasury securities				—					1,461.20				—				1,461.20
	Total Investments at December 31, 2014		$		1,818.40				$	3,831.10			$	16,518.60			$	22,168.10
	Mortgage loans payable		$		—				$	—			$	(2,373.8	)		$	(2,373.8	)
	Description	Level 1:						Level 2:				Level 3:				Total at
		Quoted						Significant				Significant				December 31,
		Prices in						Other				Unobservable				2013
		Active Markets						Observable				Inputs
		for Identical						Inputs
		Assets
	Real estate properties		$		—				$	—			$	11,565.10			$	11,565.10
	Real estate joint ventures				—					—				2,563.60				2,563.60
	Limited partnerships				—					—				362				362
	Marketable securities:
	Real estate related				1,499.30					—				—				1,499.30
	Government agency notes				—					1,989.10				—				1,989.10
	United States Treasury securities				—					1,130.50				—				1,130.50
	Total Investments at December 31, 2013		$		1,499.30				$	3,119.60			$	14,490.70			$	19,109.60
	Mortgage loans payable		$		—				$	—			$	(2,279.1	)		$	(2,279.1	)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Text Block]	The following tables show the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in millions):
		Real Estate						Real Estate				Limited				Total				Mortgage
		Properties						Joint				Partnerships				Level 3				Loans
								Ventures								Investments				Payable
	For the year ended December 31, 2014
	Beginning balance January 1, 2014		$		11,565.10				$	2,563.60			$	362			$	14,490.70			$	(2,279.1	)
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets				987.8					308.4				28.9				1,325.10				(64.9	)
	Purchases(1)				1,562.50					232.9				—				1,795.40				(252.5	)
	Sales				(976.4	)				—				—				(976.4	)			—
	Settlements(2)				—					(82.8	)			(33.4	)			(116.2	)			222.7
	Ending balance December 31, 2014		$		13,139.00				$	3,022.10			$	357.5			$	16,518.60			$	(2,373.8	)
		Real Estate						Real Estate				Limited				Total				Mortgage
		Properties						Joint				Partnerships				Level 3				Loans
								Ventures								Investments				Payable
	For the year ended December 31, 2013
	Beginning balance January 1, 2013		$		10,554.60				$	2,291.50			$	339.8			$	13,185.90			$	(2,282.6	)
	Total realized and unrealized gains included in changes in net assets				653.1					294.1				31.9				979.1				73.3
	Purchases(1)				793.2					48.7				3.2				845.1				(900.0	)
	Sales				(435.8	)				—				—				(435.8	)			—
	Settlements(2)				—					(70.7	)			(12.9	)			(83.6	)			830.2
	Ending balance December 31, 2013		$		11,565.10				$	2,563.60			$	362			$	14,490.70			$	(2,279.1	)
Schedule of Unobservable Inputs Related to Level 3 Fair Value Measurements [Table Text Block]	The following table shows quantitative information about unobservable inputs related to the Level 3 fair value measurements as of December 31, 2014.
	Type	Asset Class		Valuation		Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average)
				Technique(s)
	Real Estate Properties and Joint Ventures	Office		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	6.00%	-	8.80%
								-6.70%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.00%	-	7.80%
								-5.70%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	4.00%	-	7.50%
								-5.00%
		Industrial		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	6.00%	-	10.00%
								-7.10%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.30%	-	8.00%
								-6.00%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	4.30%	-	8.30%
								-5.30%
		Residential		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	5.30%	-	7.80%
								-6.30%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	4.00%	-	5.80%
								-4.80%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	3.30%	-	5.40%
								-4.20%
		Retail		Income Approach—Discounted Cash Flow		Discount Rate	5.80%	-	10.20%
								-7.30%
						Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.00%	-	9.50%
								-6.10%
				Income Approach—Direct Capitalization		Overall Capitalization Rate	4.50%	-	8.80%
								-5.60%
	Mortgage Loans Payable	Office and Industrial		Discounted Cash Flow		Loan to Value Ratio	35.00%	-	47.90%
								-43.10%
						Equivalency Rate	2.90%	-	3.90%
								-3.60%
				Net Present Value		Loan to Value Ratio	35.00%	-	47.90%
								-43.10%
						Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk	1.2	-	1.3
						Premium Multiple
								-1.3
		Residential		Discounted Cash Flow		Loan to Value Ratio	32.90%	-	63.70%
								-45.30%
						Equivalency Rate	2.20%	-	3.60%
								-3.20%
				Net Present Value		Loan to Value Ratio	32.90%	-	63.70%
								-45.30%
						Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk	1.2	-	1.5
						Premium Multiple
								-1.3
		Retail		Discounted Cash Flow		Loan to Value Ratio	24.80%	-	124.40%
								-55.40%
						Equivalency Rate	2.20%	-	6.30%
								-3.50%
				Net Present Value		Loan to Value Ratio	24.80%	-	124.40%
								-55.40%
						Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk	1.1	-	3
						Premium Multiple
								-1.5
Fair Value Of Net Unrealized Gains Included In Changes In Net Assets Attributable To Investments And Mortgage Loans Payable Using Significant Unobservable Inputs [Table Text Block]	The amount of total net unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets attributable to the change in net unrealized gains (losses) relating to Level 3 investments and mortgage loans payable using significant unobservable inputs still held as of the reporting date is as follows (in millions):
		Real Estate						Real Estate				Limited				Total				Mortgage
		Properties						Joint Ventures				Partnerships				Level 3				Loans
																Investments				Payable
	For the year ended December 31, 2014		$		1,007.20				$	305.4			$	30.8			$	1,343.40			$	(64.9	)
	For the year ended December 31, 2013		$		676.1				$	300.6			$	31			$	1,007.70			$	57.4

Investments_in_Joint_Ventures_

Investments in Joint Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule Of Financial Position Of The Joint Ventures [Table Text Block]	A condensed summary of the financial position and results of operations of the joint ventures are shown below (in millions):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Assets
	Real Estate properties, at fair value		$	7,980.20		$	6,715.60
	Other assets			246.8			249
	Total assets		$	8,227.00		$	6,964.60
	Liabilities & Equity
	Mortgage notes payable and other obligations, at fair value		$	2,750.00		$	2,360.40
	Other liabilities			147			139.9
	Total liabilities			2,897.00			2,500.30
	Equity			5,330.00			4,464.30
	Total liabilities and equity		$	8,227.00		$	6,964.60
Schedule Of Results Of Operations Of The Joint Ventures [Table Text Block]	A condensed summary of the financial position and results of operations of the joint ventures are shown below (in millions):
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Operating Revenue and Expenses
	Revenues		$	612.8		$	562.5		$	478.9
	Expenses			315.8			309.6			273.5
	Excess of revenues over expenses		$	297		$	252.9		$	205.4

Mortgage_Loans_Payable_Tables

Mortgage Loans Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Outstanding Mortgage Loans Payable Secured By Properties [Table Text Block]	At December 31, 2014, the Account had outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by the following properties (in millions):
	Property	Interest Rate		Principal							Maturity
		and		Amounts as of
		Payment Frequency(2)		December 31,
				2014			2013
	Wilshire Rodeo Plaza(4)	5.28% paid monthly			$	—		$	112.7			11-Apr-14
	99 High Street	5.52% paid monthly				185			185			11-Nov-15
	Lincoln Centre	5.51% paid monthly				153			153			1-Feb-16
	Charleston Plaza(1)(4)	5.60% paid monthly				35.5			36.2			11-Sep-16
	The Legend at Kierland(4)(5)	4.97% paid monthly				21.8			21.8			1-Aug-17
	The Tradition at Kierland(4)(5)	4.97% paid monthly				25.8			25.8			1-Aug-17
	Mass Court(4)	2.88% paid monthly				92.6			92.6			1-Sep-19
	Red Canyon at Palomino Park(4)(6)	5.34% paid monthly				27.1			27.1			1-Aug-20
	Green River at Palomino Park(4)(6)	5.34% paid monthly				33.2			33.2			1-Aug-20
	Blue Ridge at Palomino Park(4)(6)	5.34% paid monthly				33.4			33.4			1-Aug-20
	Ashford Meadows(4)	5.17% paid monthly				44.6			44.6			1-Aug-20
	The Corner(4)	4.66% paid monthly				105			105			1-Jun-21
	The Palatine(4)	4.25% paid monthly				80			80			10-Jan-22
	The Forum at Carlsbad(4)	4.25% paid monthly				90			90			1-Mar-22
	The Colorado(4)	3.69% paid monthly				91.7			91.7			1-Nov-22
	The Legacy at Westwood(4)	3.69% paid monthly				46.7			46.7			1-Nov-22
	Regents Court(4)	3.69% paid monthly				39.6			39.6			1-Nov-22
	The Caruth(4)	3.69% paid monthly				45			45			1-Nov-22
	Fourth & Madison(4)	3.75% paid monthly				200			200			1-Jun-23
	1001 Pennsylvania Avenue	3.70% paid monthly				330			330			1-Jun-23
	50 Fremont Street(4)(8)	3.75% paid monthly				200			200			1-Jun-23
	1401 H Street NW(4)(7)	3.65% paid monthly				115			109.3			5-Nov-24
	780 Third Avenue(4)	3.55% paid monthly				150			150			1-Aug-25
	780 Third Avenue(4)	3.55% paid monthly				20			20			1-Aug-25
	55 Second Street(4)	3.74% paid monthly				137.5			—			1-Oct-26
	Publix at Weston Commons(4)	5.08% paid monthly				35			35			1-Jan-36
	Total Principal Outstanding				$	2,337.50		$	2,307.70
	Fair Value Adjustment(3)					36.3			(28.6	)
	Total mortgage loans payable				$	2,373.80		$	2,279.10
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Principal payment schedule on mortgage loans payable as of December 31, 2014 was as follows (in millions):
		Amount
	2015		$		185.8
	2016				188.5
	2017				51.9
	2018				16.8
	2019				112.4
	Thereafter				1,782.10
	Total maturities		$		2,337.50

Financial_Highlights_Tables

Financial Highlights (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Condensed Financial Information For An Accumulation Unit Of The Account [Table Text Block]	Selected condensed financial information for an Accumulation Unit of the Account is presented below. Per Accumulation Unit data is calculated on average units outstanding.
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	Per Accumulation Unit data:
	Rental income			$	15.862		$	15.313		$	16.345		$	17.224		$	19.516
	Real estate property level expenses and taxes				7.788			8.112			9.059			8.64			9.987
	Real estate income, net				8.074			7.201			7.286			8.584			9.529
	Other income				3.459			2.759			2.178			2.143			2.214
	Total income				11.533			9.96			9.464			10.727			11.743
	Expense charges(1)				2.88			2.672			2.562			2.39			2.167
	Investment income, net				8.653			7.288			6.902			8.337			9.576
	Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and mortgage loans payable				27.868			19.015			18.013			20.144			16.143
	Net increase in Accumulation Unit Value				36.521			26.303			24.915			28.481			25.719
	Accumulation Unit Value:
	Beginning of period				298.872			272.569			247.654			219.173			193.454
	End of period			$	335.393		$	298.872		$	272.569		$	247.654		$	219.173
	Total return				12.22%			9.65%			10.06%			12.99%			13.29%
	Ratios to Average net Assets:
	Expenses(1)				0.89%			0.92%			0.95%			0.98%			1.09%
	Investment income, net				2.68%			2.50%			2.55%			3.42%			4.84%
	Portfolio turnover rate:
	Real estate properties(2)				6.50%			2.10%			10.20%			3.00%			1.00%
	Marketable securities(3)				15.90%			8.40%			21.90%			3.40%			19.20%
	Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in millions):				57.9			55.3			53.3			53.4			48.1
	Net assets end of period (in millions)			$	19,829.00		$	16,907.90		$	14,861.10		$	13,527.20		$	10,803.10
		-1		Expense charges per Accumulation Unit and the Ratio of Expenses to average net assets reflect the year to date Account level expenses and exclude real estate property level expenses which are included in real estate income, net.
		-2		Real estate investment portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of real estate property investments (including contributions to, or return of capital distributions received from, existing joint venture and limited partnership investments) by the average value of the portfolio of real estate investments held during the period.
		-3		Marketable securities portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of securities, excluding securities having maturity dates at acquisition of one year or less, by the average value of the portfolio securities held during the period.

Accumulation_Units_Tables

Accumulation Units (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Units Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Changes In The Number Of Accumulation Units Outstanding [Table Text Block]	Changes in the number of Accumulation Units outstanding were as follows (in millions):
		2014			2013			2012
	Outstanding:
	Beginning of period		55.3			53.3			53.4
	Credited for premiums		7.7			8.5			7.9
	Liquidity units redeemed (See Note 3)		—			(1.2	)		(3.6	)
	Annuity, other periodic payments, withdrawals and death benefits		(5.1	)		(5.3	)		(4.4	)
	End of period		57.9			55.3			53.3

Organization_and_Significant_A1

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Real Estate Joint Ventures And Limited Partnerships At Cost	$2,583.50	$2,465.90
Description Of Valuation Change Of Real Estate Related Assets	The independent fiduciary must also approve any valuation change of real estate-related assets where a property’s value changed by more than 6% from the most recent independent annual appraisal, or if the value of the Account would change by more than 4% within any calendar quarter or more than 2% since the prior calendar month.
Maximum Percentage Of Average Net Assets For All Account Level Expenses	2.50%
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	20.4	46
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Real Estate Joint Ventures And Limited Partnerships At Cost	$41.20

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	7 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 01, 2009	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Liquidity Units Owned (in Shares)	4.7
Payments To Acquire Limited Partnership Interest	$1,200,000,000
Percentage Of Trigger Point On Outstanding Accumulation Units		45.00%
Redemption Of Liquidity Units		$325,400,000	$940,300,000

Credit_Risk_Concentrations_Det

Credit Risk Concentrations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Maximum Percentage of Annual Contract Rent of Rental Income	2.60%

Credit_Risk_Concentrations_Det1

Credit Risk Concentrations (Details) - Schedule of diversification of the Account's portfolio by region and property type	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	100.00%	[1]
Office [Member] | East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	20.90%	[1]
Office [Member] | West [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	16.80%	[1]
Office [Member] | South [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	6.90%	[1]
Office [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	0.30%	[1]
Office [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	44.90%	[1]
Apartment [Member] | East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	10.60%	[1]
Apartment [Member] | West [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	8.60%	[1]
Apartment [Member] | South [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	3.50%	[1]
Apartment [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage		[1]
Apartment [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	22.70%	[1]
Retail [Member] | East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	4.00%	[1]
Retail [Member] | West [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	3.90%	[1]
Retail [Member] | South [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	7.50%	[1]
Retail [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	0.30%	[1]
Retail [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	15.70%	[1]
Industrial [Member] | East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	1.40%	[1]
Industrial [Member] | West [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	7.40%	[1]
Industrial [Member] | South [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	3.80%	[1]
Industrial [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	0.90%	[1]
Industrial [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	13.50%	[1]
Others [Member] | East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	2.80%	[1],[2]
Others [Member] | West [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	0.20%	[1],[2]
Others [Member] | South [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	0.10%	[1],[2]
Others [Member] | Midwest [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	0.10%	[1],[2]
Others [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	3.20%	[1],[2]
East [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	39.70%	[1]
West [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	36.90%	[1]
South [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	21.80%	[1]
Midwest [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Percentage	1.60%	[1]
[1]	Wholly owned properties are represented at fair value and gross of any debt, while joint venture properties are represented at the net equity value.
[2]	Represents interest in Storage Portfolio investment and a fee interest encumbered by a ground lease real estate investment.Properties in the "East" region are located in: CT, DC, DE, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT, WVProperties in the "West" region are located in: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WYProperties in the "South" region are located in: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, TN, TXProperties in the "Midwest" region are located in: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Leases_Details_Schedule_of_fut

Leases (Details) - Schedule of future minimum rental payments for operating leases (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of future minimum rental payments for operating leases [Abstract]
2015	$493.80
2016	466.3
2017	415.3
2018	363.7
2019	313.6
Thereafter	2,990.90
Total	$5,043.60

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure2

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Real Estate properties	$13,139	$11,565.10
Real Estate joint ventures	3,022.10	2,563.60
Limited partnerships	357.5	362
Real Estate Related	1,818.40	1,499.30
Marketable Securities Excluding Real Estate	3,831.10	3,119.60
Total Investments	22,168.10	19,109.60
Mortgage loans payable	-2,373.80	-2,279.10
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Excluding Real Estate	2,369.90	1,989.10
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Excluding Real Estate	2,369.90	1,989.10
US Treasury Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Excluding Real Estate	1,461.20	1,130.50
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Marketable Securities Excluding Real Estate	1,461.20	1,130.50
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Real Estate Related	1,818.40	1,499.30
Total Investments	1,818.40	1,499.30
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Total Investments	3,831.10	3,119.60
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis [Line Items]
Real Estate properties	13,139	11,565.10
Real Estate joint ventures	3,022.10	2,563.60
Limited partnerships	357.5	362
Total Investments	16,518.60	14,490.70
Mortgage loans payable	($2,373.80)	($2,279.10)

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure3

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate Properties [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Balance	$11,565.10		$10,554.60
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets	987.8		653.1
Purchases(1)	1,562.50	[1]	793.2	[1]
Sales	-976.4		-435.8
Settlements(2)		[2]		[2]
Balance	13,139		11,565.10
Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Balance	2,563.60		2,291.50
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets	308.4		294.1
Purchases(1)	232.9	[1]	48.7	[1]
Settlements(2)	-82.8	[2]	-70.7	[2]
Balance	3,022.10		2,563.60
Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Balance	362		339.8
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets	28.9		31.9
Purchases(1)		[1]	3.2	[1]
Settlements(2)	-33.4	[2]	-12.9	[2]
Balance	357.5		362
Total Level 3 Investments [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Balance	14,490.70		13,185.90
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets	1,325.10		979.1
Purchases(1)	1,795.40	[1]	845.1	[1]
Sales	-976.4		-435.8
Settlements(2)	-116.2	[2]	-83.6	[2]
Balance	16,518.60		14,490.70
Mortgage Loans Payable [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of fair value assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis using unobservable inputs [Line Items]
Balance	-2,279.10		-2,282.60
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in changes in net assets	-64.9		73.3
Purchases(1)	-252.5	[1]	-900	[1]
Settlements(2)	222.7	[2]	830.2	[2]
Balance	($2,373.80)		($2,279.10)
[1]	Includes purchases, contributions for joint ventures and limited partnerships, and capital expenditures.
[2]	Includes operating income for real estate joint ventures and limited partnerships, net of distributions and principal payments on mortgage loans payable.

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure4

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Office [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	6.00%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.00%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Office [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	-6.70%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	-5.70%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Office [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	8.80%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	7.80%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Industrial [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	6.00%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.30%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Industrial [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	-7.10%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	-6.00%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Industrial [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	10.00%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	8.00%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Residential [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	5.30%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	4.00%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Residential [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	-6.30%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	-4.80%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Residential [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	7.80%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.80%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Retail [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	5.80%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	5.00%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Retail [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	-7.30%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	-6.10%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Retail [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Discount Rate	10.20%
Terminal Capitalization Rate	9.50%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Office [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	4.00%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Office [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	-5.00%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Office [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	7.50%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Industrial [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	4.30%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Industrial [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	-5.30%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Industrial [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	8.30%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Residential [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	3.30%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Residential [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	-4.20%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Residential [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	5.40%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Retail [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	4.50%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Retail [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	-5.60%
Direct Capitalization Valuation Technique [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Real Estate Properties and Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member] | Retail [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Overall Capitalization Rate	8.80%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Residential [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	32.90%
Equivalency Rate	2.20%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Residential [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	-45.30%
Equivalency Rate	-3.20%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Residential [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	63.70%
Equivalency Rate	3.60%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Retail [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	24.80%
Equivalency Rate	2.20%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Retail [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	-55.40%
Equivalency Rate	-3.50%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Retail [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	124.40%
Equivalency Rate	6.30%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Office and Industrial [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	35.00%
Equivalency Rate	2.90%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Office and Industrial [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	-43.10%
Equivalency Rate	-3.60%
Discounted Cash Flow Analysis Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Office and Industrial [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	47.90%
Equivalency Rate	3.90%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Residential [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	32.90%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	1.20%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Residential [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	-45.30%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	-1.30%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Residential [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	63.70%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	1.50%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Retail [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	24.80%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	1.10%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Retail [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	-55.40%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	-1.50%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Retail [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	124.40%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	3.00%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Office and Industrial [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	35.00%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	1.20%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Office and Industrial [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	-43.10%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	-1.30%
Net Present Value Valuation Technique [Member] | Mortgage Loans Payable [Member] | Office and Industrial [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of unobservable inputs related to Level 3 fair value measurements [Line Items]
Loan to Value Ratio	47.90%
Weighted Average Cost of Capital Risk Premium Multiple	1.30%

Assets_and_Liabilities_Measure5

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of net unrealized gains included in changes in net assets attributable to investments and mortgage loans payable (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Real Estate Properties [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of net unrealized gains included in changes in net assets attributable to investments and mortgage loans payable [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Unrealized Gain Loss Included In Earnings	$1,007.20	$676.10
Real Estate Joint Ventures [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of net unrealized gains included in changes in net assets attributable to investments and mortgage loans payable [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Unrealized Gain Loss Included In Earnings	305.4	300.6
Limited Partnership [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of net unrealized gains included in changes in net assets attributable to investments and mortgage loans payable [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Unrealized Gain Loss Included In Earnings	30.8	31
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of net unrealized gains included in changes in net assets attributable to investments and mortgage loans payable [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Unrealized Gain Loss Included In Earnings	1,343.40	1,007.70
Mortgage Loans Payable [Member]
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Schedule of net unrealized gains included in changes in net assets attributable to investments and mortgage loans payable [Line Items]
Fair Value Measurement With Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation Recurring Basis Asset Unrealized Gain Loss Included In Earnings	($64.90)	$57.40

Investments_in_Joint_Ventures_1

Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]
Minimum Percentage Of Noncontrolling Ownership Interest In Joint Ventures	33.00%
Maximum Percentage Of Noncontrolling Ownership Interest In Joint Ventures	85.00%
Equity Investments Fair Value Joint Ventures	$3	$2.60
Accounts Proportionate Share Of Mortgage Loans Payable Within Joint Venture Investments At Fair Value	1.8	1.6
Accounts Share In Outstanding Principal Of Mortgage Loans Payable Within Joint Ventures	$1.70	$1.60
DDRTCLLC [Member]
Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) [Line Items]
Percentage Of Net Assets In Joint Venture Investments	2.70%
Percentage Of Invested Assets In Joint Venture Investments	2.40%

Investments_in_Joint_Ventures_2

Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) - Schedule of financial position of the joint ventures (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Real Estate properties, at fair value	$7,980.20	$6,715.60
Other assets	246.8	249
Total assets	8,227	6,964.60
Liabilities & Equity
Mortgage notes payable and other obligations, at fair value	2,750	2,360.40
Other liabilities	147	139.9
Total liabilities	2,897	2,500.30
Equity	5,330	4,464.30
Total liabilities and equity	$8,227	$6,964.60

Investments_in_Joint_Ventures_3

Investments in Joint Ventures (Details) - Schedule of results of operations of the joint ventures (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Revenue and Expenses
Revenues	$612.80	$562.50	$478.90
Expenses	315.8	309.6	273.5
Excess of revenues over expenses	$297	$252.90	$205.40

Investments_in_Limited_Partner1

Investments in Limited Partnerships (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments in Limited Partnerships (Details) [Line Items]
Number Of Investments Held In Limited Partnership	three
Number Of Investments Held In Limited Companies	one
Number Of Investments Held In Equity Method Investments	one
Limited partnerships	$357.50	$362
Minimum [Member]
Investments in Limited Partnerships (Details) [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	5.30%
Maximum [Member]
Investments in Limited Partnerships (Details) [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	18.50%

Mortgage_Loans_Payable_Details

Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Principal Outstanding	$2,337.50		$2,307.70
Fair Value Adjustment(3)	36.3	[1]	-28.6	[1]
Total mortgage loans payable	2,373.80		2,279.10
Wilshire Rodeo Plaza [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.28% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding		[3]	112.7	[3]
Maturity	11-Apr-14	[3]
High Street 99 [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.52% paid monthly	[2]
Principal Outstanding	185		185
Maturity	11-Nov-15
Lincoln Centre [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.51% paid monthly	[2]
Principal Outstanding	153		153
Maturity	1-Feb-16
Charleston Plaza [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.60% paid monthly	[2],[3],[4]
Principal Outstanding	35.5	[3],[4]	36.2	[3],[4]
Maturity	11-Sep-16	[3],[4]
The Legend at Kierland [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	4.97% paid monthly	[2],[3],[5]
Principal Outstanding	21.8	[3],[5]	21.8	[3],[5]
Maturity	1-Aug-17	[3],[5]
The Tradition at Kierland [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	4.97% paid monthly	[2],[3],[5]
Principal Outstanding	25.8	[3],[5]	25.8	[3],[5]
Maturity	1-Aug-17	[3],[5]
Mass Court [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	2.88% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	92.6	[3]	92.6	[3]
Maturity	1-Sep-19	[3]
Red Canyon at Palomino Park [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.34% paid monthly	[2],[3],[6]
Principal Outstanding	27.1	[3],[6]	27.1	[3],[6]
Maturity	1-Aug-20	[3],[6]
Green Riverat Palomino Park [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.34% paid monthly	[2],[3],[6]
Principal Outstanding	33.2	[3],[6]	33.2	[3],[6]
Maturity	1-Aug-20	[3],[6]
Blue Ridge at Palomino Park [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.34% paid monthly	[2],[3],[6]
Principal Outstanding	33.4	[3],[6]	33.4	[3],[6]
Maturity	1-Aug-20	[3],[6]
Ashford Meadows [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.17% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	44.6	[3]	44.6	[3]
Maturity	1-Aug-20	[3]
The Corner [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	4.66% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	105	[3]	105	[3]
Maturity	1-Jun-21	[3]
The Palatine [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	4.25% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	80	[3]	80	[3]
Maturity	10-Jan-22	[3]
The Forum at Carlsbad [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	4.25% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	90	[3]	90	[3]
Maturity	1-Mar-22	[3]
The Colorado [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.69% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	91.7	[3]	91.7	[3]
Maturity	1-Nov-22	[3]
The Legacy at Westwood [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.69% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	46.7	[3]	46.7	[3]
Maturity	1-Nov-22	[3]
Regents Court [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.69% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	39.6	[3]	39.6	[3]
Maturity	1-Nov-22	[3]
The Caruth [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.69% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	45	[3]	45	[3]
Maturity	1-Nov-22	[3]
Fourth And Madison [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.75% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	200	[3]	200	[3]
Maturity	1-Jun-23	[3]
Pennsylvania Avenue 1001 [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.70% paid monthly	[2]
Principal Outstanding	330		330
Maturity	1-Jun-23
Fremont 50 [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.75% paid monthly	[2],[3],[7]
Principal Outstanding	200	[3],[7]	200	[3],[7]
Maturity	1-Jun-23	[3],[7]
H Street 1401 [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.65% paid monthly	[2],[3],[8]
Principal Outstanding	115	[3],[8]	109.3	[3],[8]
Maturity	5-Nov-24	[3],[8]
Third Avenue 780 [Member] | Loan A [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.55% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	150	[3]	150	[3]
Maturity	1-Aug-25	[3]
Third Avenue 780 [Member] | Loan B [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.55% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	20	[3]	20	[3]
Maturity	1-Aug-25	[3]
Second Street 55 [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	3.74% paid monthly	[3]
Principal Outstanding	137.5	[3]		[3]
Maturity	1-Oct-26	[3]
Publix at Weston Commons [Member]
Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of outstanding mortgage loans payable secured by properties [Line Items]
Interest Rate and Payment Frequency	5.08% paid monthly	[2],[3]
Principal Outstanding	$35	[3]	$35	[3]
Maturity	1-Jan-36	[3]
[1]	The fair value adjustment consists of the difference (positive or negative) between the principal amount of the outstanding debt and the fair value of the outstanding debt. See Note 1-Organization and Significant Accounting Policies.
[2]	Interest rates are fixed, unless stated otherwise.
[3]	These properties are each owned by separate wholly owned subsidiaries of TIAA for benefit of the Account. The assets and credit of each of these borrowings entities are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Account or any other entity or person other than such borrowing entity.
[4]	The mortgage is adjusted monthly for principal payments.
[5]	Represents mortgage loans on these individual properties which are held within the Kierland Apartment portfolio.
[6]	Represents mortgage loans on these individual properties which are held within the Palomino Park portfolio.
[7]	This property was sold on February 12, 2015.
[8]	Mortgage loan was refinanced on October 7, 2014 into a 10-year $115.0 million interest only loan at 3.65% with a maturity date of November 5, 2024.

Mortgage_Loans_Payable_Details1

Mortgage Loans Payable (Details) - Schedule of maturities of long-term debt (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of maturities of long-term debt [Abstract]
2015	$185.80
2016	188.5
2017	51.9
2018	16.8
2019	112.4
Thereafter	1,782.10
Total maturities	$2,337.50	$2,307.70

Financial_Highlights_Details_S

Financial Highlights (Details) - Schedule of condensed financial information for an accumulation unit of the account (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Per Accumulation Unit data:
Rental income	$15.86		$15.31		$16.34		$17.22		$19.52
Real estate property level expenses and taxes	$7.79		$8.11		$9.06		$8.64		$9.99
Real estate income, net	$8.07		$7.20		$7.29		$8.58		$9.53
Other income	$3.46		$2.76		$2.18		$2.14		$2.21
Total income	$11.53		$9.96		$9.46		$10.73		$11.74
Expense charges(1)	$2.88	[1]	$2.67	[1]	$2.56	[1]	$2.39	[1]	$2.17	[1]
Investment income, net	$8.65		$7.29		$6.90		$8.34		$9.58
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and mortgage loans payable	$27.87		$19.02		$18.01		$20.14		$16.14
Net increase in Accumulation Unit Value	$36.52		$26.30		$24.91		$28.48		$25.72
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of period	$298.87		$272.57		$247.65		$219.17		$193.45
End of period	$335.39		$298.87		$272.57		$247.65		$219.17
Total return	12.22%		9.65%		10.06%		12.99%		13.29%
Ratios to Average net Assets:
Expenses(1)	0.89%	[1]	0.92%	[1]	0.95%	[1]	0.98%	[1]	1.09%	[1]
Investment income, net	2.68%		2.50%		2.55%		3.42%		4.84%
Portfolio turnover rate:
Real estate properties(2)	6.50%	[2]	2.10%	[2]	10.20%	[2]	3.00%	[2]	1.00%	[2]
Marketable securities(3)	15.90%	[3]	8.40%	[3]	21.90%	[3]	3.40%	[3]	19.20%	[3]
Accumulation Units outstanding at end of period (in millions): (in Shares)	57.9		55.3		53.3		53.4		48.1
Net assets end of period (in millions) (in Dollars)	$19,829		$16,907.90		$14,861.10		$13,527.20		$10,803.10
[1]	Expense charges per Accumulation Unit and the Ratio of Expenses to average net assets reflect the year to date Account level expenses and exclude real estate property level expenses which are included in real estate income, net.
[2]	Real estate investment portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of real estate property investments (including contributions to, or return of capital distributions received from, existing joint venture and limited partnership investments) by the average value of the portfolio of real estate investments held during the period.
[3]	Marketable securities portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of securities, excluding securities having maturity dates at acquisition of one year or less, by the average value of the portfolio securities held during the period.

Accumulation_Units_Details_Sch

Accumulation Units (Details) - Schedule of changes in the number of accumulation units outstanding	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of changes in the number of accumulation units outstanding [Abstract]
Beginning of period	55.3	53.3	53.4	48.1
End of period	57.9	55.3	53.3	48.1
Credited for premiums	7.7	8.5	7.9
Liquidity units redeemed (See Note 3)		-1.2	-3.6
Annuity, other periodic payments, withdrawals and death benefits	-5.1	-5.3	-4.4

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Callable Commitments Amount	$0.20	$0.50
Increase (Decrease) In Callable Commitments	$63.90	$74.10

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 30, 2015	Feb. 12, 2015	Feb. 18, 2015
	sqft
Eight Hundred Thirty Seven Washington [Member]
Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]
Subsequent Event, Date	30-Jan-15
Subsequent Event, Description	On January 30, 2015, the Account purchased a six-story, 55,497 square foot office building located in New York, New York for $190.8 million. At the time of purchase, the property was 100% leased.
Area of Real Estate Property	55,497
Payments to Acquire Real Estate	$190.80
Percentage of Property Leased	100.00%
Fifty Fremont [Member]
Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]
Subsequent Event, Date		12-Feb-15
Subsequent Event, Description		On February 12, 2015, the Account sold an office property located in San Francisco, California for a net sales price of $621.4 million. Concurrent with the sale of the property, a $200.0 million mortgage loan was extinguished.
Sales of Real Estate		621.4
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		200
Lion Gables Apartment Fund [Member]
Subsequent Events (Details) [Line Items]
Subsequent Event, Date			18-Feb-15
Subsequent Event, Description			On February 18, 2015, the Account’s 18.46% interest in the Lion Gables Apartment Fund was dissolved. The Account received $341.6 million as a result of the dissolution.
Percentage Of Net Assets In Joint Venture Investments			18.46%
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate			341.6
Convertible Notes Payable			$100