Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Entity Registrant Name	MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED CAPITAL TRUST III
Entity Central Index Key	0001051829
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
Entity Registrant Name	MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.
Entity Central Index Key	0001051827
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well Known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer