Condensed Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (LP) (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P.	MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. LIMITED PARTNER'S CAPITAL	MERRILL LYNCH PREFERRED FUNDING III, L.P. GENERAL PARTNER'S CAPITAL
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2009			$ 773,196	$ 136,456
Earnings	27,062	31,528	27,062	4,466
Distributions			(27,062)	(4,470)
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2010		909,648	773,196	136,452
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2010
Earnings	13,531	15,763
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2010		909,648
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		909,648	773,196	136,452
Earnings	27,062	31,530	27,062	4,468
Distributions			(27,062)	(4,457)
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2011		909,659	773,196	136,463
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Mar. 31, 2011
Earnings	13,531	15,764
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Jun. 30, 2011		$ 909,659