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	40,593	47,291	40,593	6,698
Distributions			(40,593)	(6,707)
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2010		909,643	773,196	136,447
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2010
Earnings	13,531	15,763
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2010		909,643
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010		909,648	773,196	136,452
Earnings	40,593	47,296	40,593	6,703
Distributions			(40,593)	(6,708)
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2011		909,643	773,196	136,447
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, beginning of period at Jun. 30, 2011
Earnings	13,531	15,766
PARTNERS' CAPITAL, Balance, end of period at Sep. 30, 2011		$ 909,643