Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 1,973,837	$ 1,958,250	$ 1,849,105
Bernstein research services	493,463	482,538	445,083
Distribution revenues	427,156	444,970	465,424
Dividend and interest income	24,872	22,322	19,962
Investment gains (losses)	3,551	(9,076)	33,339
Other revenues	101,169	108,788	105,058
Total revenues	3,024,048	3,007,792	2,917,971
Less: Interest expense	3,321	2,426	2,924
Net revenues	3,020,727	3,005,366	2,915,047
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	1,267,926	1,265,664	1,212,011
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	393,033	413,054	426,824
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	49,145	41,508	41,279
Other promotion and servicing	223,415	224,576	204,568
General and administrative:
General and administrative	431,635	426,960	423,043
Real estate charges	998	52	28,424
Contingent payment arrangements	(5,441)	(2,782)	(10,174)
Interest on borrowings	3,119	2,797	2,962
Amortization of intangible assets	25,798	24,916	21,859
Total expenses	2,389,628	2,396,745	2,350,796
Operating income	631,099	608,621	564,251
Income tax	38,122	37,782	36,829
Net income	592,977	570,839	527,422
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	6,375	456	9,746
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 586,602	$ 570,383	$ 517,676
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.14	$ 2.10	$ 1.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.13	$ 2.09	$ 1.88