Business Description and Organization (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 shares
Ownership structure of AB expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent)	100.00%
General partnership information [Abstract]
General Partnership number of general partnership units owned in Holding Company (in units)	100,000
Percentage of General Partnership interest in company	1.00%
AXA and its subsidiaries economic interest in Company	62.80%
AXA and its subsidiaries [Member]
Ownership structure of AB expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent)	62.30%
AB Holding [Member]
Ownership structure of AB expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent)	36.40%
Unaffiliated holders [Member]
Ownership structure of AB expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent)	1.30%