Changes in Capital (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	$ 4,030,444
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	24,473
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	4,054,917
Comprehensive income:
Net income	163,178	$ 142,744
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,225	(12,275)
Changes in employee benefit related items	(433)	175
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	173,661	129,744
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Partners' capital, ending balance	4,019,666
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	17,622
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	4,037,288
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance	4,030,444	4,085,465
Comprehensive income:
Net income	168,926	141,469
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(6)	308
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,174	(12,208)
Changes in employee benefit related items	(433)	175
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	173,661	129,744
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Compensation-related transactions	(37,353)	(9,642)
Capital contributions from affiliates	6,348	6,354
Other	(1)	(11)
Partners' capital, ending balance	4,019,666	4,038,835
Non-Controlling Interests In Consolidated Entities
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	24,473	30,396
Comprehensive income:
Net income		1,275
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest	(6,902)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	51	(67)
Changes in employee benefit related items	0	0
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(6,851)	1,208
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	0	0
Compensation-related transactions	0	0
Capital contributions from affiliates	0	0
Other	0	203
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	17,622	31,807
Total Capital
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance	4,054,917	4,115,861
Comprehensive income:
Net income	162,024	142,744
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	(6)	308
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,225	(12,275)
Changes in employee benefit related items	(433)	175
Comprehensive income	166,810	130,952
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(153,433)	(173,075)
Compensation-related transactions	(37,353)	(9,642)
Capital contributions from affiliates	6,348	6,354
Other	(1)	192
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	$ 4,037,288	$ 4,070,642