Units Outstanding (Details) - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Units Outstanding
Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 (in units)	272,301,827
Options exercised (in units)	139,093	500,000
Units issued (in units)	323,094
Units retired (in units)	(3,986,361)
Balance as of June 30, 2016 (in units)	268,777,653
AllianceBernstein Units
Units Outstanding
Units retired (in units)	(14,338)