Changes in Capital (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 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	$ 131,987	$ 155,769	295,165	$ 298,513
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5,123)	6,056	102	(6,219)
Changes in employee benefit related items	397	235	(36)	410
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	122,467	155,008	296,128	284,752
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(275,930)	(313,597)
Partners' capital, ending balance	3,973,202		3,973,202
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	17,515		17,515
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	3,990,717		3,990,717
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			296,070	290,563
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			(13)	(61)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			107	(6,160)
Changes in employee benefit related items			(36)	410
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders			296,128	284,752
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(275,930)	(313,597)
Compensation-related transactions			(76,983)	(1,047)
Capital contributions from affiliates			(120)	793
Other			(337)	(726)
Partners' capital, ending balance	3,973,202	4,055,640	3,973,202	4,055,640
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, including Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest			(6,953)	7,950
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments			(5)	(59)
Changes in employee benefit related items			0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest			(6,958)	7,891
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			0	0
Compensation-related transactions			0	0
Capital contributions from affiliates			0	0
Other			0	430
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	17,515	38,717	17,515	38,717
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			289,117	298,513
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			(13)	(61)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			102	(6,219)
Changes in employee benefit related items			(36)	410
Comprehensive income			289,170	292,643
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(275,930)	(313,597)
Compensation-related transactions			(76,983)	(1,047)
Capital contributions from affiliates			(120)	793
Other			(337)	(296)
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	$ 3,990,717	$ 4,094,357	$ 3,990,717	$ 4,094,357