Business Description Organization and Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 shares	Sep. 30, 2016 shares
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
AXA and its subsidiaries ownership interest in holding company (percent)	1.50%	1.50%
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	100,000
General partnership interest in Company (percent)	1.00%	1.00%
AXA and its subsidiaries economic interest in Company (percent)		64.20%
AXA and its subsidiaries
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)		63.60%
AB Holding
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)		35.10%
Unaffiliated holders
Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract]
Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent)		1.30%