Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 489,393	$ 486,286	$ 1,417,856	$ 1,496,198
Bernstein research services	110,885	127,065	352,403	375,021
Distribution revenues	97,625	105,365	287,638	326,399
Dividend and interest income	7,876	5,459	22,943	16,220
Investment gains (losses)	17,606	(10,326)	85,469	5,555
Other revenues	26,272	25,647	82,229	76,660
Total revenues	749,657	739,496	2,248,538	2,296,053
Less: Interest expense	2,066	803	6,015	2,052
Net revenues	747,591	738,693	2,242,523	2,294,001
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	316,737	317,560	927,997	981,527
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	95,844	96,690	276,188	299,654
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	9,787	12,359	31,606	37,471
Other	47,205	52,789	156,763	167,508
General and administrative:
General and administrative	106,504	107,996	322,184	323,421
Real estate (credits) charges	(140)	1,682	24,645	1,219
Contingent payment arrangements	(21,129)	443	(20,423)	1,328
Interest on borrowings	1,009	712	3,293	2,302
Amortization of intangible assets	6,465	6,411	19,344	19,384
Total expenses	562,282	596,642	1,741,597	1,833,814
Operating income	185,309	142,051	500,926	460,187
Income taxes	11,578	11,814	37,315	34,775
Net income	173,731	130,237	463,611	425,412
Net income (loss) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	15,696	(3,071)	14,791	4,879
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 158,035	$ 133,308	$ 448,820	$ 420,533
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.58	$ 0.49	$ 1.65	$ 1.53
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.58	$ 0.48	$ 1.64	$ 1.52