Changes in Capital (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance			$ 3,992,748
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance			24,473
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance			4,017,221
Comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 173,731	$ 130,237	463,611	$ 425,412
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	443	(7,161)	545	(13,380)
Changes in employee benefit related items	274	229	238	639
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders	158,734	125,553	449,577	406,967
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(400,441)	(461,956)
Partners' capital, ending balance	3,924,188		3,924,188
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	30,549		30,549
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	3,954,737		3,954,737
Partners’ Capital Attributable to AB Unitholders
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partners' capital, beginning balance			3,992,748	4,054,444
Comprehensive income:
Net income			448,820	420,533
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			(2)	(922)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			522	(13,283)
Changes in employee benefit related items			238	639
Comprehensive income attributable to AB Unitholders			449,578	406,967
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(400,441)	(461,956)
Compensation-related transactions			(119,877)	(78,489)
Capital contributions from affiliates			439	214
Other			1,741	1,298
Partners' capital, ending balance	3,924,188	3,922,478	3,924,188	3,922,478
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			5,689	4,879
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments			23	(97)
Changes in employee benefit related items			0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest			5,712	4,782
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders				0
Compensation-related transactions			0	0
Capital contributions from affiliates			0	0
Other			364	(10,159)
Partners' capital attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	30,549	25,019	30,549	25,019
Total Capital
Changes in capital [Roll Forward]
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, beginning balance			4,017,221	4,084,840
Comprehensive income:
Net income			454,509	425,412
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments			(2)	(922)
Foreign currency translation adjustments			545	(13,380)
Changes in employee benefit related items			238	639
Comprehensive income			455,290	411,749
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders			(400,441)	(461,956)
Compensation-related transactions			(119,877)	(78,489)
Capital contributions from affiliates			439	214
Other			2,105	(8,861)
Partner's capital including portion attributable to non-controlling interest, ending balance	$ 3,954,737	$ 3,947,497	$ 3,954,737	$ 3,947,497