Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 656,985
Cash and cash equivalents	994,510	$ 541,483
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost $946,093 and $565,264)	946,097	565,274
Receivables, net:
Brokers and dealers	335,686	411,174
Brokerage clients	1,513,656	1,328,406
Fees	270,373	257,091
Investments:
Long-term incentive compensation-related	67,761	78,154
Other	396,570	591,646
Other assets	195,615	210,546
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	159,564	160,360
Goodwill	3,066,700	3,044,807
Intangible assets, net	134,606	145,710
Deferred sales commissions, net	63,890	99,070
Total assets	8,740,448	7,433,721
Payables:
Brokers and dealers	239,578	191,990
Securities sold not yet purchased	40,944	16,097
Brokerage clients	2,360,481	1,715,096
AB mutual funds	150,939	137,886
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	430,569	507,449
Accrued compensation and benefits	251,019	253,079
Debt	512,970	581,700
Total liabilities	4,279,300	3,403,297
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 13)
Redeemable non-controlling interest	392,959	13,203
Capital:
General Partner	41,100	40,498
Limited partners: 268,893,534 and 272,301,827 units issued and outstanding	4,154,810	4,091,433
Receivables from affiliates	(12,830)	(14,498)
AB Holding Units held for long-term incentive compensation plans	(32,967)	(29,332)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(118,096)	(95,353)
Partners’ capital attributable to AB Unitholders	4,032,017	3,992,748
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	36,172	24,473
Total capital	4,068,189	4,017,221
Total liabilities and capital	8,740,448	7,433,721
VIEs Consolidated [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	337,525	0
Investments:
Investments	550,850	0
Other assets	44,570	0
Payables:
Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities	$ 292,800	$ 0