Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 1,933,471	$ 1,973,837	$ 1,958,250
Bernstein research services	479,875	493,463	482,538
Distribution revenues	384,405	427,156	444,970
Dividend and interest income	36,702	24,872	22,322
Investment gains (losses)	93,353	3,551	(9,076)
Other revenues	110,096	101,169	108,788
Total revenues	3,037,902	3,024,048	3,007,792
Less: Interest expense	9,123	3,321	2,426
Net revenues	3,028,779	3,020,727	3,005,366
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	1,229,721	1,267,926	1,265,664
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	371,607	393,033	413,054
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	41,066	49,145	41,508
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other	208,538	223,415	224,576
General and administrative:
General and administrative	426,147	431,635	426,960
Real estate charges	17,704	998	52
Contingent payment arrangements	(20,245)	(5,441)	(2,782)
Interest on borrowings	4,765	3,119	2,797
Amortization of intangible assets	26,311	25,798	24,916
Total expenses	2,305,614	2,389,628	2,396,745
Operating income	723,165	631,099	608,621
Income tax	28,319	44,797	44,304
Net income	694,846	586,302	564,317
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	21,488	6,375	456
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 673,358	$ 579,927	$ 563,861
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.48	$ 2.11	$ 2.07
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.47	$ 2.10	$ 2.07