Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 738,234	$ 656,985
Cash and securities segregated, at fair value (cost: $1,255,801 and $946,093)	1,255,826	946,097
Receivables, net:
Brokers and dealers	546,783	335,686
Brokerage clients	1,510,417	1,513,656
Fees	264,371	270,373
Investments:
Long-term incentive compensation-related	61,570	67,761
Other	375,482	373,344
Assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds:
Cash and cash equivalents	1,064,877	994,510
Other assets	229,058	195,615
Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	157,581	159,564
Goodwill	3,066,700	3,066,700
Intangible assets, net	127,491	134,606
Deferred sales commissions, net	53,990	63,890
Total assets	9,482,404	8,740,448
Payables:
Brokers and dealers	283,153	239,578
Securities sold not yet purchased	15,837	40,944
Brokerage clients	2,753,920	2,360,481
AB mutual funds	238,162	150,939
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	451,360	430,569
Accrued compensation and benefits	331,420	251,019
Debt	607,941	512,970
Total liabilities	5,079,930	4,279,300
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 12)
Redeemable non-controlling interest	403,609	392,959
Capital:
General Partner	40,458	41,100
Limited partners: 268,714,548 and 268,893,534 units issued and outstanding	4,091,282	4,154,810
Receivables from affiliates	(12,623)	(12,830)
AB Holding Units held for long-term incentive compensation plans	(45,861)	(32,967)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(109,134)	(118,096)
Partners’ capital attributable to AB Unitholders	3,964,122	4,032,017
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	34,743	36,172
Total capital	3,998,865	4,068,189
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interest and capital	9,482,404	8,740,448
Consolidated Investment Portfolios [Member]
Assets of consolidated company-sponsored investment funds:
Cash and cash equivalents	326,643	337,525
Investments	754,422	574,076
Other assets	13,836	44,570
Payables:
Total liabilities	398,137	292,800
Redeemable non-controlling interest	394,944	384,294
Capital:
Non-redeemable non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	$ 32,970	$ 34,622