Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 2,200,400	$ 1,933,471	$ 1,973,837
Bernstein research services	449,919	479,875	493,463
Distribution revenues	412,063	384,405	427,156
Dividend and interest income	71,162	46,939	24,872
Investment gains (losses)	92,102	93,353	3,551
Other revenues	98,040	99,859	101,169
Total revenues	3,323,686	3,037,902	3,024,048
Less: Interest expense	25,165	9,123	3,321
Net revenues	3,298,521	3,028,779	3,020,727
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	1,313,469	1,229,721	1,267,926
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	420,350	371,607	393,033
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	31,886	41,066	49,145
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other	204,392	208,538	223,415
General and administrative:
General and administrative	481,488	426,147	431,635
Real estate charges	36,669	17,704	998
Contingent payment arrangements	267	(20,245)	(5,441)
Interest on borrowings	8,194	4,765	3,119
Amortization of intangible assets	27,896	26,311	25,798
Total expenses	2,524,611	2,305,614	2,389,628
Operating income	773,910	723,165	631,099
Income tax	53,110	28,319	44,797
Net income	720,800	694,846	586,302
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	58,397	21,488	6,375
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 662,403	$ 673,358	$ 579,927
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.46	$ 2.48	$ 2.11
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.45	$ 2.47	$ 2.10