Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	$ 3,315,390	$ 3,156,149	$ 2,892,144
Dividend and interest income	98,226	71,162	46,939
Investment gains (losses)	2,653	92,102	93,353
Other revenues	98,676	97,135	99,859
Total revenues	3,419,760	3,323,686	3,037,902
Less: Interest expense	52,399	25,165	9,123
Net revenues	3,367,361	3,298,521	3,028,779
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	1,378,811	1,313,469	1,229,721
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	427,186	411,467	363,603
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	21,343	31,886	41,066
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other	222,630	213,275	216,542
General and administrative:
General and administrative	448,996	481,488	426,147
Real estate charges	7,160	36,669	17,704
Contingent payment arrangements	(2,219)	267	(20,245)
Interest on borrowings	10,359	8,194	4,765
Amortization of intangible assets	27,781	27,896	26,311
Total expenses	2,542,047	2,524,611	2,305,614
Operating income	825,314	773,910	723,165
Income tax	45,816	53,110	28,319
Net income	779,498	720,800	694,846
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	21,910	58,397	21,488
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 757,588	$ 662,403	$ 673,358
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.79	$ 2.46	$ 2.48
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.78	$ 2.45	$ 2.47
Investment advisory and services fees
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	$ 2,362,211	$ 2,201,305	$ 1,933,471
Bernstein research services
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	439,432	449,919	479,875
Distribution revenues
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	$ 418,562	$ 412,063	$ 384,405