Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	$ 3,430,316	$ 3,315,390	$ 3,156,149
Dividend and interest income	104,421	98,226	71,162
Investment gains (losses)	38,659	2,653	92,102
Other revenues	97,559	98,676	97,135
Total revenues	3,575,637	3,419,760	3,323,686
Less: Interest expense	57,205	52,399	25,165
Net revenues	3,518,432	3,367,361	3,298,521
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	1,442,783	1,378,811	1,313,469
Promotion and servicing:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	15,029	21,343	31,886
Trade execution, marketing, T&E and other	219,860	222,630	213,275
General and administrative:
General and administrative	484,750	448,996	481,488
Real estate charges	3,324	7,160	36,669
Contingent payment arrangements	(510)	(2,219)	267
Interest on borrowings	13,035	10,359	8,194
Amortization of intangible assets	28,759	27,781	27,896
Total expenses	2,694,995	2,542,047	2,524,611
Operating income	823,437	825,314	773,910
Income tax	41,754	45,816	53,110
Net income	781,683	779,498	720,800
Net income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	29,641	21,910	58,397
Net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 752,042	$ 757,588	$ 662,403
Net income per AB Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.78	$ 2.79	$ 2.46
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.78	$ 2.78	$ 2.45
Investment advisory and services fees
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	$ 2,472,044	$ 2,362,211	$ 2,201,305
Bernstein research services
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	407,911	439,432	449,919
Distribution related
Revenues:
Revenue subject to contracts with customers	455,043	418,562	412,063
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	$ 487,965	$ 427,186	$ 411,467