Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 1,916,419	$ 2,051,692	$ 1,920,332
Bernstein research services	437,414	430,521	434,605
Distribution revenues	351,621	338,597	277,328
Dividend and interest income	21,499	22,902	26,730
Investment gains (losses)	(82,081)	(1,410)	144,447
Other revenues	107,569	109,803	107,848
Total revenues	2,752,441	2,952,105	2,911,290
Less: Interest expense	2,550	3,548	4,411
Net revenues	2,749,891	2,948,557	2,906,879
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits:	1,248,497	1,322,221	1,297,753
Deferred compensation charges	587,131	0	0
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	302,684	286,676	234,203
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	37,675	47,397	54,922
Other	217,598	192,096	176,703
General and administrative:
General and administrative	533,578	516,185	520,372
Real estate charges	7,235	101,698	8,276
Interest on borrowings	2,545	2,078	2,696
Amortization of intangible assets	21,417	21,344	21,126
Total expenses	2,958,360	2,489,695	2,316,051
Operating (loss) income	(208,469)	458,862	590,828
Non-operating income	0	6,760	33,657
(Loss) income before income taxes	(208,469)	465,622	624,485
Income tax expense	3,098	38,523	45,977
Net (loss) income	(211,567)	427,099	578,508
Net loss (income) of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	36,799	15,320	(22,381)
Net (loss) income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders	$ (174,768)	$ 442,419	$ 556,127
Net (loss) income per AllianceBernstein Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.62)	$ 1.59	$ 2.07
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.62)	$ 1.58	$ 2.07