Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (211,567)	$ 427,099	$ 578,508
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	37,675	47,397	54,922
Amortization of non-cash deferred compensation	474,103	122,612	73,101
Depreciation and other amortization	83,489	81,697	83,851
Unrealized losses (gains) on deferred compensation-related investments	12,037	(39,094)	(184,384)
Unrealized loss (gain) on consolidated venture capital fund	38,974	39,534	(5,762)
Real estate asset write-off charges	4,639	25,521	3,219
Other, net	28,604	(6,692)	(17,324)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in segregated cash and securities	(169,964)	(124,560)	1,587,238
Decrease (increase) in receivables	1,164	(399,549)	66,314
(Increase) decrease in investments	(110,600)	24,062	19,787
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions	(21,518)	(33,366)	(31,568)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(24,523)	27,151	(18,626)
Increase (decrease) in payables	284,680	543,638	(1,520,959)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(22,141)	87,844	(21,493)
Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation and benefits	178,870	9,045	(41,361)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	583,922	832,339	625,463
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(56)	(73)	(10,378)
Proceeds from sales of investments	3,507	4,349	6,924
Additions to furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net	(38,339)	(23,501)	(53,763)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(41,835)	(14,298)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(76,723)	(33,523)	(57,217)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance (repayment) of commercial paper, net	219,363	(24,247)	(36,751)
(Decrease) increase in overdrafts payable	(38,640)	15,278	(16,860)
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(476,466)	(495,096)	(464,733)
Distributions to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	(1,073)	(35,023)	(24,188)
Capital contributions from General Partner	4,793	4,879	4,905
Additional investment by Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units	1,478	8,287	0
Purchases of Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plan awards, net	(220,813)	(226,370)	(6,981)
Purchase of AllianceBernstein Units	(6,522)	(8,521)	0
Debt issuance costs	(69)	(1,932)	0
Other	(26)	(51)	132
Net cash used in financing activities	(517,975)	(762,796)	(544,476)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(734)	(45)	37,869
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,510)	35,975	61,639
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period	650,191	614,216	552,577
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period	638,681	650,191	614,216
Cash paid:
Interest	3,001	3,721	5,433
Income taxes	29,477	43,072	64,085
Non-cash investing activities:
Fair value of assets acquired	30,368	49,041	0
Fair value of liabilities assumed	$ (4,999)	$ (34,743)	$ 0