Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues:
Investment advisory and services fees	$ 466,294	$ 470,128	$ 1,319,697	$ 1,493,443
Bernstein research services	100,637	118,134	309,988	345,367
Distribution revenues	103,643	87,913	287,760	269,012
Dividend and interest income	5,071	4,958	14,458	14,976
Investment gains (losses)	7,210	(66,286)	27,316	(78,906)
Other revenues	26,154	27,204	75,283	83,167
Total revenues	709,009	642,051	2,034,502	2,127,059
Less: Interest expense	851	522	2,372	2,146
Net revenues	708,158	641,529	2,032,130	2,124,913
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	300,869	283,226	876,233	948,795
Promotion and servicing:
Distribution-related payments	94,779	76,323	260,768	229,636
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	10,658	9,186	29,096	29,383
Other	47,514	52,821	149,023	166,281
General and administrative:
General and administrative	135,729	129,299	389,949	394,011
Real estate charges	168,086	6,905	184,142	6,941
Interest on borrowings	877	610	2,602	1,915
Amortization of intangible assets	5,467	5,443	16,146	16,174
Total expenses	763,979	563,813	1,907,959	1,793,136
Operating (loss) income	(55,821)	77,716	124,171	331,777
Income taxes	(7,572)	5,180	4,969	23,432
Net (loss) income	(48,249)	72,536	119,202	308,345
Net (loss) income of consolidated entities attributable to non-controlling interests	(4,003)	(18,445)	1,985	(33,247)
Net (loss) income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders	$ (44,246)	$ 90,981	$ 117,217	$ 341,592
Net (loss) income per AllianceBernstein Unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.32	$ 0.42	$ 1.22
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.16)	$ 0.32	$ 0.42	$ 1.21