Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 119,202	$ 308,345
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	29,096	29,383
Amortization of non-cash deferred compensation	11,996	125,457
Depreciation and other amortization	59,968	62,981
Unrealized (gains) losses on deferred compensation-related investments	(15,128)	23,168
Unrealized (gains) losses on consolidated venture capital fund	(13,433)	35,511
Unrealized (gains) losses on other investments	(36,061)	37,000
Real estate asset write-off charge	33,017	4,639
Other, net	(248)	(10,789)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in segregated cash and securities	331,548	(83,940)
(Increase) in receivables	(32,660)	(17,032)
Decrease (increase) in investments	134,197	(189,975)
(Increase) in deferred sales commissions	(64,690)	(16,417)
(Increase) in other assets	(3,583)	(7,663)
(Decrease) increase in payables	(361,005)	104,948
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses	129,750	(3,061)
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits	209,499	104,388
Net cash provided by operating activities	531,465	506,943
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(96)	(17)
Proceeds from sales of investments	423	2,916
Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements	(15,479)	(26,664)
Proceeds from sales of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements	3,221	1,233
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0	(26,884)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,931)	(49,416)
Cash flows from financing activities:
(Repayment) of commercial paper, net	(204,716)	(65,426)
Proceeds from bank loans	0	8,000
(Decrease) in overdrafts payable	(1,318)	(1,262)
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(206,694)	(385,208)
Distributions to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	(9,833)	(1,846)
Capital contributions from General Partner	2,522	2,669
Additional investments by Holding from distributions paid to AllianceBernstein consolidated rabbi trust	6,071	3,371
Additional investments by Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units	0	1,476
Purchases of Holding Units to fund deferred compensation plan awards, net	(134,937)	(145,559)
Purchases of AllianceBernstein Units	(3,049)	(4,565)
Debt issuance costs	(1,933)	(69)
Other	(24)	(51)
Net cash used in financing activities	(553,911)	(588,470)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6,264	(545)
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(28,113)	(131,488)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period	638,681	650,191
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period	$ 610,568	$ 518,703