Net Income Per Unit (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Net Income Per Unit [Abstract]

Earnings per unit, basic and diluted

Basic net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the basic weighted average number of units outstanding for each period. Diluted net income per unit is derived by reducing net income for the 1% general partnership interest and dividing the remaining 99% by the total of the basic weighted average number of units outstanding and the dilutive unit equivalents resulting from outstanding compensatory options to buy Holding Units as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013			2012
	(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders		$	114,516		$	87,278
Weighted average units outstanding – basic			277,786			277,846
Dilutive effect of compensatory options to buy Holding Units			937			—
Weighted average units outstanding – diluted			278,723			277,846
Basic net income per AllianceBernstein Unit		$	0.41		$	0.31
Diluted net income per AllianceBernstein Unit		$	0.41		$	0.31