Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 113,031	$ 94,542
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred sales commissions	11,074	8,267
Amortization of non-cash long-term incentive compensation	7,093	5,216
Depreciation and other amortization	15,424	20,619
Unrealized (gains) on long-term incentive compensation-related investments	(5,528)	(17,066)
Unrealized (gains) on consolidated venture capital fund	(71)	(7,008)
Unrealized (gains) on other investments	(2,883)	(27,965)
Real estate asset write-off charges	(10)	1,675
Other, net	(3,557)	(1,333)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease in segregated cash and securities	479,728	494,615
(Increase) in receivables	(141,651)	(117,190)
(Increase) in investments	(3,508)	(34,076)
Decrease (increase) in deferred sales commissions	4,455	(31,629)
(Increase) in other assets	(17,857)	(3,178)
(Decrease) in payables	(555,227)	(441,785)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses	(10,067)	14,388
Increase in accrued compensation and benefits	43,159	6,377
Net cash (used in) operating activities	(66,395)	(35,531)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of investments	11	0
Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements	(3,379)	(5,938)
Proceeds from sales of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements	0	610
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,368)	(5,328)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance (repayment) of commercial paper, net	59,027	(58,273)
Increase in overdrafts payable	63,684	9,350
Distributions to General Partner and unitholders	(106,182)	(47,490)
Distributions to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities	0	(849)
Capital contributions from General Partner	750	889
Additional investments by Holding from distributions paid to AllianceBernstein consolidated rabbi trust	5,929	864
Additional investments by Holding with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units	6,642	0
Purchases of Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards, net	(21,310)	(66,904)
Purchases of AllianceBernstein Units	(7)	(221)
Debt issuance costs	0	(1,750)
Other	(6)	(18)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	8,527	(164,402)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(6,476)	3,898
Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(67,712)	(201,363)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the period	627,182	638,681
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the period	$ 559,470	$ 437,318