CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 650	$ 821	$ 689
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net	(16)	(73)	(79)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(40)	50	359
Contractholder and policyholder charges, non-cash	(273)	(264)	(259)
Loss from equity method investments	26	33	19
Net realized investment gains	(14)	(26)	(46)
Other-than-temporary impairments and provision for loan losses recognized in net realized investment gains	17	21	29
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Deferred acquisition costs	(28)	54	(242)
Deferred sales inducement costs	51	72	(38)
Other investments, net	25		10
Future policy benefits for traditional life, disability income and long term care insurance	238	253	302
Policy claims and other policyholders' funds	11	(13)	11
Reinsurance recoverables	(107)	(127)	(143)
Other receivables	(35)	25	(53)
Accrued investment income	16	2	(6)
Derivatives collateral, net	(432)	649	55
Other, net	623	191	271
Net cash provided by operating activities	712	1,668	879
Available-for-Sale securities:
Proceeds from sales	156	664	1,268
Maturities, sinking fund payments and calls	3,292	3,200	3,719
Purchases	(2,271)	(4,084)	(4,970)
Proceeds from sales, maturities and repayments of mortgage loans	310	202	207
Funding of mortgage loans	(277)	(207)	(154)
Purchase of residential mortgage loans from affiliate	(954)
Proceeds from sales of other investments	117	114	95
Purchase of other investments	(286)	(296)	(86)
Purchase of land, buildings, equipment and software	(8)	(6)	(15)
Change in policy loans, net	(13)	(10)	(14)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	66	(423)	50
Policyholder and contractholder account values:
Considerations received	1,406	1,378	1,593
Net transfers from (to) separate accounts	(30)	39	(1,337)
Surrenders and other benefits	(1,271)	(1,311)	(1,338)
Change in borrowings under repurchase agreements, net	(5)	107	397
Proceeds from line of credit with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	418	415	13
Payments on line of credit with Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(568)	(118)	(310)
Deferred premium options, net	(356)	(254)	(182)
Tax adjustment on share-based incentive compensation plan	1	1
Cash dividend to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.	(865)	(750)	(500)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,270)	(493)	(1,664)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(492)	752	(735)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	828	76	811
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	336	828	76
Supplemental Disclosures:
Income taxes paid, net	109	176	112
Interest paid on borrowings	4	5	3
Non-cash investing activity:
Capital contributions from Ameriprise Financial, Inc.			14
Dividend to Ameriprise Financial, Inc.		850
Affordable housing partnership commitments not yet remitted	$ 13	$ 137	$ 171