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This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 10A -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=SL7669646-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) -Number 51 -Paragraph 38 -Subparagraph c(3) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 24 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 130 -Paragraph 17, 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. false2Net unrealized securities losses arising during the period28false 5rsl_OtherComprehensiveIncomeReclassificationAdjustmentForSaleOfSecuritiesIncludedInNetIncomersl_falsedebitdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse10000001USD$falsefalsefalse4falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryReclassification adjustment for unrealized gains or losses realized upon the sale of securities and other-than-temporary impairment losses previously determined to be related to factors other than credit that are determined to be credit-related in the current period.No definition available.false2Reclassification of net securities (gains) losses included in net income29false 5rsl_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAdjustmentForUnrealizedGainLossOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesIncludedOnBalanceSheetrsl_falsecreditdurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse265000000265USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse-62000000-62USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount of change in other comprehensive income related to the unrealized gain or loss on available for sale securities that were charged to balance sheet accounts such as deferred acquisition costs, deferred sales inducement costs, benefit reserves or reinsurance recoverables.No definition available.false2Impact on DAC, DSIC, benefit reserves and reinsurance recoverables30false 5rsl_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedGainLossOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesrsl_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsetruefalseperiodEndLabel1truefalsefalse777000000777USD$falsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse10720000001072USD$falsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse777000000777USD$falsefalsefalse4truefalsefalse10720000001072USD$falsefalsefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe balance as of the balance sheet date of accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the net unrealized securities gains or losses on available for sale securities.No definition available.false2Balance at the end of the period31false 4rsl_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesImpairmentOtherThanCreditrsl_falsecreditinstantfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1truefalsefalse-9000000-9USD$falsetruefalse2truefalsefalse-20000000-20USD$falsetruefalse3truefalsefalse-9000000-9USD$falsetruefalse4truefalsefalse-20000000-20USD$falsetruefalsexbrli:monetaryItemTypemonetaryThe amount included in accumulated other comprehensive income related to net unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities as of the balance sheet date that is attributable to noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities.No definition available.false2Noncredit related impairments on securities and net unrealized securities losses on previously impaired securities, included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomefalseInvestments (Details 4) (USD $)MillionsUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.riversource.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsDetails4431