Condensed Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 55,925	$ 48,387	$ 104,834	$ 160,759	$ 153,194
Income taxes	5,667	6,301		16,837	18,517
Net income	$ 50,258	$ 42,086	$ 93,664	$ 143,922	$ 134,677
Net income per unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.52	$ 0.42	$ 0.95	$ 1.47	$ 1.34
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.52	$ 0.42	$ 0.95	$ 1.47	$ 1.34