Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - 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
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 50,258	$ 42,086	$ 93,664	$ 143,922	$ 134,677
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	(55,925)	(48,387)	(104,834)	(160,759)	(153,194)
Cash distributions received from AB				143,982	168,505
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in other assets				(223)	(95)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities				81	(105)
Net cash provided by operating activities				127,003	149,788
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in AB with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units				(2,371)	(8,979)
Net cash used in investing activities				(2,371)	(8,979)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash distributions to Unitholders				(127,348)	(150,521)
Capital contributions from AB				345	733
Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units				2,371	8,979
Net cash used in financing activities				(124,632)	(140,809)
Change in cash and cash equivalents				0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period			$ 0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0