Business Description and Organization - Additional Information (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Ownership structure of AB expressed as percentage of general and limited partnership interests
Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent)	100.00%
General partnership units (in shares)	100,000	100,000
General partnership interest (percent)	1.00%
AXA and its subsidiaries economic interest in Company (percent)	63.70%
AXA And its subsidiaries [Member]
Ownership structure of AB expressed as percentage of general and limited partnership interests
Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent)	1.50%