Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 216,586	$ 185,764	$ 178,468
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	(239,389)	(210,084)	(200,931)
Cash distributions received from AB	191,989	217,065	203,919
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease (increase) in other assets	0	152	(152)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	345	(108)	(394)
Net cash provided by operating activities	169,531	192,789	180,910
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in AB with proceeds from exercises of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	(6,108)	(9,233)	(18,955)
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,108)	(9,233)	(18,955)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash distributions to Unitholders	(169,731)	(192,299)	(182,724)
Capital contributions from (to) AB	200	(490)	1,814
Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	6,108	9,233	18,955
Net cash used in financing activities	(163,423)	(183,556)	(161,955)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the year	0	0	0
Cash paid:
Income taxes	22,456	24,276	23,009
Non-cash investing activities:
Issuance of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards	103,820	115,045	108,034
Retirement of AB Holding Units	$ (184,336)	$ (155,073)	$ (14,577)