Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 43,910	$ 54,592
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	(49,666)	(60,177)
Cash distributions received from AB	70,381	55,868
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(306)	5,677
Net cash provided by operating activities	64,319	55,960
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in AB with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	(4,468)	(1,457)
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,468)	(1,457)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash distributions to Unitholders	(64,837)	(49,845)
Capital contributions from (to) AB	518	(6,115)
Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	4,468	1,457
Net cash used in financing activities	(59,851)	(54,503)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 0	$ 0