Condensed Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 47,947	$ 44,657	$ 97,613	$ 104,834
Income taxes	6,206	5,585	11,962	11,170
Net income	$ 41,741	$ 39,072	$ 85,651	$ 93,664
Net income per unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.43	$ 0.40	$ 0.89	$ 0.95
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.43	$ 0.40	$ 0.89	$ 0.95