Condensed Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	$ 49,055	$ 55,925	$ 146,668	$ 160,759
Income taxes	5,877	5,667	17,839	16,837
Net income	$ 43,178	$ 50,258	$ 128,829	$ 143,922
Net income per unit:
Basic (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.46	$ 0.52	$ 1.35	$ 1.47
Diluted (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.46	$ 0.52	$ 1.35	$ 1.47