Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 207,422	$ 216,586	$ 185,764
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	(232,393)	(239,389)	(210,084)
Cash distributions received from AB	226,846	191,989	217,065
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease in other assets	0	0	152
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	535	345	(108)
Net cash provided by operating activities	202,410	169,531	192,789
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in AB with proceeds from exercises of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	(20,110)	(6,108)	(9,233)
Net cash used in investing activities	(20,110)	(6,108)	(9,233)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash distributions to Unitholders	(202,388)	(169,731)	(192,299)
Capital contributions (to) from AB	(22)	200	(490)
Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	20,110	6,108	9,233
Net cash used in financing activities	(182,300)	(163,423)	(183,556)
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	24,436	22,456	24,276
Non-cash investing activities:
Issuance of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards	135,604	103,820	115,045
Retirement of AB Holding Units	$ (162,206)	$ (184,336)	$ (155,073)