Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 238,563	$ 242,397	$ 207,422
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders	(266,292)	(270,647)	(232,393)
Cash distributions received from AB	249,463	308,042	226,846
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in other assets	(61)	0	0
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	1,082	(510)	535
Net cash provided by operating activities	222,755	279,282	202,410
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in AB with proceeds from exercises of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	(11,511)	(16,589)	(20,110)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,511)	(16,589)	(20,110)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash distributions to Unitholders	(222,485)	(280,722)	(202,388)
Capital contributions to AB	(270)		(22)
Capital contributions from AB		1,440
Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units	11,511	16,589	20,110
Net cash used in financing activities	(211,244)	(262,693)	(182,300)
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	26,650	28,766	24,436
Non-cash investing activities:
Issuance of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards	146,488	168,955	135,604
Retirement of AB Holding Units	$ (110,752)	$ (194,544)	$ (162,206)