Condensed Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Condensed Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract]
Equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders	$ 42,745	$ 38,925	$ 93,803	$ 93,135
Income taxes	7,233	7,153	14,611	14,117
Net income	$ 35,512	$ 31,772	$ 79,192	$ 79,018
Net income per unit:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.31	$ 0.76	$ 0.78
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.34	$ 0.31	$ 0.76	$ 0.78