Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 38,231	$ 26,699
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders	(42,997)	(32,707)
Cash distributions received from AllianceBernstein	40,077	17,880
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) in due from AllianceBernstein	0	(2,810)
Decrease in other assets	4,666	1,072
Increase (decrease) in due to AllianceBernstein	2,105	(2,453)
Increase in other liabilities	103	4,939
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,185	12,620
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investments in AllianceBernstein from cash distributions paid to AllianceBernstein consolidated rabbi trust	(5,929)	(864)
Investments in AllianceBernstein with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units	(6,642)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,571)	(864)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Cash distributions to unitholders	(36,256)	(11,756)
Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units	6,642	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(29,614)	(11,756)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	$ 0	$ 0