Commitments and Contingencies (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 GBP (£)	Mar. 31, 2012 Alleged Damages [Member] Minimum [Member] USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Alleged Damages [Member] Maximum [Member] USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Portfolio amount of client seeking damages		£ 500
Damages sought			177	234
Realized losses in the portfolio	$ (125)ab_RealizedLossesInPortfolio

The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14557-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesSoughtValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration