Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Additional allocation of equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein resulting from assumed dilutive effect of compensatory options Out-of-the-money options excluded from the diluted net income per unit (in units) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Total assets Assets ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash Distribution [Member] Cash Distribution [Member] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8) Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans [Abstract] Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans Compensation Related Costs, General [Text Block] Computation of income tax [Abstract] Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent State income taxes Federal income taxes Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Holding Units held by AllianceBernstein to fund long-term incentive compensation plans Deferred Compensation Equity Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] Record date Distribution date Distribution Type [Domain] Cash distribution declared (in dollars per share) Declaration date Distributions Made to Limited Partner [Table] Cash Distributions [Abstract] Distributions Made to Member or Limited Partner by Distribution Type [Axis] Net Income per Unit [Abstract] Net Income per Unit Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Schedule of net (loss) income per unit [Abstract] Net income per unit: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Effective tax rate (in hundredths) Multiplied by: federal tax (in hundredths) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Computation of equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders [Abstract] Investment in AllianceBernstein, beginning of period Investment in AllianceBernstein, end of period Investment in AllianceBernstein Equity Method Investments Net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss) Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain] Investment in AllianceBernstein [Abstract] General Partner: units issued (in shares) General Partner: 100,000 general partnership units issued and outstanding General Partner: units outstanding (in shares) General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders Equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders Equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders Condensed Statements of Income (unaudited) [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Changes in components for calculation of income tax [Abstract] Total income taxes Income taxes Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] (Decrease) in other liabilities Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase in due to AllianceBernstein Decrease in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Investment in AllianceBernstein Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] Total liabilities and partners' capital Liabilities and Equity Liabilities: Total liabilities Liabilities LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL Limited partners: units outstanding (in shares) Ownership structure of AllianceBernstein expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract] General partnership interest (in hundredths) Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest Limited partners: units issued (in shares) Units Outstanding [Abstract] Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (in hundredths) Limited partners: 96,711,627 and 95,928,494 limited partnership units issued and outstanding Limited Partners' Capital Account Loss Contingencies [Table] Damages sought Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Net income Net income - basic Net income Net income Cash flows from financing activities: Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Diluted net income per unit (in dollars per unit) Diluted (in dollars per share) Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net income - diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Diluted Cash flows from investing activities: Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Basic net income per unit (in dollars per unit) Basic (in dollars per share) Business Description, Organization and Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Business Description, Organization and Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Income tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax Less: reclassification adjustments for gains (losses) included in net income Income tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax Income tax expense Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax Amortization of transition asset Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Transition Asset (Obligation), before Tax Unrealized (losses) gains arising during period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax Changes in employee benefit related items Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax Recognized actuarial gain (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax Changes in unrealized (losses) gains on investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax Amortization of prior service cost Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax Other liabilities Foreign currency translation adjustments Employee benefit related items, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive income (loss): Unrealized (losses) gains on investments: Other comprehensive income (loss) Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized (losses) gains on investments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Changes in employee benefit related items: Partners' capital: Total partners' capital Partners' Capital Change in Holding Units held by AllianceBernstein for long-term incentive compensation plans Partners' Capital Account, Treasury Units, Purchased Dollar amount paid for open-market purchases of holding units Payments for Repurchase of Equity Investments in AllianceBernstein from cash distributions paid to AllianceBernstein consolidated rabbi trust Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates Additional investments with proceeds from exercises of compensatory options to buy Holding Units, net Investments in AllianceBernstein with proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units Cash distributions to unitholders Payments of Ordinary Dividends Capital contributions from AllianceBernstein Capital contributions from AllianceBernstein Proceeds from Contributions from Parent Cash distributions received from AllianceBernstein Cash distributions received from AllianceBernstein Proceeds from stock options exercised Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy Holding Units Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Realized losses in the portfolio Realized Investment Gains (Losses) Changes in Investment in AllianceBernstein Schedule of Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Table Text Block] Computation of Effective Income Tax Rate and Changes in Components of Income Tax Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Changes in Holding Units Outstanding Net Income Per Unit Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Equity Method Investee, Name [Axis] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table] Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items] Ownership Structure of AllianceBernstein Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Open-market purchases of holding units (in units) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Purchased for Award Options exercised (in units) Units Outstanding, end of period (in units) Units Outstanding, beginning of period (in units) Shares, Outstanding Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) [Abstract] Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) [Abstract] Condensed Statements of Financial Condition (unaudited) [Abstract] Dollar amount paid for holding units acquired Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Units issued (in units) Units retired (in units) Decrease in units outstanding (in units) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Units issued upon options exercised (in units) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Restricted holding unit awards to employees (in units) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross AllianceBernstein Holding Units issued to fund long-term incentive compensation plans Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Holding units purchased in period (in units) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Proportional share of the Holding Units held in consolidated rabbi trust (in hundredths) Multiplied by: weighted average equity ownership interest (in hundredths) Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual with Relationship to Entity [Domain] AllianceBernstein Holding Units retired Treasury Stock, Retired, Par Value Method, Amount Weighted average units outstanding - diluted (in units) Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted Weighted average units outstanding - basic (in units) Dilutive effect of compensatory options (in units) Unallocated Holding Units held by AllianceBernstein in its consolidated rabbi trust. Unallocated Holding Units Held in Consolidated Rabbi Trust [Member] Entire disclosure of an entity's capital units or capital shares. Capital Units [Text Block] Units Outstanding Portfolio amount of client owned U.S. mortgage-backed securities. Portfolio amount of client seeking damages Portfolio amount of client seeking damages The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. Alleged Damages [Member] Individuals employed for wages or salary. Also includes individuals serving on the board of directors (who collectively have responsibility for governing the entity). Employees and Eligible Directors [Member] Employees and Eligible Directors [Member] This table describes the key aspects of data pertinent on partners in a limited partnership. Schedule of Limited Partnership Ownership Interest By Partners [Table] Pertinent data on partners in a limited partnership. Limited Partnership Interest By Partner [Axis] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Schedule of Limited Partnership Ownership Interest By Partners [Line Items] Economic interest in AllianceBernstein owned by specific named entity as a General Partner and Limited Partner in Holding and AllianceBernstein, expressed as a percentage of total. Limited Liability Company Llc Or Limited Partnership Lp Members Or Limited Partners Economic Interest In Company AXA and its subsidiaries economic interest in Company (in hundredths) AXA's ownership percentage of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in Holdings. Limited Liability Company Llc Or Limited Partnership Lp Members Or Limited Partners Ownership Interest In Holding Company AXA and its subsidiaries ownership interest in Holding company (in hundredths) Partners in a limited partnership. Limited Partnership Interest Partners [Domain] Limited Partnership Interest Partners [Domain] Represents the holding Company, AllianceBernstein Holdings, that has an ownership interest in Company. Holdings [Member] Holding [Member] International group of insurance and related financial services companies and certain other subsidiaries. AXA And Its Subsidiaries [Member] AXA and Its Subsidiaries [Member] Represents holders of ownership interest in Company that are otherwise unaffiliated with Company. Unaffiliated Holders [Member] Unaffiliated Holders [Member] Private client services include institutions with accounts under this threshold. Threshold Amount for Including Institutions in Private Clients Threshold Amount for Including Institutions in Private Clients Tax rate attributable to operating income for unincorporated business entities operating in New York City, before credits paid for unincorporated business entities by a subsidiary. New York City unincorporated business tax rate New York City unincorporated business tax (in hundredths) The percentage change in the amount of qualifying revenue (primarily investment advisory fees and certain equity commissions) reported by an equity method investment of the entity. Increase (decrease) in qualifying revenue of equity method investment Change in AllianceBernstein qualifying revenues (in hundredths) The percentage change in the amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investments of the entity. Increase (decrease) in net income attributable to equity method investments Increase in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders (in hundredths) The percentage change in the sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations. Increase (decrease) in income tax Increase in income taxes (in hundredths) The percentage change in the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. Increase (decrease) in equity in net income attributable to equity method investments Increase in equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders (in hundredths) The amount of qualifying revenue (primarily investment advisory fees and certain equity commissions) reported by an equity method investment of the entity. Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Qualifying Revenue AllianceBernstein qualifying revenues The weighted average percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee for calculating tax, net of units held in the rabbi trust. Equity Method Investment Weighted Average Ownership Percentage For Calculating Tax Multiplied by: weighted average equity ownership interest for calculating tax (in hundredths) The entire disclosure for cash distributions. Cash Distributions Disclosure [Text Block] Cash Distributions Document and Entity Information [Abstract]