Income Statement [Abstract] Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income per unit: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Basic (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic, Net of Tax Diluted (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Diluted Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Ownership Interest by Limited Partners Schedule of Other Ownership Interests [Table Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] General partner: units issued (in shares) General Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued General Partner: units outstanding (in shares) General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Limited partners: units issued (in shares) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Limited partners: units outstanding (in shares) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Changes in AB Holding's Investment in AB Schedule of Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Table Text Block] Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract] Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Public Float Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Net Income Per Unit Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Investment in AB Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Investment in AB Equity Method Investments Other assets Other Assets Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Other liabilities Other Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Partners’ capital: Partners' Capital [Abstract] General Partner: 100,000 general partnership units issued and outstanding General Partners' Capital Account Limited partners: 99,944,485 and 100,656,999 limited partnership units issued and outstanding Limited Partners' Capital Account AB Holding Units held by AB to fund long-term incentive compensation plans Deferred Compensation Equity Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total partners’ capital Partners' Capital Total liabilities and partners’ capital Liabilities and Equity Business Description and Organization Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Equity [Abstract] Units Outstanding Capital Units [Text Block] Entire disclosure of an entity's capital units or capital shares. Changes in AB Holding Units Outstanding Schedule of Capital Units [Table Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency Nature [Axis] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain] Alleged Damages [Member] Alleged Damages [Member] The value (monetary amount) of the award the plaintiff seeks in the legal matter. Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Portfolio amount of client seeking damages Portfolio amount of client seeking damages Portfolio amount of client owned U.S. mortgage-backed securities. Damages sought Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value Realized losses in the portfolio Realized Losses in Portfolio Alleged realized losses in portfolio. Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] AB Holding's effective tax expense [Abstract] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract] UBT statutory rate New York City unincorporated business tax The amount of tax based on New York City Unincorporated Business Tax (UBT). Federal tax on partnership gross business income Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) State income taxes Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) Credit for UBT paid by AB Credit for UBT paid by its limited partnership interest The amount of UBT tax credit received by entity from payments made by its limited partnership interest. Income taxes AB Holding' effective tax rate [Abstract] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract] UBT statutory rate, percent Credit Rate for UBT paid by its limited partnership interest Tax Credits Effective rate for tax credits generated by payments made by entity's limited partnership interest. Federal tax on partnership gross business income, percent Federal tax rate on partnership gross business income The effective tax rate based on the (gross) business income. State income taxes, percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Percent Credit for UBT paid by AB, percent New York City unincorporated business tax rate 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. Income tax effective tax rate, percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] AllianceBernstein L.P. [Member] AllianceBernstein L.P. [Member] AllianceBernstein L.P. [Member] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] Valuation and Qualifying Account - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Units Outstanding Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward] Outstanding as of January 1, Shares, Outstanding Options exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period Units issued Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Units retired Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares Outstanding as of December 31, Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders Cash distributions received from AB Proceeds from Dividends Received Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Decrease (increase) in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Increase in due to AB Increase (Decrease) in Due to Related Parties (Decrease) increase in other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Investments in AB from cash distributions paid to AB consolidated rabbi trust Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates Investments in AB with proceeds from exercises of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Cash distributions to Unitholders Payments of Ordinary Dividends Capital contributions (to) from AB Proceeds from Contributions from Affiliates Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of the year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents as of end of the year Cash paid: Income Taxes Paid, Net [Abstract] Income taxes Income Taxes Paid Non-cash investing activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Issuance of AB Holding Units to fund long-term incentive compensation plan awards Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Retirement of AB Holding Units Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Investment in AB Equity Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash Distributions Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block] Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans Compensation Related Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basic net income per unit (in dollars per unit) Diluted net income per unit (in dollars per unit) Cash distributions per unit (in dollars per share) Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distributions Declared, Per Unit Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Distributions Made to Limited Partner [Table] Distributions Made to Limited Partner [Table] Ownership structure of AB Holding [Axis] Ownership structure of AB Holding [Axis] Ownership structure of AB Holding [Axis] Ownership structure of AB Holding [Domain] Ownership structure of AB Holding [Domain] [Domain] for Ownership structure of AB Holding [Axis] AXA And Its Subsidiaries [Member] AXA And Its Subsidiaries [Member] International group of insurance and related financial services companies and certain other subsidiaries. Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] Ownership structure of AB Holding Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Business Organization and Operations [Abstract] Limited partners or members ownership interest in Company (percent) Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Other comprehensive (loss) income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustments, before reclassification and tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income upon liquidation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments, before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Income tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized (losses) gains on investments: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Unrealized (losses) gains arising during period Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax Less: reclassification adjustments for gains included in net income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax Changes in unrealized (losses) gains on investments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax Income tax benefit (expense) Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax 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: Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] 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 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 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 employee benefit related items Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax Income tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax 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 Other comprehensive (loss) income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Net Income Per Unit Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Change in Equity Method Investment Change in Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward] Change in Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward] Investment in AB as of January 1, Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Cash distributions received from AB Additional investments with proceeds from exercises of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units, net Capital contributions to (from) AB AB Holding Units retired AB Holding Units issued to fund long-term incentive compensation plans Change in AB Holding Units held by AB for long-term incentive compensation plans Partners' Capital Account, Treasury Units, Purchased Investment in AB as of December 31, Computation of equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders [Abstract] Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract] Net income attributable to AB Unitholders Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss) Multiplied by: weighted average equity ownership interest Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders Computation of income tax [Abstract] Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] AB qualifying revenues Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Qualifying Revenue The amount of qualifying revenue (primarily investment advisory fees and certain equity commissions) reported by an equity method investment of the entity. Multiplied by: weighted average equity ownership interest for calculating tax Equity Method Investment Weighted Average Ownership Percentage For Calculating Tax 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. Multiplied by: federal tax Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Federal tax on partnership gross business income State income taxes Changes in components for calculation of income tax [Abstract] Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Increase in net income attributable to AB Unitholders (percent) Increase (decrease) in net income attributable to equity method investments The percentage change in the amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investments of the entity. Increase in equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders (percent) Increase (decrease) in equity in net income attributable to equity method investments 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 AB qualifying revenue (percent) Increase (decrease) in qualifying revenue of equity method investment 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 income taxes (percent) Increase (decrease) in income tax 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. Unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Difference Between AB Holding's Effective Tax Rates and the UBT Statutory Tax Rate Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Computation of Effective Income Tax Rate and Changes in Components of Income Tax Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Net income - basic Additional allocation of equity in net income attributable to AB resulting from assumed dilutive effect of compensatory options Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share, Options and Restrictive Stock Units Net income - diluted Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Diluted Weighted average units outstanding - basic (in units) Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic Dilutive effect of compensatory options (in units) Weighted Average Number Diluted Limited Partnership Units Outstanding Adjustment Weighted average units outstanding - diluted (in units) Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted Antidilutive securities Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Proportional share of the AB Holding Units held by AB (percent) Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Partner Type [Axis] Partner Type [Axis] Partner Type of Partners' Capital Account, Name [Domain] Partner Type of Partners' Capital Account, Name [Domain] General Partner's Capital [Member] General Partner [Member] Limited Partners' Capital [Member] Limited Partner [Member] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] AB Holding Units Held by AB to Fund Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans [Member] Deferred Compensation, Share-based Payments [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Member] Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Balance, beginning of year Cash distributions to Unitholders Partners' Capital Account, Distributions Exercise of compensatory options to buy AB Holding Units Partners' Capital Account, Option Exercise AB Holding Units held by AB to fund long-term incentive compensation plans Unrealized (loss) gain on investments, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax Balance, end of year Distributions Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Table] Distributions Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Table] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual [Axis] Title of Individual with Relationship to Entity [Domain] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Employees and Eligible Directors [Member] Employees and Eligible Directors [Member] Individuals employed for wages or salary. Also includes individuals serving on the board of directors (who collectively have responsibility for governing the entity). Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Line Items] Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Line Items] Subsequent cash distribution, declaration date Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Declaration Date Subsequent cash distribution, distribution declared (in dollars per unit) Subsequent cash distribution, distribution date Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distribution Date Subsequent cash distribution, date of record Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Date of Record Total cash distributions per unit paid to unitholders (in dollars per unit) Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distributions Paid, Per Unit Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plans [Abstract] Share-based Arrangements with Employees and Nonemployees [Abstract] AB Holding units purchased in period (in units) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Dollar amount paid for AB holding units acquired Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Open-market purchases of AB holding units (in units) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Shares Purchased for Award Dollar amount paid for open-market purchases of AB holding units Payments for Repurchase of Equity Restricted AB holding unit awards to employees (in units) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Gross Options to buy AB holding units outstanding, number (in units) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Proceeds from exercise of compensatory options to buy AB holding units Limited Partnership Interest By Partner [Axis] Limited Partnership Interest By Partner [Axis] Pertinent data on partners in a limited partnership. Limited Partnership Interest Partners [Domain] Limited Partnership Interest Partners [Domain] Partners in a limited partnership. AB Holdings [Member] Holdings [Member] Represents the holding Company, AllianceBernstein Holdings, that has an ownership interest in Company. Unaffiliated Holders [Member] Unaffiliated Holders [Member] Represents holders of ownership interest in Company that are otherwise unaffiliated with Company. Ownership structure of AB expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests [Abstract] Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Summary of Ownership Structure [Abstract] General partnership units (in shares) General partnership interest (percent) Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest AXA and its subsidiaries economic interest in Company (percent) Limited Liability Company Llc Or Limited Partnership Lp Members Or Limited Partners Economic Interest In Company 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. Quarterly Financial Data Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block] Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis] Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis] Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain] Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] Balance at Beginning of Period Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Credited to Costs and Expenses Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense Deductions Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions Balance at End of Period Accounts written-off as uncollectible Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-offs as Uncollectible Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Write-offs as Uncollectible Net addition (reduction) to the allowance balance Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Net Increase (Decrease) Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Net Increase (Decrease)