Weighted average units outstanding – Basic (in shares) Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Basic Title of Individual with Relationship to Entity [Domain] Title and Position [Domain] Federal statutory income tax rate (in percent) Multiplied by: federal tax Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent 1 Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent 1 Limited Partners' Capital Account by Class [Axis] Limited Partners' Capital Account by Class [Axis] Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] Award Timing Predetermined Award Timing Predetermined [Flag] Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote [Text Block] Entity File Number Entity File Number Title Trading Arrangement, Individual Title Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders Equity in net income attributable to AB Unitholders Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments General partner units outstanding (in shares) Units outstanding (in shares) General Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] Less: reclassification adjustment for (losses) included in net income upon retirement plan liquidation Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units Purchased (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Purchased for Award Issuance of AB Holding Units for long-term incentive compensation plan awards AB Holding Units issued for long-term incentive compensation plans Shares Issued, Value, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Changes in components for calculation of income tax [Abstract] Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Units retired (in shares) Partners' Capital Account, Units Retired Partners' Capital Account, Units Retired Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Trading Arrangements, by Individual Trading Arrangements, by Individual [Table] Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] All Award Types Award Type [Domain] Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Compensation Amount Outstanding Recovery Compensation Amount Change 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. Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Distributions Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Table] Distributions Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Table] Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation Disclosure [Line Items] Unaffiliated holders Unaffiliated Holders [Member] Represents holders of ownership interest in Company that are otherwise unaffiliated with Company. Adjustment to Compensation, Amount Adjustment to Compensation Amount MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name (Increase) in other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Capital contributions from AB Capital contributions (from) AB Proceeds from Contributions from Affiliates Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] Distribution Made to Limited Partner [Line Items] Employee Stock Option Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Award Timing MNPI Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member] Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Cash Distributions Cash Distributions Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for cash distributions. Total liabilities and partners’ capital Liabilities and Equity Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost Aggregate Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Restricted AB holding unit awards to employees (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, before Forfeiture Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Income Tax Contingency [Line Items] Company Selected Measure Name Company Selected Measure Name Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation Arrangements by Share-Based Payment Award [Table] Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote [Text Block] Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Employees and Eligible Directors 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). General partnership interest (percent) Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Limited Partnership (LP), Managing Member or General Partner, Ownership Interest Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Disqualification of Tax Benefits, Amount Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member] Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Change in Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward] Change in Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward] Change in Equity Method Investment [Roll Forward] Net income, Diluted Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Diluted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] All Executive Categories All Executive Categories [Member] Entity Shell Company Entity Shell Company Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Title of Individual [Axis] Title and Position [Axis] Commitments and contingencies (See Note 8) Commitments and Contingencies Limited Partners' Capital Account, Class [Domain] Limited Partners' Capital Account, Class [Domain] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Subsequent cash distribution, distribution declared (in dollars per unit) Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distributions Declared, Per Unit Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount Award Timing MNPI Considered Award Timing MNPI Considered [Flag] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Limited partners units outstanding (in shares) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Outstanding Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Name Measure Name State income taxes Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Foreign currency translation adjustment, before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Underlying Securities Award Underlying Securities Amount Income tax (expense) Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, Tax, Attributable to Parent Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Line Items] Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member [Line Items] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount Distributions Made to Limited Partner [Table] Distributions Made to Limited Partner [Table] Award Type Award Type [Axis] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] AB Holding Units held by AB for long-term incentive compensation plans Deferred Compensation Equity Income Tax Contingency [Table] Income Tax Contingency [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Total assets Assets Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Table Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table Text Block] AB Holding AB Holding [Member] AB Holding [Member] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Change 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. Total partners’ capital Balance, beginning of period Balance, end of period Partners' Capital Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Document Type Document Type EQH and its subsidiaries EQH And Its Subsidiaries [Member] EQH And Its Subsidiaries [Member] Net Income per Unit Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Name Outstanding Recovery, Individual Name Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount All Individuals All Individuals [Member] Cash distributions to Unitholders Partners' Capital Account, Distributions Multiplied by: weighted average equity ownership interest Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] Name Forgone Recovery, Individual Name General Partner’s Capital General Partner [Member] Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year [Member] Basic (in dollars per share) Net income per unit - Basic (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss), Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Basic, Net of Tax Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Investment in AB Beginning balance Ending balance Equity Method Investments Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] Units issued (in shares) Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Seth Bernstein [Member] Seth Bernstein Peer Group Issuers, Footnote Peer Group Issuers, Footnote [Text Block] Net income, Basic Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Schedule of Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block] Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Other comprehensive (loss) income Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent PEO PEO [Member] Change 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. Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Employee benefit related items, net of tax Changes in employee benefit related items, net of tax Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Tax and Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent Changes in assets and liabilities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Partner Type of Partners' Capital Account, Name [Domain] Partner Type of Partners' Capital Account, Name [Domain] Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Equity Awards not Otherwise Reflected in Total Compensation for Covered Year [Member] Limited partners units issued (in shares) Limited Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Restatement Determination Date Restatement Determination Date Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income taxes Total income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Computation of equity in net income attributable to AllianceBernstein Unitholders [Abstract] Equity Method Investment, Financial Statement, Reported Amounts [Abstract] Change in AB Holding Units held by AB for long-term incentive compensation plans Partners' Capital Account, Treasury Units, Period Increase (Decrease) Partners' Capital Account, Treasury Units, Period Increase (Decrease) Other assets Other Assets Net income per Unit Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Pension Adjustments Service Cost Pension Adjustments Service Cost [Member] Economic interest, percentage Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Parent General Partnership Interest General Partnership Interest [Member] General Partnership Interest Net income attributable to AB Unitholders Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Restatement does not require Recovery Restatement Does Not Require Recovery [Text Block] General partner units issued (in shares) General Partners' Capital Account, Units Issued Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Retirement of AB Holding Units AB Holding Units (retired) Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value Changes in employee benefit related items: Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, before Tax, after Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Change in AB Holding Units held by AB for long-term incentive compensation plans Partners' Capital Account, Treasury Units, Reissued Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] 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. City Area Code City Area Code Award Timing, How MNPI Considered Award Timing, How MNPI Considered [Text Block] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group [Text Block] AB Holding Units held by AB for long-term incentive compensation plans Deferred Compensation, Share-Based Payments [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] Net cash provided by operating activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Including Discontinued Operation 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. Partner Type [Axis] Partner Type [Axis] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] Change in AB qualifying revenues (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. Subsequent Event Subsequent Event [Member] Net income Net income Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Other liabilities Other Liabilities Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote Equity Valuation Assumption Difference, Footnote [Text Block] Expiration Date Trading Arrangement Expiration Date PEO Total Compensation Amount PEO Total Compensation Amount (Decrease) in other liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Adoption Date Trading Arrangement Adoption Date Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income [Text Block] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Cash distributions to Unitholders Payments of Ordinary Dividends Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Cash flows from financing activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Consolidated Entities [Domain] Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance Measure, Amount Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Other comprehensive (loss) income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Investment in AB Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Text Block] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] Weighted average units outstanding - Diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units Outstanding, Diluted Long-term Incentive Compensation Plans Compensation Related Costs, General [Text Block] Individual: Individual [Axis] Limited partners or members ownership interest in company (percent) Limited Liability Company or Limited Partnership, Members or Limited Partners, Ownership Interest Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Schedule of Unit Award Repurchase Activity Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity [Table Text Block] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] Earnings Per Unit [Abstract] Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in the Compensation Table [Member] Amortization of prior service cost Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, Prior Service Cost (Credit), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, before Tax Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] Effective tax rate (percent) Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) Partners' Capital Account, Units Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current AB AllianceBernstein L.P. [Member] AllianceBernstein L.P. [Member] Cash flows from operating activities: Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Business Description, Organization and Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] All Adjustments to Compensation All Adjustments to Compensation [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Schedule of Ownership Structure of Alliance Bernstein Schedule of Other Ownership Interests [Table Text Block] Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Net cash used in financing activities Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Including Discontinued Operation Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted [Flag] Measure: Measure [Axis] Federal income taxes Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Cash distributions received from AB Cash distributions received from AB Proceeds from Dividends Received Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] Units Outstanding Capital Units [Text Block] Entire disclosure of an entity's capital units or capital shares. Schedule of Earnings Per Unit, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Total Cash Paid for AB Holding Units Purchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Value New York City unincorporated business tax (in percent) 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. Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key PEO Name PEO Name Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Violation of Home Country Law, Amount Units Outstanding Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Total Cash Paid for Open Market Purchases of AB Holding Units Payments for Repurchase of Equity Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year [Member] Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Outstanding Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Consolidated Entities [Axis] Consolidated Entities [Axis] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items] Exercise Price Award Exercise Price Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Limited Partners’ Capital Limited Partner [Member] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Limited partners: 93,303,853 and 92,184,367 limited partnership units issued and outstanding Limited Partners' Capital Account Trading Arrangement: Trading Arrangement [Axis] Total Shareholder Return Amount Total Shareholder Return Amount ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Diluted (in dollars per share) Net income per unit - Diluted (in dollars per share) Net Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Per Outstanding Limited Partnership Unit, Diluted Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Underlying Security Market Price Change Underlying Security Market Price Change, Percent Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name Schedule of Changes in Holding Units Outstanding Schedule of Capital Units [Table Text Block] Schedule of Changes in Investment in AB Schedule of Investments in and Advances to Affiliates, Schedule of Investments [Table Text Block] Total liabilities Liabilities Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost Pension Adjustments Prior Service Cost [Member] Total amount of AB Holding Units Purchased (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Partners’ capital: Partners' Capital [Abstract] AllianceBernstein Corporation AllianceBernstein Corporation [Member] AllianceBernstein Corporation [Member] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Computation of income tax [Abstract] Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Fair Value as of Grant Date Award Grant Date Fair Value Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted [Flag] General Partner: 100,000 general partnership units issued and outstanding General Partners' Capital Account Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Income tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Changes in employee benefit related items Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, before Tax, after Reclassification Adjustment, Attributable to Parent