XML 141 R126.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.4.0.3

Employment Benefit Plans Stock Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 4 Months Ended | 8 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based compensation expense [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized |  |  |  | 4,000,000 |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant |  |  |  | 3,356,429 |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Other Labor-related Expenses |  |  |  | $ 892 | $ 190
Predecessor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | $ (60) |  |  |  |
Stock Based Compensation | 0 |  |  |  |
StockBasedCompensationNetofTax | 0 |  |  |  |
Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense |  | $ 1,106 | $ 1,106 | 3,105 | 3,450
Total stock-based compensation (after-tax) |  |  | 1,106 | 3,105 | 3,450
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Predecessor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | 0 |  |  |  |
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense |  |  | 56 | 956 | 444
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Predecessor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | 0 |  |  |  |
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense |  |  | 1,050 | 1,257 | 2,816
Performance Shares [Member] | Predecessor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense | $ 0 |  |  |  |
Performance Shares [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense |  |  | $ 0 | 892 | $ 190
Ambac UK [Member] | Performance Shares [Member] | Successor [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Other Labor-related Expenses |  |  |  | $ 253 |

X
- Definition Share-based compensation expense [Abstract] + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_SharebasedcompensationexpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition All amounts related to share-based compensation plans. Includes the value of stock issued during the period as a result of any share-based compensation plans and the amount of share-based compensation recognized in the statement of operations. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_StockBasedCompensation
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition StockBasedCompensationNetofTax + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ambc_StockBasedCompensationNetofTax
Namespace Prefix: | ambc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27013229&loc=d3e301413-122809 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (h)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section F + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of expense, net of income tax, recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpenseNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of payroll tax expense, compensation, postemployment and benefit-related expenses not elsewhere specified in the taxonomy (such as health plan, profit sharing, incentives, tuition reimbursement, other fringe benefits and perquisites) incurred in the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherLaborRelatedExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition 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. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_PredecessorMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_SuccessorMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_PerformanceSharesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=ambc_AmbacUkMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |