Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis
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Fair value portion of debt instrument payable, including, but not limited to, notes payable and loans payable.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13476-108611

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtNoncurrent
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Represents the period for which the minimum ratio of consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense is required to be maintained under financial covenants.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceConsolidatedInterestCoverageMinimumRatioConsecutiveQuartersNumber
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Represents the period for which the maximum ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated adjusted earnings before, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization is required to be maintained under financial covenants.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantComplianceConsolidatedLeverageMaximumRatioConsecutiveQuartersNumber
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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
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Represents the ratio of consolidated adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization to interest expense necessary to be maintained under the terms of the senior credit facilities' covenants.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedInterestCoverageRatio
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Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
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Represents the ratio of consolidated total debt to consolidated adjusted earnings before, interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization allowed under the terms of the senior credit facilities' covenants.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_DebtInstrumentCovenantConsolidatedLeverageRatio
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of tranches in which debt has been issued.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_IssuanceOfDebtInTranchesNumber
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the amount that the borrowing capacity under the credit facility can be expanded to at the option of lenders upon the entity's request.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_LineOfCreditFacilityAmountUptoWhichBorrowingCapacityCanBeExpanded
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the term of the credit facility.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_LineOfCreditFacilityTerm
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wdr_NewCreditFacilityMember
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wdr_Senior5.0PercentUnsecuredNotesDue2018Member
Namespace Prefix:
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Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=wdr_Senior5.60PercentUnsecuredNotesDue2011Member
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