Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012 D
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Maximum term of original or remaining maturities to classify instruments as cash equivalents (in days)	90

Represents the maximum term of original or remaining maturities for instruments to be classified as cash or cash equivalents.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_MaximumTermOfOriginalOrRemainingMaturitiesToClassifyInstrumentsAsCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration