Income Tax Uncertainties (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Uncertainties
Estimated decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12-month period, low end of range	$ 0.1
Estimated decrease in unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12-month period, high end of range	2.2
Estimated decrease in unrecognized tax benefits net of federal benefits within the next 12-month period, low end of range	0.1
Estimated decrease in unrecognized tax benefits net of federal benefits within the next 12-month period, high end of range	$ 1.5

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeTaxDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The estimated lower bound of the reasonably possible change in the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit (that will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date) for a tax position taken.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeLowerBound
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated upper bound of the reasonably possible change in the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit (that will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date) for a tax position taken.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeUpperBound
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The low end of the range of the estimated change in the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit net of federal tax benefits (that will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date) for a tax position taken.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wdr_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeLowerBoundNetOfFederalTaxBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The high end of the range of the estimated change in the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit net of federal tax benefits (that will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the balance sheet date) for a tax position taken.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	wdr_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleEstimatedRangeOfChangeUpperBoundNetOfFederalTaxBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant