CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Compensation and related costs, share-based compensation	$ 12,473wdr_ShareBasedCompensationExpense	$ 13,086wdr_ShareBasedCompensationExpense

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from share-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants or contractors.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_ShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration