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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 DTxufWVfr4TGtWlvKJkm9V2mZ9T6cvQipYs1Cl0426DR72GVqs4/2C7BYKurjaDh
 B3TqeMBawo6Rx3qk2os+gA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001190802-03-000002.txt : 20031119
<SEC-HEADER>0001190802-03-000002.hdr.sgml : 20031119
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031119155624
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001190802-03-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031119

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			REIMER RONALD C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190802

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-43687
		FILM NUMBER:		031012954

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6300 LAMAR AVE
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9132362000

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001052100
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SECURITY BROKERS, DEALERS & FLOTATION COMPANIES [6211]
		IRS NUMBER:				510261715
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6300 LAMAR AVE
		CITY:			OVERLAND PARK
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66202-4200
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9132362000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 29217
		CITY:			SHAWNEE MISSION
		STATE:			KS
		ZIP:			66201-9217
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-11-17</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001052100</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WADDELL &amp; REED FINANCIAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WDR</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001190802</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>REIMER RONALD C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>6300 LAMAR AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OVERLAND PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KS</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>66202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Class A Common</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-11-17</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>A</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>3036</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><value>21.11</value></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>9188</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNatu
re></nonDerivativeTransaction></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes/><remarks/><ownerSignature><signatureName>Ronald C. Reimer</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-11-17</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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