Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Revenues:
Investment management fees	$ 140,880	$ 185,914	$ 285,658	$ 368,019
Underwriting and distribution fees	146,312	171,508	292,970	338,486
Shareholder service fees	32,016	36,568	64,396	72,943
Total	319,208	393,990	643,024	779,448
Operating expenses:
Underwriting and distribution	181,245	195,762	355,081	391,182
Compensation and related costs (including share-based compensation of $12,625, $11,333, $26,147 and $23,806, respectively)	58,341	52,829	111,281	106,324
General and administrative	19,276	27,897	38,428	53,575
Subadvisory fees	2,325	2,394	4,418	4,781
Depreciation	4,260	4,064	8,622	8,098
Total	265,447	282,946	517,830	563,960
Operating income	53,761	111,044	125,194	215,488
Investment and other income (loss)	687	9	(9,531)	3,981
Interest expense	(2,776)	(2,765)	(5,544)	(5,531)
Income before provision for income taxes	51,672	108,288	110,119	213,938
Provision for income taxes	18,101	40,843	39,079	79,380
Net income	33,571	67,445	71,040	134,558
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(124)		377
Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 33,695	$ 67,445	$ 70,663	$ 134,558
Net income per share attributable to Waddell and Reed Financial, Inc. common shareholders, basic and diluted:
Net income per share attributable to Waddell and Reed Financial, Inc. common shareholders, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.41	$ 0.80	$ 0.86	$ 1.61
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted (in shares)	82,947	84,079	82,526	83,831