Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 33,571	$ 67,445	$ 71,040	$ 134,558
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of available for sale investment securities during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $0, $(8), $0, and $5, respectively	1,884	(4,974)	1,960	(3,164)
Pension and postretirement benefits, net of income tax expense of $566, $397, $1,185 and $951, respectively	960	933	2,037	1,876
Comprehensive income	36,415	63,404	75,037	133,270
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(124)		377
Comprehensive income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 36,539	$ 63,404	$ 74,660	$ 133,270