Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 23,963	$ 33,571	$ 57,499	$ 71,040
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized appreciation of available for sale investment securities during the period, net of income tax benefit of $192, $0, $1,673, and $0, respectively	1,235	1,884	4,834	1,960
Pension and postretirement benefit, net of income tax expense of $429, $566, $894, and $1,185, respectively	727	960	1,513	2,037
Comprehensive income	25,925	36,415	63,846	75,037
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	656	(124)	1,136	377
Comprehensive income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 25,269	$ 36,539	$ 62,710	$ 74,660