Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 45,971	$ 34,351
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of available for sale investment securities during the period, net of income tax benefit of $(691) and $(1,481), respectively	(1,131)	3,599
Postretirement benefit, net of income tax benefit of $(114) and $(17) respectively	(23)	(29)
Comprehensive income	44,817	37,921
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(366)	480
Comprehensive income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 45,183	$ 37,441