Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 1,160,301	$ 1,157,144	$ 1,239,023
Operating expenses:
Distribution	456,832	432,264	485,981
Compensation and benefits (including share-based compensation of $51,565, $57,716 and $51,514, respectively)	263,329	271,276	267,839
General and administrative	73,643	88,951	80,820
Technology	65,275	66,078	63,045
Occupancy	27,197	30,721	31,406
Marketing and advertising	10,323	12,425	13,080
Depreciation	25,649	20,983	18,358
Subadvisory fees	14,805	13,174	9,572
Intangible asset impairment	1,200	1,500	9,749
Total	938,253	937,372	979,850
Operating income	222,048	219,772	259,173
Investment and other income (loss)	22,705	37,084	(8,058)
Interest expense	(6,461)	(11,279)	(11,122)
Income before provision for income taxes	238,292	245,577	239,993
Provision for income taxes	55,480	101,368	81,884
Net income	182,812	144,209	158,109
Net (loss) income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(776)	2,930	1,414
Net income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 183,588	$ 141,279	$ 156,695
Net income per share attributable to Waddell and Reed Financial, Inc. common shareholders, basic and diluted:	$ 2.28	$ 1.69	$ 1.90
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted:	80,468	83,573	82,668
Investment management fees
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 507,906	$ 531,850	$ 557,112
Underwriting and distribution fees
Revenues:
Total Revenues	550,010	518,699	561,670
Shareholder service fees
Revenues:
Total Revenues	$ 102,385	$ 106,595	$ 120,241