Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Net income	$ 34,562	$ 44,256	$ 90,227	$ 67,320
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale investment securities during the period, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $402, $53, $919 and $(298), respectively	1,281	169	(962)	2,939
Postretirement benefit, net of income tax benefit of $(28), $(7), $(58) and $(15), respectively	(95)	(23)	(46)	(189)
Comprehensive income	35,748	44,402	89,219	70,070
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	614	(222)	(588)	1,318
Comprehensive income attributable to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.	$ 35,134	$ 44,624	$ 89,807	$ 68,752