Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,262	$ 67,585
Investments—affiliates	141,471	136,023
Investments—consolidated investment companies	126,291	51,073
Investments—other	4,490	3,947
Receivables, net of reserve of $50 and $50, respectively	27,019	24,120
Prepaid expenses	12,146	12,986
Other current assets	5,190	4,328
Total current assets	394,869	300,062
Long-Term Assets
Goodwill	649,014	648,820
Renewable investment advisory rights	68,595	68,455
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $44,367 and $44,224, respectively	8,593	10,582
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $55,873 and $50,910, respectively	41,000	38,912
Other long-term assets	21,032	23,230
Total long-term assets	788,234	789,999
Total assets	1,183,103	1,090,061
Current Liabilities
Short-term debt	60,208	42,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	40,744	45,255
Accrued compensation and benefits	53,972	68,172
Other current liabilities	21,308	25,207
Total current liabilities	176,232	181,134
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt	226,667	276,250
Long-term deferred tax liability, net	117,062	99,399
Other long-term liabilities	22,782	29,334
Total long-term liabilities	366,511	404,983
Total liabilities	542,743	586,117
Commitments and contingencies (Note (12))
TEMPORARY EQUITY
Redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	90,408	7,268
PERMANENT EQUITY
Additional paid-in capital from treasury stock transactions	45	0
Retained earnings	1,017,816	984,505
Treasury stock, at cost, 24,919,835 and 25,064,280 shares Class B common stock, respectively	(755,878)	(760,022)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(2,001)	(2,937)
Total Federated Investors, Inc. shareholders' equity	550,191	495,432
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	(239)	1,244
Total permanent equity	549,952	496,676
Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity	1,183,103	1,090,061
Class A [Member]
PERMANENT EQUITY
Common stock	189	189
Class B [Member]
PERMANENT EQUITY
Common stock	$ 290,020	$ 273,697