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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Sep. 30, 2015
Sep. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Plans          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Shares available for issuance under compensation plan, in shares 4,200,000   4,200,000    
Stock-compensation expense recognized in connection with compensation plan $ 5.3 $ 3.8 $ 16.2 $ 14.3  
Tax benefit of stock-compensation expense recognized in connection with compensation plan 2.1 $ 1.4 $ 2.8 $ 4.4  
Equity Plans | Employee Stock Option          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock options, initial term     7 years    
Equity Plans | Employee Stock Option | Minimum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock compensation award, vesting period     2 years    
Equity Plans | Employee Stock Option | Maximum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock compensation award, vesting period     5 years    
Equity Plans | Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Unrecognized compensation expense $ 52.7   $ 52.7    
Vested, shares     3,992,005    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 18,363,424 [1]   18,363,424 [1]   17,654,582
Equity Plans | Restricted Stock | Minimum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock compensation award, vesting period     2 years    
Equity Plans | Restricted Stock | Maximum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock compensation award, vesting period     5 years    
Equity Plans | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Non-employee Director          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Granted, shares     157,621    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 497,570   497,570    
Equity Plans | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Unrecognized compensation expense $ 0.2   $ 0.2   $ 0.2
SAR's, initial term     5 years    
Vested, shares     0    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 400,000   400,000   400,000
Deferred Cash Award | Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock compensation award, vesting period     4 years    
Deferred cash awards, unrecognized compensation expense $ 32.4   $ 32.4    
Deferred Cash Award | Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan | Minimum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Deferred cash award, interest rate     0.70%    
Deferred Cash Award | Cowen Group, Inc. 2010 Equity and Incentive Plan | Maximum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Deferred cash award, interest rate     0.75%    
[1] Performance linked restricted stock units of 1,925,750 were awarded to employees of the Company in December 2013 and January 2014. Of the awards granted, 326,250 have been forfeited through September 30, 2015. The remaining awards, included in the outstanding balance as of September 30, 2015, will vest on June 10, 2019 and will be earned only to the extent that the Company attains specified performance goals relating to its volume-weighted average share price and the aggregate net income for the years from 2014 to 2018. The actual number of RSUs ultimately earned could vary from zero, if performance goals are not met, to as much as 100% of the targeted award. Each RSU is equal to the one share of the Company’s Class A common stock. Compensation expense is recognized to the extent that it is probable that the Company will attain the performance goals.