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Share-Based Compensation and Employee Ownership Plans Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Plans      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares available for issuance under compensation plan, in shares 900,000    
Stock-compensation expense recognized in connection with compensation plan $ 21.7 $ 18.3 $ 17.9
Tax benefit of stock-compensation expense recognized in connection with compensation plan $ 5.0 $ 6.0 $ 9.7
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 $ 60.4    
Vested, shares 4,188,289 4,071,120  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number 21,480,364 [1] 17,654,582 13,551,544
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    
Equity Plans | Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Unrecognized compensation expense $ 0.1 $ 0.2  
SAR's, initial term 5 years    
Vested, shares 0 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 $ 28.3    
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 December 31, 2015. The remaining awards, included in the outstanding balance as of December 31, 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.