Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 49,236	$ 38,692	$ 30,622
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)	25,308	49,150	(13,267)
Net unrealized gains (losses) reclassified into net income	11	(5,152)	(1,640)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale	25,319	43,998	(14,907)
Net unrealized (losses) gains on long-term investments accounted for under the equity method	(1,784)	98	1,353
Net change in forward contracts	64	62	64
Net change in pension-related amounts
Amortization of prior service costs	0	0	2,018
Net (loss) gain arising during the year	(4,698)	9,513	1,463
Amortization of gain (loss)	1,015	2,099	(1,087)
Net change in pension-related amounts	(3,683)	11,612	2,394
Other comprehensive income (loss)	19,916	55,770	(11,096)
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities	(10,465)	(19,955)	5,387
Net unrealized (losses) gains reclassified into net income on investment securities	(5)	2,092	665
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on long-term investments	738	(40)	(549)
Forward contracts	(27)	(25)	(26)
Pension-related amounts	1,523	(4,714)	(972)
Income tax (provision) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,236)	(22,642)	4,505
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	11,680	33,128	(6,591)
Comprehensive income	60,916	71,820	24,031
Comprehensive (income) loss attributed to non-controlling interest	(12,258)	252	0
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 48,658	$ 72,072	$ 24,031