Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 101,015	$ 58,007	$ 90,750
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)	681	(1,056)	(6,655)
Net unrealized (gains) losses reclassified into net income	(118)	1,121	296
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities available for sale	563	65	(6,359)
Net change in forward contracts	0	0	2
Net change in pension-related amounts
Amortization of prior service costs	(33)	0	0
Net gain (loss) arising during the year	1,454	(3,723)	1,768
Amortization of loss	1,961	1,763	1,955
Net change in pension-related amounts	3,382	(1,960)	3,723
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,945	(1,895)	(2,634)
Income tax effect on:
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities	(187)	290	2,707
Net unrealized (gains) losses reclassified into net income on investment securities	32	(308)	(120)
Pension-related amounts	(919)	538	(1,279)
Income tax (provision) benefit on other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,074)	520	1,308
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,871	(1,375)	(1,326)
Comprehensive income	103,886	56,632	89,424
Comprehensive (income) loss attributed to non-controlling interest	(41)	98	(6,178)
Comprehensive income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 103,845	$ 56,730	$ 83,246