Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 426,318	$ 352,130	$ 161,210
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	18,375	18,375	18,375
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	407,943	333,755	142,835
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	(88,137)	(93,368)	(46,236)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $484, $1,080 and $894, respectively	777	1,691	1,397
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities, net of tax of $(1,427), $2,775 and $(3,689), respectively	(2,430)	4,735	(6,282)
Adjustments to pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $13,844, $(106,336) and $64,316, respectively	19,146	(212,818)	122,023
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $15,966, $15,643 and $19,228, respectively	28,165	28,160	35,755
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(42,479)	(271,600)	106,657
Comprehensive income - Pitney Bowes Inc.	$ 365,464	$ 62,155	$ 249,492