Consolidated Statements of Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements of Income
Compensation and related costs, share-based compensation	$ 47,518	$ 54,144	$ 53,179

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from share-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants or contractors.

No definition available.

Name:	wdr_ShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	wdr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration