Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 132,796	$ 198,756
Investments	189,393	134,885
Receivables - affiliates	10,542	11,651
Receivables - other, net of reserve of $190 and $60, respectively	8,573	9,577
Prepaid expenses	16,460	15,861
Current deferred tax asset, net	4,329	1,129
Other current assets	1,222	1,311
Total current assets	363,315	373,170
Long-Term Assets
Goodwill	636,182	635,313
Renewable investment advisory rights	64,600	64,500
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $58,274 and $112,502, respectively	15,240	21,012
Deferred sales commissions, net of accumulated amortization of $5,873 and $57,480, respectively	9,903	10,317
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $47,709 and $41,981, respectively	39,139	38,516
Other long-term assets	16,802	10,676
Total long-term assets	781,866	780,334
Total assets	1,145,181	1,153,504
Current Liabilities
Short-term debt - recourse	42,500	42,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	39,882	86,191
Accrued compensation and benefits	49,088	61,129
Other current liabilities	54,757	24,532
Total current liabilities	186,227	214,352
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt - recourse	329,375	361,250
Long-term deferred tax liability, net	66,910	51,380
Other long-term liabilities	32,046	32,807
Total long-term liabilities	428,331	445,437
Total liabilities	614,558	659,789
Commitments and contingencies (Note (15))
TEMPORARY EQUITY
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	519	1,543
PERMANENT EQUITY
Additional paid-in capital from treasury stock transactions	340	135
Retained earnings	1,064,552	1,036,571
Treasury stock, at cost, 25,748,016 and 25,841,365 shares Class B common stock, respectively	(771,817)	(778,609)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(12,460)	(3,695)
Total Federated Investors, Inc. shareholders' equity	528,851	491,799
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	1,253	373
Total permanent equity	530,104	492,172
Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity	1,145,181	1,153,504
Class A [Member]
PERMANENT EQUITY
Common stock	189	189
Class B [Member]
PERMANENT EQUITY
Common stock	$ 248,047	$ 237,208