Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 316,264	$ 104,839
Investments—affiliates	1,579	130,785
Investments—consolidated investment companies	45,411	58,072
Investments—other	6,284	7,453
Receivables, net of reserve of $60 and $84, respectively	53,482	44,804
Prepaid expenses	11,747	9,994
Other current assets	2,507	3,813
Total current assets	437,274	359,760
Long-Term Assets
Goodwill	660,040	659,189
Renewable investment advisory contracts	73,878	70,378
Other intangible assets, net	2,997	3,570
Property and equipment, net	37,670	39,280
Other long-term assets	19,551	22,930
Total long-term assets	794,136	795,347
Total assets	1,231,410	1,155,107
Current Liabilities
Line of Credit, Current	0
Short-term debt		25,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	47,595	54,177
Accrued compensation and benefits	74,572	74,745
Other current liabilities	6,682	8,116
Total current liabilities	128,849	162,538
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt - line of credit	170,000
Long-term debt		165,750
Long-term deferred tax liability, net	117,620	176,686
Other long-term liabilities	23,563	22,987
Total long-term liabilities	311,183	365,423
Total liabilities	440,032	527,961
Commitments and contingencies (Note (17))
Temporary Equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	30,163	31,362
Permanent Equity
Retained earnings	697,359	529,749
Treasury stock, at cost, 8,405,003 and 7,515,773 shares Class B common stock, respectively	(278,732)	(255,382)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(790)	(523)
Total Federated Investors, Inc. shareholders' equity	761,215	594,826
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	0	958
Total permanent equity	761,215	595,784
Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity	1,231,410	1,155,107
Class A [Member]
Permanent Equity
Common stock	189	189
Class B [Member]
Permanent Equity
Common stock	$ 343,189	$ 320,793