Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Net income including the noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	$ 294,901	$ 221,514	$ 171,986
Permanent Equity
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale	1,642	3,029	(4,049)
Reclassification adjustment related to securities available for sale	(2,521)	1,674	1,380
Foreign currency items	612	(617)	(547)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap	0	0	42
Reclassification adjustment related to interest rate swap	0	0	227
Temporary Equity
Foreign currency translation loss	0	(13)	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(267)	4,073	(2,947)
Comprehensive income including noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	294,634	225,587	169,039
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	3,084	3,189	(1,263)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	476	9,393	3,442
Comprehensive income attributable to Federated Investors, Inc.	$ 291,074	$ 213,005	$ 166,860