Share-Based Compensation Nonvested Restricted Stock Units (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock Awards, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Nonvested, weighted average grant date fair value, beginning balance	$ 24.58
Granted in period, weighted average grant date fair value	27.20	[1]	$ 26.56	$ 31.07
Vested in period, weighted average grant date fair value	26.39
Forfeited in period, weighted average grant date fair value	21.96
Nonvested, weighted average grant date fair value, ending balance	$ 24.90		$ 24.58
Restricted Stock Awards, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Nonvested, beginning balance	4,025,570
Granted in period	946,570	[1]	943,160	863,137
Vested in period	(879,515)
Forfeited in period	(114,192)
Nonvested, ending balance	3,978,433		4,025,570

[1] During 2017, Federated awarded 513,570 shares of restricted Federated Class B common stock in connection with a bonus program in which certain key employees received a portion of their bonus in the form of restricted stock under the Plan. This restricted stock, which was granted on the bonus payment date and issued out of treasury, generally vests over a three-year period. Also during 2017, Federated awarded 433,000 shares of restricted Federated Class B common stock to certain key employees. These restricted stock awards generally vest over a ten-year period.