Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Attributable to Federated Shareholders Schedule (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance		$ 595,784	$ 648,972		$ 609,652
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		(267)	4,073		(2,947)
Balance		761,215	595,784		648,972
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance		(523)	(4,609)		(1,662)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications and tax		3,321	3,811		(7,187)
Tax impact		(1,067)	(1,399)		2,633
Reclassification adjustment, before tax		(3,854)	2,632		2,543
Tax impact		1,333	(958)		(936)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		(267)	4,086		(2,947)
Balance		(790)	(523)		(4,609)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	[1]	0	0		(269)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications and tax	[1]	0	0		67
Tax impact	[1]	0	0		(25)
Reclassification adjustment, before tax	[1]	0	0		358
Tax impact	[1]	0	0		(131)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	[1]	0	0		269
Balance	[1]	0	0		0
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance	[2]	908	(3,795)		(1,126)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications and tax	[2]	2,546	4,761		(6,412)
Tax impact	[2]	(904)	(1,732)		2,363
Reclassification adjustment, before tax	[2]	(3,854)	2,632	[3]	2,185
Tax impact	[2]	1,333	(958)	[3]	(805)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	[2]	(879)	4,703		(2,669)
Balance	[2]	29	908		(3,795)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance		(1,431)	(814)		(267)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, before reclassifications and tax		775	(950)		(842)
Tax impact		(163)	333		295
Reclassification adjustment, before tax		0	0		0
Tax impact		0	0		0
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax		612	(617)		(547)
Balance		(819)	(1,431)		(814)
Retained Earnings [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Balance		529,749	545,785		505,394
Balance		$ 697,359	$ 529,749		$ 545,785
Retained Earnings [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2015-02 [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements						$ (831)

[1] Federated entered into an interest rate swap in 2010 to hedge its interest rate risk associated with its original term facility. The interest rate swap expired on April 1, 2015. Amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax were recorded in Debt expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

[2] Other than described in note 3 below, amounts reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax were recorded in Gain (loss) on securities, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

[3] Amount includes reclassification of $0.8 million, net of tax from Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax to Retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the adoption of the new consolidation guidance.