Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013	Apr. 06, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Maximum [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Minimum [Member]	Jul. 31, 2012 FGL [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 FGL [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Spectrum Brands [Member]
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]
Reserves for legal, environmental and regulatory matters	$ 18.1
Environmental costs recognized, capitalized								4.8
Accrued amount of guaranty fund assessments							4.8
Estimated future premium tax deductions							4.6
Pre-tax charge, net of reinsurance, to increase reserves to cover potential benefits payable						11.0
Administrative costs and potential liabilities							2.0
Estimated range of external legal costs				3.0	1.0
Notional amount of unfunded, legally binding lending commitments	226.6
Expiration of partial amount of unfunded, legally binding lending commitments	20.9
Expiry date of partial amount of notional amount				1 year
Expiry date of remainder part of notional amount				5 years	1 year
Statutory Accounting Practices, Change in Statutory Capital and Surplus Required as a Result of Electing New Statutory Accounting Practice		11.5
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Unassigned Balance Netted Against Additional Paid in Capital			$ 805.8