Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended												0 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014 Segment	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014 FGL [Member] 6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 FGL [Member] 6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Spectrum Brands [Member] Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]	Dec. 18, 2013 Spectrum Brands [Member] Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Spectrum Brands [Member] Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Spectrum Brands [Member] Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Spectrum Brands [Member] Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Spectrum Brands [Member] 6.625% Notes [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Spectrum Brands [Member] 6.625% Notes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fgl Reinsurance Agreement With Fsr [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 HGI [Member] 7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 HGI [Member] 7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 HGI [Member] Seven Point Seven Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	Dec. 13, 2013 FGL [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Bankers Life Insurance Company [Member]	Jan. 02, 2014 The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Euro Member Countries, Euro Spectrum Brands [Member] Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]	Dec. 18, 2013 Euro Member Countries, Euro Spectrum Brands [Member] Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Euro Member Countries, Euro Spectrum Brands [Member] Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Long-term debt, interest rate				6.40%	0.00%	3.60%		3.60%	6.40%	6.40%	6.60%	6.60%		7.90%	0.00%	7.75%				3.80%		0.00%
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest																			$ 35.8
Long-term debt	5,405.2	5,405.2	4,909.7	300.0	300.0	513.7	215.0	300.0	520.0	520.0	570.0	570.0		925.0	925.0	200.0				309.2	225.0	0
Reinsurance arrangment in percentage													10.00%
Payments for reinsurance													1,400.0					153.0
Asset-based loans	$ 795.7	$ 795.7	$ 560.4
Percentage of ownership interest acquired																	80.40%
Shares Offered To Public In Initial Offering																	9,750
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share																	$ 17
Shares Offered To Underwriters In Initial Offering																	1,463
Investment Owned, Balance, Shares																	47,000
Number of reporting segments	4	4