CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PERMANENT EQUITY (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Total Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interest	FGL	FGL Common Stock	FGL Additional Paid-in Capital	FGL Accumulated Deficit	FGL Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	FGL Total Stockholders’ Equity	FGL Noncontrolling Interest
Permanent equity, beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1,373.0	$ 1.4	$ 872.7	$ (128.1)	$ 149.4	$ 895.4	$ 477.6
Common stock, shares issued, beginning balance at Sep. 30, 2011		139,400,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	110.7			89.5		89.5	21.2
Unrealized investment gains, net	275.6				275.6	275.6
Non-credit related other-than-temporary impairments	(0.6)				(0.6)	(0.6)
Other unrealized gains	1.5				0.8	0.8	0.7
Actuarial adjustments to pension plans	(11.7)				(6.6)	(6.6)	(5.1)
Translation adjustment	(8.6)				(4.4)	(4.4)	(4.2)
Comprehensive income (loss)	366.9					354.3	12.6
Issuance (purchase) of subsidiary stock	(85.0)		(26.0)		(1.0)	(27.0)	(58.0)
Stock compensation, shares		800,000
Stock compensation	31.2		16.6			16.6	14.6
Restricted stock surrendered for tax withholding	(4.0)		(2.1)			(2.1)	(1.9)
Preferred stock dividends and accretion	(59.6)			(59.6)		(59.6)
Dividend paid by subsidiary to NCI	(23.6)						(23.6)
Permanent equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	1,598.9	1.4	861.2	(98.2)	413.2	1,177.6	421.3
Common stock, shares issued, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2012	142,381,100	140,200,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(69.0)			(45.8)		(45.8)	(23.2)
Unrealized investment gains, net	(323.5)				(323.5)	(323.5)
Non-credit related other-than-temporary impairments
Other unrealized gains	(2.5)				(1.5)	(1.5)	(1.0)
Actuarial adjustments to pension plans	5.8				4.1	4.1	1.7
Translation adjustment	(6.6)				(3.7)	(3.7)	(2.9)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(395.8)					(370.4)	(25.4)
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(1,700,000)
Repurchase of common stock, value	(12.3)		(12.3)			(12.3)
Issuance (purchase) of subsidiary stock	(77.1)		(58.8)		(0.9)	(59.7)	(17.4)
Stock compensation, shares		3,100,000
Stock compensation	57.6		44.5			44.5	13.1
Restricted stock surrendered for tax withholding	(22.3)		(13.8)			(13.8)	(8.5)
Preferred stock dividends and accretion	(48.4)			(48.4)		(48.4)
Conversion of preferred stock, shares		800,000
Conversion of preferred stock, value	7.2		7.2			7.2
NCI in acquired subsidiary	43.0						43.0
Dividend paid by subsidiary to NCI	(17.3)						(17.3)
Permanent equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013	1,133.5	1.4	828.0	(192.4)	87.7	724.7	408.8
Common stock, shares issued, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2013		142,400,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	101.7			(10.3)		(10.3)	112.0
Unrealized investment gains, net	240.7				197.7	197.7	43.0
Non-credit related other-than-temporary impairments
Other unrealized gains	11.5				6.8	6.8	4.7
Actuarial adjustments to pension plans	(5.7)				(4.0)	(4.0)	(1.7)
Translation adjustment	(32.5)				(19.1)	(19.1)	(13.4)
Comprehensive income (loss)	315.7					171.1	144.6
Repurchase of common stock, shares		(5,200,000)
Repurchase of common stock, value	(65.6)	(0.1)	(65.5)			(65.6)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues								172.6	0	(58.5)	0	(25.5)	(84.0)	256.6
Issuance (purchase) of subsidiary stock	(8.3)		(11.1)			(11.1)	2.8
Exercise of stock options, value	2.8		2.8			2.8
Stock compensation, shares		3,200,000
Stock compensation	93.0	0.1	72.3			72.4	20.6
Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Share Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units Redeemed During Period Shares		(100,000)
Restricted stock surrendered for tax withholding	(31.5)		(21.1)			(21.1)	(10.4)
Preferred stock dividends and accretion	(73.6)			(73.6)		(73.6)
Conversion of preferred stock, shares		62,000,000
Conversion of preferred stock, value	726.0	0.6	725.4			726.0
NCI in acquired subsidiary	20.7						20.7
Dividend paid by subsidiary to NCI	(28.3)						(28.3)
Permanent equity, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 2,257.0	$ 2.0	$ 1,472.3	$ (276.3)	$ 243.6	$ 1,441.6	$ 815.4
Common stock, shares issued, ending balance at Sep. 30, 2014	202,295,600	202,300,000