Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock, At Cost	Total Stockholders’ Equity Attributable To The Phoenix Companies, Inc	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Beginning balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 1.3	$ 2,631.0	$ (156.2)	$ (1,498.0)	$ (179.5)	$ 798.6	$ 1.8	$ 800.4
Issuance of shares and compensation expense on stock compensation awards		1.8
Adjustment for reverse stock split
Other comprehensive income (loss)			35.5					35.5
Treasury shares purchased
Net income (loss)				(11.1)				(11.1)
Change in noncontrolling interests							0.8
Change in stockholders' equity						26.2		27.0
Ending balance, Amount at Sep. 30, 2011	1.3	2,632.8	(120.7)	(1,509.1)	(179.5)	824.8	2.6	827.4
Beginning balance, Amount at Dec. 31, 2011	1.3	2,630.5	(230.7)	(1,528.7)	(179.5)	692.9	2.8	695.7
Issuance of shares and compensation expense on stock compensation awards		1.0
Adjustment for reverse stock split	(1.2)	1.2
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(1.3)					(1.3)
Treasury shares purchased					(3.4)
Net income (loss)				(147.7)				(147.7)
Change in noncontrolling interests							2.4
Change in stockholders' equity						(151.4)		(149.0)
Ending balance, Amount at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 0.1	$ 2,632.7	$ (232.0)	$ (1,676.4)	$ (182.9)	$ 541.5	$ 5.2	$ 546.7