Consolidated Obligations CO Bonds - Year of Contractual Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Short-term and Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Due in one year or less		$ 9,455,725	$ 9,638,270
Due in one year or less, weighted average rate	[1]	2.03%	2.01%
Due after one year through two years		$ 6,442,960	$ 5,375,845
Due after one year through two years, weighted average rate	[1]	2.02%	2.24%
Due after two years through three years		$ 2,154,920	$ 3,864,560
Due after two years through three years, weighted average rate	[1]	2.18%	2.17%
Due after three years through four years		$ 1,319,915	$ 1,891,975
Due after three years through four years, weighted average rate	[1]	2.45%	2.20%
Due after four years through five years		$ 1,211,080	$ 1,338,515
Due after four years through five years, weighted average rate	[1]	2.48%	2.39%
Thereafter		$ 3,220,205	$ 3,792,150
Thereafter, weighted average rate	[1]	3.33%	3.25%
Total par value		$ 23,804,805	$ 25,901,315
Hedging adjustments		32,066	(22,527)
Total		$ 23,888,493	$ 25,912,684
COs - bonds [Member]
Schedule of Short-term and Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Total par value, weighted average rate	[1]	2.26%	2.30%
Premiums		$ 63,056	$ 49,118
Discounts		$ (11,434)	$ (15,222)

[1] The CO bonds' weighted-average rate excludes concession fees.