This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based issuances to employees during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	pzn_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalAndNoncontrollingInterestsEquityIssuance
Namespace Prefix:	pzn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Company's directors have elected to defer percentage of their compensation in the form of phantom shares of Class A common stock under director plan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pzn_DeferCompensationPercentageOfCompensationDirectorsElected
Namespace Prefix:	pzn_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net number of units issued as a result of exercise of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pzn_NetClassBUnitsIssuedFromExerciseOfOptions
Namespace Prefix:	pzn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Redemption of Class A units for cashless exercise of options in shares.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	pzn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of units redeemed for the cashless exercise of options.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	pzn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued pursuant to the terms of a deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the liabilities for all deferred compensation arrangements. Represents currently earned compensation under compensation arrangements that is not actually paid until a later date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cost not yet recognized for nonvested award under share-based payment arrangement.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period over which grantee's right to exercise award under share-based payment arrangement is no longer contingent on satisfaction of service or performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Includes, but is not limited to, combination of market, performance or service condition.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of options vested.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares issued which are neither cancelled nor held in the treasury.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Number of shares of capital stock issued (purchased by employees) in connection with an employee stock ownership plan.

+ References

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Value of stock issued in lieu of cash for services contributed to the entity. Value of the stock issued includes, but is not limited to, services contributed by vendors and founders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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Namespace Prefix:
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Balance Type:
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Compensation and Benefits - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Options exercised (in shares)	483,000			0			483,000	0
Deferred compensation liability	$ 3,590						$ 3,590		$ 1,845
Unrecorded compensation expense	$ 36,900						$ 36,900		$ 39,500
Common Class B
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Delayed Exchange Class B units issued (in shares)	5,501	237	10,399	479	896,489	547	16,137	897,515
Delayed Exchange Class B units issued							$ 100	$ 5,200
Options exercised (in shares)	28,770
Common Class B \| Maximum
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Delayed Exchange Class B units issued	$ 100			$ 100
Common Class A
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Options exercised (in shares)	59,875						59,875
Redemption of Class A units for cashless exercise of options (in shares)	265,125						265,125
Options to Purchase Operating Company Class B Units
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Net Class B units issued from exercise of options	28,770						28,770
Redemption of Class B units for cashless exercise of options (in shares)	129,230						129,230
Phantom Shares of Class A common stock \| Director Plan
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Deferred compensation percentage of compensation directors elected							100.00%
Shares outstanding (in shares)	453,385						453,385		387,516
Distributions made under Director Plan (in shares)	0			0			0	0
Equity Incentive Plan 2006
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Cash compensation paid in the form of equity									$ 4,100
Equity Incentive Plan 2006 \| Phantom Delayed Exchange Class B Units
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Vesting period for units (in years)							10 years
2007 Equity Incentive Plan \| Contingent Options to Purchase Shares of Class A Common Stock
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Contingently vesting options (in shares)	0			0			0	0
Bonus plan
Compensation Arrangements [Line Items]
Vesting period for units (in years)							4 years