EQUITY BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (Compensation and Benefits, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Expense associated with equity based compensation
Equity based expenses	$ 81,650	$ 114,341
Equity Incentive Plan Units
Expense associated with equity based compensation
Equity based expenses	27,418	16,263
KKR Holdings Principal Awards
Expense associated with equity based compensation
Equity based expenses	32,837	73,889
KKR Holdings Restricted Equity Units
Expense associated with equity based compensation
Equity based expenses	1,463	4,129
Discretionary Compensation
Expense associated with equity based compensation
Equity based expenses	$ 19,932	$ 20,060