Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	Retirement Plan The CDI Corporation 401(k) Saving Plan (the "Plan") is a a defined contribution retirement plan maintained for the benefit of eligible employees and qualified under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible employees may make voluntary tax deferred contributions to the Plan and the Company, at its discretion, may make matching contributions subject to certain limitations. Participants are fully vested in their contributions and in the Company's matching contributions at all times except in certain limited instances. Effective December 31, 2011, the CDI Retirement Savings Plan merged with and into the Plan. Costs of these plans are recorded to “Operating and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations and are based on either a formula using a percentage of compensation or an amount determined by the Board of Directors. Charges to income for these plans for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $2.1 million, $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

Retirement Plan

The CDI Corporation 401(k) Saving Plan (the "Plan") is a a defined contribution retirement plan maintained for the benefit of eligible employees and qualified under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible employees may make voluntary tax deferred contributions to the Plan and the Company, at its discretion, may make matching contributions subject to certain limitations. Participants are fully vested in their contributions and in the Company's matching contributions at all times except in certain limited instances. Effective December 31, 2011, the CDI Retirement Savings Plan merged with and into the Plan. Costs of these plans are recorded to “Operating and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations and are based on either a formula using a percentage of compensation or an amount determined by the Board of Directors. Charges to income for these plans for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $2.1 million, $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively.