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Unrecognized tax benefits (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax [Abstract]      
Balance at Beginning of Year $ 18.4us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits $ 17.5us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits $ 86.9us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Tax Positions Related to Prior Years - Additions 1.7us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions 5.7us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions 13.3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions
Tax Positions Related to Prior Years - Subtractions 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions (0.6)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromPriorPeriodTaxPositions
Settlements with Tax Authorities (0.6)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities (4.8)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities (23.5)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDecreasesResultingFromSettlementsWithTaxingAuthorities
Lapses of Statute of Limitations 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations (61.1)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsReductionsResultingFromLapseOfApplicableStatuteOfLimitations
Tax Positions Taken During Current Year 0.3us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions 0us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions 2.5us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncreasesResultingFromCurrentPeriodTaxPositions
Balance at End of Year 19.8us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits 18.4us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits 17.5us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Less Tax Attributable to Temporary Items Included Above (10.4)unm_TaxAttributableToTemporaryItemsIncludedAbove (10.2)unm_TaxAttributableToTemporaryItemsIncludedAbove (15.0)unm_TaxAttributableToTemporaryItemsIncludedAbove
Total Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized Would Affect the Effective Tax Rate $ 9.4us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate $ 8.2us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate $ 2.5us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate