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Location of Gains and Losses on Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Instruments (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) $ 10.3us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet $ 10.6us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
Interest Rate Swaps | Net Investment Income    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) 12.5us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
11.7us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
Interest Rate Swaps | Net Realized Investments Gain (Loss)    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= unm_NetRealizedInvestmentsGainLossMember
2.5us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= unm_NetRealizedInvestmentsGainLossMember
Interest Rate Swaps | Interest Expense    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) (0.5)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
(0.4)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InterestExpenseMember
Foreign Exchange Contracts    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) 42.3us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
12.9us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
Foreign Exchange Contracts | Net Investment Income    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) (0.5)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
(1.1)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
Foreign Exchange Contracts | Net Realized Investments Gain (Loss)    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss)    
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) $ (1.2)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= unm_NetRealizedInvestmentsGainLossMember
$ (2.1)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeContractMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= unm_NetRealizedInvestmentsGainLossMember