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Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Registrant Name dei_EntityRegistrantName PENN SERIES FUNDS INC
Prospectus Date rr_ProspectusDate May 01, 2012
PENN SERIES LARGE CORE VALUE FUND
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Risk/Return [Heading] rr_RiskReturnHeading FUND SUMMARY: LARGE CORE VALUE FUND
Objective [Heading] rr_ObjectiveHeading Investment Objective
Objective, Primary [Text Block] rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock The investment objective of the Large Core Value Fund (the “Fund”) is to seek total return.
Expense [Heading] rr_ExpenseHeading Fund Fees and Expenses
Expense Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. The information in this table and the Example that follows does not reflect charges and fees deducted under your insurance contract. These charges and fees will increase expenses.
Operating Expenses Caption [Text] rr_OperatingExpensesCaption Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover [Heading] rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio Turnover [Text Block] rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 51% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate 51.00%
Expense Example [Heading] rr_ExpenseExampleHeading Example
Expense Example Narrative [Text Block] rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs would be the same whether you stayed in the Fund or sold your shares at the end of each period. Although your actual costs and returns might be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Strategy [Heading] rr_StrategyHeading Principal Investment Strategy
Strategy Narrative [Text Block] rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock The Fund invests primarily in value stocks of large capitalization companies. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in securities of large capitalization companies. This policy may be changed without the vote of shareholders but shareholders will be given 60 days’ advance notice of any change. For this Fund, large capitalization companies are those companies having market capitalizations equal to or greater than the median capitalization of companies included in the Russell 1000 Value Index at the time of purchase (as of March 31, 2012, the median capitalization was $5.03 billion). Because the Fund’s definition of large capitalization companies is dynamic, it will change with the markets. Value stocks are stocks that, in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser, are inexpensive or undervalued relative to the overall stock market.

The Fund primarily invests in dividend-paying stocks. The Fund may also invest in fixed income securities, such as convertible debt securities, of any credit quality (including securities rated below investment grade (“junk bonds”)), real estate investment trusts and non-income producing stocks. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities, some of which may be located in emerging market countries. Securities of foreign issuers that are represented by American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are not subject to this restriction.

The Sub-Adviser may consider a company’s earnings or cash flow capabilities, dividend prospects, financial strength, growth potential, the strength of the company’s business franchises and management team, sustainability of a company’s competitiveness, and estimates of a company’s net value when selecting securities. The Sub-Adviser may sell a security when the Sub-Adviser’s price objective for the security is reached, the fundamentals of the company deteriorate, a security’s price falls below acquisition cost or to pursue more attractive investment options.

The Fund may buy and sell portfolio securities actively. If it does, its portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs will rise, which may lower Fund performance.
Risk [Heading] rr_RiskHeading Principal Risks of Investing
Risk Narrative [Text Block] rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock Market Risk. Equity markets rise and fall daily. As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.

Equity Risk. The prices of equity securities rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time.

Large-Cap Risk. Large-cap stocks tend to go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. During a period when large-cap stocks fall behind other types of investments — small-cap stocks, for instance — the Fund’s performance could be reduced.

“Value” Investing Risk. Because of its “value” style of investing, the Fund could suffer losses or produce poor results relative to other funds, even in a rising market, if the Sub-Adviser’s assessment of a company’s value or prospects for exceeding earnings expectations or market conditions is wrong.

Depositary Receipt Risk. ADRs are subject to the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. In addition, investments in ADRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.

Foreign Investment Risk. The Fund’s investments in securities of foreign issuers, including ADRs, may involve certain risks that are greater than those associated with investments in securities of U.S. issuers. These include risks of adverse changes in foreign economic, political, regulatory and other conditions; changes in currency exchange rates or exchange control regulations (including limitations on currency movements and exchanges); differing accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices; differing securities market structures; and higher transaction costs.

Currency Risk. As a result of the Fund’s investments in securities denominated in, and/or receiving revenues in, foreign currencies, the Fund will be subject to currency risk. This is the risk that those currencies will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency hedged. In either event, the dollar value of an investment in the Fund would be adversely affected.

Emerging Market Risk. Emerging markets may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in market or economic conditions than more developed countries. Such countries often have less uniformity in accounting and reporting requirements, unreliable securities valuation and greater risk associated with the custody of securities. As a result, there will tend to be an increased risk of price volatility associated with the Fund’s investments in emerging market countries.

Corporate Debt Securities Risk. Corporate debt securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligation and may also be subject to price volatility due to such factors as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity. When interest rates rise, the value of corporate debt securities can be expected to decline. Debt securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to interest rate movements than those with shorter maturities.

Interest Rate Risk. The risk that the value of fixed income securities, including U.S. Government securities, will fall due to rising interest rates.

Credit Risk. The risk that the issuer of a security, or the counterparty to a contract, will default or otherwise become unable to honor a financial obligation.

High Yield Bond Risk. Investing in fixed income securities rated below investment grade (high yield or junk bonds) involves additional risks, including credit risk. High yield bonds are considered speculative with respect to their issuers’ ability to make timely payments or otherwise honor its obligations.

Prepayment and Extension Risk. Fixed income securities may be paid off earlier or later than expected. Either situation could cause the Fund to hold securities paying lower-than-market rates of interest, which could hurt the Fund’s yield or share price.

U.S. Government Securities Risk. Some of the U.S. government securities that the Fund invests in are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, which means they are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. Also, any government guarantees on securities the Fund owns do not extend to shares of the Fund.

REITs Risk. The Fund’s investments in REITs will be subject to the risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate, including fluctuations in the value of underlying properties, defaults by borrowers or tenants, changes in interest rates and risks related to general or local economic conditions. REITs are also subject to certain additional risks, for example, REITs, are dependent upon specialized management skills and cash flows, and may have their investments in relatively few properties, a small geographic area or a single property type. In addition, REITs have their own expenses, and the Fund will bear a proportionate share of those expenses.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may buy and sell portfolio securities actively. If it does, its portfolio turnover rate and transaction costs will rise, which may lower the Fund’s performance.

Liquidity Risk. A particular investment may be difficult to purchase or sell. The Fund may be unable to sell illiquid securities at an advantageous time or price.

An investment in the Fund may be appropriate for investors who are willing to accept the risks and uncertainties of investing in common stocks in the hope of earning long-term growth of capital and income.
Risk Lose Money [Text] rr_RiskLoseMoney As with any investment whose performance is tied to these markets, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate, which means that you could lose money.
Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading] rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading Performance Information
Performance Narrative [Text Block] rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock The bar chart and table below show the performance of the Fund both year-by-year and as an average over different periods of time. The bar chart and table demonstrate the variability of performance over time and provide an indication of the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with those of a broad-based securities market index. Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. This performance information does not include the impact of any charges deducted under your insurance contract. If it did, returns would be lower.
Performance Information Illustrates Variability of Returns [Text] rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns The bar chart and table below show the performance of the Fund both year-by-year and as an average over different periods of time. The bar chart and table demonstrate the variability of performance over time and provide an indication of the risks and volatility of an investment in the Fund by showing how the Fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with those of a broad-based securities market index.
Performance Past Does Not Indicate Future [Text] rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture Past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future.
Bar Chart Does Not Reflect Sales Loads [Text] rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads This performance information does not include the impact of any charges deducted under your insurance contract. If it did, returns would be lower.
Bar Chart Closing [Text Block] rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock

 

Best Quarter    Worst Quarter
14.96%    -16.11%
09/30/09    09/30/11
Performance Table Heading rr_PerformanceTableHeading
Average Annual Total Return (for Periods Ended December 31, 2011)
PENN SERIES LARGE CORE VALUE FUND | Large Core Value Fund
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
Investment Advisory Fees rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets 0.60%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets none
Other Expenses rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets 0.29%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses rr_ExpensesOverAssets 0.89%
1 Year rr_ExpenseExampleYear01 91
3 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear03 284
5 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear05 493
10 Years rr_ExpenseExampleYear10 1,096
2009 rr_AnnualReturn2009 16.76%
2010 rr_AnnualReturn2010 10.44%
2011 rr_AnnualReturn2011 (4.19%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel Best Quarter
Highest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn 14.96%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel Worst Quarter
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate Sep. 30, 2011
Lowest Quarterly Return rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn (16.11%)
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 (4.19%)
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception (3.05%)
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 25, 2008
PENN SERIES LARGE CORE VALUE FUND | Russell 1000 Value Index (reflects no deduction for expenses and taxes)
  
Risk/Return: rr_RiskReturnAbstract  
1 Year rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01 0.39%
Since Inception rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception 0.10%
Inception Date rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate Aug. 25, 2008