Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies Principles of consolidation The consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries of the Company. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts in the 2012 and 2011 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 presentation. The Company consolidates any entity in which it has a controlling financial interest. Under the voting interest model, generally the investor that has voting control (usually more than 50% of an entity's voting interests) consolidates the entity. Under the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model, the party that has the power to direct the entity's most significant economic activities and the ability to participate in the entity's economics consolidates the entity. An entity is considered a VIE if it possesses one of the following characteristics: 1) the entity is thinly capitalized; 2) residual equity holders do not control the entity; 3) equity holders are shielded from economic losses; 4) equity holders do not participate fully in an entity's residual economics; and 5) the entity was established with non-substantive voting interests. The Company has the following significant operating joint ventures: Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”); International Financial Data Services, U.K. (“IFDS U.K.”); and International Financial Data Services, L.P. (“IFDS L.P.”). The Company does not have a controlling financial interest in these entities and therefore accounts for the operating results of these operating joint ventures using the equity method of accounting. The Company is the lessee in a series of operating leases covering a large portion of its Kansas City, Missouri-based leased office facilities. The lessors are generally joint ventures (in which the Company has a 50% ownership) that have been established specifically to purchase, finance and engage in leasing activities with the joint venture partners and unrelated third parties. Leases may not be variable interests if the lease terms are consistent with market terms at the inception of the lease and do not include a residual value guarantee, renewal options at terms other than fair value, fixed price purchase options or similar features that disproportionately obligate a company to absorb decreases in value or entitle it to participate in increases in the value of the real estate. The Company's analysis of its real estate joint ventures at December 31, 2013 indicate that none qualified as a VIE and, accordingly, they have not been consolidated. Use of estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue recognition The Company recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and it is earned. The majority of the Company's revenues are derived from computer processing and services and are recognized upon completion of the services provided. Software license fees, maintenance fees and other ancillary fees are recognized as services are provided or delivered and all customer obligations have been met. The Company generally does not have customer obligations that extend beyond one year. Revenue from equipment sales is recognized as equipment is shipped. Revenue from operating leases is recognized monthly as the rent accrues. Billing for services in advance of performance is recorded as deferred revenue. Allowances for billing adjustments and doubtful account expense are estimated as revenues are recognized and are recorded as reductions in revenues, and the annual amounts are immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes revenue when the following criteria are met: 1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; 2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; 3) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. If there is a customer acceptance provision in a contract or if there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, the associated revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are evaluated to determine if the deliverables (items) can be divided into more than one unit of accounting. An item can generally be considered a separate unit of accounting if both of the following criteria are met: 1) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and 2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the Company. Once separate units of accounting are determined, the arrangement consideration should be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method. Relative selling price is obtained from sources such as vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), which is based on the separate selling price for that or a similar item or from third-party evidence (“TPE”) such as how competitors have priced similar items. If such evidence is unavailable, the Company uses its best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”), which includes various internal factors such as our pricing strategy and market factors. It is not common for the Company to use TPE and BESP as VSOE can be established for the majority of DST's client arrangements. Software license revenues are recognized at the time the contract is signed, the software is delivered and no future software obligations exist. Deferral of software license revenue results from delayed payment provisions, disproportionate discounts between the license and other services or the inability to unbundle certain services. The Company recognizes revenues for maintenance services ratably over the contract term, after collectability has been reasonably assured. Authoritative accounting guidance related to the income statement characterization of reimbursements received for “out-of-pocket” (“OOP”) expenses incurred requires the Company to record reimbursements received for OOP expenses as revenue on an accrual basis. Because these additional revenues are offset by the reimbursable expenses incurred, it does not impact income from operations or net income. The Company's significant OOP expenses at the consolidated level include postage and telecommunication expenditures and at the segment level include print mail services between the Financial Services Segment and the Customer Communications Segment. For each segment, total revenues are reported in two categories, operating revenues and OOP reimbursements. OOP expenses are included in costs and expenses. Costs and expenses Costs and expenses include all costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, incurred by the Company to produce revenues. The Company believes that the nature of its business as well as its organizational structure, in which virtually all officers and associates have operational responsibilities, does not allow for a meaningful segregation of selling, general and administrative costs. These costs, which the Company believes to be immaterial, are also included in costs and expenses. Substantially all depreciation and amortization is directly associated with the production of revenues. Cash equivalents Short-term liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less are considered cash equivalents. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, carrying value approximates market value. Client funds/obligations Funds held on behalf of clients In connection with providing data processing services for its clients, the Company may hold client funds, comprised of funds held on behalf of transfer agency clients and funds held on behalf of pharmacy processing clients. End-of-day available client bank balances for full service mutual fund transfer agency clients are invested overnight by and in the name of the Company into credit-quality money market funds. Invested balances are returned to the full service mutual fund transfer agency client accounts the following business day. Funds received from clients for the payment of pharmacy claims incurred by its members are invested in cash and cash equivalents (credit-quality money market funds), short-term investments and available for sale debt securities until the claim payments are presented to the bank. These amounts are included in funds held on behalf of clients in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and represent assets that, based upon the Company's intent, are restricted for use. Client funding receivable Client funding receivables represent amounts due to the Company for pharmacy claims paid in advance of receiving client funding and for pharmacy claims processed for which client funding requests have not been made. Client funds obligations Client funds obligations represent the Company's contractual obligations to remit funds to satisfy client pharmacy claim obligations and are recorded on the balance sheet when incurred, generally after a claim has been processed by the Company. In addition, client funds obligations include transfer agency client balances invested overnight. Client funds obligations represent liabilities that will be repaid within one year of the balance sheet date. The Company has reported the cash flows related to the purchases of investment funds (available for sale securities) held on behalf of clients and the cash flows related to the proceeds from the sales/maturities of investment funds held on behalf of clients on a gross basis in the investing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company has reported the cash inflows and outflows related to client fund investments on a net basis within net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents held to satisfy clients fund obligations in the investing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company has reported the cash flows related to client funds used in investing activities on a net basis within net increase (decrease) in client funds obligations in the financing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Inventories Inventories are comprised primarily of paper and envelope stocks. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost for substantially all of the Company's inventories is determined on a specific identification or first-in, first-out basis. Investments The equity method of accounting is used for companies in which the Company or its subsidiaries have at least a 20% voting interest and significant influence but do not control; the cost method of accounting is used for investments of less than 20% voting interest. Partnership and similar investment interests (including investments in private equity funds where the Company is a limited partner) in which the Company has at least 5% ownership are accounted for on an equity method basis based on the Company's pro-rata ownership; the cost method of accounting is used for these investments when the Company has a de-minimus ownership percentage and does not have significant influence. Under the equity method, the Company recognizes income or losses from its pro-rata share of these unconsolidated affiliates' net income or loss, which changes the carrying value of the investment of the unconsolidated affiliate. In certain cases, pro-rata losses are recognized only to the extent of the Company's investment and advances to the unconsolidated affiliate. Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and recorded net of deferred taxes directly to stockholders' equity as accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in trading securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Investments classified as held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. Security transactions and investment income Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Security gains and losses are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, adjusted for discounts and premiums, is recorded on the accrual basis. Property and equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost with major additions and improvements capitalized. Cost includes the amount of interest cost associated with significant capital additions. Depreciation of buildings is recorded using the straight-line method over 30 to 40 years. Data processing equipment, furniture, fixtures and other equipment are depreciated using accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives, principally three to five years. Data processing software is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, generally three to five years. The Company depreciates large printing and inserting equipment used by the Customer Communications Segment using accelerated methods over a five to seven year life. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of the term of the lease or life of the improvements. The Company reviews, on a quarterly basis, its property and equipment for possible impairment. Purchased software is recorded at cost and is amortized over the estimated economic lives of three to five years. The Company capitalizes costs for the development of internal use software, including coding and software configuration costs and costs of upgrades and enhancements, after the design has been approved and management is committed to funding the project. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis, depending on the nature of the project, generally over a three to five year period. The Company reviews, on a quarterly basis, its capitalized software for possible impairment. Development costs for software that will be sold or licensed to third parties, prior to the achievement of technological feasibility, are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes software development costs for software that will be sold or licensed to third parties after the products reach technological feasibility, it has been determined that the software will result in probable future economic benefits and management has committed to funding the project. These capitalized development costs are amortized on a product-by-product basis using the greater of the amount computed by taking the ratio of current year's net revenue to current year's net revenue plus estimated future net revenues or the amount computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the product, generally three to five years. The Company evaluates the net realizable value of capitalized software development costs on a product-by-product basis. Goodwill and intangible assets The authoritative accounting guidance for goodwill and intangible assets addresses, among other things, how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements. Intangible assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 primarily represent customer relationship and other definite lived intangible assets (trade names, non-compete agreements, etc.) acquired through a business combination or third party purchase. The estimated useful life on these intangible assets ranges from 3 to 17 years. The weighted average amortization period at December 31, 2013 for customer relationships and other intangible assets is 13.9 and 9.1 years, respectively. The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill at least annually (as of October 1) and assesses identifiable intangibles, long-lived assets and related assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Intangible assets that have finite lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. The Company's assessment of goodwill for impairment includes comparing the fair value to the net book value of our reporting units. The Company's 2013 annual goodwill impairment test determined that the estimated fair value of each of the Company's reporting units substantially exceeds the carrying value of the reporting units. During 2012, the goodwill held at the Customer Communications U.K. reporting unit was impaired as further described in Note 9 of these financial statements. The fair value of the reporting units was estimated using the present value of expected future cash flows. Income taxes The Company recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income tax effects of transactions reported in different periods for financial reporting and income tax return purposes are recorded by the liability method. This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of deferred income or expense items and differences between the income tax and financial accounting statement bases of assets and liabilities and immediately recognizes changes in income tax laws upon enactment. The income statement effect is generally derived from changes in deferred income taxes on the balance sheet. From time to time, the Company enters into transactions for which the tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state tax laws is uncertain. The Company provides federal and/or state income taxes on such transactions, together with related interest, net of income tax benefit, and any applicable penalties in accordance with accounting guidance for income tax uncertainties. The Company records income tax uncertainties that are estimated to take more than 12 months to resolve as non-current. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are recorded in income tax expense. Foreign currency translation The Company's international subsidiaries use the local currency as the functional currency. The Company translates its assets and liabilities at period-end exchange rates, except for those accounts where historical rates are acceptable. Income and expense accounts are translated at average rates during the period. Earnings per share Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are determined by including the dilutive effect of all potential common shares outstanding during the year. Derivative and hedging activities Authoritative accounting guidance establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value and that the changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction. From time to time, the Company utilizes derivatives to manage interest rate and foreign currency risks. The Company does not enter into derivative arrangements for speculative purposes. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had derivative instruments outstanding which are described in Note 11 of these financial statements. Comprehensive income The Company's comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, the Company's proportional share of unconsolidated affiliates' other comprehensive income (limited by the carrying value of the investment), unrealized gains or losses on the Company's cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments which are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income net of tax and reclassifications to earnings. Share-based compensation The Company has share-based compensation plans covering its employees and its non-employee directors and has outstanding share awards (primarily in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units) under each of these plans. The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards offset by estimates of compensation costs related to awards that are not expected to vest. For share-based awards granted, the Company expenses the grant date fair value of these awards using the straight-line method over the service period. Amortization for the grant date fair value of share-based awards containing both service and performance features depends on the Company's estimated judgments on whether the performance conditions will be achieved. New authoritative accounting guidance In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” This standard requires netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. This standard is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard but does not expect it to materially impact the consolidated financial statements. On January 1, 2013, DST adopted new authoritative accounting guidance that modifies the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in the consolidated statement of income if the amount being reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference to other required disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 13 for enhanced disclosures provided as a result of the new standard.

Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries of the Company. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Certain amounts in the 2012 and 2011 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2013 presentation.

The Company consolidates any entity in which it has a controlling financial interest. Under the voting interest model, generally the investor that has voting control (usually more than 50% of an entity's voting interests) consolidates the entity. Under the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model, the party that has the power to direct the entity's most significant economic activities and the ability to participate in the entity's economics consolidates the entity. An entity is considered a VIE if it possesses one of the following characteristics: 1) the entity is thinly capitalized; 2) residual equity holders do not control the entity; 3) equity holders are shielded from economic losses; 4) equity holders do not participate fully in an entity's residual economics; and 5) the entity was established with non-substantive voting interests.

The Company has the following significant operating joint ventures: Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”); International Financial Data Services, U.K. (“IFDS U.K.”); and International Financial Data Services, L.P. (“IFDS L.P.”). The Company does not have a controlling financial interest in these entities and therefore accounts for the operating results of these operating joint ventures using the equity method of accounting.

The Company is the lessee in a series of operating leases covering a large portion of its Kansas City, Missouri-based leased office facilities. The lessors are generally joint ventures (in which the Company has a 50% ownership) that have been established specifically to purchase, finance and engage in leasing activities with the joint venture partners and unrelated third parties. Leases may not be variable interests if the lease terms are consistent with market terms at the inception of the lease and do not include a residual value guarantee, renewal options at terms other than fair value, fixed price purchase options or similar features that disproportionately obligate a company to absorb decreases in value or entitle it to participate in increases in the value of the real estate. The Company's analysis of its real estate joint ventures at December 31, 2013 indicate that none qualified as a VIE and, accordingly, they have not been consolidated.

Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and it is earned. The majority of the Company's revenues are derived from computer processing and services and are recognized upon completion of the services provided. Software license fees, maintenance fees and other ancillary fees are recognized as services are provided or delivered and all customer obligations have been met. The Company generally does not have customer obligations that extend beyond one year. Revenue from equipment sales is recognized as equipment is shipped. Revenue from operating leases is recognized monthly as the rent accrues. Billing for services in advance of performance is recorded as deferred revenue. Allowances for billing adjustments and doubtful account expense are estimated as revenues are recognized and are recorded as reductions in revenues, and the annual amounts are immaterial to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The Company recognizes revenue when the following criteria are met: 1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; 2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; 3) the sales price is fixed or determinable; and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. If there is a customer acceptance provision in a contract or if there is uncertainty about customer acceptance, the associated revenue is deferred until the Company has evidence of customer acceptance.

Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are evaluated to determine if the deliverables (items) can be divided into more than one unit of accounting. An item can generally be considered a separate unit of accounting if both of the following criteria are met: 1) the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and 2) if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in the control of the Company. Once separate units of accounting are determined, the arrangement consideration should be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method. Relative selling price is obtained from sources such as vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), which is based on the separate selling price for that or a similar item or from third-party evidence (“TPE”) such as how competitors have priced similar items. If such evidence is unavailable, the Company uses its best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”), which includes various internal factors such as our pricing strategy and market factors. It is not common for the Company to use TPE and BESP as VSOE can be established for the majority of DST's client arrangements.

Software license revenues are recognized at the time the contract is signed, the software is delivered and no future software obligations exist. Deferral of software license revenue results from delayed payment provisions, disproportionate discounts between the license and other services or the inability to unbundle certain services. The Company recognizes revenues for maintenance services ratably over the contract term, after collectability has been reasonably assured.

Authoritative accounting guidance related to the income statement characterization of reimbursements received for “out-of-pocket” (“OOP”) expenses incurred requires the Company to record reimbursements received for OOP expenses as revenue on an accrual basis. Because these additional revenues are offset by the reimbursable expenses incurred, it does not impact income from operations or net income. The Company's significant OOP expenses at the consolidated level include postage and telecommunication expenditures and at the segment level include print mail services between the Financial Services Segment and the Customer Communications Segment. For each segment, total revenues are reported in two categories, operating revenues and OOP reimbursements. OOP expenses are included in costs and expenses.

Costs and expenses

Costs and expenses include all costs, excluding depreciation and amortization, incurred by the Company to produce revenues. The Company believes that the nature of its business as well as its organizational structure, in which virtually all officers and associates have operational responsibilities, does not allow for a meaningful segregation of selling, general and administrative costs. These costs, which the Company believes to be immaterial, are also included in costs and expenses. Substantially all depreciation and amortization is directly associated with the production of revenues.

Cash equivalents

Short-term liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less are considered cash equivalents. Due to the short-term nature of these investments, carrying value approximates market value.

Client funds/obligations

Funds held on behalf of clients

In connection with providing data processing services for its clients, the Company may hold client funds, comprised of funds held on behalf of transfer agency clients and funds held on behalf of pharmacy processing clients. End-of-day available client bank balances for full service mutual fund transfer agency clients are invested overnight by and in the name of the Company into credit-quality money market funds. Invested balances are returned to the full service mutual fund transfer agency client accounts the following business day. Funds received from clients for the payment of pharmacy claims incurred by its members are invested in cash and cash equivalents (credit-quality money market funds), short-term investments and available for sale debt securities until the claim payments are presented to the bank. These amounts are included in funds held on behalf of clients in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and represent assets that, based upon the Company's intent, are restricted for use.

Client funding receivable

Client funding receivables represent amounts due to the Company for pharmacy claims paid in advance of receiving client funding and for pharmacy claims processed for which client funding requests have not been made.

Client funds obligations

Client funds obligations represent the Company's contractual obligations to remit funds to satisfy client pharmacy claim obligations and are recorded on the balance sheet when incurred, generally after a claim has been processed by the Company. In addition, client funds obligations include transfer agency client balances invested overnight. Client funds obligations represent liabilities that will be repaid within one year of the balance sheet date.

The Company has reported the cash flows related to the purchases of investment funds (available for sale securities) held on behalf of clients and the cash flows related to the proceeds from the sales/maturities of investment funds held on behalf of clients on a gross basis in the investing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company has reported the cash inflows and outflows related to client fund investments on a net basis within net (increase) decrease in restricted cash and cash equivalents held to satisfy clients fund obligations in the investing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company has reported the cash flows related to client funds used in investing activities on a net basis within net increase (decrease) in client funds obligations in the financing section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Inventories

Inventories are comprised primarily of paper and envelope stocks. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost for substantially all of the Company's inventories is determined on a specific identification or first-in, first-out basis.

Investments

The equity method of accounting is used for companies in which the Company or its subsidiaries have at least a 20% voting interest and significant influence but do not control; the cost method of accounting is used for investments of less than 20% voting interest. Partnership and similar investment interests (including investments in private equity funds where the Company is a limited partner) in which the Company has at least 5% ownership are accounted for on an equity method basis based on the Company's pro-rata ownership; the cost method of accounting is used for these investments when the Company has a de-minimus ownership percentage and does not have significant influence. Under the equity method, the Company recognizes income or losses from its pro-rata share of these unconsolidated affiliates' net income or loss, which changes the carrying value of the investment of the unconsolidated affiliate. In certain cases, pro-rata losses are recognized only to the extent of the Company's investment and advances to the unconsolidated affiliate.

Investments classified as available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and recorded net of deferred taxes directly to stockholders' equity as accumulated other comprehensive income. Investments in trading securities are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Investments classified as held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Security transactions and investment income

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Security gains and losses are calculated on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, adjusted for discounts and premiums, is recorded on the accrual basis.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost with major additions and improvements capitalized. Cost includes the amount of interest cost associated with significant capital additions. Depreciation of buildings is recorded using the straight-line method over 30 to 40 years. Data processing equipment, furniture, fixtures and other equipment are depreciated using accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives, principally three to five years. Data processing software is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, generally three to five years. The Company depreciates large printing and inserting equipment used by the Customer Communications Segment using accelerated methods over a five to seven year life. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the lesser of the term of the lease or life of the improvements. The Company reviews, on a quarterly basis, its property and equipment for possible impairment.

Purchased software is recorded at cost and is amortized over the estimated economic lives of three to five years. The Company capitalizes costs for the development of internal use software, including coding and software configuration costs and costs of upgrades and enhancements, after the design has been approved and management is committed to funding the project. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis, depending on the nature of the project, generally over a three to five year period. The Company reviews, on a quarterly basis, its capitalized software for possible impairment.

Development costs for software that will be sold or licensed to third parties, prior to the achievement of technological feasibility, are expensed as incurred. The Company capitalizes software development costs for software that will be sold or licensed to third parties after the products reach technological feasibility, it has been determined that the software will result in probable future economic benefits and management has committed to funding the project. These capitalized development costs are amortized on a product-by-product basis using the greater of the amount computed by taking the ratio of current year's net revenue to current year's net revenue plus estimated future net revenues or the amount computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the product, generally three to five years. The Company evaluates the net realizable value of capitalized software development costs on a product-by-product basis.

Goodwill and intangible assets

The authoritative accounting guidance for goodwill and intangible assets addresses, among other things, how goodwill and other intangible assets should be accounted for after they have been initially recognized in the financial statements. Intangible assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 primarily represent customer relationship and other definite lived intangible assets (trade names, non-compete agreements, etc.) acquired through a business combination or third party purchase. The estimated useful life on these intangible assets ranges from 3 to 17 years. The weighted average amortization period at December 31, 2013 for customer relationships and other intangible assets is 13.9 and 9.1 years, respectively.

The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill at least annually (as of October 1) and assesses identifiable intangibles, long-lived assets and related assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Intangible assets that have finite lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

The Company's assessment of goodwill for impairment includes comparing the fair value to the net book value of our reporting units. The Company's 2013 annual goodwill impairment test determined that the estimated fair value of each of the Company's reporting units substantially exceeds the carrying value of the reporting units. During 2012, the goodwill held at the Customer Communications U.K. reporting unit was impaired as further described in Note 9 of these financial statements. The fair value of the reporting units was estimated using the present value of expected future cash flows.

Income taxes

The Company recognizes the amount of income taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income tax effects of transactions reported in different periods for financial reporting and income tax return purposes are recorded by the liability method. This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of deferred income or expense items and differences between the income tax and financial accounting statement bases of assets and liabilities and immediately recognizes changes in income tax laws upon enactment. The income statement effect is generally derived from changes in deferred income taxes on the balance sheet.

From time to time, the Company enters into transactions for which the tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state tax laws is uncertain. The Company provides federal and/or state income taxes on such transactions, together with related interest, net of income tax benefit, and any applicable penalties in accordance with accounting guidance for income tax uncertainties. The Company records income tax uncertainties that are estimated to take more than 12 months to resolve as non-current. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are recorded in income tax expense.

Foreign currency translation

The Company's international subsidiaries use the local currency as the functional currency. The Company translates its assets and liabilities at period-end exchange rates, except for those accounts where historical rates are acceptable. Income and expense accounts are translated at average rates during the period.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share are determined by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share are determined by including the dilutive effect of all potential common shares outstanding during the year.

Derivative and hedging activities

Authoritative accounting guidance establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value and that the changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedge transaction and, if it is, the type of hedge transaction. From time to time, the Company utilizes derivatives to manage interest rate and foreign currency risks. The Company does not enter into derivative arrangements for speculative purposes. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had derivative instruments outstanding which are described in Note 11 of these financial statements.

Comprehensive income

The Company's comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities, the Company's proportional share of unconsolidated affiliates' other comprehensive income (limited by the carrying value of the investment), unrealized gains or losses on the Company's cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments which are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income net of tax and reclassifications to earnings.

Share-based compensation

The Company has share-based compensation plans covering its employees and its non-employee directors and has outstanding share awards (primarily in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units) under each of these plans. The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards offset by estimates of compensation costs related to awards that are not expected to vest. For share-based awards granted, the Company expenses the grant date fair value of these awards using the straight-line method over the service period. Amortization for the grant date fair value of share-based awards containing both service and performance features depends on the Company's estimated judgments on whether the performance conditions will be achieved.

New authoritative accounting guidance

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” This standard requires netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. This standard is effective prospectively for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this standard but does not expect it to materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2013, DST adopted new authoritative accounting guidance that modifies the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in the consolidated statement of income if the amount being reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. For other amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference to other required disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 13 for enhanced disclosures provided as a result of the new standard.