Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Summary of Net Periodic Benefit Costs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net loss (gain)	$ (26,949)	$ 3,832	$ 35,137
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(3,169)	(4,042)	(392)
Total loss (gain) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(30,191)	(283)	34,672
Webster Pension [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (benefits earned during the period)	40	30	175
Interest cost on benefit obligations	7,365	7,307	7,463
Expected return on plan assets	(11,114)	(10,069)	(10,550)
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0
Net amortization	6,355	6,103	2,674
Net periodic benefit cost (income) recognized in net income	2,646	3,371	(238)
Net loss (gain)	(23,238)	6,416	36,272
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(6,355)	(6,103)	(2,674)
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0
Total loss (gain) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(29,593)	313	33,598
Webster SERP [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (benefits earned during the period)	0	0	0
Interest cost on benefit obligations	289	316	350
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0
Net amortization	125	71	0
Net periodic benefit cost (income) recognized in net income	414	387	350
Net loss (gain)	(160)	353	760
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(125)	(71)	0
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0
Total loss (gain) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(285)	282	760
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (benefits earned during the period)	0	0	0
Interest cost on benefit obligations	109	177	215
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	73	73	73
Net amortization	0	107	65
Net periodic benefit cost (income) recognized in net income	182	357	353
Net loss (gain)	(239)	(698)	452
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	(107)	(65)
Amortization of prior service cost	(73)	(73)	(73)
Total loss (gain) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (312)	$ (878)	$ 314