Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits (Amount Recognized In The Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Webster Pension [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other assets		$ 1,088
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(32,271)
(Underfunded) overfunded	(32,271)	1,088
Webster SERP [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(8,093)	(7,074)
(Underfunded) overfunded	(8,093)	(7,074)
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(5,126)	(4,916)
(Underfunded) overfunded	$ (5,126)	$ (4,916)