Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits (Summary Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Webster Pension [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost (benefits earned during the period)	$ 175	$ 250	$ 250
Interest cost on benefit obligations	7,463	7,270	6,971
Expected return on plan assets	(10,550)	(10,008)	(8,190)
Recognized net loss	2,674	2,250	3,363
Net periodic (income) benefit cost recognized in net income	(238)	(238)	2,394
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	36,272	5,337	(6,917)
Amortization of net (loss) gain	(2,674)	(2,250)	(3,363)
Total (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	33,598	3,087	(10,280)
Total recognized in total comprehensive income (loss)	33,360	2,849	(7,886)
Webster SERP [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost on benefit obligations	350	360	436
Settlement			(87)
Net periodic (income) benefit cost recognized in net income	350	360	349
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	760	434	668
Total (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	760	434	668
Total recognized in total comprehensive income (loss)	1,110	794	1,017
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost on benefit obligations	215	241	258
Amortization of prior service cost	73	73	73
Recognized net loss	65	22
Net periodic (income) benefit cost recognized in net income	353	336	331
Current year actuarial (gain) loss	452	691	222
Amortization of prior service cost	(73)	(73)	(73)
Amortization of net (loss) gain	(65)	(22)
Total (gain) loss recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	314	596	149
Total recognized in total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 667	$ 932	$ 480