Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 252,111	$ 199,025	$ 362,193
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(5,029), $(4,923) and $(543)	(9,057)	(8,866)	(979)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $6,068, $1,631 and $118,292	(10,930)	(2,939)	(213,058)
Net change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(11,097), $(6,554) and $(118,835)	(19,987)	(11,805)	(214,037)
Net unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(5,174), $(6,837) and $865	(36,477)	(43,307)	22,900
Less: reclassification adjustment for foreign exchange (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $149 and $0	0	(267)	0
Net change in unrealized foreign exchange gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(5,174), $(6,986) and $865	(36,477)	(43,574)	22,900
Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $0 and $(9)	0	0	(15)
Less: reclassification adjustment for derivative (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $(95) and $0	0	169	0
Net change in unrealized derivative gains (losses), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $0, $95 and $(9)	0	169	(15)
Net pension gains (losses) arising during the period, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $7,152, $(17,698) and $11,685	17,073	(38,959)	19,274
Less: reclassification adjustment for pension (gains) losses included in net income (loss), net of income tax provision (benefit) of $(17,159), $(1,676) and $(2,665)	31,102	3,201	4,799
Net change in pension liability benefits, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $24,311, $(16,022) and $14,350	48,175	(35,758)	24,073
Other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes	(8,289)	(90,968)	(167,079)
Comprehensive income	243,822	108,057	195,114
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	4,996	727	1,162
Comprehensive loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	26,543	8,616	9,282
Preferred stock dividends	(4,063)	(4,062)	(3,397)
Comprehensive income attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 271,298	$ 113,338	$ 202,161