Common Stock	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure	Common Stock The Class A common stockholder has the entire voting rights of Federated; however, without the consent of the majority of the holders of the Class B common stock, the Class A common stockholder cannot alter Federated's structure, dispose of all or substantially all of Federated's assets, amend the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Federated to adversely affect the Class B common stockholders, or liquidate or dissolve Federated. With respect to dividends, distributions and liquidation rights, the Class A common stock and Class B common stock have equal preferences and rights. (a) Dividends Cash dividends of $104.6 million, $104.8 million and $102.5 million were paid in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to holders of Federated common stock. All dividends are considered ordinary dividends for tax purposes. (b) Treasury Stock During 2008, the board of directors authorized a share repurchase program that allowed Federated to buy back up to 5 million shares of Class B common stock with no stated expiration date. This program was fulfilled in June 2015. In February 2015, the board of directors authorized a share repurchase program that allows Federated to buy back up to 4 million additional shares of Federated Class B common stock with no stated expiration date. The program authorizes executive management to determine the timing and the amount of shares for each purchase. The repurchased stock is held in treasury for employee share-based compensation plans, potential acquisitions and other corporate activities. During the year ended December 31, 2015, Federated repurchased 1.7 million shares of Class B common stock for $53.0 million, the majority of which were repurchased in the open market. The remaining repurchased shares represent restricted stock forfeited from employees and are not counted against the board-approved share repurchase program. At December 31, 2015, 2.8 million shares remained available to be purchased under Federated's buyback program. During the fourth quarter 2014, the board of directors authorized the retirement of 20.0 million treasury shares which restored these shares to authorized but unissued status. Federated recorded a $587.3 million reduction to Treasury stock, at cost using the specific-identification method and a $49.2 million reduction to Class B Common stock, at cost using the average cost method. The difference of $538.1 million was recorded as a reduction to Retained earnings. There was no impact to total equity as a result of this transaction.

Common Stock

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Common Stock

The Class A common stockholder has the entire voting rights of Federated; however, without the consent of the majority of the holders of the Class B common stock, the Class A common stockholder cannot alter Federated's structure, dispose of all or substantially all of Federated's assets, amend the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Federated to adversely affect the Class B common stockholders, or liquidate or dissolve Federated. With respect to dividends, distributions and liquidation rights, the Class A common stock and Class B common stock have equal preferences and rights.

(a) Dividends

Cash dividends of $104.6 million, $104.8 million and $102.5 million were paid in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to holders of Federated common stock. All dividends are considered ordinary dividends for tax purposes.

(b) Treasury Stock

During 2008, the board of directors authorized a share repurchase program that allowed Federated to buy back up to 5 million shares of Class B common stock with no stated expiration date. This program was fulfilled in June 2015. In February 2015, the board of directors authorized a share repurchase program that allows Federated to buy back up to 4 million additional shares of Federated Class B common stock with no stated expiration date. The program authorizes executive management to determine the timing and the amount of shares for each purchase. The repurchased stock is held in treasury for employee share-based compensation plans, potential acquisitions and other corporate activities. During the year ended December 31, 2015, Federated repurchased 1.7 million shares of Class B common stock for $53.0 million, the majority of which were repurchased in the open market. The remaining repurchased shares represent restricted stock forfeited from employees and are not counted against the board-approved share repurchase program. At December 31, 2015, 2.8 million shares remained available to be purchased under Federated's buyback program.

During the fourth quarter 2014, the board of directors authorized the retirement of 20.0 million treasury shares which restored these shares to authorized but unissued status. Federated recorded a $587.3 million reduction to Treasury stock, at cost using the specific-identification method and a $49.2 million reduction to Class B Common stock, at cost using the average cost method. The difference of $538.1 million was recorded as a reduction to Retained earnings. There was no impact to total equity as a result of this transaction.