XML 11 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Document and Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Apr. 21, 2017
Entity Registrant Name FEDERATED INVESTORS INC /PA/  
Entity Central Index Key 0001056288  
Trading Symbol FII  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Mar. 31, 2017  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2017  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31  
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer  
Amendment Flag false  
Subsequent Event [Member] | Class A [Member]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   9,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Class B [Member]    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   101,950,188