Spectrum Brands (SPB) 10-Q 12 May 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	9-May-14
Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Trading Symbol	'HRG	'
Entity Registrant Name	'HARBINGER GROUP INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000109177	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-30	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	148,466,219

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturities	$16,626.60	$15,300
Equity securities	484.9	352.5
Derivatives	273	221.8
Asset-based loans	795.7	560.4
Other invested assets	132.6	31.2
Total investments	18,312.80	16,465.90
Cash and cash equivalents	1,319.80	1,899.70
Receivables, net	657.3	611.3
Inventories, net	725.9	632.9
Accrued investment income	182	161.2
Reinsurance recoverable	2,387.40	2,363.70
Deferred tax assets	227.1	293.4
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	930.6	993.3
Goodwill	1,479.60	1,476.70
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	2,691.50	2,729.10
Other assets	408.5	281.6
Total assets	29,322.50	27,908.80
Insurance reserves:	'	'
Contractholder funds	15,998.30	15,248.20
Future policy benefits	3,684.70	3,556.80
Liability for policy and contract claims	60.6	51.5
Funds withheld from reinsurers	39.4	39.4
Total insurance reserves	19,783	18,895.90
Debt	5,396.30	4,896.10
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	821.5	1,012.70
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8	330.8
Employee benefit obligations	92.5	99.6
Deferred tax liabilities	493	492.8
Other liabilities	628.7	718
Total liabilities	27,579.80	26,445.90
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Temporary equity:	'	'
Redeemable preferred stock	319.3	329.4
Harbinger Group Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	1.5	1.4
Additional paid-in capital	813.2	828
Accumulated deficit	-319	-192.4
Accumulated other comprehensive income	197.8	87.7
Total Harbinger Group Inc. stockholders' equity	693.5	724.7
Noncontrolling interest:	729.9	408.8
Total permanent equity	1,423.40	1,133.50
Total liabilities and equity	$29,322.50	$27,908.80

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	$1,021,700,000	$987,700,000	$2,122,300,000	$1,858,000,000
Oil and natural gas	39,200,000	16,700,000	74,700,000	16,700,000
Insurance premiums	14,800,000	14,100,000	28,700,000	27,900,000
Net investment income	206,400,000	171,300,000	407,600,000	349,300,000
Net investment gains	40,900,000	206,700,000	182,800,000	353,200,000
Insurance and investment product fees and other	18,200,000	14,600,000	35,100,000	28,300,000
Total revenues	1,341,200,000	1,411,100,000	2,851,200,000	2,633,400,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	662,100,000	664,900,000	1,381,500,000	1,247,000,000
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	17,100,000	8,800,000	33,200,000	8,800,000
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	196,500,000	240,900,000	431,200,000	324,500,000
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	330,900,000	313,500,000	648,000,000	568,100,000
Unamortized costs exceed ceiling limitations	81,000,000	'	81,000,000	'
Amortization of intangibles	37,400,000	49,000,000	80,800,000	135,600,000
Total operating costs and expenses	1,325,000,000	1,277,100,000	2,655,700,000	2,284,000,000
Operating income	16,200,000	134,000,000	195,500,000	349,400,000
Interest expense	-77,200,000	-75,700,000	-161,200,000	-218,800,000
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	-3,500,000	-39,600,000	-50,700,000	29,300,000
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	500,000	0
Other expense, net	-4,600,000	-3,200,000	-16,500,000	-11,900,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	-69,100,000	15,500,000	-32,400,000	148,000,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	-13,300,000	66,000,000	25,000,000	130,400,000
Net (loss) income	-55,800,000	-50,500,000	-57,400,000	17,600,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,700,000	-17,200,000	44,900,000	-23,200,000
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interest	-75,500,000	-33,300,000	-102,300,000	40,800,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	12,100,000	12,200,000	24,300,000	24,300,000
Net (loss) income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	-87,600,000	-45,500,000	-126,600,000	16,500,000
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to controlling interest:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.06
Consumer Products Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	2,122,300,000	1,858,000,000
Oil and natural gas	'	'	'	'
Insurance premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	'	'
Net investment gains	'	'	'	'
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1,021,700,000	987,700,000	2,122,300,000	1,858,000,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	1,381,500,000	1,247,000,000
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	'	'
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	'	'
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	482,500,000	453,400,000
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	40,700,000	37,200,000
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	1,904,700,000	1,737,600,000
Operating income	92,500,000	52,200,000	217,600,000	120,400,000
Interest expense	'	'	-104,400,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-1,600,000	-5,300,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	111,600,000	-15,100,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	23,300,000	39,800,000
Net (loss) income	'	'	88,300,000	-54,900,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	36,600,000	-23,500,000
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interest	'	'	51,700,000	-31,400,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	$51,700,000	($31,400,000)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net (loss) income	($55.80)	($50.50)	($57.40)	$17.60
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation losses	-2.6	-20.4	-2.9	-17.6
Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	'	'	'	'
Changes in derivative instruments before reclassification adjustment	-1.8	1.5	-0.9	1.4
Net reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	0	0	0.9	0.4
Changes in derivative instruments after reclassification adjustment	-1.8	1.5	'	1.8
Changes in deferred income tax asset/liability	0.4	-1.1	-0.1	-1.1
Deferred tax valuation allowance adjustments	-0.1	0.4	'	0.4
Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	-1.5	0.8	-0.1	1.1
Actuarial adjustments to pension plans	'	'	'	'
Changes in actuarial adjustments before reclassification adjustment	-0.2	-0.9	-0.6	-1.6
Net reclassification adjustment for losses included in cost of goods sold	0.2	0.3	0.3	0.6
Net reclassification adjustment for losses included in selling and general and administrative expenses	0.2	0.2	0.5	0.4
Net actuarial adjustments to pension plans	0.1	-0.2	0.1	-0.3
Unrealized investment gains (losses):	'	'	'	'
Changes in unrealized investment gains before reclassification adjustment	386.5	53.9	376.6	180.2
Net reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	-10.2	-74.5	-18.3	-246.5
Changes in unrealized investment gains (losses) after reclassification adjustment	376.3	-20.6	358.3	-66.3
Adjustments to intangible assets	-113	22.2	-105.1	50.3
Changes in deferred income tax asset/liability	-91.2	-0.6	-87.6	5.5
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments	172.1	1	165.6	-10.5
Non-credit related other-than-temporary impairment:	'	'	'	'
Net change to derive comprehensive income (loss) for the period	168.1	-18.8	162.7	-27.3
Comprehensive income (loss)	112.3	-69.3	105.3	-9.7
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	19.7	-17.2	44.9	-23.2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	30.8	-8.4	30	-7.1
Total comprehensive income (loss)	50.5	-25.6	74.9	-30.3
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the controlling interest	61.8	-43.7	30.4	20.6
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax	0.2	-0.4	0.2	-0.6
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax	($0.10)	$0.20	($0.10)	$0.30

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net (loss) income	($57.40)	$17.60
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to operating cash flows:	'	'
Depreciation of properties	62.2	34.4
Amortization of intangibles	80.8	135.6
Unamortized costs exceed ceiling limitations	81	'
Stock-based compensation	47.4	22.2
Amortization of debt issuance costs	9.5	5.5
Amortization of debt discount	1.3	0.5
Write-off of debt issuance costs on retired debt	6.4	15.5
Write-off of debt discount on retired debt	2.8	3
Deferred income taxes	-25.4	150.1
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	-0.5	'
Interest credited/index credits to contractholder account balances	352.2	313.4
Increase (Decrease) Cash Collateral from Counterparties	36.9	'
Amortization of fixed maturity discounts and premiums	-19.8	22.2
Net recognized gains on investments and derivatives	-120.5	-374.7
Charges assessed to contractholders for mortality and administration	-22	-16
Deferred policy acquisition costs	-115.8	-71.5
Non-cash increase to cost of goods sold due to the sale of HHI Business acquisition inventory	'	31
Non-cash restructuring and related charges	3.4	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	-404.4	-356
Net change in cash due to operating activities	-81.9	-67.2
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid	2,863.60	6,016.30
Cost of investments acquired	-4,032.90	-5,916.20
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-24.8	-1,903.50
Asset-based loans originated, net	-137.1	-63
Capital expenditures	-48.7	-25.2
Other investing activities, net	-0.1	-100
Net change in cash due to investing activities	-1,380	-1,991.60
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of new debt	745.4	2,945.10
Repayment of debt, including tender and call premiums	-532.4	-919.5
Revolving credit facility activity	147.4	355.1
Debt issuance costs	-11	-78.6
Purchases of subsidiary stock, net	-4.5	-16
Contractholder account deposits	1,344.90	772.8
Contractholder account withdrawals	-920.3	-950.3
Dividend paid by subsidiary to noncontrolling interest	-12.1	-5.8
Dividends paid on preferred stock	-16.5	-16.7
Payments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	-32.1	-20.2
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering	171.9	'
Other financing activities, net	2.5	'
Net change in cash due to financing activities	883.2	2,065.90
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1.2	-2.8
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-579.9	4.3
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,899.70	1,470.70
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$1,319.80	'

Description_of_Business

Description of Business	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Description of Business	'
	Description of Business
	Harbinger Group Inc. ("HGI" and, collectively with its respective subsidiaries, the "Company") is a diversified holding company. HGI is focused on obtaining controlling equity stakes in companies that operate across a diversified set of industries and growing acquired businesses. In addition to acquiring controlling interests, HGI may make investments in debt instruments, acquire minority equity interests in companies and expand its operating businesses. HGI’s shares of common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "HRG".
	In December 2013, Fidelity & Guaranty Life ("FGL"), a then wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI, announced an initial public offering of 9,750 thousand shares of common stock at a price to the public of $17.00 per share. The shares began trading on the NYSE on December 13, 2013 under the ticker symbol "FGL". FGL also granted the underwriters an option to purchase an additional 1,463 thousand shares of common stock that was subsequently exercised. HGI was not a selling shareholder in the offering. Subsequent to the offering HGI held 47,000 thousand shares of FGL's outstanding common stock, representing an 80.4% interest as of March 31, 2014.
	Also in December 2013, Front Street Re (Cayman) Ltd. ("Front Street Cayman"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HGI, closed a reinsurance treaty with Bankers Life Insurance Company. Under the terms of the treaty, Bankers Life Insurance Company ceded approximately $153.0 of its annuity business to Front Street Cayman on a funds withheld basis.
	Also in December, 2013, HGI's subsidiary Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Spectrum Brands"), amended a senior secured term loan, issuing two tranches maturing September 4, 2019 which provide for borrowings in aggregate principal amounts of $215.0 and €225.0. The proceeds from the amendment were used to refinance a portion of the term loan which was scheduled to mature December 17, 2019 and had an aggregate amount outstanding of $513.3 prior to refinancing.
	In January 2014, HGI issued $200.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 at par (the "7.75% Notes"). See Note 8, Debt.
	Also in January 2014, Spectrum Brands completed the $35.8 acquisition of The Liquid Fence Company, Inc. ("Liquid Fence"), a producer of animal repellents. See Note 3, Acquisitions.
	The Company’s reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how HGI’s management views those business activities. Accordingly, the Company currently operates its business in four reporting segments: (i) Consumer Products, (ii) Insurance, (iii) Energy, and (iv) Asset Management. For the results of operations by segment, and other segment data, see Note 16, Segment Data.

Basis_of_Presentation_Signific

Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Polices and Practicies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Polices and Practicies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Policies and Practices and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of such information. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures, including a description of significant accounting policies normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP"), have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, except for such significant accounting policies that relate to the ceiling test on certain oil and natural gas properties, which are detailed below. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified or combined to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications and combinations had no effect on previously reported results of operations or accumulated deficit. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on November 27, 2013 (the "Form 10-K"). The results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for any subsequent periods or the entire fiscal year ending September 30, 2014.
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30 and the quarters end on the last calendar day of the months of December, March and June. The Company's significant subsidiary, Spectrum Brands' fiscal year ends September 30 and its interim fiscal quarters end every thirteenth Sunday, except for its first fiscal quarter which may end on the fourteenth Sunday following September 30. The Company does not adjust for the difference in fiscal periods between Spectrum Brands and itself, as such difference would be less than 93 days, pursuant to Regulation S-X Rule 3A-02.
	At March 31, 2014, the non-controlling interest component of total equity represents the 41.4% share of Spectrum Brands, the 19.6% of FGL, the 14.3% of Salus Capital Partners, LLC ("Salus"), and the 2.1% share of Zap.Com Corporation ("Zap.com") not owned by HGI.
	Oil and natural gas properties
	Ceiling Test
	Pursuant to Rule 4-10(c)(4) of Regulation S-X, our equity investment in an oil and natural gas joint venture (the "EXCO/HGI JV") was required to compute its ceiling test using the simple average spot price for the trailing twelve month period for oil and natural gas as of March 31, 2014. The ceiling test involves comparing the net book value of the full cost pool, after taxes, to the full cost ceiling limitation defined below. In the event the full cost ceiling limitation is less than the full cost pool, the EXCO/HGI JV is required to record a ceiling test impairment of the EXCO/HGI JV's oil and natural gas properties. The full cost ceiling limitation is computed as the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues from the EXCO/HGI JV's proved reserves by applying the average price as prescribed by the SEC Release No. 33-8995, less estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to develop and produce the proved reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of properties not being amortized and the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, net of income tax effects.
	The ceiling test is computed using the simple average spot price for the trailing 12 month period using the first day of each month. For the 12 months ended March 31, 2014, the trailing 12 month reference prices were $3.99 per Mmbtu for natural gas at Henry Hub, and $98.30 per Bbl of oil for West Texas Intermediate at Cushing, Oklahoma. The price used for natural gas liquids was $43.63 per Bbl and was based on the trailing 12 month average of realized prices. Each of the reference prices for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are further adjusted for quality factors and regional differentials to derive estimated future net revenues. Under full cost accounting rules, any ceiling test impairments of oil and natural gas properties may not be reversed in subsequent periods. Since the EXCO/HGI JV does not designate the EXCO/HGI JV's derivative financial instruments as hedging instruments, the EXCO/HGI JV is not allowed to use the impacts of the derivative financial instruments in the ceiling test computations.
	The EXCO/HGI JV recognized impairments of $81.0 to the EXCO/HGI JV's proved oil and natural gas properties for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014. We previously received an exemption from the SEC to exclude the acquisition of the EXCO/HGI Partnership’s unamortized oil and natural gas properties from the ceiling test for a period of one year following the acquisition date and this exemption expired during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impairments primarily resulted from differences in the oil and natural gas prices utilized in the purchase price allocation at the acquisition date and the prices used in the ceiling test calculation. Our pricing utilized in the purchase price allocation as of the acquisition date was based on models which incorporate, among other things, market prices based on NYMEX futures. The ceiling test requires companies using the full cost accounting method to price period ending proved reserves using the simple average spot price for the trailing twelve month period, which may not be indicative of actual market values. The EXCO/HGI JV did not recognize an impairment to the EXCO/HGI JV's oil and natural gas properties for the period from inception to March 31, 2013.
	The ceiling test calculation and impairment evaluation are based upon estimates of proved reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, in projecting the future rates of production and in the timing of development activities. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify revision of such estimate. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that are ultimately recovered.
	Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information
	The Company’s insurance subsidiaries file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") that are prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles ("SAP") prescribed or permitted by such authorities, which may vary materially from US GAAP. Prescribed SAP includes the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the NAIC as well as state laws, regulations and administrative rules. Permitted SAP encompasses all accounting practices not so prescribed. The principal differences between statutory financial statements and financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP are that statutory financial statements do not reflect deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA"), some bond portfolios may be carried at amortized cost, assets and liabilities are presented net of reinsurance, contractholder liabilities are generally valued using more conservative assumptions and certain assets are non-admitted. Accordingly, statutory operating results and statutory capital and surplus may differ substantially from amounts reported in the US GAAP basis financial statements for comparable items.
	On November 1, 2013, Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("FGL Insurance") re-domesticated from Maryland to Iowa. After re-domestication, FGL Insurance elected to apply Iowa-prescribed accounting practices that permit Iowa-domiciled insurers to report equity call options used to economically hedge fixed indexed annuity ("FIA") index credits at amortized cost for statutory accounting purposes and to calculate FIA statutory reserves such that index credit returns will be included in the reserve only after crediting to the annuity contract. This resulted in a $11.5 increase to statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2013. Also, the Iowa Insurance Division granted FGL Insurance a permitted statutory accounting practice to reclassify its negative unassigned surplus balance of $805.8 (unaudited) to additional paid in capital as of April 6, 2011, the date the Company acquired FGL Insurance, which will have the effect of setting FGL Insurance’s statutory unassigned surplus to zero as of this date. The prescribed and permitted statutory accounting practice has no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
	As of March 31, 2014, Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York ("FGL NY Insurance") did not follow any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices that differ from the NAIC’s statutory accounting practices. However, FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Reinsurance Company ("Raven Re") reflects the effect of permitted practices Raven Re received from Vermont that allows Raven Re to admit the outstanding amount of a letter of credit facility as an asset. Raven Re is also permitted to follow Iowa prescribed practice statutory accounting for its statutory reserves on reinsurance assumed from FGL Insurance. Without such permitted statutory accounting practices Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus would be negative and its risk-based capital would fall below the minimum regulatory requirements.
	Change in Accounting Method
	During the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Company changed its method of presenting tax withholdings for share-based payment awards paid to a taxing authority on behalf of an employee from an operating activity to a financing activity within its statements of cash flows. The Company believes that the newly adopted accounting principle is preferable in the circumstances because the predominant characteristic of such transaction is a financing activity.
	As a result of the change in accounting method, the Company had the following reclassifications for the six months ended March 31, 2013:
		Six months ended
		March 31,
		2013
	Net change in cash due to operating activities	$	20.2
	Net change in cash due to financing activities	$	(20.2	)
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended disclosure requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under US GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new standards are effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. ASU 2011-11 was adopted by the Company effective October 1, 2013. The Company does not offset any of its derivative transactions, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, in its statement of financial position. Through FGL, the Company only enters into purchased equity options and long futures contracts. The Company has not entered into any repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements or securities borrowing and lending transactions. Accordingly, no additional disclosures are required.
	Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
	In January 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance which allows investors in Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC") programs that meet specified conditions to present the net tax benefits (net of the amortization of the cost of the investment) within income tax expense. The cost of the investments that meet the specified conditions will be amortized in proportion to (and over the same period as) the total expected tax benefits, including the tax credits and other tax benefits, as they are realized on the tax return. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively, if investors elect the proportional amortization method. However, if investors have existing LIHTC investments accounted for under the effective-yield method at adoption, they may continue to apply that method for those existing investments. The new standards will become effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
	Joint and Several Liability Arrangements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405):Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date” ("ASU 2013-04"). ASU 2013-04 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in US GAAP. The update is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2014 and is required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for those obligations that existed upon adoption of ASU 2013-04. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2013-04.
	Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit
	In July 2013, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires entities to present unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent the net operating loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards are not available to be used at the reporting date to settle additional income taxes, and the entity does not intend to use them for this purpose. The new accounting guidance is consistent with how the Company has historically accounted for unrecognized tax benefits in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position; therefore, the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	Spectrum Brands’ Acquisition of Stanley Black & Decker’s Hardware and Home Improvement Business
	On December 17, 2012, Spectrum Brands completed the cash acquisition (the "Hardware Acquisition") of the residential hardware and home improvement business (the “HHI Business”) from Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (“Stanley Black & Decker”). A portion of the HHI Business, consisting of the purchase of certain assets of Tong Lung Metal Industry Co. Ltd., a Taiwan Corporation (“TLM Taiwan”), closed on April 8, 2013.
	EXCO/HGI JV
	On February 14, 2013, EXCO Resources, Inc. (“EXCO”) and a subsidiary of HGI formed the EXCO/HGI JV to own and operate conventional oil and natural gas properties. EXCO contributed to the EXCO/HGI JV its conventional assets in and above the Canyon Sand formation in the Permian Basin in West Texas as well as in the Holly, Waskom, Danville and Vernon fields in East Texas and North Louisiana. EXCO and HGI own an economic interest in the EXCO/HGI JV of 25.5% and 74.4%, respectively.
	Supplemental Pro Forma Information
	The following table reflects the Company’s pro forma results as if the Hardware Acquisition and the acquisition of the Company's interest in the EXCO/HGI JV were completed on October 1, 2012 and the results of the HHI Business and the EXCO/HGI JV had been included in the full three and six months ended March 31, 2013.
		31-Mar-13
		Three months ended			Six months ended
	Revenues:
	Reported revenues	$	1,411.10		$	2,633.40
	HHI adjustment	—			191.8
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	17.1			53.7
	Pro forma revenues	$	1,428.20		$	2,878.90
	Net income:
	Reported net income	$	(50.5	)	$	17.6
	HHI adjustment	—			4.9
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	(0.9		)	(0.5		)
	Pro forma net income	$	(51.4	)	$	22
	Basic net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:
	Reported net income per common share	$	(0.33	)	$	0.08
	HHI adjustment	—			0.04
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	(0.01		)	—
	Pro forma net income per common share	$	(0.34	)	$	0.12
	Diluted net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:
	Reported diluted net income per common share	$	(0.33	)	$	0.06
	HHI adjustment	—			0.02
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	(0.01		)	—
	Pro forma diluted net income per common share	$	(0.34	)	$	0.08
	Liquid Fence
	On January 2, 2014, Spectrum Brands completed the $35.8 acquisition of Liquid Fence, a producer of animal repellents. This acquisition was not considered to be significant.
	The following table summarizes the consideration paid by Spectrum Brands for Liquid Fence:
			2-Jan-14
	Cash paid to seller at close		$	24.8
	Promissory note due to seller		9.5
	Contingent liability		1.5
	Preliminary purchase price		$	35.8
	The promissory note will be paid in four semi-annual installments over 24 months from the close of the transaction.
	The results of Liquid Fence's operations since January 2, 2014 are included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Preliminary Valuation of Assets and Liabilities
	The assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Liquid Fence acquisition have been measured at their fair values at January 2, 2014 as set forth below. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets was recorded as goodwill, which includes value associated with the assembled workforce including an experienced research team, and is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The preliminary fair values recorded were determined based upon a valuation and the estimates and assumptions used in such valuation are subject to change, which could be significant, within the measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date). The primary areas of acquisition accounting that are not yet finalized relate to amounts for intangible assets, contingent liabilities and residual goodwill.
	The preliminary fair values recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Liquid Fence are as follows:
			Preliminary Valuation
			31-Mar-14
	Cash		$	—
	Accounts Receivable		1.2
	Inventories		2.2
	Other assets		0.1
	Intangible assets		26.9
	Total assets acquired		30.4
	Total liabilities assumed		1.6
	Total identifiable net assets		28.8
	Goodwill		7
	Total identifiable net assets		$	35.8
	Preliminary Pre-Acquisition Contingencies Assumed
	Spectrum Brands has evaluated and continues to evaluate pre-acquisition contingencies relating to Liquid Fence that existed as of the acquisition date. Based on the evaluation to date, Spectrum Brands has preliminarily determined that certain pre-acquisition contingencies are probable in nature and estimable as of the acquisition date. Accordingly, Spectrum Brands has preliminarily recorded its best estimates for these contingencies as part of the preliminary purchase accounting for Liquid Fence. Spectrum Brands continues to gather information relating to all pre-acquisition contingencies that it has assumed from Liquid Fence. Any changes to the pre-acquisition contingency amounts recorded during the measurement period will be included in the final valuation and related amounts recognized. Subsequent to the end of the measurement period, any adjustments to pre-acquisition contingency amounts will be reflected in the Company's results of operations.
	Preliminary Valuation Adjustments
	Spectrum Brands performed a preliminary valuation of the acquired trade names, proprietary technology assets, customer relationships and a contingent earn-out liability at January 2, 2014. A summary of the significant key inputs is as follows:
	•	Spectrum Brands valued the technology assets related to formulas and processes, using the income approach, specifically the excess earnings method. Under this method, the asset value was determined by estimating the earnings attributable to the technology assets, adjusted for contributory asset charges. In estimating the fair value of the technology, net sales and associated earnings were forecasted and adjusted for a technical obsolescence factor to isolate the forecasted sales and earnings attributable to the acquired technology assets. The forecasted technology earnings were discounted to present value to arrive at the concluded fair value. Spectrum Brands anticipates using the technology asset over a useful life of 17 years which is generally determined by assessing the time period in which substantially all of the discounted cash flows are expected to be generated. The technology asset was valued at approximately $20.5 under this approach.
	•	Spectrum Brands valued an indefinite-lived trade name using the income approach, specifically the relief from royalty method. Under this method, the asset value was determined by estimating the hypothetical royalties that would have to be paid if the trade name was not owned. Royalty rates were selected based on consideration of several factors, including prior transactions of Liquid Fence, related trademarks and trade names, other similar trademark licensing and transaction agreements and the relative profitability and perceived contribution of the trademarks and trade names. Trade name and trademarks were valued at $5.1 under this approach.
	•	Spectrum Brands valued customer relationships using the distributor approach. Under this method, the asset value was determined by estimating the hypothetical earnings before interest and taxes ("EBIT") that a comparable distributor would earn, further adjusted for contributory asset charges. In determining the fair value of the customer relationships, the distributor approach values the intangible asset at the present value of the incremental after-tax cash flows. The customer relationships were valued at $1.3 under this approach and will be amortized over 15 years.
	•	Spectrum Brands valued a contingent liability related to additional payments that may be made to the selling company. This liability was calculated based on the probability weighted present value of expected payments. This contingent liability is based on the achievement of specific revenue milestones through both January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016. The contingent liability was valued at $1.5 under this approach.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The Company’s consolidated investments are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2014
		Cost or Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains			Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Fixed-maturity securities, available-for sale
	Asset-backed securities	$	1,576.60		$	19.1		$	(8.5	)	$	1,587.20		$	1,587.20
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	463.3			25.2			(1.9		)	486.6			486.6
	Corporates	10,177.30			431.4			(86.6		)	10,522.10			10,522.10
	Hybrids	423.6			28.6			(0.6		)	451.6			451.6
	Municipals	1,182.80			77			(19.8		)	1,240.00			1,240.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	96.9			2.5			—			99.4			99.4
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	1,730.90			126.3			(10.1		)	1,847.10			1,847.10
	U.S. Government	389.1			6.3			(2.8		)	392.6			392.6
	Total fixed maturities	16,040.50			716.4			(130.3		)	16,626.60			16,626.60
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	346.6			14.6			(8.1		)	353.1			353.1
	Held for trading	140.2			25.5			(33.9		)	131.8			131.8
	Total equity securities	486.8			40.1			(42.0		)	484.9			484.9
	Derivatives	154.6			120.7			(2.3		)	273			273
	Asset-based loans	795.7			—			—			795.7			795.7
	Other invested assets	132.5			0.1			—			132.6			132.6
	Total investments	$	17,610.10		$	877.3		$	(174.6	)	$	18,312.80		$	18,312.80
		September 30, 2013
		Cost or Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains			Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale
	Asset-backed securities	$	1,505.70		$	22.6		$	(5.2	)	$	1,523.10		$	1,523.10
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	431.3			24.7			(1.6		)	454.4			454.4
	Corporates	9,314.70			288.7			(185.1		)	9,418.30			9,418.30
	Hybrids	412.6			19.5			(3.3		)	428.8			428.8
	Municipals	998.8			49			(40.8		)	1,007.00			1,007.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	96.5			2.4			(0.3		)	98.6			98.6
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	1,304.00			77.4			(13.4		)	1,368.00			1,368.00
	U.S. Government	998.5			7.2			(3.9		)	1,001.80			1,001.80
	Total fixed-maturity securities	15,062.10			491.5			(253.6		)	15,300.00			15,300.00
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	274.6			6.7			(10.3		)	271			271
	Held for trading	120.1			0.6			(39.2		)	81.5			81.5
	Total equity securities	394.7			7.3			(49.5		)	352.5			352.5
	Derivatives	141.7			88.5			(8.4		)	221.8			221.8
	Asset-based loans	560.4			—			—			560.4			560.4
	Other invested assets	31.2			—			—			31.2			31.2
	Total investments	$	16,190.10		$	587.3		$	(311.5	)	$	16,465.90		$	16,465.90
	Included in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") were cumulative unrealized gains of $0.9 and unrealized losses of $1.9 related to the non-credit portion of other-than-temporary impairments on non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013. The non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities unrealized gains and losses represent the difference between book value and fair value on securities that were previously impaired. There have been no impairments or write downs on any of the 2014 purchased non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities.
	Securities held on deposit with various state regulatory authorities had a fair value of $14,334.4 and $19.4 at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The increase in securities held on deposits is due to the FGL Insurance re-domestication from Maryland to Iowa. Under Iowa regulations, insurance companies are required to hold securities on deposit in an amount no less than the company's legal reserve as prescribed by Iowa regulations.
	In accordance with FGL Insurance's Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) agreements, the investments supporting the funding agreement liabilities are pledged as collateral to secure the FHLB funding agreement liabilities. The collateral investments had a fair value of $592.3 and $604.9 at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
	Maturities of Fixed-maturity Securities
	The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.
		March 31, 2014
		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	Corporates, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities:
	Due in one year or less	$	353.8		$	356.8
	Due after one year through five years	2,770.70			2,856.00
	Due after five years through ten years	3,528.30			3,612.60
	Due after ten years	5,446.50			5,703.80
	Subtotal	12,099.30			12,529.20
	Other securities which provide for periodic payments:
	Asset-backed securities	1,576.60			1,587.20
	Commercial-mortgage-backed securities	463.3			486.6
	Structured hybrids	73.5			77.1
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	96.9			99.4
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	1,730.90			1,847.10
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	16,040.50		$	16,626.60
	Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position
FGL’s available-for-sale securities with unrealized losses are reviewed by FGL for potential other-than-temporary impairments. In evaluating whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary, FGL considers several factors including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the extent and the duration of the decline; (2) the reasons for the decline in value (credit event, currency or interest-rate related, including general credit spread widening); and (3) the financial condition of and near-term prospects of the issuer. FGL also considers the ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time to allow for a recovery of value.
FGL analyzes its ability to recover the amortized cost by comparing the net present value of cash flows expected to be collected with the amortized cost of the security. For mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, cash flow estimates consider the payment terms of the underlying assets backing a particular security, including interest rate and prepayment assumptions, based on data from widely accepted third-party data sources or internal estimates. In addition to interest rate and prepayment assumptions, cash flow estimates also include other assumptions regarding the underlying collateral including default rates and recoveries, which vary based on the asset type and geographic location, as well as the vintage year of the security. For structured securities, the payment priority within the tranche structure is also considered. For all other debt securities, cash flow estimates are driven by assumptions regarding probability of default and estimates regarding timing and amount of recoveries associated with a default. If the net present value is less than the amortized cost of the investment, an other-than-temporary impairment is recognized. FGL has concluded that the fair values of the securities presented in the table below were not other-than-temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2014.
The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category, were as follows:
	March 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
Available-for-sale securities
Asset-backed securities	$	483.4		$	(6.1	)	$	120.3		$	(2.4	)	$	603.7	$	(8.5	)
Commercial-mortgage-backed securities	46.8			(0.6		)	0.2			(1.3		)	47		(1.9		)
Corporates	1,902.20			(54.9		)	769.9			(31.7		)	2,672.10		(86.6		)
Equities	70			(6.4		)	26			(1.7		)	96		(8.1		)
Hybrids	19.1			(0.4		)	10.5			(0.2		)	29.6		(0.6		)
Municipals	359.8			(13.5		)	107.5			(6.3		)	467.3		(19.8		)
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	9.9			—			0.6			—			10.5		—
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	335.9			(7.6		)	96.7			(2.5		)	432.6		(10.1		)
U.S. Government	127.9			(2.5		)	39.7			(0.3		)	167.6		(2.8		)
Total available-for-sale securities	$	3,355.00		$	(92.0	)	$	1,171.40		$	(46.4	)	$	4,526.40	$	(138.4	)
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position				440						156					596
	September 30, 2013
	Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
	Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized
				Losses						Losses					Losses
Available-for-sale securities
Asset-backed securities	$	329.3		$	(4.5	)	$	81.5		$	(0.7	)	$	410.8	$	(5.2	)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	26.6			(0.5		)	4.9			(1.1		)	31.5		(1.6		)
Corporates	3,457.20			(175.0		)	186			(10.1		)	3,643.20		(185.1		)
Equities	118.6			(9.1		)	32.2			(1.2		)	150.8		(10.3		)
Hybrids	52			(3.3		)	—			—			52		(3.3		)
Municipals	333.3			(27.3		)	144.4			(13.5		)	477.7		(40.8		)
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	9.8			(0.1		)	1.1			(0.2		)	10.9		(0.3		)
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	325.2			(12.2		)	69.9			(1.2		)	395.1		(13.4		)
U.S. Government	753.9			(3.9		)	—			—			753.9		(3.9		)
Total available-for-sale securities	$	5,405.90		$	(235.9	)	$	520		$	(28.0	)	$	5,925.90	$	(263.9	)
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position				588						78					666
At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, securities in an unrealized loss position were primarily concentrated in investment grade corporate debt instruments. Agency residential mortgage-backed securities had positions with an unrealized loss less than $0.1 as of March 31, 2014.
At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, securities with a fair value of $1.0 and $60.9, respectively, were depressed greater than 20% of amortized cost (excluding U.S. Government and U.S. Government sponsored agency securities), which represented less than 1% of the carrying values of all investments.
Credit Loss Portion of Other-than-temporary Impairments
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the credit loss portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities held by FGL for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, and March 31, 2013, for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in AOCI:
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Beginning balance	$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
Other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	—			—			—			—
Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	—			—			—			—
Ending balance	$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7
For the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, FGL recognized insignificant impairment losses in operations. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, FGL recognized an impairment loss in operations totaling $0.4 and $0.9, respectively, including credit impairments of $0.1 and $0.3, respectively and change-of-intent impairments of $0.3 and $0.7, respectively, and had an amortized cost of $2.7 and a fair value of $1.8 at March 31, 2013.
Asset-based Loans
Salus’ portfolio of asset-based loans receivable, included in “Asset-based loans” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, consisted of the following:
	March 31,			September 30,
	2014			2013
Asset-based loans, by major industry:
Apparel	$	225.5		$	252.9
Jewelry	121			125.8
Sporting Goods	16.9			25.1
Manufacturing	53.6			34.3
Transportation	45.6			85.7
Electronics	250			—
Other	90.1			41.8
Total asset-based loans	802.7			565.6
Less: Allowance for credit losses	7			5.2
Total asset-based loans, net	$	795.7		$	560.4
Salus establishes its allowance for credit losses through a provision for credit losses based on its evaluation of the credit quality of its loan portfolio. The following table presents the activity in its allowance for credit losses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Allowance for credit losses:
Balance at beginning of period	$	7		$	2.6		$	5.2		$	1.4
Provision for credit losses	—			0.2			1.8			1.4
Balance at end of period	$	7		$	2.8		$	7		$	2.8
Credit Quality Indicators
Salus monitors credit quality as indicated by various factors and utilizes such information in its evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, Salus had no outstanding loans that either were non-performing, in a non-accrual status, or had been subject to a troubled-debt restructuring. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, there were no outstanding loans that had been individually considered impaired, as all loans were in current payment status.
	Internal Risk Rating
	Pass			Special Mention			Substandard			Doubtful			Total
31-Mar-14	$	221.4		$	335.6		$	245.7		$	—		$	802.7
30-Sep-13	$	306.9		$	36.7		$	222		$	—		$	565.6
Net Investment Income
The major sources of “Net investment income” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	193.5		$	163		$	385.3		$	328.4
Equity available-for-sale securities	5.1			2.9			9.6			7.6
Policy loans	0.1			0.2			0.3			0.5
Invested cash and short-term investments	—			0.4			0.1			1.2
Asset-based loans	11.1			7			18.5			17.6
Other investments	0.5			0.6			1.3			0.9
Gross investment income	210.3			174.1			415.1			356.2
External investment expense	(3.9		)	(2.8		)	(7.5		)	(6.9		)
Net investment income	$	206.4		$	171.3		$	407.6		$	349.3
Net investment gains
“Net investment gains” reported on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
	Three months ended						Six months ended
	March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Net realized gains before other-than-temporary impairments	$	7.9		$	73		$	17.7		$	245.5
Gross other-than-temporary impairments	—			(0.4		)	—			(0.9		)
Net realized gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	7.9			72.6			17.7			244.6
Realized gains on equity securities	5.4			1.9			10.8			1.9
Net realized gains on securities	13.3			74.5			28.5			246.5
Realized gains on certain derivative instruments	50			29.7			110.6			45.3
Unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments	(27.5		)	102.5			39.3			61.3
Change in fair value of derivatives	22.5			132.2			149.9			106.6
Realized gains on other invested assets	5.1			—			4.4			0.1
Net investment gains	$	40.9		$	206.7		$	182.8		$	353.2
For the six months ended March 31, 2014, principal repayments, calls, tenders, and proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities totaled $2,627.9, gross gains on such sales totaled $22.2 and gross losses totaled $2.5. The proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for sale securities exclude maturities and repayments for the six months ended March 31, 2014.
For the six months ended March 31, 2013, principal repayments, calls, tenders, and proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities totaled $5,738.3, gross gains on such sales totaled $249.0 and gross losses totaled $0.6, respectively. The proceeds from the sale of fixed maturity available-for sale securities exclude maturities and repayments for the six months ended March 31, 2013.
Cash flows from consolidated investing activities by security classification were as follows:
	Six months ended
	March 31,			March 31,
	2014			2013
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid:
Available-for-sale	$	2,675.40		$	5,769.70
Trading (acquired for holding)	—			91.8
Derivatives and other	188.2			154.8
	$	2,863.60		$	6,016.30
Cost of investments acquired:
Available-for-sale	$	(3,815.7	)	$	(5,839.0	)
Trading (acquired for holding)	(40.5		)	(0.9		)
Derivatives and other	(176.7		)	(76.3		)
	$	(4,032.9	)	$	(5,916.2	)
Concentrations of Financial Instruments
As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company’s most significant investment in one industry, excluding U.S. Government securities, was FGL’s investment securities in the banking industry with a fair value of $2,019.4 or 11.0% and $1,892.1, or 11.5%, of the Company's invested assets portfolio, respectively. FGL’s holdings in this industry includes investments in 78 different issuers with the top ten investments accounting for 37.7% of the total holdings in this industry. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company had investments in 18 and 19 issuers that exceeded 10% of the Company's stockholders’ equity with a fair value of $1,851.3 and $1,983.7, or 10.1% and 12.0% of the invested assets portfolio, respectively. Additionally, the Company’s largest concentration in any single issuer as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, had a fair value of $250.0 and $150.7, or 1.4% and 0.9% of the Company's invested assets portfolio, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
	Asset Derivatives	Classification		March 31,				September 30,
				2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity swap and option agreements	Receivables, net		$	0.3			$	0.4
	Commodity swap and option agreements	Other assets		0.1				—
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	Receivables, net		2				1.7
	Total asset derivatives designated as hedging instruments			2.4				2.1
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	Receivables, net		—				3.7
	Call options	Derivatives		271.5				221.8
	Futures contracts	Derivatives		1.5				—
	Foreign exchange contracts	Receivables, net		0.1				0.1
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative included in asset-based loans	Receivables, net		1.2				—
	Total asset derivatives			$	276.7			$	227.7
	Liability Derivatives	Classification		March 31,				September 30,
				2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	Accounts payable and other current liabilities		$	0.2			$	0.5
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	Accounts payable and other current liabilities		4.8				4.6
	Foreign exchange contracts	Other liabilities		0.2				0.1
	Total liability derivatives designated as hedging instruments			5.2				5.2
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	Other liabilities		4.9				1.9
	FIA embedded derivative	Contractholder funds		1,718.70				1,544.40
	Futures contracts	Other liabilities		—				1
	Foreign exchange forward contracts	Accounts payable and other current liabilities		2.2				5.3
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock		364.8				330.8
	Total liability derivatives			$	2,095.80			$	1,888.60
	Changes in AOCI from Derivative Instruments
	For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative, representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness, are recognized in current earnings.
	The following table summarizes the pretax impact of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and within AOCI, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)								Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)								Amount of Gain ( Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)								Classification
	Three months ended	March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Commodity contracts	$	(1.0	)		$	(2.2	)		$	0.3			$	0.2			$	(0.2	)		$	(0.1	)		Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Foreign exchange contracts	(0.1		)		0.1				—				0.2				—				—				Net consumer products sales
	Foreign exchange contracts	(0.7		)		3.6				(0.3		)		(0.4		)		—				—				Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Total	$	(1.8	)		$	1.5			$	—			$	—			$	(0.2	)		$	(0.1	)
	Six months ended
	Commodity contracts	$	0.1			$	(2.4	)		$	—			$	0.1			$	—			$	(0.1	)		Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Foreign exchange contracts	0.1				0.6				0.1				0.3				—				—				Net consumer products sales
	Foreign exchange contracts	(1.1		)		3.2				(1.0		)		(0.9		)		—				—				Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Total	$	(0.9	)		$	1.4			$	(0.9	)		$	(0.5	)		$	—			$	(0.1	)
	Fair Value Contracts and Other
	For derivative instruments that are used to economically hedge the fair value of Spectrum Brands’ third party and intercompany foreign currency payments, commodity purchases and interest rate payments, and the equity conversion feature of the Company’s redeemable preferred stock, the gain (loss) associated with the derivative contract is recognized in earnings in the period of change. FGL recognizes all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, including derivative instruments embedded in Fixed Indexed Annuity ("FIA") contracts, and any changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recognized immediately in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Salus recognizes the change in the fair value of foreign exchange derivative embedded in certain of its foreign currency-denominated asset-based loans in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, the Company recognized the following gains (losses) on these derivatives:
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives																Classification
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	$	(3.5	)		$	(39.6	)		$	(50.7	)		$	29.3			(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock
	Oil and natural gas commodity contracts	(6.8		)		(8.8		)		(10.2		)		(8.8		)		Other expense, net
	Commodity contracts	—				—				(0.1		)		—				Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Foreign exchange contracts	(0.2		)		1.8				0.6				(2.3		)		Other expense, net
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative included in asset-based loans	1.2				—				1.2				—				Other expense, net
	Call options	21.2				118.5				135.5				97.6				Net investment gains
	Futures contracts	1.3				13.7				14.4				9				Net investment gains
	FIA embedded derivatives	74				(122.6		)		174.3				(88.8		)		Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
	Total	$	87.2			$	(37.0	)		$	265			$	36
	Additional Disclosures
	Cash Flow Hedges
	When it determines appropriate, Spectrum Brands uses interest rate swaps to manage its interest rate risk. The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges with the changes in fair value recorded in AOCI and as a derivative hedge asset or liability, as applicable. The swaps settle periodically in arrears with the related amounts for the current settlement period payable to, or receivable from, the counter-parties included in accrued liabilities or receivables, respectively, and recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense from the underlying debt to which the swap is designated. At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, Spectrum Brands did not have any interest rate swaps outstanding.
Spectrum Brands periodically enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge the risk from forecasted foreign currency denominated third party and intercompany sales or payments. These obligations generally require Spectrum Brands to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Australian Dollars, Brazilian Reals, Mexican Pesos, Canadian Dollars or Japanese Yen. These foreign exchange contracts are cash flow hedges of fluctuating foreign exchange related to sales of product or raw material purchases. Until the sale or purchase is recognized, the fair value of the related hedge is recorded in AOCI and as a derivative hedge asset or liability, as applicable. At the time the sale or purchase is recognized, the fair value of the related hedge is reclassified as an adjustment to "Net consumer product sales" or purchase price variance in "Consumer products cost of goods sold." At March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands had a series of foreign exchange derivative contracts outstanding through September 2014 with a contract value of $223.1. The derivative net loss on these contracts recorded in AOCI at March 31, 2014 was $1.4, net of tax benefit of $0.7 and noncontrolling interest of $1.0. At March 31, 2014, the portion of derivative net loss estimated to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings over the next twelve months is $1.3, net of tax and noncontrolling interest.
Spectrum Brands is exposed to risk from fluctuating prices for raw materials, specifically zinc and brass used in its manufacturing processes. Spectrum Brands hedges a portion of the risk associated with the purchase of these materials through the use of commodity swaps. The hedge contracts are designated as cash flow hedges with the fair value changes recorded in AOCI and as a hedge asset or liability, as applicable. The unrecognized changes in fair value of the hedge contracts are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when the hedged purchase of raw materials also affects earnings. The swaps effectively fix the floating price on a specified quantity of raw materials through a specified date. At March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands had a series of zinc swap contracts outstanding through September 2014 for 7 tons with a contract value of $13.7. At March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands had a series of brass swap contracts outstanding through September 2014 for one ton with a contract value of $5.7. The derivative net gain on these contracts recorded in AOCI at March 31, 2014 was insignificant. At March 31, 2014, the portion of derivative net gain estimated to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings over the next twelve months is insignificant.
Fair Value Contracts
Spectrum Brands
Spectrum Brands periodically enters into forward and swap foreign exchange contracts to economically hedge the risk from third party and intercompany payments resulting from existing obligations. These obligations generally require Spectrum Brands to exchange foreign currencies for U.S. Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros or Australian Dollars. These foreign exchange contracts are fair value hedges of a related liability or asset recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gain or loss on the derivative hedge contracts is recorded in earnings as an offset to the change in value of the related liability or asset at each period end. At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, Spectrum Brands had $120.5 and $108.5, respectively, of notional value for such foreign exchange derivative contracts outstanding.
Spectrum Brands periodically enters into commodity swap contracts to economically hedge the risk from fluctuating prices for raw materials, specifically the pass-through of market prices for silver used in manufacturing purchased watch batteries. Spectrum Brands hedges a portion of the risk associated with these materials through the use of commodity swaps. The swap contracts are designated as economic hedges with the unrealized gain or loss recorded in earnings and as an asset or liability at each period end. The unrealized changes in fair value of the hedge contracts are adjusted through earnings when the realized gains or losses affect earnings upon settlement of the hedges. The swaps effectively fix the floating price on a specified quantity of silver through a specified date. At March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands had a series of such swap contracts outstanding through April 2014 for 15 troy ounces with a contract value of $0.3. At September 30, 2013, Spectrum Brands had a series of such swap contracts outstanding through April 2014 for 45 troy ounces with a contract value of $1.0.
Oil and natural gas commodity contracts
The EXCO/HGI JV’s primary objective in entering into derivative financial instruments is to manage its exposure to commodity price fluctuations, protect its returns on investments and achieve a more predictable cash flow in connection with its operations. These transactions limit exposure to declines in commodity prices, but also limit the benefits the EXCO/HGI JV would realize if commodity prices increase. When prices for oil and natural gas are volatile, changes in the fair value of the derivative financial instrument contracts underlying the EXCO/HGI JV’s derivative financial instrument management activities may result in significant non-cash income or expense activity. Cash losses or gains only arise from payments made or received on monthly settlements of contracts or if the EXCO/HGI JV terminates a contract prior to its expiration. The EXCO/HGI JV does not designate its derivative financial instruments as hedging instruments for financial reporting purposes and, as a result, the EXCO/HGI JV recognizes the change in the respective instruments’ fair value in earnings.
Settlements in the normal course of maturities of derivative financial instrument contracts result in cash receipts from, or cash disbursements to, the EXCO/HGI JV's derivative contract counterparties. Changes in the fair value of the EXCO/HGI JV's derivative financial instrument contracts, which includes both cash settlements and non-cash changes in fair value, are included in income with a corresponding increase or decrease in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets fair value amounts.
The EXCO/HGI JV's natural gas and oil commodity contract derivative instruments are comprised of swap contracts. Swap contracts allow the EXCO/HGI JV to receive a fixed price and pay a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.
The following table presents our proportionate share of the EXCO/HGI JV’s volumes and fair value of the oil and natural gas derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2014 (presented on a calendar-year basis) :
(in millions, except volumes and prices)	Volume Mmmbtus/Mbbls			Weighted average strike price per Mmbtu/Bbl				March 31,
								2014
Natural gas:
Swaps:
Remainder of 2014	12,272.00			$	4.15			$	(3.8	)
Total natural gas	12,272.00							$	(3.8	)
Oil:
Swaps:
Remainder of 2014	205			$	91.87			$	(1.2	)
Total oil	205							$	(1.2	)
Total oil and natural gas derivatives								$	(5.0	)
At September 30, 2013, the EXCO/HGI JV had outstanding derivative contracts to mitigate price volatility covering 16,018 Billion British Thermal Units ("Mmmbtus") of natural gas and 375 Thousand Barrels ("Mbbls") of oil. At March 31, 2014, the average forward NYMEX oil prices per Bbl for the calendar year 2014 was $98.47, and the average forward NYMEX natural gas prices per Mmbtu for the remainder of 2014 was $4.45.
The EXCO/HGI JV's derivative financial instruments covered approximately 69.0% and 77.0% of production volumes for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively, and 54.0% or production volumes for the period from inception to March 31, 2013.
Credit Risk
Spectrum Brands is exposed to the risk of default by the counterparties with which Spectrum Brands transacts and generally does not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments subject to credit risk. Spectrum Brands monitors counterparty credit risk on an individual basis by periodically assessing each such counterparty’s credit rating exposure. The maximum loss due to credit risk equals the fair value of the gross asset derivatives that are concentrated with certain domestic and foreign financial institution counterparties. Spectrum Brands considers these exposures when measuring its credit reserve on its derivative assets, which was insignificant at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013.
Spectrum Brands’ standard contracts do not contain credit risk related contingent features whereby Spectrum Brands would be required to post additional cash collateral as a result of a credit event. However, Spectrum Brands is typically required to post collateral in the normal course of business to offset its liability positions. At March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands did not post any cash collateral related to such liability positions. At September 30, 2013, Spectrum Brands had posted cash collateral of $0.5 related to such liability positions. In addition, at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, Spectrum Brands had no posted standby letters of credit related to such liability positions. The cash collateral is included in "Receivables, net" within the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The EXCO/HGI JV places derivative financial instruments with the financial institutions that are lenders under the EXCO/HGI JV Credit Agreement that it believes have high quality credit ratings. To mitigate risk of loss due to default, the EXCO/HGI JV has entered into master netting agreements with its counterparties on its derivative financial instruments that allow it to offset its asset position with its liability position in the event of a default by the counterparty.
FGL is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by its counterparties on the call options and reflects assumptions regarding this nonperformance risk in the fair value of the call options. The nonperformance risk is the net counterparty exposure based on the fair value of the open contracts less collateral held. FGL maintains a policy of requiring all derivative contracts to be governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") Master Agreement.
Information regarding FGL’s exposure to credit loss on the call options it holds is presented in the following table:
			March 31, 2014																September 30, 2013
Counterparty	Credit Rating		Notional				Fair Value				Collateral				Net Credit Risk				Notional				Fair Value			Collateral		Net Credit Risk
	(Moody's/S&P) (a)		Amount																Amount
Merrill Lynch	A/A		$	2,018.20			$	83			$	41.1			$	41.9			$	2,037.80			$	70.7		$	—	$	70.7
Deutsche Bank	A2/A		2,265.30				81.9				45.7				36.2				1,620.40				51.7			23		28.7
Morgan Stanley	A3/A		2,143.30				89.9				63.2				26.7				2,264.10				75.7			49		26.7
Royal Bank of Scotland	BBB+/Baa2		114.7				8.1				—				8.1				364.3				20.3			—		20.3
Barclay's Bank	A2/A		260.4				8.6				—				8.6				120.8				3.4			—		3.4
			$	6,801.90			$	271.5			$	150			$	121.5			$	6,407.40			$	221.8		$	72	$	149.8
(a) Credit rating as of March 31, 2014.
Collateral Agreements
FGL is required to maintain minimum ratings as a matter of routine practice under its ISDA agreements. Under some ISDA agreements, FGL has agreed to maintain certain financial strength ratings. A downgrade below these levels provides the counterparty under the agreement the right to terminate the open derivative contracts between the parties, at which time any amounts payable by FGL or the counterparty would be dependent on the market value of the underlying derivative contracts. FGL’s current rating allows multiple counterparties the right to terminate ISDA agreements. No ISDA agreements have been terminated, although the counterparties have reserved the right to terminate the ISDA agreements at any time. In certain transactions, FGL and the counterparty have entered into a collateral support agreement requiring either party to post collateral when the net exposures exceed pre-determined thresholds. These thresholds vary by counterparty and credit rating. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, counterparties posted $150.0 and $72.0 of collateral, of which $108.9 and $72.0, respectively, is included in "Cash and cash equivalents," with an associated payable for this collateral included in "Other liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining $41.1 of non-cash collateral was held by a third-party custodian at March 31, 2014. Accordingly, the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that FGL would incur if parties to the call options failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts was $121.5 and $149.8 at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
FGL held 1,990 and 1,693 futures contracts at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively. The fair value of the futures contracts represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity, net of cash settlements). FGL provides cash collateral to the counterparties for the initial and variation margin on the futures contracts which is included in "Cash and cash equivalents" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of collateral held by the counterparties for such contracts was $8.6 and $5.9 at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities measured at fair value are summarized according to the hierarchy previously described as follows:
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
	Assets (a)
	Cash and cash equivalents (b)	$	1,319.80		$	—		$	—		$	1,319.80
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	—			—			41.5			41.5
	Derivatives:
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			2.1			—			2.1
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			0.4			—			0.4
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative included in asset-based loans	—			1.2			—			1.2
	Call options and futures contracts	—			273			—			273
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			1,576.50			10.7			1,587.20
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			486.6			—			486.6
	Corporates	—			9,865.10			657			10,522.10
	Hybrids	—			451.6			—			451.6
	Municipals	—			1,204.40			35.6			1,240.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			99.4			—			99.4
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			1,847.10			—			1,847.10
	U.S. Government	181.5			211.1			—			392.6
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale	—			353.1			—			353.1
	Trading	121			—			10.8			131.8
	Other invested assets	—			2.1			—			2.1
	Funds withheld receivable	19			135.5			—			154.5
	Total financial assets	$	1,641.30		$	16,509.20		$	755.6		$	18,906.10
	Liabilities (a)
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—		$	1,718.70		$	1,718.70
	Front Street future policyholder benefit liability	—			—			151			151
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			7.2			—			7.2
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			5.1			—			5.1
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			364.8			364.8
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	12.3		$	2,234.50		$	2,246.80
		September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
	Assets (a)
	Cash and cash equivalents (b)	$	1,899.70		$	—		$	—		$	1,899.70
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	—			—			41			41
	Derivatives:
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			1.8			—			1.8
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			4.1			—			4.1
	Call options and futures contracts	—			221.8			—			221.8
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			1,518.10			5			1,523.10
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			448.7			5.7			454.4
	Corporates	—			8,957.20			461.1			9,418.30
	Hybrids	—			428.8						428.8
	Municipals	—			1,007.00			—			1,007.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			98.6			—			98.6
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			1,368.00			—			1,368.00
	U.S. Government	790.9			210.9			—			1,001.80
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale	—			271			—			271
	Trading	70.8			—			10.7			81.5
	Total financial assets	$	2,761.40		$	14,536.00		$	523.5		$	17,820.90
	Liabilities (a)
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—		$	1,544.40		$	1,544.40
	Futures contracts	—			1			—			1
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			10			—			10
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			2.4			—			2.4
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			330.8			330.8
Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	13.4		$	1,875.20		$	1,888.60
(a)	The carrying amounts of trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued investment income and portions of other insurance liabilities approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.
(b)	The fair values of cash equivalents and equity investments set forth above are generally based on quoted or observed market prices.
Valuation Methodologies
Fixed Maturity Securities & Equity Securities
FGL measures the fair value of its securities based on assumptions used by market participants in pricing the security. The most appropriate valuation methodology is selected based on the specific characteristics of the fixed maturity or equity security, and FGL will then consistently apply the valuation methodology to measure the security’s fair value. FGL’s fair value measurement is based on a market approach, which utilizes prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. Sources of inputs to the market approach include a third-party pricing service, independent broker quotations or pricing matrices. FGL uses observable and unobservable inputs in its valuation methodologies. Observable inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers and reference data. In addition, market indicators and industry and economic events are monitored and further market data will be acquired when certain thresholds are met. For certain security types, additional inputs may be used, or some of the inputs described above may not be applicable. For broker-quoted only securities, quotes from market makers or broker-dealers are obtained from sources recognized to be market participants. Management believes the broker quotes are prices at which trades could be executed based on historical trades executed at broker-quoted or slightly higher prices.
FGL did not adjust prices received from third parties as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013. However, FGL does analyze the third-party valuation methodologies and its related inputs to perform assessments to determine the appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy.
Front Street Re (Delaware) Ltd. and its subsidiaries ("Front Street") elected to apply the Fair Value Option to account for its Funds Withheld Receivables and Future Policy Holder Benefits Reserve related to its assumed reinsurance. Front Street measures fair value of the Funds Withheld Receivables based on the fair values of the securities in the underlying funds withheld portfolio held in trust by the cedant. Front Street uses a discounted cash flows approach to measure the fair value of the Future Policy Holder Benefits Reserve. The cash flows associated with future policy benefits are generated using best estimate assumptions (plus a risk margin, where applicable) and are consistent with market prices, where available. Risk margins are typically applied to non-observable, non-hedgeable market inputs such as long term volatility, mortality, morbidity, lapse, etc.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The fair value of derivative assets and liabilities is based upon valuation pricing models, which represents what FGL would expect to receive or pay at the balance sheet date if it canceled the options, entered into offsetting positions, or exercised the options. The fair value of futures contracts represents the cumulative unsettled variation margin (open trade equity net of cash settlements). Fair values for these instruments are determined externally by an independent actuarial firm using market-observable inputs, including interest rates, yield curve volatilities, and other factors. Credit risk related to the counterparty is considered when estimating the fair values of these derivatives. The fair value of the embedded derivatives in FGL’s FIA products are derived using market indices, pricing assumptions and historical data.
The EXCO/HGI JV evaluates derivative assets and liabilities in accordance with master netting agreements with the derivative counterparties, but reports them on a gross basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Net derivative asset values are determined primarily by quoted futures prices and utilization of the counterparties’ credit-adjusted risk-free rate curves and net derivative liabilities are determined by utilization of a credit-adjusted risk-free rate curve. The credit-adjusted risk-free rates of the EXCO/HGI JV’s counterparties are based on an independent market-quoted credit default swap rate curve for the counterparties’ debt plus the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) curve as of the end of the reporting period. The EXCO/HGI JV’s credit-adjusted risk-free rate is based on its cost of debt plus the LIBOR curve as of the end of the reporting period.
The EXCO/HGI JV’s oil derivatives are swap contracts for notional Bbls of oil at fixed NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) oil prices. The asset and liability values attributable to oil derivatives as of the end of the reporting period are based on (i) the contracted notional volumes, (ii) independent active NYMEX futures price quotes for WTI oil, and (iii) the applicable estimated credit-adjusted risk-free rate curve, as described above.
The EXCO/HGI JV’s natural gas derivatives are swap contracts for notional Mmbtus of natural gas at posted price indexes, including NYMEX Henry Hub (“HH”) swap contracts. The asset and liability values attributable to natural gas derivatives as of the end of the reporting period are based on (i) the contracted notional volumes, (ii) independent active NYMEX futures price quotes for HH for natural gas swaps, and (iii) the applicable credit-adjusted risk-free rate curve, as described above.
Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs used for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments carried at fair value as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
					Fair Value at						Range (Weighted average)
Assets		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input(s)		March 31,			September 30,			March 31,	September 30,
					2014			2013			2014	2013
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable		Discounted cash flow	Probability of collection		$	41.5		$	41		88% - 96% (92%)	88% - 96% (92%)
			Expected term								6 months	9 months
			Discount rate								1%	1%
			Credit insurance risk premium								12%	11%
Asset-backed securities		Broker-quoted	Offered quotes		10.7			5			96% - 101% (99%)	100% - 107% (101%)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities		Broker-quoted	Offered quotes		—			5.7			—%	96%
Corporates		Broker-quoted	Quoted prices		591.2			404.5			0% - 120% (94%)	0% - 113% (90%)
Corporates		Market Pricing	Offered quotes		65.8			56.6			94% - 138% (99%)	90% - 131% (97%)
Municipal		Broker-quoted	Offered quotes		35.6			—			102%	—%
Equity		Market Pricing	Revenue multiple		10.8						0.3x - 0.4x
			Probably of transaction closing								90%
		Option Pricing	Risk-adjusted rate					10.7				25.00%
			Risk-free discount factor									0.999
			Risk-adjusted discount factor									0.995
			Upward movement factor (Mu)									1.1
			Downward movement factor (Md)									0.9
			Probability of upward movement (Pu)									48.60%
			Probability of downward movement (Pd)									51.40%
Total					$	755.6		$	523.5
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds		Discounted cash flow	Market value of option		$	1,718.70		$	1,544.40		0% - 44% (4%)	0% - 38% (4%)
			SWAP rates								2% - 3% (2%)	2% - 3% (2%)
			Mortality multiplier								80%	80%
			Surrender rates								0.50% - 75% (7%)	0.50% - 75% (7%)
			Non-performance spread								0.25%	0.25% - 0.25% (0.25%)
Front Street future policyholder benefit liability		Discounted cash flow	Non-performance risk spread		151			—			0.6% - 1.5%	—%
			Risk margin to reflect uncertainty								0.25-0.50%	—%
					Fair Value at						Range (Weighted average)
Assets		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input(s)		March 31,			September 30,			March 31,	September 30,
					2014			2013			2014	2013
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock		Monte Carlo simulation / Option model	Annualized volatility of equity		364.8			330.8			41%	42%
			Discount yield								10.50%	11.00%
			Non-cash accretion rate								0%	0%
			Calibration adjustment								0%	0% - 1.0% (0.3%)
Total					$	2,234.50		$	1,875.20
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the contingent purchase price reduction receivable are the probability of collection depending on the outcomes of litigation and regulatory action, the expected term until payment, discount rate and the credit insurance risk premium. Generally, an increase in the assumptions for the expected term, discount rate and credit insurance risk premium would decrease the fair value of the contingent purchase price receivable. An increase in the probability of collection would increase the fair value of the contingent purchase price reduction receivable.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the equity investment are revenue multiple and probability of the transaction closing. Significant increases (decreases) in the revenue multiple and the probability of transaction closing would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in any one unobservable input would not result in a change in any other unobservable input.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of FIA embedded derivatives included in contractholder funds are market value of option, interest swap rates, mortality multiplier, surrender rates, and non-performance spread. The mortality multiplier at March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, is based on the 2000 and 1983 annuity tables, respectively and assumes the contractholder population is 50% female and 50% male. Significant increases (decreases) in the market value of option in isolation would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Significant increases (decreases) in interest swap rates, mortality multiplier, surrender rates, or non-performance spread in isolation would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in any one unobservable input would not result in a change in any other unobservable input.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the equity conversion feature of the Company’s Preferred Stock are annualized volatility of the market value of the Company’s listed shares of common stock, the discount yield as of the valuation date, a calibration factor to the issued date fair value of the Preferred Stock and the forecasted non-cash accretion rate. Significant increases (decreases) in any of the inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Generally, an increase in the assumptions used for the volatility and discount yield assumptions would increase the fair value of the equity conversion feature of Preferred Stock, and maintaining a higher forecasted non-cash accretion rate, would also increase the fair value of the equity conversion feature of Preferred Stock. A decrease in the calibration factor would result in an increase in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of Preferred Stock.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Front Street future policyholder benefit liability are non-performance risk spread and risk spread to reflect uncertainty. Significant increases (decreases) in non-performance risk spread and risk margin to reflect uncertainty would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement.
The following tables summarize changes to the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013. This summary excludes any impact of amortization of VOBA and DAC. The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.
	Three months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Assets
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41.5		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41.5
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	9.8			—			(0.1		)	—			—			—			1			10.7
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6			—			—			—			—			—			(6.0		)	—
Corporates	607.1			—			10.1			41.7			—			(1.9		)	—			657
Municipals	34.3			—			1.3			—			—			—			—			35.6
Equity securities - trading	10.8			—			—			—			—			—			—			10.8
Total assets at fair value	$	709.5		$	—		$	11.3		$	41.7		$	—		$	(1.9	)	$	(5.0	)	$	755.6
	Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,644.70		$	74		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,718.70
Front Street future policyholder benefit liability	149.9			3.7			—			—			—			(2.6		)	—			151
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	378			3.5			—			—			—			(16.7		)	—			364.8
Total liabilities at fair value	$	2,172.60		$	81.2		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(19.3	)	$	—		$	2,234.50
(a)	This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.
	Six months ended March 31, 2014
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Assets
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41		$	0.5		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41.5
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	5			—			(0.3		)	5			—			—			1			10.7
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	5.7			—			0.3			—			—			—			(6.0		)	—
Corporates	461.1			—			4			194.3			—			(2.4		)	—			657
Municipals	—			—			0.6			35			—			—			—			35.6
Equity securities - trading	10.7			0.1			—			—			—			—			—			10.8
Total assets at fair value	$	523.5		$	0.6		$	4.6		$	234.3		$	—		$	(2.4	)	$	(5.0	)	$	755.6
	Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,544.40		$	174.3		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,718.70
Front Street future policyholder benefit liability	—			3			—			150.6			—			(2.6		)	—			151
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	330.8			50.7			—			—			—			(16.7		)	—			364.8
Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,875.20		$	228		$	—		$	150.6		$	—		$	(19.3	)	$	—		$	2,234.50
(a)	This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.
	Three months ended March 31, 2013
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Assets
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	5.3			—			—			—			—			—			—			5.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6.1			—			0.1			—			—			—			—			6.2
Corporates	256.1			(0.1		)	3.2			144.2			—			(13.0		)	(33.9		)	356.5
Hybrids	5			—			—			—			—			—			(5.0		)	—
Equity securities available-for-sale	—			—			—			10			—			—			—			10
Total assets at fair value	$	313.5		$	(0.1	)	$	3.3		$	154.2		$	—		$	(13.0	)	$	(38.9	)	$	419
	Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,517.00		$	122.6		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,639.60
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	163.1			39.6			—			—			—			—			—			202.7
Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,680.10		$	162.2		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,842.30
(a)	The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.
	Six months ended March 31, 2013
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Assets
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	15.9			—			(0.1		)	—			—			—			(10.5		)	5.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	5			—			0.2			1			—			—			—			6.2
Corporates	135.3			(0.3		)	1.2			277.4			(9.6		)	(13.7		)	(33.8		)	356.5
Hybrids	8.8			—			(0.1		)	—			—			—			(8.7		)	—
Equity securities available-for-sale	—			—			—			10			—			—			—			10
Total assets at fair value	$	206		$	(0.3	)	$	1.2		$	288.4		$	(9.6	)	$	(13.7	)	$	(53.0	)	$	419
	Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,550.80		$	88.8		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,639.60
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	232			(29.3		)	—			—			—			—			—			202.7
Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,782.80		$	59.5		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,842.30
(a)	The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.
FGL reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications each reporting period. Changes in the observability of the valuation attributes may result in a reclassification of certain financial assets or liabilities. Such reclassifications are reported as transfers in and out of Level 3, or between other levels, at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014. FGL transferred $79.3 U.S. Government securities from Level 1 into Level 2 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013 reflecting the level of market activity in these instruments
Primary market issuance and secondary market activity for certain asset-backed, hybrid and corporate securities during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 increased the market observable inputs used to establish fair values for similar securities. These factors, along with more consistent pricing from third-party sources, resulted in FGL concluding that there is sufficient trading activity in similar instruments to support classifying these securities as Level 2 as of March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013. Accordingly, FGL’s assessment resulted in net transfers out of Level 3 of $5.0 related to asset-backed securities during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and of $38.9 and $53.0 related to asset-backed, corporate and hybrid securities during during the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively.
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets are tested annually or if an event occurs that indicates an impairment loss may have been incurred using fair value measurements with unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Financial Assets and Liabilities Not Measured at Fair Value
The carrying amount, estimated fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are summarized as follows:
	March 31, 2014
	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value			Carrying Amount
Assets (a)
Other invested assets	$	—		$	—		$	130.5		$	130.5		$	130.5
Asset-based loans	—			—			795.7			795.7			795.7
Total financial assets	$	—		$	—		$	926.2		$	926.2		$	926.2
Liabilities (a)
Total debt (b)	$	—		$	5,488.10		$	—		$	5,488.10		$	5,396.30
Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature	—			—			319.3			319.3			319.3
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—			12,872.30			12,872.30			14,279.60
Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	5,488.10		$	13,191.60		$	18,679.70		$	19,995.20
	September 30, 2013
	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Amount
Assets (a)
Other invested assets	$	—		$	—		$	31.2		$	31.2		$	31.2
Asset-based loans	—			—			560.4			560.4			560.4
Total financial assets	$	—		$	—		$	591.6		$	591.6		$	591.6
Liabilities (a)
Total debt (b)	$	—		$	4,773.20		$	—		$	4,773.20		$	4,896.10
Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature	—			—			377.1			377.1			329.4
Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—			12,378.60			12,378.60			13,703.80
Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	4,773.20		$	12,755.70		$	17,528.90		$	18,929.30
(a)	The carrying amounts of trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued investment income and portions of other insurance liabilities approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.
(b)	The fair values of debt set forth above are generally based on quoted or observed market prices.
Valuation Methodology
Investment contracts include deferred annuities, FIAs, IUL and immediate annuities. The fair values of deferred annuity, FIAs, and IUL contracts are based on their cash surrender value (i.e. the cost FGL would incur to extinguish the liability) as these contracts are generally issued without an annuitization date. The fair value of immediate annuities contracts is derived by calculating a new fair value interest rate using the updated yield curve and treasury spreads as of the respective reporting date. At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, this resulted in lower fair value reserves relative to the carrying value. FGL is not required to and has not estimated the fair value of the liabilities under contracts that involve significant mortality or morbidity risks, as these liabilities fall within the definition of insurance contracts that are exceptions from financial instruments that require disclosure of fair value.
The fair value of redeemable preferred stock, excluding the equity conversion feature, is derived under the same model and using the same inputs and assumptions, as is used to determine the fair value of the equity conversion feature of said redeemable preferred stock, as is discussed in the disclosures pertaining to financial instruments measured at fair value above.
The fair value of the asset-based loans originated by Salus approximate their carrying value, as those loans carry a variable rate, are revolving in nature, and can be settled at the demand of either party.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA	'
	Goodwill and Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net
	A summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill and intangible assets, including FGL’s DAC and VOBA balances, are as follows:
					Intangible Assets
		Goodwill			Indefinite Lived			Definite Lived			VOBA			DAC			Total
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	1,476.70		$	1,178.10		$	985.1		$	225.3		$	340.6		$	2,729.10
	Acquisitions (Note 3)	10.5			5.1			22			—			—			27.1
	Deferrals	—			—			—			—			115.8			115.8
	Less: Components of amortization -
	Periodic amortization	—			—			(40.7		)	(43.3		)	(24.4		)	(108.4		)
	Interest	—			—			—			7.3			6.7			14
	Unlocking	—			—			—			11.9			1.7			13.6
	Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net	—			—			—			(63.0		)	(42.0		)	(105.0		)
	Effect of translation	(7.6		)	5			0.3			—			—			5.3
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,479.60		$	1,188.20		$	966.7		$	138.2		$	398.4		$	2,691.50
	Intangible assets are recorded at cost or at fair value if acquired in a purchase business combination. Definite lived intangible assets include customer relationships, proprietary technology intangibles and certain trade names that are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of ranging from one to twenty years.
	Goodwill and indefinite lived trade name intangibles are not amortized and are tested for impairment at least annually at the Company’s August financial period end, or more frequently if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment loss may have been incurred between annual impairment tests.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands recorded an adjustment of $3.5 to goodwill to finalize the purchase accounting for the acquisition of the HHI Business from Stanley Black & Decker. The adjustment related to changes in the valuation of working capital accounts and deferred taxes based on the final determination of fair value. These adjustments were not retrospectively applied to the opening balance sheet as the amounts were deemed immaterial.
	During the six month period ended March 30, 2014, Spectrum Brands recorded additions to goodwill and intangible assets related to the acquisition of Liquid Fence. See Note 3, Acquisitions, for further detail.
	Amortization of DAC and VOBA is based on the amount of gross margins or profits recognized, including investment gains and losses. The adjustment for unrealized net investment losses represents the amount of DAC and VOBA that would have been amortized if such unrealized gains and losses had been recognized. This is referred to as the “shadow adjustments” as the additional amortization is reflected in other comprehensive income rather than the statement of operations. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the VOBA balance included cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment (gains) of $(144.5) and $(81.4), respectively, and the DAC balances included cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment (gains) losses of $(23.5) and $18.6, respectively. Amortization of VOBA and DAC for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was $10.9 and $16.8, and $6.0 and $12.1, respectively. Amortization of VOBA and DAC for the six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was $24.1 and $75.7, and $16.0 and $22.7, respectively.
	The above DAC balances include $29.5 and $26.2 of deferred sales inducements (“DSI”), net of shadow adjustments, as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, respectively.
	Definite lived intangible assets are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2014									September 30, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Net			Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Net			Amortizable Life
	Customer relationships	$	888.6		$	(184.5	)	$	704.1		$	885.9		$	(160.8	)	$	725.1		15 to 20 years
	Trade names	171.4			(52.8		)	118.6			171.6			(44.7		)	126.9			1 to 12 years
	Technology assets	192.2			(48.2		)	144			172.1			(39.0		)	133.1			4 to 17 years
		$	1,252.20		$	(285.5	)	$	966.7		$	1,229.60		$	(244.5	)	$	985.1
	Amortization expense for definite lived intangible assets is as follows:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Customer relationships	$	11.6		$	11.3		$	23.3		$	21.7
	Trade names	4.1			4.3			8.2			7.9
	Technology assets	4.8			4.5			9.2			7.6
		$	20.5		$	20.1		$	40.7		$	37.2
	The Company estimates annual amortization expense of amortizable intangible assets for the next five fiscal years will approximate $82.0 per year.
	The weighted average amortization period for VOBA is approximately 4.8 years. Estimated amortization expense for VOBA in future fiscal periods is as follows:
			Estimated Amortization Expense
	Fiscal Year		VOBA
	2014		$	20.7
	2015		44.5
	2016		39.7
	2017		32.5
	2018		26.1
	2019 and thereafter		119.2

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	The Company’s consolidated debt consists of the following:
		March 31, 2014					September 30, 2013
		Amount			Rate		Amount			Rate
	HGI:
	7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	925		7.9	%	$	925		7.9	%
	7.75% Senior Unsecured Notes, due January 15, 2022	200			7.8	%	—			—	%
	Spectrum Brands:
	CAD Term Loan, due December 17, 2019	75.9			5	%	81.4			5.1	%
	Term Loan, due September 4, 2017 (Tranche A)	834.1			3	%	850			3	%
	Term Loan, due September 4, 2019 (Tranche C)	513.7			3.6	%	300			3.6	%
	Term Loan, due December 17, 2019 (Tranche B)	—			—		513.3			4.6	%
	Euro Term Loan, due September 4, 2019	309.2			3.8	%	—			—
	6.75% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2020	300			6.8	%	300			6.8	%
	6.375% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2020	520			6.4	%	520			6.4	%
	6.625% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2022	570			6.6	%	570			6.6	%
	ABL Facility, expiring May 24, 2017	167.5			2.5	%	—			5.7	%
	Other notes and obligations	50.4			7.1	%	28.5			8.5	%
	Capitalized lease obligations	97			6.2	%	67.4			6.2	%
	FGL
	6.375% Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021	300			6.4	%	300			6.4	%
	EXCO/HGI JV
	EXCO/HGI JV Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018	250.6			2.7	%	271.2			2.7	%
	Salus
	Unaffiliated long-term debt of consolidated variable-interest entity	191.8			6.7	%	182.9			6.6	%
	Secured borrowings under non-qualifying loan participations	100			11	%	—			—
	Total	5,405.20					4,909.70
	Original issuance (discounts) premiums on debt, net	(8.9		)			(13.6		)
	Total debt	5,396.30					4,896.10
	Less current maturities	119.3					102.9
	Non-current portion of debt	$	5,277.00				$	4,793.20
	HGI
	In January 2014, the Company issued $200.0 aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "7.75% Notes"). The 7.75% Notes were priced at 100% of par plus accrued interest from January 21, 2014. Interest on the 7.75% Notes is payable semi-annually, in January and July. In connection with the 7.75% Note offering the Company recorded $5.6 of fees during the six months ended March 31, 2014. These fees are classified as "Other assets" in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014, and are being amortized to interest expense utilizing the effective interest method over the term of the 7.75% Notes.
	The Company has the option to redeem the 7.75% Notes prior to January 15, 2017 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time on or after January 15, 2017, the Company may redeem some or all of the 7.75% Notes at certain fixed redemption prices expressed as percentages of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to January 15, 2017, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% Notes with net cash proceeds received by us from certain equity offerings at a price equal to 107.75% of the principal amount of the 7.75% Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption, provided that redemption occurs within 90 days of the closing date of such equity offering, and at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% Notes remains outstanding immediately thereafter.
	At March 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the indentures governing the 7.875% Senior Secured Notes and the 7.75% Notes.
	Spectrum Brands
	Term Loan
	In December 2013, Spectrum Brands amended the senior term loan facility (the "Term Loan"), issuing two tranches maturing September 4, 2019 which provide for borrowings in aggregate principal amounts of $215.0 and €225.0 (the "Euro Term Loan Debt"). The proceeds from the amendment were used to refinance a portion of the Term Loan (formerly Tranche B) which was scheduled to mature December 17, 2019 and had an aggregate amount outstanding of $513.3 prior to refinancing. The $215.0 additional U.S. dollar denominated portion was combined with the existing Tranche C maturing September 4, 2019. Spectrum Brands recorded accelerated amortization of portions of the unamortized discount and unamortized debt issuance costs related to the refinancing of the Term Loan totaling $9.2 as an adjustment to interest expense during the six month period ended March 31, 2014.
	The additional Tranche C and Euro Term Loan debt were issued at a 0.125% discount and recorded net of the discount incurred. Of this discount, $0.5 is reflected as an adjustment to the carrying value of principal, and is being amortized with a corresponding charge to interest expense over the remaining life of the debt, and the remainder of $0.1 is reflected as an increase to interest expense during the six month period ended March 31, 2014. In connection with the refinancing of a portion of the Term Loan, Spectrum Brands recorded $0.6 and $7.1 of fees during the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2014, respectively, of which $5.1 is classified as debt issuance costs within the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and is being amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining life of the Term Loan, with the remainder of $1.9 reflected as an increase to interest expense during the six month period ended March 31, 2014.
	ABL Facility
	In connection with the December 2013 amendment of the Term Loan, Spectrum Brands amended its asset based lending revolving credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) to obtain certain consents to the amendment of the senior credit agreement. In connection with the amendment, Spectrum Brands incurred fees and expenses that are included in the amounts recorded above related to the amendment of the Term Loan.
	As a result of borrowings and payments under the ABL Facility, at March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands had aggregate borrowing availability of approximately $123.9, net of lender reserves of $8.6 and outstanding letters of credit of $49.9.
	EXCO/HGI JV Credit Agreement
	As of March 31, 2014, the EXCO/HGI JV had a borrowing base of $400.0 with $337.0 of outstanding indebtedness. Our proportionate share of the obligation was $250.6. The borrowing base is redetermined semi-annually during December and June, with the EXCO/HGI JV and the lenders having the right to request interim unscheduled redeterminations in certain circumstances.
	Salus
	Salus acts as co-lender under some of the asset-based loans that it originates, and such loans are structured to meet the definition of a "participating interest" as defined under ASC 860-10, Transfers and Servicing. For loans originated with co-lenders that have terms that result in such a co-lender not having a qualifying "participating interest", Salus recognizes the whole, undivided loan. Salus also reflects a secured borrowing owing to the co-lender representing their share in the undivided whole loan. As of March 31, 2014, Salus had $100.0 of such secured borrowings to co-lenders outstanding related to non-qualifying "participating interests".

Defined_Benefit_Plans

Defined Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Plans	'
	Defined Benefit Plans
	The components of consolidated net periodic benefit and deferred compensation benefit costs and contributions made are as follows:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31, 2014			March 31, 2013			March 31, 2014			March 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	0.8		$	0.9		$	2		$	1.7
	Interest cost	2.6			2.7			6			5.3
	Expected return on assets	(2.4		)	(2.4		)	(6.0		)	(4.9		)
	Recognized net actuarial loss	0.4			0.6			0.8			1.1
	Employee contributions	—			(0.1		)	—			(0.1		)
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	1.4		$	1.7		$	2.8		$	3.1
	Contributions made during period	$	2.2		$	1.2		$	5.6		$	1.9

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Reinsurance	'
	Reinsurance
	FGL reinsures portions of its policy risks with other insurance companies. The use of reinsurance does not discharge an insurer from liability on the insurance ceded. The insurer is required to pay in full the amount of its insurance liability regardless of whether it is entitled to or able to receive payment from the reinsurer. The portion of risks exceeding FGL’s retention limit is reinsured with other insurers. FGL seeks reinsurance coverage in order to limit its exposure to mortality losses and enhance capital management. FGL follows reinsurance accounting when there is adequate risk transfer. Otherwise, the deposit method of accounting is followed.
	FGL and Front Street Cayman also assume policy risks from other insurance companies.
	The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned, benefits incurred and reserve changes for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Three months ended												Six months ended
		March 31, 2014						March 31, 2013						March 31, 2014						March 31, 2013
		Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves			Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves			Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves			Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves
	Direct	$	67		$	256.4		$	70		$	289.3		$	134.7		$	552.8		$	142.4		$	428.9
	Assumed	9.5			9.9			3.3			1			18.8			15.3			15.4			7.5
	Ceded	(61.7		)	(69.8		)	(59.2		)	(49.4		)	(124.8		)	(136.9		)	(129.9		)	(111.9		)
	Net	$	14.8		$	196.5		$	14.1		$	240.9		$	28.7		$	431.2		$	27.9		$	324.5
	Amounts payable or recoverable for reinsurance on paid and unpaid claims are not subject to periodic or maximum limits. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, FGL did not write off any reinsurance balances. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, FGL did not commute any ceded reinsurance.
	No policies issued by FGL have been reinsured with any foreign company, which is controlled, either directly or indirectly, by a party not primarily engaged in the business of insurance.
	FGL has not entered into any reinsurance agreements in which the reinsurer may unilaterally cancel any reinsurance for reasons other than non-payment of premiums or other similar credit issues.
	Front Street
	On December 31, 2012, FGL entered into a Reinsurance Agreement with Front Street Cayman, an indirect subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the Reinsurance Agreement, Front Street Cayman has reinsured approximately 10%, or approximately $1,400.0 of FGL’s policy liabilities, on a funds withheld basis. In connection with the Reinsurance Agreement, Front Street Cayman, FGL and an indirect subsidiary of the Company, Five Island, entered into an investment management agreement, pursuant to which Five Island Asset Management, LLC, (“Five Island”) would manage the assets securing Front Street Cayman’s reinsurance obligations under the Reinsurance Agreement, which assets are held by FGL in a segregated account. The assets in the segregated account are invested in accordance with FGL’s existing guidelines.
	On December 16, 2013, Front Street Cayman, closed a reinsurance treaty with Bankers Life Insurance Company. Under the terms of the treaty, Bankers Life Insurance Company ceded approximately $153.0 of its annuity business to Front Street Cayman, on a funds withheld basis. The agreement, which has been approved by the State of Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, is retroactive to November 30, 2013. Front Street Cayman will manage the assets supporting reserves in accordance with the internal investment policy of Bankers Life Insurance Company and applicable law.

Stock_Compensation

Stock Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Compensation	'
	Stock Compensation
	The Company recognized consolidated stock compensation expense of $24.0 and $15.7 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and $47.4 and $22.2 during the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Stock compensation expense is principally included in “Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	A summary of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and related activity during the six months then ended, under HGI, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. ("FGH"), and FGL’s respective incentive plans are as follows (share amounts in thousands):
			HGI							FGH				FGL
	Stock Option Awards		Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted			Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted
							Average Grant											Average Grant
							Date Fair Value											Date Fair Value
	Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,954		$	6.52	$	2.55		335		$	44.23	—		$	—	$	—
	Granted		1,326		11.76		4.91			—		—		249		17		3.76
	Exercised		(497	)	4.96		1.77			(28	)	41.79		—		—		—
	Forfeited or expired		(25	)	7.67		2.98			(3	)	46.43		(2	)	17		5.26
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014		4,758		8.14		3.28			304		44.43		247		17		3.74
	Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014		1,379		7.39		2.93			129		42.56		—		—		—
	Stock options outstanding and expected to vest		3,379		8.45		3.43			168		44.37		242		17		3.71
	A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock units and Performance Restricted Stock Units ("PRSUs") outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and related activity during the six months then ended, under HGI, Spectrum Brands, FGH and FGL’s respective incentive plans are as follows (share amounts in thousands):
			HGI				FGL
	Restricted Stock Awards		Shares		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
					Average Grant				Average Grant
					Date Fair Value				Date Fair Value
	Restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,456		$	7.72	—		$	—
	Granted		3,302		12		171		18.11
	Vested		(1,126	)	10.15		—		—
	Forfeited		(26	)	9.26		(3	)	19.98
	Restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2014		5,606		9.75		168		18.08
	Restricted stock expected to vest		5,606		9.75		164		18.03
			Spectrum Brands				FGH
	Restricted Stock Units		Units		Weighted		Units		Weighted
					Average Grant				Average Grant
					Date Fair Value				Date Fair Value
	Restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2013		1,118		$	39.11	46		$	49.6
	Granted		436		69		—		—
	Vested		(949	)	39.62		(15	)	49.45
	Forfeited		—		—		(1	)	49.45
	Restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2014		605		59.84		30		49.59
	Restricted stock units expected to vest		605		59.84		27		49.59
			FGL
	Performance Restricted Stock Units		Units		Weighted
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Performance restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2013		—		$	—
	Granted		541		17.37
	Performance restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2014		541		17.37
	Performance restricted stock units expected to vest		541		17.37
	On March 31, 2014 the Company had 22 thousand vested and outstanding restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value of $4.61 per share.
	HGI
	During the six months ended March 31, 2014, HGI granted stock option awards and restricted stock awards representing approximately 1,326 thousand and 3,302 thousand shares, respectively. HGI granted no stock option or restricted stock awards during the three months ended March 31, 2014. All of these grants are time based, and vest either immediately, or over periods of 1 year to 3 years. The total fair value of the stock grants during the six months ended March 31, 2014 on their respective grant dates was approximately $46.1. During the six months ended March 31, 2014 stock option awards and restricted stock awards with a total fair value of $14.3 vested. The total intrinsic value of share options exercised during the six months ended March 31, 2014 was $3.6, for which HGI received cash of $2.5 in settlement.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2013, HGI granted stock option awards, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock unit awards representing approximately 1,528 thousand, 3,256 thousand and 9 thousand shares, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 HGI granted stock option awards, restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards representing approximately 30 thousand, 29 thousand and 9 thousand shares. All of these grants are time based, and vest over periods of 7 months up to 36 months. The total fair value of the stock grants on their respective grant dates was approximately $33.2.
	In March 2014, the Company granted warrants to our Chief Executive Officer, Philip Falcone, representing the right to purchase approximately 3 million shares of our common stock, at an exercise price of $13.13. The warrants granted to our Chief Executive Officer will become effective if our stockholders approve the equity plan under which such grant was made. A portion of the warrants would vest immediately upon approval of the grant, and the remainder would vest over a period of 4 years. The estimated fair value of this award was $11.9, as of March 31, 2014.
	Under HGI’s executive bonus plan for Fiscal 2014, executives will be paid in cash, stock, stock options and restricted stock shares. The equity grants are expected to be granted in the first quarter of the fiscal year ending September 31, 2015, and to vest, either immediately, or between 1 year and 3 years from the grant date.
	As of March 31, 2014, there was approximately $29.9 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation agreements previously granted, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.82 years.
	The fair values of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards are determined based on the market price of HGI’s common stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock option awards is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
	The following assumptions were used in the determination of these grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model:
		2014		2013
	Risk-free interest rate	1.46% to 1.75%		0.85%
	Assumed dividend yield	—%		—%
	Expected option term	5.3 to 6.0 years		5.3 to 6.0 years
	Volatility	41.20%		42.8% to 44.0%
	The weighted-average remaining contractual term of outstanding stock option awards at March 31, 2014, was 8.69 years.
	Spectrum Brands
	Spectrum Brands granted restricted stock units representing approximately 22 thousand and 436 thousand shares during the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively. Of these grants, 90 thousand restricted stock units vested immediately and 53 thousand restricted stock units are time-based and vest over a period of one year. The remaining 293 thousand restricted stock units are performance and time-based and vest over a period of two years. The total market value of the restricted shares on the date of the grant was approximately $30.1.
	Spectrum Brands granted restricted stock units representing approximately 62 thousand and 636 thousand shares during the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively. Of these grants, 22 thousand restricted stock units are time-based and vest over a period of one year. Of the remaining 614 thousand restricted stock units, 90 thousand are performance based and vest over a one year period, and 524 thousand restricted stock units are performance-based and vest over a period of two years. The total market value of the restricted shares on the date of the grant was approximately $28.6.
	The fair values of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are determined based on the market price of Spectrum Brands’ common stock on the grant date.
	FGL
In conjunction with the initial public offering, on November 7, 2013, FGL’s board of directors adopted a long term stock-based incentive plan (the “FGL 2013 Stock Incentive Plan”) under which certain officers, employees, directors and consultants are eligible to receive equity based awards. The FGL 2013 Stock Incentive Plan was approved by the stockholder on November 19, 2013, became effective on December 12, 2013 and expires in December 2023. FGL’s compensation committee approved the granting of awards under the FGL 2013 Stock Incentive Plan to certain employees, officers and directors (other than the members of the compensation committee). In addition, FGL’s board of directors approved the granting of awards to members of FGL’s compensation committee. The awards made to members of the FGL's compensation committee were not made under the FGL 2013 Stock Incentive Plan; however, these awards will be construed and administered as if subject to the terms of the FGL 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. FGL’s board of directors and stockholder, HGI, also approved the granting of unrestricted common shares to its directors in lieu of cash compensation at the election of each individual director.
FGL’s principal subsidiary, FGH, sponsors stock-based incentive plans and dividend equivalent plans (“DEPs”) for its employees (“FGH Plans”). Awards under the FGH Plans are based on the common stock of FGH. In Fiscal 2013, FGH determined that all equity awards will be settled in cash when exercised and therefore are classified as liability plans.
During the six months ended March 31, 2014, FGL granted stock option awards, restricted stock awards and performance restricted stock units representing approximately 249 thousand, 171 thousand and 541 thousand shares, respectively. The stock option and restricted stock awards vest over a period of 3 years. The performance restricted stock units vest on September 30, 2016 contingent on the satisfaction of performance criteria and on the participant's continued employment unless otherwise noted in the agreement. The total fair value the stock grants during six months ended March 31, 2014 on their respective grant dates was approximately $13.4. Additionally, on December 12, 2013, FGL granted 58 thousand unrestricted shares to certain directors in payment for services rendered. Total fair value of the unrestricted shares on the grant date was $1.0. FGL made no grants of stock option awards, restricted stock awards or performance restricted stock awards during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
The total compensation cost related to non-vested options, restricted stock units and dividend equivalent plans, not yet recognized as of March 31, 2014 totaled $19.5 and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
The fair value of stock options awarded by, respectively, FGL during the six months ended March 31, 2014, and FGH during the six months ended March 31, 2013, is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following assumptions were used in the determination of these grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model:
	2014		2013
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%		0.80%
Assumed dividend yield	1.50%		8%
Expected option term	4.5 years		4.5 years
Volatility	25%		27%

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	For the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, the Company's effective tax rates of 19.2% and (77.2)%, respectively, were negatively impacted by the following: (i) the profitability of our life insurance group, which files its own consolidated Federal income tax return; (ii) pretax losses in the United States and some foreign jurisdictions for which the Company concluded that the tax benefits are not more likely-than-not realizable, resulting in valuation allowances; (iii) book expense for the increase in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of Preferred Stock, for which no tax benefit is available; and (iv) tax amortization of certain indefinite lived intangibles. In addition, the Company is not permanently reinvesting income from its foreign operations, thereby subjecting current unremitted foreign earnings to an incremental tax in the U.S. at the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35%, as no U.S. foreign tax credits can be claimed due to U.S. net operating losses. Partially offsetting these factors in the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 was the release of U.S. valuation allowances totaling $35.0 on deferred tax assets that FGL has determined are more-likely-than-not-realizable due to viable tax planning strategies
	For the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, the Company's effective tax rates of 425.8% and 88.1%, respectively, were negatively impacted by the following: (i) the profitability of our life insurance group which files its own consolidated Federal income tax return; (ii) pretax losses in the United States and some foreign jurisdictions for which the Company concluded that the tax benefits are not more likely-than-not realizable, resulting in valuation allowances; and (iii) tax amortization of certain indefinite lived intangibles. In addition, the Company is not permanently reinvesting current income from its foreign operations, thereby subjecting unremitted foreign earnings to an incremental tax in the U.S. at the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35%, as no U.S. foreign tax credits can be claimed due to U.S. net operating losses. Partially offsetting these factors in the six months ended March 31, 2013 was the release of U.S. valuation allowances totaling $49.3 on deferred tax assets that Spectrum Brands determined are more-likely-than-not realizable as a result of an acquisition.
	Net operating loss (“NOL”) and tax credit carryforwards of HGI and Spectrum Brands are subject to full valuation allowances and those of FGL are subject to partial valuation allowances, as the Company concluded all or a portion of the associated tax benefits are not more likely-than-not realizable. Utilization of NOL and other tax credit carryforwards of HGI, Spectrum Brands and FGL are subject to limitations under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Sections 382 and 383. Such limitations result from ownership changes of more than 50 percentage points over a three-year period.
	The Company recognizes in its consolidated financial statements the impact of a tax position if it concludes that the position is more likely than not sustainable upon audit, based on the technical merits of the position. At March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company had $11.7 and $13.8, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions. If recognized in the future, $8.0 and $10.1, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the effective tax rate at those dates. The Company also had approximately $3.9 and $3.7, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties related to the uncertain tax positions at those dates. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are reported in the financial statements as part of income tax expense. As of March 31, 2014, certain of the Company’s legal entities in various jurisdictions are undergoing income tax audits. The Company cannot predict the ultimate outcome of the examinations; however, it is reasonably possible that during the next 12 months some portion of previously unrecognized tax benefits could be recognized.
	Effective October 1, 2012, Spectrum Brands’ management decided to not permanently reinvest earnings for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012, and future foreign subsidiary earnings, except to the extent repatriation of such earnings is limited or precluded by law. With these remitted earnings, Spectrum Brands plans to voluntarily prepay its U.S. debt, repurchase shares and fund U.S. acquisitions and ongoing U.S. operational cash flow requirements. As a result of the valuation allowance recorded against Spectrum Brands’ U.S. net deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, Spectrum Brands does not expect to incur incremental U.S. tax expense on expected future repatriations of foreign earnings. For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, Spectrum Brands expect to accrue less than $2.0 of additional foreign tax expense from non-U.S. withholding and other taxes expected to be incurred as a result of the repatriation of current foreign earnings.
	During the six months ended March 31, 2014, Spectrum Brands recorded a $178.7 reduction of its U.S. net operating loss carryforwards as a result of actual and deemed repatriations of foreign earnings. Due to full valuation allowances on the Spectrum Brands’ U.S. net operating loss carryforwards, there was no material impact on Spectrum Brands’ quarterly or projected annual income tax expense.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (share amounts in thousands):
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net (loss) income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$	(87.6	)	$	(45.5	)	$	(126.6	)	$	16.5
	Participating shares at end of period:
	Common shares outstanding	142,801			139,724			142,801			139,724
	Preferred shares (as-converted basis)	59,134			62,839			59,134			62,839
	Total	201,935			202,563			201,935			202,563
	Percentage of (loss) income allocated to:
	Common shares	100		%	100		%	100		%	69		%
	Preferred shares (a)	—		%	—		%	—		%	31		%
	Net (loss) income attributable to common shares - basic	$	(87.6	)	$	(45.5	)	$	(126.6	)	$	11.4
	Dilutive adjustments to (loss) income attributable to common shares from assumed conversion of preferred shares, net of tax:
	Income allocated to preferred shares in basic calculation	—			—			—			5.1
	Reversal of preferred stock dividends and accretion	—			—			—			24.3
	Reversal of income related to fair value of preferred stock conversion feature	—			—			—			(29.3		)
	Net adjustment	—			—			—			0.1
	Net (loss) income attributable to common shares - diluted	$	(87.6	)	$	(45.5	)	$	(126.6	)	$	11.5
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	139,889			139,724			139,529			139,604
	Dilutive effect of preferred stock	—			—			—			62,839
	Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	—			—			—			1,856
	Dilutive effect of stock options	—			—			—			592
	Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	139,889			139,724			139,529			204,891
	Net (loss) income per common share attributable to controlling interest:
	Basic	$	(0.63	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.91	)	$	0.08
	Diluted	$	(0.63	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.91	)	$	0.06
	(a)	Losses are not allocated to the convertible participating preferred shares since they have no contractual obligation to share in such losses.
	The number of shares of common stock outstanding used in calculating the weighted average thereof reflects the actual number of HGI common stock outstanding, excluding unvested restricted stock.
	At March 31, 2014, there were 59,134 thousand shares issuable upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock, and 2,359 thousand and 1,302 thousand shares, respectively, of the unvested restricted stock and stock units and stock options that were excluded from the calculation of “Diluted net loss per common share attributable to controlling interest” because the as-converted effect of the Preferred Stock and unvested restricted stock and stock units and stock options would have been anti-dilutive for the period ended March 31, 2014. The Preferred Stock had a weighted average conversion price of $6.62 per share.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company has aggregate reserves for its legal, environmental and regulatory matters of approximately $24.2 at March 31, 2014. These reserves relate primarily to the matters described below. However, based on currently available information, including legal defenses available to the Company, and given the aforementioned reserves and related insurance coverage, the Company does not believe that the outcome of these legal, environmental and regulatory matters will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Legal and Environmental Matters
	HGI
	HGI is a nominal defendant, and the members of its board of directors are named as defendants in a purported class and derivative action filed in March 2014 by Haverhill Retirement System in the Delaware Court of Chancery.  Harbinger Capital Partners LLC and certain of its affiliated funds (“HCP”) and Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”), each a stockholder of HGI, are also named as defendants in the complaint. The complaint alleges, among other things, that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties in connection with transactions involving Leucadia. The complaint seeks, among other things, an unspecified award of compensatory damages and costs and disbursements. The Company believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
	HGI is a nominal defendant, and the members of its board of directors are named as defendants in a derivative action filed in December 2010 by Alan R. Kahn in the Delaware Court of Chancery. HCP is also named as a defendant. The plaintiff alleges that the Spectrum Brands acquisition was financially unfair to HGI and its public stockholders and seeks unspecified damages and the rescission of the transaction. The Company believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this matter.
	HGI is also involved in other litigation and claims incidental to its current and prior businesses. These include workers compensation and environmental matters and pending cases in Mississippi and Louisiana state courts and in a Federal multi-district litigation alleging injury from exposure to asbestos on offshore drilling rigs and shipping vessels formerly owned or operated by its offshore drilling and bulk-shipping affiliates. Based on currently available information, including legal defenses available to it, and given its reserves and related insurance coverage, the Company does not believe that the outcome of these legal and environmental matters will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Spectrum Brands
	Spectrum Brands has accrued approximately $4.7 for the estimated costs associated with environmental remediation activities at some of its current and former manufacturing sites. Spectrum Brands believes that any additional liability which may result from resolution of these matters in excess of the amounts provided for will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of Spectrum Brands.
	Spectrum Brands is a defendant in various other matters of litigation generally arising out of the ordinary course of business. Spectrum Brands does not believe that the resolution of any other matters or proceedings presently pending will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition, liquidity or cash flows.
	FGL
	FGL is involved in various pending or threatened legal proceedings, including purported class actions, arising in the ordinary course of business. In some instances, these proceedings include claims for unspecified or substantial punitive damages and similar types of relief in addition to amounts for alleged contractual liability or requests for equitable relief. In the opinion of FGL management and in light of existing insurance and other potential indemnification, reinsurance and established reserves, such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on FGL’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	FGL is assessed amounts by the state guaranty funds to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated insurance companies. Those mandatory assessments may be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes in certain states. At March 31, 2014, FGL has accrued $4.8 for guaranty fund assessments which is expected to be offset by estimated future premium tax deductions of $4.6.
	FGL has received inquiries from a number of state regulatory authorities regarding its use of the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Death Master File (the "Death Master File") and compliance with state claims practices regulation. To date, FGL has received inquiries from authorities in Maryland, Minnesota and New York. The New York Insurance Department issued a letter and subsequent regulation requiring life insurers doing business in New York to use the Death Master File or similar databases to determine if benefits were payable under life insurance policies, annuities, and retained asset accounts. Legislation requiring insurance companies to use the Death Master File to identify potential claims has recently been enacted in Maryland and other states. As a result of these legislative and regulatory developments, in May 2012 FGL undertook an initiative to use the Death Master File and other publicly available databases to identify persons potentially entitled to benefits under life insurance policies, annuities and retained asset accounts. In July 2012, FGL incurred an $11.0 pre-tax charge, net of reinsurance, to increase reserves to cover potential benefits payable resulting from this ongoing effort. Based on its analysis to date, and management’s estimate, FGL believes this accrual will cover the reasonably estimated liability arising out of these developments. In addition, FGL has received audit and examination notices from several state agencies responsible for escheatment and unclaimed property regulation in those states. FGL has established a contingency of $2.0, the mid-point of an estimated range of $1.0 to $3.0, related to the external legal costs and administrative costs of said audits and examinations. Additional costs that cannot be reasonably estimated as of the date of this filing are possible as a result of ongoing regulatory developments and other future requirements related to this matter.
	On July 18, 2011, a putative class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California captioned Eddie L. Cressy v. OM Financial Life Insurance Company ("OM Financial"), et al., Case No. 2:2011-cv-05871. The Plaintiff asked the Court to certify the action as a class action on behalf of both a nationwide and a California class defined as vertain persons who were sold OM Financial Life Insurance equity-indexed universal life insurance policies. The Plaintiff alleged, inter alia, that the Plaintiff and members of the putative class relied on Defendants' advice to purchase unsuitable insurance policies. After extensive motion practice, the federal court dismissed the federal causes of action, with prejudice, and, on May 9, 2013, declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims, dismissed the state law claims, without prejudice, and granted the plaintiff leave to re-file the state law claims in California state court.
	On July 5, 2013, the Plaintiff filed a putative class action captioned Eddie L. Cressy v. Fidelity Guaranty Life Insurance Company, et al., in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, at No. BC-514340. The state court Complaint asserts, inter alia, that the Plaintiff and members of the putative class relied on Defendants' advice in purchasing unsuitable equity-indexed insurance policies. The Plaintiff seeks to certify a class defined as "all persons who reside or are located in the state of California who were sold OM Financial/FGL Insurance equity-indexed universal life insurance policies as an investment."
	On April 4, 2014, the Plaintiff, FGL Insurance and the other two defendants signed a Settlement Agreement, pursuant to which FGL Insurance has agreed to pay a total of $5.3 to settle the claims of a nationwide class consisting, with certain exclusions, of all persons who own or owned an OM Financial/FGL Insurance indexed universal life insurance policy issued from January 1, 2007 through March 31, 2014, inclusive. As part of the settlement, FGL Insurance agreed to certification of the nationwide class for settlement purposes only. An amended Settlement Agreement was filed with the court on April 23, 2014 as part of the Plaintiff’s Unopposed Motion for Preliminary Approval of Settlement and Conditional Class Certification, which is scheduled to be heard by the Court on May 21, 2014. FGL Insurance has the right to unilaterally terminate the settlement if either: (i) 100 policyholders or (ii) policyholders representing more than one percent (1%) of the total premiums paid opt out of or object to the settlement. The settlement is subject to other conditions and the Court’s final approval.
	At March 31, 2014, FGL estimated the total cost for the settlement, legal fees and other costs related to this class action would be $9.2 and established a liability for the unpaid portion of the estimate of $7.1. Based on the information currently available, FGL does not expect the actual cost for settlement, legal fees and other related costs to differ materially from the amount accrued. FGL is seeking indemnification from OM Group (UK) Limited ("OMGUK") under the First Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Agreement, dated February 17, 2011 (the “F&G Stock Purchase Agreement”) between FGL (formerly, Harbinger F&G, LLC) and OMGUK related to the settlement and the costs and fees in defending the Cressy litigation in both the federal and state courts. FGL has established an amount recoverable from OMGUK for the amount of $4.5, the collection of which FGL believes is probable. The actual amount recovered from OMGUK could be greater or less than FGL’s estimate, but FGL anticipates that the amount recovered will not be materially different than its current estimate.
	In light of the inherent uncertainties involved in the matter described above and uncertainties in litigation generally, there can be no assurance that the matters described above, or any other pending or future litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on FGL's business, financial condition, or results of operations.
	The EXCO/HGI JV
	Various federal, state and local laws and regulations covering discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, may affect the EXCO/HGI’s operations and the costs of its oil and natural gas exploitation, development and production operations. The EXCO/HGI JV does not anticipate that it will be required in the foreseeable future to expend amounts material in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole by reason of environmental laws and regulations. Because these laws and regulations are constantly being changed, the EXCO/HGI JV is unable to predict the conditions and other factors over which the EXCO/HGI JV does not exercise control that may give rise to environmental liabilities affecting it.
	Guarantees
	Throughout its history, the Company has entered into indemnifications in the ordinary course of business with customers, suppliers, service providers, business partners and, in certain instances, when it sold businesses. Additionally, the Company has indemnified its directors and officers who are, or were, serving at the request of the Company in such capacities. Although the specific terms or number of such arrangements is not precisely known due to the extensive history of past operations, costs incurred to settle claims related to these indemnifications have not been material to the Company’s financial statements. The Company has no reason to believe that future costs to settle claims related to its former operations will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	The F&G Stock Purchase Agreement between FGL and OMGUK includes a Guarantee and Pledge Agreement which creates certain obligations for FGH as a grantor and also grants a security interest to OMGUK of FGH’s equity interest in FGL Insurance in the event that FGL fails to perform in accordance with the terms of the F&G Stock Purchase Agreement. The Company is not aware of any events or transactions that resulted in non-compliance with the Guarantee and Pledge Agreement.
	Unfunded Asset Based Lending Commitments
	Through Salus, the Company enters into commitments to extend credit to meet the financing needs of its asset based lending customers upon satisfaction of certain conditions. At March 31, 2014, the notional amount of unfunded, legally binding lending commitments was approximately $207.4, of which $45.0 expires in one year or less, and the remainder expires between one and five years.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	The Company has a reciprocal services agreement (the “Services Agreement”) with Harbinger Capital, a related party of the Company, with respect to the provision of services that may include providing office space and operational support and each party making available their respective employees to provide services as reasonably requested by the other party, subject to any limitations contained in applicable employment agreements and the terms of the Services Agreement. Under the Services Agreement, the Company recognized $1.5 and $2.9 of expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, respectively, and $1.2 and $1.4 of expenses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013, respectively.
	On March 18, 2014, HGI entered into the Letter Agreement with Leucadia (the “Letter Agreement”). The Letter Agreement was entered into in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by that certain Preferred Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 18, 2014 (the “PSPA”), by and among Harbinger Capital Partners Master Fund I, Ltd., Global Opportunities Breakaway Ltd. and Harbinger Capital Partners Special Situations Fund, L.P. (together, the “HCP Stockholders”) and Leucadia, pursuant to which Leucadia agreed to acquire 23,000 thousand shares of preferred securities of newly formed subsidiaries of the HCP Stockholders (the “Preferred Securities”), at a price of $11.00 per Preferred Security, for an aggregate purchase price of $253.0 in cash. Following receipt by Leucadia of necessary regulatory approvals from the insurance regulators of our subsidiary, FGL, the Preferred Securities will be exchangeable into 23,000 thousand shares of Common Stock held by the HCP Stockholders. HGI did not sell any securities in the transaction. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, HGI agreed with Leucadia that, until such time as Leucadia receives insurance regulatory approval, Leucadia will have the right to appoint two observers to our Board, subject to certain customary limitations. In addition, pursuant to the Letter Agreement, HGI agreed with Leucadia that upon the receipt of the insurance regulatory approvals referenced above, the size of HGI’s Board will be increased and Leucadia will be entitled to designate two director designees, subject to Leucadia’s continued beneficial ownership over minimum thresholds of Common Stock and compliance with applicable law, regulation and listing standards. The Letter Agreement further provides, among other things, that without the prior approval of a majority of the directors on our Board (other than the Leucadia designees), Leucadia and its affiliates will not acquire additional shares or voting rights of HGI that would increase Leucadia’s beneficial ownership above 27.5% of the voting power of HGI’s outstanding securities. The Letter Agreement also restricts Leucadia’s and its affiliates’ ability to make certain proposals or solicit such proxies and limits their ability to sell Leucadia’s investment in HGI to counterparties who hold, or after giving effect to a sale would hold, in excess of 4.9% of HGI’s voting stock (subject to certain exceptions). Leucadia also agreed to vote in favor of the slate of directors nominated by a majority of HGI’s Board (other than the Leucadia designees). The terms of the Letter Agreement, including the provisions described above, last until March 18, 2016. In connection with the March 2014 transaction with Leucadia, under the terms of an existing registration rights agreement, the HCP Stockholders transferred a portion of their rights under the registration rights agreement with respect to the shares underlying Leucadia’s Preferred Stock and HGI entered into a Registration Rights Acknowledgement among it, the HCP Stockholders and Leucadia acknowledging such transfer. A special committee of HGI’s Board, comprised of independent directors under the NYSE Rules, advised by two separate outside counsel, determined that it is in the best interests of HGI and its stockholders (not including Harbinger Capital and Leucadia and their respective affiliates) for HGI to enter into the foregoing agreements and the related transactions.
	In December 2013, FGL completed an initial public offering of 9,750 thousand shares of common stock, and the underwriters exercised their option to purchase from the Company an additional 1,463 thousand shares of common stock, at a price of $17.00 per share. Jefferies LLC, one of the participating underwriters, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Leucadia, which through subsidiaries beneficially owns more than 10% of HGI’s outstanding shares of Common Stock. The underwriters in FGL’s completed initial public offering received aggregate discounts and commissions paid by FGL of $12.9, a portion of which was paid to Jefferies as a participating underwriter.

Segment_Data

Segment Data	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Data	'
	Segment Data
	The Company follows the accounting guidance which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments in interim and annual financial statements. The Company’s reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how HGI’s management views those business activities. Accordingly, the Company currently operates its business in four reporting segments: (i) Consumer Products, (ii) Insurance, (iii) Energy and (iv) Asset Management.
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Consumer Products	$	1,021.70		$	987.7		$	2,122.30		$	1,858.00
	Insurance	274.1			402.3			647.2			745.9
	Energy	39.2			16.7			74.7			16.7
	Asset Management	9.8			5.3			14.3			13.7
	Intersegment elimination	(3.6		)	(0.9		)	(7.3		)	(0.9		)
	Consolidated revenues	$	1,341.20		$	1,411.10		$	2,851.20		$	2,633.40
	Operating income:
	Consumer Products	$	92.5		$	52.2		$	217.6		$	120.4
	Insurance	26.3			108			111.6			271.6
	Energy	(71.8		)	0.5			(65.8		)	0.5
	Asset Management	4			2.7			0.1			7.8
	Intersegment elimination	(4.0		)	—			(7.7		)	—
	Total segments	47			163.4			255.8			400.3
	Corporate and eliminations	(30.8		)	(29.4		)	(60.3		)	(50.9		)
	Consolidated operating income	16.2			134			195.5			349.4
	Interest expense	(77.2		)	(75.7		)	(161.2		)	(218.8		)
	(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	(3.5		)	(39.6		)	(50.7		)	29.3
	Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	—			—			0.5			—
	Other expense, net	(4.6		)	(3.2		)	(16.5		)	(11.9		)
	Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(69.1	)	$	15.5		$	(32.4	)	$	148
		Six months ended
	Net change in cash due to operating activities	March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013
	Consumer Products	$	(156.7	)	$	(179.9	)
	Insurance	123.6			188.3
	Energy	25			2.7
	Asset Management	5.2			(1.4		)
	Net change in cash due to segment operating activities	(2.9		)	9.7
	Net change in cash due to corporate operating activities	(79.0		)	(76.9		)
	Consolidated change in cash due to operating activities	$	(81.9	)	$	(67.2	)

Consolidating_Financial_Inform

Consolidating Financial Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Consolidating Financial Information	'
	Consolidating Financial Information
	The following schedules present the Company’s consolidating balance sheet information at March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, and consolidating statements of operations information for the six months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. These schedules present the individual segments of the Company and their contribution to the consolidated financial statements. Amounts presented will not necessarily be the same as those in the individual financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries due to adjustments for purchase accounting, income taxes and noncontrolling interests. In addition, some of the Company’s subsidiaries use a classified balance sheet which also leads to differences in amounts reported for certain line items.
	The Corporate and Other column primarily reflects the parent company’s investment in its subsidiaries, invested cash portfolio and corporate long term debt. The elimination adjustments are for intercompany assets and liabilities, interest and dividends, the parent company’s investment in capital stocks of subsidiaries, and various reclasses of debit or credit balances to the amounts in consolidation. Purchase accounting adjustments have been pushed down to the appropriate subsidiary.
	Harbinger Group Inc. - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
	March 31, 2014	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
	Assets:
	Investments	$	—		$	17,884.50		$	—		$	595.6		$	82		$	(249.3	)	$	18,312.80
	Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	—			67.9			—			—			2,038.80			(2,106.7		)	—
	Affiliated loans and receivables	—			146.4			—			2.1			—			(148.5		)	—
	Cash and cash equivalents	93.4			761.8			19.3			73			372.3			—			1,319.80
	Receivables, net	591.9			0.9			17.2			0.3			46			1			657.3
	Inventories, net	725.9			—			—			—			—			—			725.9
	Accrued investment income	—			178.7			—			3.9			—			(0.6		)	182
	Reinsurance recoverable	—			2,387.40			—			—			—			—			2,387.40
	Deferred tax assets	35.7			190.5			—			—			—			0.9			227.1
	Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	444.2			8.9			476.1			0.9			0.5			—			930.6
	Goodwill	1,479.60			—			—			—			—			—			1,479.60
	Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA, net	2,154.90			536.6			—			—			—			—			2,691.50
	Other assets	162			200.4			2.9			10.4			32.8			—			408.5
	Total assets	$	5,687.60		$	22,364.00		$	515.5		$	686.2		$	2,572.40		$	(2,503.2	)	$	29,322.50
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Insurance reserves	$	—		$	19,783.00		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19,783.00
	Debt	3,429.50			300			250.6			291.9			1,124.30			—			5,396.30
	Accounts payable and other current liabilities	666.8			48.8			33			5.1			67.8			—			821.5
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			364.8			—			364.8
	Employee benefit obligations	89.8			—			—			—			2.7			—			92.5
	Deferred tax liabilities	490.7			—			—			—			—			2.3			493
	Other liabilities	28			542.1			26.3			32.3			—			—			628.7
	Affiliated debt and payables	—			1.9			102.1			289.8			—			(393.8		)	—
	Total liabilities	4,704.80			20,675.80			412			619.1			1,559.60			(391.5		)	27,579.80
	Temporary equity	—			—			—			—			319.3			—			319.3
	Total stockholders’ equity	550.6			1,389.70			103.5			67.9			693.5			(2,111.7		)	693.5
	Noncontrolling interests	432.2			298.5			—			(0.8		)	—			—			729.9
	Total permanent equity	982.8			1,688.20			103.5			67.1			693.5			(2,111.7		)	1,423.40
	Total liabilities and equity	$	5,687.60		$	22,364.00		$	515.5		$	686.2		$	2,572.40		$	(2,503.2	)	$	29,322.50
	September 30, 2013	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
	Assets:
	Investments	$	—		$	16,282.30		$	—		$	389.3		$	42.3		$	(248.0	)	$	16,465.90
	Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	—			62			—			—			2,012.90			(2,074.9		)	—
	Affiliated loans and receivables	—			150.1			—			0.9			—			(151.0		)	—
	Cash and cash equivalents	207.3			1,248.30			18.7			166.5			258.9			—			1,899.70
	Receivables, net	546.9			—			22.2			1.2			41			—			611.3
	Inventories, net	632.9			—			—			—			—			—			632.9
	Accrued investment income	—			159.3			—			2.3			—			(0.4		)	161.2
	Reinsurance recoverable	—			2,363.70			—			—			—			—			2,363.70
	Deferred tax assets	33			260.4			—			—			—			—			293.4
	Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	412.5			7			572.6			0.7			0.5			—			993.3
	Goodwill	1,476.70			—			—			—			—			—			1,476.70
	Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA, net	2,163.20			565.9			—			—			—			—			2,729.10
	Other assets	154.2			84.1			4.1			11.3			27.9			—			281.6
	Total assets	$	5,626.70		$	21,183.10		$	617.6		$	572.2		$	2,383.50		$	(2,474.3	)	$	27,908.80
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Insurance reserves	$	—		$	18,895.90		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	18,895.90
	Debt	3,218.90			300			271.2			181.8			924.2			—			4,896.10
	Accounts payable and other current liabilities	849.4			52.9			32.8			6.3			71.3			—			1,012.70
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			330.8			—			330.8
	Employee benefit obligations	96.6			—			—			—			3			—			99.6
	Deferred tax liabilities	492.8			—			—			—			—			—			492.8
	Other liabilities	28.9			640.2			25.4			23.3			0.2			—			718
	Affiliated debt and payables	—			0.8			102.2			293.3			—			(396.3		)	—
	Total liabilities	4,686.60			19,889.80			431.6			504.7			1,329.50			(396.3		)	26,445.90
	Temporary equity	—			—			0.1			—			329.3			—			329.4
	Total stockholders’ equity	531			1,293.30			185.9			67.8			724.7			(2,078.0		)	724.7
Noncontrolling interests	409.1			—			—			(0.3		)	—			—			408.8
Total permanent equity	940.1			1,293.30			185.9			67.5			724.7			(2,078.0		)	1,133.50
Total liabilities and equity	$	5,626.70		$	21,183.10		$	617.6		$	572.2		$	2,383.50		$	(2,474.3	)	$	27,908.80
Harbinger Group Inc. - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations Information
Six months ended March 31, 2014	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
Revenues:
Net consumer product sales	$	2,122.30		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,122.30
Oil and natural gas	—			—			74.7			—			—			—			74.7
Insurance premiums	—			28.7			—			—			—			—			28.7
Net investment income	—			400.6			—			14.3			—			(7.3		)	407.6
Net investment gains	—			182.8			—			—			—			—			182.8
Insurance and investment product fees and other	—			35.1			—			—			—			—			35.1
Total revenues	2,122.30			647.2			74.7			14.3			—			(7.3		)	2,851.20
Operating costs and expenses:
Consumer products cost of goods sold	1,381.50			—			—			—			—			—			1,381.50
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	—			—			33.2			—			—			—			33.2
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	—			431.2			—			—			—			—			431.2
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	482.5			64.3			26.3			14.2			60.3			0.4			648
Impairment of oil and gas properties	—			—			81			—			—			—			81
Amortization of intangibles	40.7			40.1			—			—			—			—			80.8
Total operating costs and expenses	1,904.70			535.6			140.5			14.2			60.3			0.4			2,655.70
Operating income (loss)	217.6			111.6			(65.8		)	0.1			(60.3		)	(7.7		)	195.5
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	—			(3.8		)	—			—			48.2			(44.4		)	—
Interest expense	(104.4		)	(11.3		)	(4.1		)	—			(41.4		)	—			(161.2		)
Affiliated interest expense	—			0.2			(4.5		)	(3.0		)	—			7.3			—
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			(50.7		)	—			(50.7		)
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	—			—			—			—			0.5			—			0.5
Other expense, net	(1.6		)	—			(10.2		)	(1.3		)	1.4			(4.8		)	(16.5		)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	111.6			96.7			(84.6		)	(4.2		)	(102.3		)	(49.6		)	(32.4		)
Income tax (benefit) expense	23.3			0.4			—			(0.1		)	—			1.4			25
Net (loss) income	88.3			96.3			(84.6		)	(4.1		)	(102.3		)	(51.0		)	(57.4		)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	36.6			8.6			—			(0.3		)	—			—			44.9
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interest	51.7			87.7			(84.6		)	(3.8		)	(102.3		)	(51.0		)	(102.3		)
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	—			—			—			—			24.3			—			24.3
Net (loss) income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$	51.7		$	87.7		$	(84.6	)	$	(3.8	)	$	(126.6	)	$	(51.0	)	$	(126.6	)
Six months ended March 31, 2013	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
Revenues:
Net consumer product sales	$	1,858.00		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,858.00
Oil and natural gas	—			—			16.7			—			—			—			16.7
Insurance premiums	—			27.9			—			—			—			—			27.9
Net investment income	—			336.5			—			13.7			—			(0.9		)	349.3
Net investment gains	—			353.2			—			—			—			—			353.2
Insurance and investment product fees and other	—			28.3			—			—			—			—			28.3
Total revenues	1,858.00			745.9			16.7			13.7			—			(0.9		)	2,633.40
Operating costs and expenses:
Consumer products cost of goods sold	1,247.00			—			—			—			—			—			1,247.00
Oil and natural gas operating costs	—			—			8.8			—			—			—			8.8
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	—			324.5			—			—			—			—			324.5
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	453.4			51.4			7.4			5.9			50.9			(0.9		)	568.1
Amortization of intangibles	37.2			98.4			—			—			—			—			135.6
Total operating costs and expenses	1,737.60			474.3			16.2			5.9			50.9			(0.9		)	2,284.00
Operating income	120.4			271.6			0.5			7.8			(50.9		)	—			349.4
Equity in net income of subsidiaries	—			—			—			—			148			(148.0		)	—
Interest expense	(130.2		)	—			(0.9		)	—			(87.7		)	—			(218.8		)
Affiliated interest expense	—			2.5			(1.1		)	(1.4		)	—			—			—
Loss from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			29.3			—			29.3
Other (expense) income, net	(5.3		)	0.3			(8.9		)	(0.1		)	2.1			—			(11.9		)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(15.1		)	274.4			(10.4		)	6.3			40.8			(148.0		)	148
Income tax (benefit) expense	39.8			90.6			—			—			—			—			130.4
Net income	(54.9		)	183.8			(10.4		)	6.3			40.8			(148.0		)	17.6
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23.5		)	—			—			0.3			—			—			(23.2		)
Net income attributable to controlling interest	(31.4		)	183.8			(10.4		)	6			40.8			(148.0		)	40.8
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	—			—			—			—			24.3			—			24.3
Net income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$	(31.4	)	$	183.8		$	(10.4	)	$	6		$	16.5		$	(148.0	)	$	16.5

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On May 9, 2014, HGI exercised its option to convert its issued and outstanding preferred stock into common stock of the Company. The conversion is expected to be effective on May 15, 2014 (the “Conversion Date”). On the Conversion Date, holders of the Series A preferred stock will receive approximately 160.95 shares of common stock per Series A preferred stock converted and holders of Series A-2 preferred stock will receive approximately 148.11 shares of common stock per Series A-2 preferred stock converted. The holders will also receive cash in lieu of fractional shares and for any and all accrued but unpaid dividends. Following the Conversion Date, all rights of the holders of the preferred stock, including rights to dividends, will terminate except that, in accordance with and for so long as required by the certificate of designation governing the Series A preferred stock, a preferred stock held by CF Turul LLC (“CF Turul”), an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group LLC, will not be converted in order to preserve CF Turul’s continuing rights under the certificate of designation governing the Series A preferred stock. It is the Company's understanding that following the Conversion Date, CF Turul obtained all required insurance regulatory approvals and as a result the limitation on voting previously applicable to CF Turul will no longer apply. The preferred stock held by CF Turul following the Conversion Date will not be entitled to receive dividends and distributions.

Basis_of_Presentation_Signific1

Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Polices and Practicies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended disclosure requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under US GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new standards are effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. ASU 2011-11 was adopted by the Company effective October 1, 2013. The Company does not offset any of its derivative transactions, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, in its statement of financial position. Through FGL, the Company only enters into purchased equity options and long futures contracts. The Company has not entered into any repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements or securities borrowing and lending transactions. Accordingly, no additional disclosures are required.
	Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
	In January 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance which allows investors in Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC") programs that meet specified conditions to present the net tax benefits (net of the amortization of the cost of the investment) within income tax expense. The cost of the investments that meet the specified conditions will be amortized in proportion to (and over the same period as) the total expected tax benefits, including the tax credits and other tax benefits, as they are realized on the tax return. The guidance is required to be applied retrospectively, if investors elect the proportional amortization method. However, if investors have existing LIHTC investments accounted for under the effective-yield method at adoption, they may continue to apply that method for those existing investments. The new standards will become effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 30, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
	Joint and Several Liability Arrangements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, “Liabilities (Topic 405):Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date” ("ASU 2013-04"). ASU 2013-04 provides guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in US GAAP. The update is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2014 and is required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for those obligations that existed upon adoption of ASU 2013-04. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2013-04.
	Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefit
	In July 2013, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires entities to present unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent the net operating loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards are not available to be used at the reporting date to settle additional income taxes, and the entity does not intend to use them for this purpose. The new accounting guidance is consistent with how the Company has historically accounted for unrecognized tax benefits in its Consolidated Statements of Financial Position; therefore, the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Oil and natural gas properties	'
	Oil and natural gas properties
	Ceiling Test
	Pursuant to Rule 4-10(c)(4) of Regulation S-X, our equity investment in an oil and natural gas joint venture (the "EXCO/HGI JV") was required to compute its ceiling test using the simple average spot price for the trailing twelve month period for oil and natural gas as of March 31, 2014. The ceiling test involves comparing the net book value of the full cost pool, after taxes, to the full cost ceiling limitation defined below. In the event the full cost ceiling limitation is less than the full cost pool, the EXCO/HGI JV is required to record a ceiling test impairment of the EXCO/HGI JV's oil and natural gas properties. The full cost ceiling limitation is computed as the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues from the EXCO/HGI JV's proved reserves by applying the average price as prescribed by the SEC Release No. 33-8995, less estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to develop and produce the proved reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the cost of properties not being amortized and the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, net of income tax effects.
	The ceiling test is computed using the simple average spot price for the trailing 12 month period using the first day of each month. For the 12 months ended March 31, 2014, the trailing 12 month reference prices were $3.99 per Mmbtu for natural gas at Henry Hub, and $98.30 per Bbl of oil for West Texas Intermediate at Cushing, Oklahoma. The price used for natural gas liquids was $43.63 per Bbl and was based on the trailing 12 month average of realized prices. Each of the reference prices for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are further adjusted for quality factors and regional differentials to derive estimated future net revenues. Under full cost accounting rules, any ceiling test impairments of oil and natural gas properties may not be reversed in subsequent periods. Since the EXCO/HGI JV does not designate the EXCO/HGI JV's derivative financial instruments as hedging instruments, the EXCO/HGI JV is not allowed to use the impacts of the derivative financial instruments in the ceiling test computations.
	The EXCO/HGI JV recognized impairments of $81.0 to the EXCO/HGI JV's proved oil and natural gas properties for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014. We previously received an exemption from the SEC to exclude the acquisition of the EXCO/HGI Partnership’s unamortized oil and natural gas properties from the ceiling test for a period of one year following the acquisition date and this exemption expired during the three months ended March 31, 2014. The impairments primarily resulted from differences in the oil and natural gas prices utilized in the purchase price allocation at the acquisition date and the prices used in the ceiling test calculation. Our pricing utilized in the purchase price allocation as of the acquisition date was based on models which incorporate, among other things, market prices based on NYMEX futures. The ceiling test requires companies using the full cost accounting method to price period ending proved reserves using the simple average spot price for the trailing twelve month period, which may not be indicative of actual market values. The EXCO/HGI JV did not recognize an impairment to the EXCO/HGI JV's oil and natural gas properties for the period from inception to March 31, 2013.
	The ceiling test calculation and impairment evaluation are based upon estimates of proved reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves, in projecting the future rates of production and in the timing of development activities. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify revision of such estimate. Accordingly, reserve estimates are often different from the quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids that are ultimately recovered.
	Insurance Subsidiary Financial Information
	The Company’s insurance subsidiaries file financial statements with state insurance regulatory authorities and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC") that are prepared in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles ("SAP") prescribed or permitted by such authorities, which may vary materially from US GAAP. Prescribed SAP includes the Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual of the NAIC as well as state laws, regulations and administrative rules. Permitted SAP encompasses all accounting practices not so prescribed. The principal differences between statutory financial statements and financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP are that statutory financial statements do not reflect deferred acquisition costs ("DAC") and value of business acquired ("VOBA"), some bond portfolios may be carried at amortized cost, assets and liabilities are presented net of reinsurance, contractholder liabilities are generally valued using more conservative assumptions and certain assets are non-admitted. Accordingly, statutory operating results and statutory capital and surplus may differ substantially from amounts reported in the US GAAP basis financial statements for comparable items.
	On November 1, 2013, Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company ("FGL Insurance") re-domesticated from Maryland to Iowa. After re-domestication, FGL Insurance elected to apply Iowa-prescribed accounting practices that permit Iowa-domiciled insurers to report equity call options used to economically hedge fixed indexed annuity ("FIA") index credits at amortized cost for statutory accounting purposes and to calculate FIA statutory reserves such that index credit returns will be included in the reserve only after crediting to the annuity contract. This resulted in a $11.5 increase to statutory capital and surplus at December 31, 2013. Also, the Iowa Insurance Division granted FGL Insurance a permitted statutory accounting practice to reclassify its negative unassigned surplus balance of $805.8 (unaudited) to additional paid in capital as of April 6, 2011, the date the Company acquired FGL Insurance, which will have the effect of setting FGL Insurance’s statutory unassigned surplus to zero as of this date. The prescribed and permitted statutory accounting practice has no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with US GAAP.
	As of March 31, 2014, Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance Company of New York ("FGL NY Insurance") did not follow any prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices that differ from the NAIC’s statutory accounting practices. However, FGL Insurance’s statutory carrying value of Raven Reinsurance Company ("Raven Re") reflects the effect of permitted practices Raven Re received from Vermont that allows Raven Re to admit the outstanding amount of a letter of credit facility as an asset. Raven Re is also permitted to follow Iowa prescribed practice statutory accounting for its statutory reserves on reinsurance assumed from FGL Insurance. Without such permitted statutory accounting practices Raven Re’s statutory capital and surplus would be negative and its risk-based capital would fall below the minimum regulatory requirements.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities	'
	Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued amended disclosure requirements for offsetting financial assets and financial liabilities to allow investors to better compare financial statements prepared under US GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. The new standards are effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 30, 2014. ASU 2011-11 was adopted by the Company effective October 1, 2013. The Company does not offset any of its derivative transactions, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, in its statement of financial position. Through FGL, the Company only enters into purchased equity options and long futures contracts. The Company has not entered into any repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements or securities borrowing and lending transactions. Accordingly, no additional disclosures are required.

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Company's Pro Forma Results	'
	The following table reflects the Company’s pro forma results as if the Hardware Acquisition and the acquisition of the Company's interest in the EXCO/HGI JV were completed on October 1, 2012 and the results of the HHI Business and the EXCO/HGI JV had been included in the full three and six months ended March 31, 2013.
		31-Mar-13
		Three months ended			Six months ended
	Revenues:
	Reported revenues	$	1,411.10		$	2,633.40
	HHI adjustment	—			191.8
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	17.1			53.7
	Pro forma revenues	$	1,428.20		$	2,878.90
	Net income:
	Reported net income	$	(50.5	)	$	17.6
	HHI adjustment	—			4.9
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	(0.9		)	(0.5		)
	Pro forma net income	$	(51.4	)	$	22
	Basic net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:
	Reported net income per common share	$	(0.33	)	$	0.08
	HHI adjustment	—			0.04
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	(0.01		)	—
	Pro forma net income per common share	$	(0.34	)	$	0.12
	Diluted net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:
	Reported diluted net income per common share	$	(0.33	)	$	0.06
	HHI adjustment	—			0.02
	EXCO/HGI JV adjustment	(0.01		)	—
	Pro forma diluted net income per common share	$	(0.34	)	$	0.08
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	'
	The preliminary fair values recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for Liquid Fence are as follows:
			Preliminary Valuation
			31-Mar-14
	Cash		$	—
	Accounts Receivable		1.2
	Inventories		2.2
	Other assets		0.1
	Intangible assets		26.9
	Total assets acquired		30.4
	Total liabilities assumed		1.6
	Total identifiable net assets		28.8
	Goodwill		7
	Total identifiable net assets		$	35.8
	The following table summarizes the consideration paid by Spectrum Brands for Liquid Fence:
			2-Jan-14
	Cash paid to seller at close		$	24.8
	Promissory note due to seller		9.5
	Contingent liability		1.5
	Preliminary purchase price		$	35.8

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The Company’s consolidated investments are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2014
		Cost or Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains			Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Fixed-maturity securities, available-for sale
	Asset-backed securities	$	1,576.60		$	19.1		$	(8.5	)	$	1,587.20		$	1,587.20
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	463.3			25.2			(1.9		)	486.6			486.6
	Corporates	10,177.30			431.4			(86.6		)	10,522.10			10,522.10
	Hybrids	423.6			28.6			(0.6		)	451.6			451.6
	Municipals	1,182.80			77			(19.8		)	1,240.00			1,240.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	96.9			2.5			—			99.4			99.4
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	1,730.90			126.3			(10.1		)	1,847.10			1,847.10
	U.S. Government	389.1			6.3			(2.8		)	392.6			392.6
	Total fixed maturities	16,040.50			716.4			(130.3		)	16,626.60			16,626.60
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	346.6			14.6			(8.1		)	353.1			353.1
	Held for trading	140.2			25.5			(33.9		)	131.8			131.8
	Total equity securities	486.8			40.1			(42.0		)	484.9			484.9
	Derivatives	154.6			120.7			(2.3		)	273			273
	Asset-based loans	795.7			—			—			795.7			795.7
	Other invested assets	132.5			0.1			—			132.6			132.6
	Total investments	$	17,610.10		$	877.3		$	(174.6	)	$	18,312.80		$	18,312.80
		September 30, 2013
		Cost or Amortized Cost			Gross Unrealized Gains			Gross Unrealized Losses			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Value
	Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale
	Asset-backed securities	$	1,505.70		$	22.6		$	(5.2	)	$	1,523.10		$	1,523.10
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	431.3			24.7			(1.6		)	454.4			454.4
	Corporates	9,314.70			288.7			(185.1		)	9,418.30			9,418.30
	Hybrids	412.6			19.5			(3.3		)	428.8			428.8
	Municipals	998.8			49			(40.8		)	1,007.00			1,007.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	96.5			2.4			(0.3		)	98.6			98.6
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	1,304.00			77.4			(13.4		)	1,368.00			1,368.00
	U.S. Government	998.5			7.2			(3.9		)	1,001.80			1,001.80
	Total fixed-maturity securities	15,062.10			491.5			(253.6		)	15,300.00			15,300.00
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	274.6			6.7			(10.3		)	271			271
	Held for trading	120.1			0.6			(39.2		)	81.5			81.5
	Total equity securities	394.7			7.3			(49.5		)	352.5			352.5
	Derivatives	141.7			88.5			(8.4		)	221.8			221.8
	Asset-based loans	560.4			—			—			560.4			560.4
	Other invested assets	31.2			—			—			31.2			31.2
	Total investments	$	16,190.10		$	587.3		$	(311.5	)	$	16,465.90		$	16,465.90
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The amortized cost and fair value of fixed maturity available-for-sale securities by contractual maturities, as applicable, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or pre-pay obligations.
		March 31, 2014
		Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	Corporates, Non-structured Hybrids, Municipal and U.S. Government securities:
	Due in one year or less	$	353.8		$	356.8
	Due after one year through five years	2,770.70			2,856.00
	Due after five years through ten years	3,528.30			3,612.60
	Due after ten years	5,446.50			5,703.80
	Subtotal	12,099.30			12,529.20
	Other securities which provide for periodic payments:
	Asset-backed securities	1,576.60			1,587.20
	Commercial-mortgage-backed securities	463.3			486.6
	Structured hybrids	73.5			77.1
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	96.9			99.4
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	1,730.90			1,847.10
	Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	16,040.50		$	16,626.60
Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Available-for-Sale-Securities	'
	The fair value and gross unrealized losses of available-for-sale securities, aggregated by investment category, were as follows:
		March 31, 2014
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
		Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	483.4		$	(6.1	)	$	120.3		$	(2.4	)	$	603.7	$	(8.5	)
	Commercial-mortgage-backed securities	46.8			(0.6		)	0.2			(1.3		)	47		(1.9		)
	Corporates	1,902.20			(54.9		)	769.9			(31.7		)	2,672.10		(86.6		)
	Equities	70			(6.4		)	26			(1.7		)	96		(8.1		)
	Hybrids	19.1			(0.4		)	10.5			(0.2		)	29.6		(0.6		)
	Municipals	359.8			(13.5		)	107.5			(6.3		)	467.3		(19.8		)
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	9.9			—			0.6			—			10.5		—
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	335.9			(7.6		)	96.7			(2.5		)	432.6		(10.1		)
	U.S. Government	127.9			(2.5		)	39.7			(0.3		)	167.6		(2.8		)
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	3,355.00		$	(92.0	)	$	1,171.40		$	(46.4	)	$	4,526.40	$	(138.4	)
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position				440						156					596
		September 30, 2013
		Less than 12 months						12 months or longer						Total
		Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value			Gross Unrealized			Fair Value		Gross Unrealized
					Losses						Losses					Losses
	Available-for-sale securities
	Asset-backed securities	$	329.3		$	(4.5	)	$	81.5		$	(0.7	)	$	410.8	$	(5.2	)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	26.6			(0.5		)	4.9			(1.1		)	31.5		(1.6		)
	Corporates	3,457.20			(175.0		)	186			(10.1		)	3,643.20		(185.1		)
	Equities	118.6			(9.1		)	32.2			(1.2		)	150.8		(10.3		)
	Hybrids	52			(3.3		)	—			—			52		(3.3		)
	Municipals	333.3			(27.3		)	144.4			(13.5		)	477.7		(40.8		)
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	9.8			(0.1		)	1.1			(0.2		)	10.9		(0.3		)
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	325.2			(12.2		)	69.9			(1.2		)	395.1		(13.4		)
	U.S. Government	753.9			(3.9		)	—			—			753.9		(3.9		)
	Total available-for-sale securities	$	5,405.90		$	(235.9	)	$	520		$	(28.0	)	$	5,925.90	$	(263.9	)
	Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position				588						78					666
Reconciliation of Other-than-Temporary Impairment on Fixed Maturity	'
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the credit loss portion of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities held by FGL for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014, and March 31, 2013, for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in AOCI:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Beginning balance	$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7
	Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:
	Other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized	—			—			—			—
	Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	—			—			—			—
	Ending balance	$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7		$	2.7
Portfolio of Asset-Backed Loans and Other Invested Assets	'
	Salus’ portfolio of asset-based loans receivable, included in “Asset-based loans” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, consisted of the following:
		March 31,			September 30,
		2014			2013
	Asset-based loans, by major industry:
	Apparel	$	225.5		$	252.9
	Jewelry	121			125.8
	Sporting Goods	16.9			25.1
	Manufacturing	53.6			34.3
	Transportation	45.6			85.7
	Electronics	250			—
	Other	90.1			41.8
	Total asset-based loans	802.7			565.6
	Less: Allowance for credit losses	7			5.2
	Total asset-based loans, net	$	795.7		$	560.4
Schedule of Allowance for Credit Losses	'
	The following table presents the activity in its allowance for credit losses for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Allowance for credit losses:
	Balance at beginning of period	$	7		$	2.6		$	5.2		$	1.4
	Provision for credit losses	—			0.2			1.8			1.4
	Balance at end of period	$	7		$	2.8		$	7		$	2.8
Schedule of Credit Quality of Asset-Based Loan Portfolio	'
	Credit Quality Indicators
	Salus monitors credit quality as indicated by various factors and utilizes such information in its evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, Salus had no outstanding loans that either were non-performing, in a non-accrual status, or had been subject to a troubled-debt restructuring. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, there were no outstanding loans that had been individually considered impaired, as all loans were in current payment status.
		Internal Risk Rating
		Pass			Special Mention			Substandard			Doubtful			Total
	31-Mar-14	$	221.4		$	335.6		$	245.7		$	—		$	802.7
	30-Sep-13	$	306.9		$	36.7		$	222		$	—		$	565.6
Net Investment Income	'
	The major sources of “Net investment income” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	$	193.5		$	163		$	385.3		$	328.4
	Equity available-for-sale securities	5.1			2.9			9.6			7.6
	Policy loans	0.1			0.2			0.3			0.5
	Invested cash and short-term investments	—			0.4			0.1			1.2
	Asset-based loans	11.1			7			18.5			17.6
	Other investments	0.5			0.6			1.3			0.9
	Gross investment income	210.3			174.1			415.1			356.2
	External investment expense	(3.9		)	(2.8		)	(7.5		)	(6.9		)
	Net investment income	$	206.4		$	171.3		$	407.6		$	349.3
Net Investment Gains	'
	“Net investment gains” reported on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net realized gains before other-than-temporary impairments	$	7.9		$	73		$	17.7		$	245.5
	Gross other-than-temporary impairments	—			(0.4		)	—			(0.9		)
	Net realized gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	7.9			72.6			17.7			244.6
	Realized gains on equity securities	5.4			1.9			10.8			1.9
	Net realized gains on securities	13.3			74.5			28.5			246.5
	Realized gains on certain derivative instruments	50			29.7			110.6			45.3
	Unrealized (losses) gains on certain derivative instruments	(27.5		)	102.5			39.3			61.3
	Change in fair value of derivatives	22.5			132.2			149.9			106.6
	Realized gains on other invested assets	5.1			—			4.4			0.1
	Net investment gains	$	40.9		$	206.7		$	182.8		$	353.2
Cash Flows from Consolidated Investing Activities by Security	'
	Cash flows from consolidated investing activities by security classification were as follows:
		Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013
	Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid:
	Available-for-sale	$	2,675.40		$	5,769.70
	Trading (acquired for holding)	—			91.8
	Derivatives and other	188.2			154.8
		$	2,863.60		$	6,016.30
	Cost of investments acquired:
	Available-for-sale	$	(3,815.7	)	$	(5,839.0	)
	Trading (acquired for holding)	(40.5		)	(0.9		)
	Derivatives and other	(176.7		)	(76.3		)
		$	(4,032.9	)	$	(5,916.2	)
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Concentrations of Financial Instruments
	As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company’s most significant investment in one industry, excluding U.S. Government securities, was FGL’s investment securities in the banking industry with a fair value of $2,019.4 or 11.0% and $1,892.1, or 11.5%, of the Company's invested assets portfolio, respectively. FGL’s holdings in this industry includes investments in 78 different issuers with the top ten investments accounting for 37.7% of the total holdings in this industry. As of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, the Company had investments in 18 and 19 issuers that exceeded 10% of the Company's stockholders’ equity with a fair value of $1,851.3 and $1,983.7, or 10.1% and 12.0% of the invested assets portfolio, respectively. Additionally, the Company’s largest concentration in any single issuer as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013, had a fair value of $250.0 and $150.7, or 1.4% and 0.9% of the Company's invested assets portfolio, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]	'
Fair Value of Outstanding Derivative Contracts in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
	Asset Derivatives	Classification		March 31,				September 30,
				2014				2013
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity swap and option agreements	Receivables, net		$	0.3			$	0.4
	Commodity swap and option agreements	Other assets		0.1				—
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	Receivables, net		2				1.7
	Total asset derivatives designated as hedging instruments			2.4				2.1
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
	Commodity contracts	Receivables, net		—				3.7
	Call options	Derivatives		271.5				221.8
	Futures contracts	Derivatives		1.5				—
	Foreign exchange contracts	Receivables, net		0.1				0.1
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative included in asset-based loans	Receivables, net		1.2				—
	Total asset derivatives			$	276.7			$	227.7
Pretax Impact of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges on Accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and Within AOCI	'
	The following table summarizes the pretax impact of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and within AOCI, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013:
	Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)								Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)								Amount of Gain ( Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)								Classification
	Three months ended	March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Commodity contracts	$	(1.0	)		$	(2.2	)		$	0.3			$	0.2			$	(0.2	)		$	(0.1	)		Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Foreign exchange contracts	(0.1		)		0.1				—				0.2				—				—				Net consumer products sales
	Foreign exchange contracts	(0.7		)		3.6				(0.3		)		(0.4		)		—				—				Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Total	$	(1.8	)		$	1.5			$	—			$	—			$	(0.2	)		$	(0.1	)
	Six months ended
	Commodity contracts	$	0.1			$	(2.4	)		$	—			$	0.1			$	—			$	(0.1	)		Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Foreign exchange contracts	0.1				0.6				0.1				0.3				—				—				Net consumer products sales
	Foreign exchange contracts	(1.1		)		3.2				(1.0		)		(0.9		)		—				—				Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Total	$	(0.9	)		$	1.4			$	(0.9	)		$	(0.5	)		$	—			$	(0.1	)
Summary of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	'
	During the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, the Company recognized the following gains (losses) on these derivatives:
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives																Classification
		Three months ended								Six months ended
		March 31,				March 31,				March 31,				March 31,
		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	$	(3.5	)		$	(39.6	)		$	(50.7	)		$	29.3			(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock
	Oil and natural gas commodity contracts	(6.8		)		(8.8		)		(10.2		)		(8.8		)		Other expense, net
	Commodity contracts	—				—				(0.1		)		—				Consumer products cost of goods sold
	Foreign exchange contracts	(0.2		)		1.8				0.6				(2.3		)		Other expense, net
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative included in asset-based loans	1.2				—				1.2				—				Other expense, net
	Call options	21.2				118.5				135.5				97.6				Net investment gains
	Futures contracts	1.3				13.7				14.4				9				Net investment gains
	FIA embedded derivatives	74				(122.6		)		174.3				(88.8		)		Benefits and other changes in policy reserves
	Total	$	87.2			$	(37.0	)		$	265			$	36
Volumes and Fair Value of Oil and Natural Gas Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	The following table presents our proportionate share of the EXCO/HGI JV’s volumes and fair value of the oil and natural gas derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2014 (presented on a calendar-year basis) :
	(in millions, except volumes and prices)	Volume Mmmbtus/Mbbls			Weighted average strike price per Mmbtu/Bbl				March 31,
									2014
	Natural gas:
	Swaps:
	Remainder of 2014	12,272.00			$	4.15			$	(3.8	)
	Total natural gas	12,272.00							$	(3.8	)
	Oil:
	Swaps:
	Remainder of 2014	205			$	91.87			$	(1.2	)
	Total oil	205							$	(1.2	)
	Total oil and natural gas derivatives								$	(5.0	)
Call options [Member]	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'
FGL's Exposure to Credit Loss on Call Options Held	'
	Information regarding FGL’s exposure to credit loss on the call options it holds is presented in the following table:
				March 31, 2014																September 30, 2013
	Counterparty	Credit Rating		Notional				Fair Value				Collateral				Net Credit Risk				Notional				Fair Value			Collateral		Net Credit Risk
		(Moody's/S&P) (a)		Amount																Amount
	Merrill Lynch	A/A		$	2,018.20			$	83			$	41.1			$	41.9			$	2,037.80			$	70.7		$	—	$	70.7
	Deutsche Bank	A2/A		2,265.30				81.9				45.7				36.2				1,620.40				51.7			23		28.7
	Morgan Stanley	A3/A		2,143.30				89.9				63.2				26.7				2,264.10				75.7			49		26.7
	Royal Bank of Scotland	BBB+/Baa2		114.7				8.1				—				8.1				364.3				20.3			—		20.3
	Barclay's Bank	A2/A		260.4				8.6				—				8.6				120.8				3.4			—		3.4
				$	6,801.90			$	271.5			$	150			$	121.5			$	6,407.40			$	221.8		$	72	$	149.8

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities not Measured at Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
	The carrying amount, estimated fair value and the level of the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value			Carrying Amount
	Assets (a)
	Other invested assets	$	—		$	—		$	130.5		$	130.5		$	130.5
	Asset-based loans	—			—			795.7			795.7			795.7
	Total financial assets	$	—		$	—		$	926.2		$	926.2		$	926.2
	Liabilities (a)
	Total debt (b)	$	—		$	5,488.10		$	—		$	5,488.10		$	5,396.30
	Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature	—			—			319.3			319.3			319.3
	Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—			12,872.30			12,872.30			14,279.60
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	5,488.10		$	13,191.60		$	18,679.70		$	19,995.20
		September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Estimated Fair Value			Carrying Amount
	Assets (a)
	Other invested assets	$	—		$	—		$	31.2		$	31.2		$	31.2
	Asset-based loans	—			—			560.4			560.4			560.4
	Total financial assets	$	—		$	—		$	591.6		$	591.6		$	591.6
	Liabilities (a)
	Total debt (b)	$	—		$	4,773.20		$	—		$	4,773.20		$	4,896.10
	Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature	—			—			377.1			377.1			329.4
	Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds	—			—			12,378.60			12,378.60			13,703.80
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	4,773.20		$	12,755.70		$	17,528.90		$	18,929.30
	(a)	The carrying amounts of trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued investment income and portions of other insurance liabilities approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.
	(b)	The fair values of debt set forth above are generally based on quoted or observed market prices.
Assets and Liabilities Carrying at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities measured at fair value are summarized according to the hierarchy previously described as follows:
		March 31, 2014
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
	Assets (a)
	Cash and cash equivalents (b)	$	1,319.80		$	—		$	—		$	1,319.80
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	—			—			41.5			41.5
	Derivatives:
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			2.1			—			2.1
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			0.4			—			0.4
	Foreign exchange embedded derivative included in asset-based loans	—			1.2			—			1.2
	Call options and futures contracts	—			273			—			273
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			1,576.50			10.7			1,587.20
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			486.6			—			486.6
	Corporates	—			9,865.10			657			10,522.10
	Hybrids	—			451.6			—			451.6
	Municipals	—			1,204.40			35.6			1,240.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			99.4			—			99.4
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			1,847.10			—			1,847.10
	U.S. Government	181.5			211.1			—			392.6
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale	—			353.1			—			353.1
	Trading	121			—			10.8			131.8
	Other invested assets	—			2.1			—			2.1
	Funds withheld receivable	19			135.5			—			154.5
	Total financial assets	$	1,641.30		$	16,509.20		$	755.6		$	18,906.10
	Liabilities (a)
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—		$	1,718.70		$	1,718.70
	Front Street future policyholder benefit liability	—			—			151			151
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			7.2			—			7.2
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			5.1			—			5.1
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			364.8			364.8
	Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	12.3		$	2,234.50		$	2,246.80
		September 30, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Fair Value
	Assets (a)
	Cash and cash equivalents (b)	$	1,899.70		$	—		$	—		$	1,899.70
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	—			—			41			41
	Derivatives:
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			1.8			—			1.8
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			4.1			—			4.1
	Call options and futures contracts	—			221.8			—			221.8
	Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	—			1,518.10			5			1,523.10
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			448.7			5.7			454.4
	Corporates	—			8,957.20			461.1			9,418.30
	Hybrids	—			428.8						428.8
	Municipals	—			1,007.00			—			1,007.00
	Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			98.6			—			98.6
	Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—			1,368.00			—			1,368.00
	U.S. Government	790.9			210.9			—			1,001.80
	Equity securities:
	Available-for-sale	—			271			—			271
	Trading	70.8			—			10.7			81.5
	Total financial assets	$	2,761.40		$	14,536.00		$	523.5		$	17,820.90
	Liabilities (a)
	Derivatives:
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	—		$	—		$	1,544.40		$	1,544.40
	Futures contracts	—			1			—			1
	Foreign exchange forward agreements	—			10			—			10
	Commodity swap and option agreements	—			2.4			—			2.4
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			330.8			330.8
Total financial liabilities	$	—		$	13.4		$	1,875.20		$	1,888.60
Schedule of Unobservable Inputs Used for Level Three Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis	'
	Quantitative information regarding significant unobservable inputs used for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of financial instruments carried at fair value as of March 31, 2014 and September 30, 2013 are as follows:
						Fair Value at						Range (Weighted average)
	Assets		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input(s)		March 31,			September 30,			March 31,	September 30,
						2014			2013			2014	2013
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable		Discounted cash flow	Probability of collection		$	41.5		$	41		88% - 96% (92%)	88% - 96% (92%)
				Expected term								6 months	9 months
				Discount rate								1%	1%
				Credit insurance risk premium								12%	11%
	Asset-backed securities		Broker-quoted	Offered quotes		10.7			5			96% - 101% (99%)	100% - 107% (101%)
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities		Broker-quoted	Offered quotes		—			5.7			—%	96%
	Corporates		Broker-quoted	Quoted prices		591.2			404.5			0% - 120% (94%)	0% - 113% (90%)
	Corporates		Market Pricing	Offered quotes		65.8			56.6			94% - 138% (99%)	90% - 131% (97%)
	Municipal		Broker-quoted	Offered quotes		35.6			—			102%	—%
	Equity		Market Pricing	Revenue multiple		10.8						0.3x - 0.4x
				Probably of transaction closing								90%
			Option Pricing	Risk-adjusted rate					10.7				25.00%
				Risk-free discount factor									0.999
				Risk-adjusted discount factor									0.995
				Upward movement factor (Mu)									1.1
				Downward movement factor (Md)									0.9
				Probability of upward movement (Pu)									48.60%
				Probability of downward movement (Pd)									51.40%
	Total					$	755.6		$	523.5
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds		Discounted cash flow	Market value of option		$	1,718.70		$	1,544.40		0% - 44% (4%)	0% - 38% (4%)
				SWAP rates								2% - 3% (2%)	2% - 3% (2%)
				Mortality multiplier								80%	80%
				Surrender rates								0.50% - 75% (7%)	0.50% - 75% (7%)
				Non-performance spread								0.25%	0.25% - 0.25% (0.25%)
	Front Street future policyholder benefit liability		Discounted cash flow	Non-performance risk spread		151			—			0.6% - 1.5%	—%
				Risk margin to reflect uncertainty								0.25-0.50%	—%
						Fair Value at						Range (Weighted average)
	Assets		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input(s)		March 31,			September 30,			March 31,	September 30,
						2014			2013			2014	2013
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock		Monte Carlo simulation / Option model	Annualized volatility of equity		364.8			330.8			41%	42%
				Discount yield								10.50%	11.00%
				Non-cash accretion rate								0%	0%
				Calibration adjustment								0%	0% - 1.0% (0.3%)
	Total					$	2,234.50		$	1,875.20
Changes in Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	The following tables summarize changes to the Company’s financial instruments carried at fair value and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013. This summary excludes any impact of amortization of VOBA and DAC. The gains and losses below may include changes in fair value due in part to observable inputs that are a component of the valuation methodology.
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings			AOCI
	Assets
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41.5		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41.5
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	9.8			—			(0.1		)	—			—			—			1			10.7
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6			—			—			—			—			—			(6.0		)	—
	Corporates	607.1			—			10.1			41.7			—			(1.9		)	—			657
	Municipals	34.3			—			1.3			—			—			—			—			35.6
	Equity securities - trading	10.8			—			—			—			—			—			—			10.8
	Total assets at fair value	$	709.5		$	—		$	11.3		$	41.7		$	—		$	(1.9	)	$	(5.0	)	$	755.6
		Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3			Period
					Earnings			AOCI
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,644.70		$	74		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,718.70
	Front Street future policyholder benefit liability	149.9			3.7			—			—			—			(2.6		)	—			151
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	378			3.5			—			—			—			(16.7		)	—			364.8
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	2,172.60		$	81.2		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(19.3	)	$	—		$	2,234.50
	(a)	This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.
		Six months ended March 31, 2014
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings			AOCI
	Assets
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41		$	0.5		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41.5
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	5			—			(0.3		)	5			—			—			1			10.7
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	5.7			—			0.3			—			—			—			(6.0		)	—
	Corporates	461.1			—			4			194.3			—			(2.4		)	—			657
	Municipals	—			—			0.6			35			—			—			—			35.6
	Equity securities - trading	10.7			0.1			—			—			—			—			—			10.8
	Total assets at fair value	$	523.5		$	0.6		$	4.6		$	234.3		$	—		$	(2.4	)	$	(5.0	)	$	755.6
		Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3			Period
					Earnings			AOCI
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,544.40		$	174.3		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,718.70
	Front Street future policyholder benefit liability	—			3			—			150.6			—			(2.6		)	—			151
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	330.8			50.7			—			—			—			(16.7		)	—			364.8
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,875.20		$	228		$	—		$	150.6		$	—		$	(19.3	)	$	—		$	2,234.50
	(a)	This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.
		Three months ended March 31, 2013
		Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings			AOCI
	Assets
	Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41
	Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
	Asset-backed securities	5.3			—			—			—			—			—			—			5.3
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	6.1			—			0.1			—			—			—			—			6.2
	Corporates	256.1			(0.1		)	3.2			144.2			—			(13.0		)	(33.9		)	356.5
	Hybrids	5			—			—			—			—			—			(5.0		)	—
	Equity securities available-for-sale	—			—			—			10			—			—			—			10
	Total assets at fair value	$	313.5		$	(0.1	)	$	3.3		$	154.2		$	—		$	(13.0	)	$	(38.9	)	$	419
		Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
		of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
					Earnings			AOCI
	Liabilities
	FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,517.00		$	122.6		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,639.60
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	163.1			39.6			—			—			—			—			—			202.7
Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,680.10		$	162.2		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,842.30
(a)	The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.
	Six months ended March 31, 2013
	Balance at Beginning			Total Gains (Losses)															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Assets
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	$	41		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	41
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities	15.9			—			(0.1		)	—			—			—			(10.5		)	5.3
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	5			—			0.2			1			—			—			—			6.2
Corporates	135.3			(0.3		)	1.2			277.4			(9.6		)	(13.7		)	(33.8		)	356.5
Hybrids	8.8			—			(0.1		)	—			—			—			(8.7		)	—
Equity securities available-for-sale	—			—			—			10			—			—			—			10
Total assets at fair value	$	206		$	(0.3	)	$	1.2		$	288.4		$	(9.6	)	$	(13.7	)	$	(53.0	)	$	419
	Balance at Beginning			Total (Gains) Losses															Net transfer In (Out) of			Balance at End of
	of Period			Included in			Included in			Purchases			Sales			Settlements			Level 3 (a)			Period
				Earnings			AOCI
Liabilities
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds	$	1,550.80		$	88.8		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,639.60
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	232			(29.3		)	—			—			—			—			—			202.7
Total liabilities at fair value	$	1,782.80		$	59.5		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,842.30
(a)	The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu1

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill and Intangible Assets Including FGL's DAC and VOBA Balances	'
	Definite lived intangible assets are summarized as follows:
		March 31, 2014									September 30, 2013
		Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Net			Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Net			Amortizable Life
	Customer relationships	$	888.6		$	(184.5	)	$	704.1		$	885.9		$	(160.8	)	$	725.1		15 to 20 years
	Trade names	171.4			(52.8		)	118.6			171.6			(44.7		)	126.9			1 to 12 years
	Technology assets	192.2			(48.2		)	144			172.1			(39.0		)	133.1			4 to 17 years
		$	1,252.20		$	(285.5	)	$	966.7		$	1,229.60		$	(244.5	)	$	985.1
Summary of Definite Lived Intangible Assets	'
	A summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill and intangible assets, including FGL’s DAC and VOBA balances, are as follows:
					Intangible Assets
		Goodwill			Indefinite Lived			Definite Lived			VOBA			DAC			Total
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	1,476.70		$	1,178.10		$	985.1		$	225.3		$	340.6		$	2,729.10
	Acquisitions (Note 3)	10.5			5.1			22			—			—			27.1
	Deferrals	—			—			—			—			115.8			115.8
	Less: Components of amortization -
	Periodic amortization	—			—			(40.7		)	(43.3		)	(24.4		)	(108.4		)
	Interest	—			—			—			7.3			6.7			14
	Unlocking	—			—			—			11.9			1.7			13.6
	Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net	—			—			—			(63.0		)	(42.0		)	(105.0		)
	Effect of translation	(7.6		)	5			0.3			—			—			5.3
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1,479.60		$	1,188.20		$	966.7		$	138.2		$	398.4		$	2,691.50
Summary of Amortization Expense of Definite Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Amortization expense for definite lived intangible assets is as follows:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Customer relationships	$	11.6		$	11.3		$	23.3		$	21.7
	Trade names	4.1			4.3			8.2			7.9
	Technology assets	4.8			4.5			9.2			7.6
		$	20.5		$	20.1		$	40.7		$	37.2
Estimated Amortization Expense for VOBA and DAC in Future Fiscal Periods	'
	Estimated amortization expense for VOBA in future fiscal periods is as follows:
			Estimated Amortization Expense
	Fiscal Year		VOBA
	2014		$	20.7
	2015		44.5
	2016		39.7
	2017		32.5
	2018		26.1
	2019 and thereafter		119.2

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Debt	'
	The Company’s consolidated debt consists of the following:
		March 31, 2014					September 30, 2013
		Amount			Rate		Amount			Rate
	HGI:
	7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019	$	925		7.9	%	$	925		7.9	%
	7.75% Senior Unsecured Notes, due January 15, 2022	200			7.8	%	—			—	%
	Spectrum Brands:
	CAD Term Loan, due December 17, 2019	75.9			5	%	81.4			5.1	%
	Term Loan, due September 4, 2017 (Tranche A)	834.1			3	%	850			3	%
	Term Loan, due September 4, 2019 (Tranche C)	513.7			3.6	%	300			3.6	%
	Term Loan, due December 17, 2019 (Tranche B)	—			—		513.3			4.6	%
	Euro Term Loan, due September 4, 2019	309.2			3.8	%	—			—
	6.75% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2020	300			6.8	%	300			6.8	%
	6.375% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2020	520			6.4	%	520			6.4	%
	6.625% Senior Notes, due November 15, 2022	570			6.6	%	570			6.6	%
	ABL Facility, expiring May 24, 2017	167.5			2.5	%	—			5.7	%
	Other notes and obligations	50.4			7.1	%	28.5			8.5	%
	Capitalized lease obligations	97			6.2	%	67.4			6.2	%
	FGL
	6.375% Senior Notes, due April 1, 2021	300			6.4	%	300			6.4	%
	EXCO/HGI JV
	EXCO/HGI JV Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018	250.6			2.7	%	271.2			2.7	%
	Salus
	Unaffiliated long-term debt of consolidated variable-interest entity	191.8			6.7	%	182.9			6.6	%
	Secured borrowings under non-qualifying loan participations	100			11	%	—			—
	Total	5,405.20					4,909.70
	Original issuance (discounts) premiums on debt, net	(8.9		)			(13.6		)
	Total debt	5,396.30					4,896.10
	Less current maturities	119.3					102.9
	Non-current portion of debt	$	5,277.00				$	4,793.20

Defined_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Defined Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Consolidated Net Periodic Benefit and Deferred Compensation Benefit Costs and Contributions Made	'
	he components of consolidated net periodic benefit and deferred compensation benefit costs and contributions made are as follows:
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31, 2014			March 31, 2013			March 31, 2014			March 31, 2013
	Service cost	$	0.8		$	0.9		$	2		$	1.7
	Interest cost	2.6			2.7			6			5.3
	Expected return on assets	(2.4		)	(2.4		)	(6.0		)	(4.9		)
	Recognized net actuarial loss	0.4			0.6			0.8			1.1
	Employee contributions	—			(0.1		)	—			(0.1		)
	Net periodic benefit expense	$	1.4		$	1.7		$	2.8		$	3.1
	Contributions made during period	$	2.2		$	1.2		$	5.6		$	1.9

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Earned, Benefits Incurred and Reserve Changes	'
	The effect of reinsurance on premiums earned, benefits incurred and reserve changes for the three and six months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 were as follows:
		Three months ended												Six months ended
		March 31, 2014						March 31, 2013						March 31, 2014						March 31, 2013
		Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves			Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves			Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves			Insurance Premiums			Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves
	Direct	$	67		$	256.4		$	70		$	289.3		$	134.7		$	552.8		$	142.4		$	428.9
	Assumed	9.5			9.9			3.3			1			18.8			15.3			15.4			7.5
	Ceded	(61.7		)	(69.8		)	(59.2		)	(49.4		)	(124.8		)	(136.9		)	(129.9		)	(111.9		)
	Net	$	14.8		$	196.5		$	14.1		$	240.9		$	28.7		$	431.2		$	27.9		$	324.5

Stock_Compensation_Tables

Stock Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Related Activity	'
	A summary of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and related activity during the six months then ended, under HGI, Fidelity & Guaranty Life Holdings, Inc. ("FGH"), and FGL’s respective incentive plans are as follows (share amounts in thousands):
			HGI							FGH				FGL
	Stock Option Awards		Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted			Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted
							Average Grant											Average Grant
							Date Fair Value											Date Fair Value
	Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,954		$	6.52	$	2.55		335		$	44.23	—		$	—	$	—
	Granted		1,326		11.76		4.91			—		—		249		17		3.76
	Exercised		(497	)	4.96		1.77			(28	)	41.79		—		—		—
	Forfeited or expired		(25	)	7.67		2.98			(3	)	46.43		(2	)	17		5.26
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014		4,758		8.14		3.28			304		44.43		247		17		3.74
	Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014		1,379		7.39		2.93			129		42.56		—		—		—
	Stock options outstanding and expected to vest		3,379		8.45		3.43			168		44.37		242		17		3.71
Summary of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Outstanding and Related Activity	'
	A summary of restricted stock, restricted stock units and Performance Restricted Stock Units ("PRSUs") outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and related activity during the six months then ended, under HGI, Spectrum Brands, FGH and FGL’s respective incentive plans are as follows (share amounts in thousands):
			HGI				FGL
	Restricted Stock Awards		Shares		Weighted		Shares		Weighted
					Average Grant				Average Grant
					Date Fair Value				Date Fair Value
	Restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,456		$	7.72	—		$	—
	Granted		3,302		12		171		18.11
	Vested		(1,126	)	10.15		—		—
	Forfeited		(26	)	9.26		(3	)	19.98
	Restricted stock outstanding at March 31, 2014		5,606		9.75		168		18.08
	Restricted stock expected to vest		5,606		9.75		164		18.03
			Spectrum Brands				FGH
	Restricted Stock Units		Units		Weighted		Units		Weighted
					Average Grant				Average Grant
					Date Fair Value				Date Fair Value
	Restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2013		1,118		$	39.11	46		$	49.6
	Granted		436		69		—		—
	Vested		(949	)	39.62		(15	)	49.45
	Forfeited		—		—		(1	)	49.45
	Restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2014		605		59.84		30		49.59
	Restricted stock units expected to vest		605		59.84		27		49.59
			FGL
	Performance Restricted Stock Units		Units		Weighted
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Performance restricted stock units outstanding at September 30, 2013		—		$	—
	Granted		541		17.37
	Performance restricted stock units outstanding at March 31, 2014		541		17.37
	Performance restricted stock units expected to vest		541		17.37
Assumptions Used in Determination of Grant Date Fair Values Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model	'
	The following assumptions were used in the determination of these grant date fair values using the Black-Scholes option pricing model:
		2014		2013
	Risk-free interest rate	1.46% to 1.75%		0.85%
	Assumed dividend yield	—%		—%
	Expected option term	5.3 to 6.0 years		5.3 to 6.0 years
	Volatility	41.20%		42.8% to 44.0%

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Summary of Basic and Diluted EPS	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (share amounts in thousands):
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Net (loss) income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$	(87.6	)	$	(45.5	)	$	(126.6	)	$	16.5
	Participating shares at end of period:
	Common shares outstanding	142,801			139,724			142,801			139,724
	Preferred shares (as-converted basis)	59,134			62,839			59,134			62,839
	Total	201,935			202,563			201,935			202,563
	Percentage of (loss) income allocated to:
	Common shares	100		%	100		%	100		%	69		%
	Preferred shares (a)	—		%	—		%	—		%	31		%
	Net (loss) income attributable to common shares - basic	$	(87.6	)	$	(45.5	)	$	(126.6	)	$	11.4
	Dilutive adjustments to (loss) income attributable to common shares from assumed conversion of preferred shares, net of tax:
	Income allocated to preferred shares in basic calculation	—			—			—			5.1
	Reversal of preferred stock dividends and accretion	—			—			—			24.3
	Reversal of income related to fair value of preferred stock conversion feature	—			—			—			(29.3		)
	Net adjustment	—			—			—			0.1
	Net (loss) income attributable to common shares - diluted	$	(87.6	)	$	(45.5	)	$	(126.6	)	$	11.5
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	139,889			139,724			139,529			139,604
	Dilutive effect of preferred stock	—			—			—			62,839
	Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	—			—			—			1,856
	Dilutive effect of stock options	—			—			—			592
	Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	139,889			139,724			139,529			204,891
	Net (loss) income per common share attributable to controlling interest:
	Basic	$	(0.63	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.91	)	$	0.08
	Diluted	$	(0.63	)	$	(0.33	)	$	(0.91	)	$	0.06

Segment_Data_Tables

Segment Data (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Accordingly, the Company currently operates its business in four reporting segments: (i) Consumer Products, (ii) Insurance, (iii) Energy and (iv) Asset Management.
		Three months ended						Six months ended
		March 31,			March 31,			March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Revenues:
	Consumer Products	$	1,021.70		$	987.7		$	2,122.30		$	1,858.00
	Insurance	274.1			402.3			647.2			745.9
	Energy	39.2			16.7			74.7			16.7
	Asset Management	9.8			5.3			14.3			13.7
	Intersegment elimination	(3.6		)	(0.9		)	(7.3		)	(0.9		)
	Consolidated revenues	$	1,341.20		$	1,411.10		$	2,851.20		$	2,633.40
	Operating income:
	Consumer Products	$	92.5		$	52.2		$	217.6		$	120.4
	Insurance	26.3			108			111.6			271.6
	Energy	(71.8		)	0.5			(65.8		)	0.5
	Asset Management	4			2.7			0.1			7.8
	Intersegment elimination	(4.0		)	—			(7.7		)	—
	Total segments	47			163.4			255.8			400.3
	Corporate and eliminations	(30.8		)	(29.4		)	(60.3		)	(50.9		)
	Consolidated operating income	16.2			134			195.5			349.4
	Interest expense	(77.2		)	(75.7		)	(161.2		)	(218.8		)
	(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	(3.5		)	(39.6		)	(50.7		)	29.3
	Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	—			—			0.5			—
	Other expense, net	(4.6		)	(3.2		)	(16.5		)	(11.9		)
	Consolidated (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	(69.1	)	$	15.5		$	(32.4	)	$	148
		Six months ended
	Net change in cash due to operating activities	March 31,			March 31,
		2014			2013
	Consumer Products	$	(156.7	)	$	(179.9	)
	Insurance	123.6			188.3
	Energy	25			2.7
	Asset Management	5.2			(1.4		)
	Net change in cash due to segment operating activities	(2.9		)	9.7
	Net change in cash due to corporate operating activities	(79.0		)	(76.9		)
	Consolidated change in cash due to operating activities	$	(81.9	)	$	(67.2	)

Consolidating_Financial_Inform1

Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Balance Sheet Information	'
	Harbinger Group Inc. - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
	March 31, 2014	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
	Assets:
	Investments	$	—		$	17,884.50		$	—		$	595.6		$	82		$	(249.3	)	$	18,312.80
	Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	—			67.9			—			—			2,038.80			(2,106.7		)	—
	Affiliated loans and receivables	—			146.4			—			2.1			—			(148.5		)	—
	Cash and cash equivalents	93.4			761.8			19.3			73			372.3			—			1,319.80
	Receivables, net	591.9			0.9			17.2			0.3			46			1			657.3
	Inventories, net	725.9			—			—			—			—			—			725.9
	Accrued investment income	—			178.7			—			3.9			—			(0.6		)	182
	Reinsurance recoverable	—			2,387.40			—			—			—			—			2,387.40
	Deferred tax assets	35.7			190.5			—			—			—			0.9			227.1
	Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	444.2			8.9			476.1			0.9			0.5			—			930.6
	Goodwill	1,479.60			—			—			—			—			—			1,479.60
	Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA, net	2,154.90			536.6			—			—			—			—			2,691.50
	Other assets	162			200.4			2.9			10.4			32.8			—			408.5
	Total assets	$	5,687.60		$	22,364.00		$	515.5		$	686.2		$	2,572.40		$	(2,503.2	)	$	29,322.50
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Insurance reserves	$	—		$	19,783.00		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	19,783.00
	Debt	3,429.50			300			250.6			291.9			1,124.30			—			5,396.30
	Accounts payable and other current liabilities	666.8			48.8			33			5.1			67.8			—			821.5
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			364.8			—			364.8
	Employee benefit obligations	89.8			—			—			—			2.7			—			92.5
	Deferred tax liabilities	490.7			—			—			—			—			2.3			493
	Other liabilities	28			542.1			26.3			32.3			—			—			628.7
	Affiliated debt and payables	—			1.9			102.1			289.8			—			(393.8		)	—
	Total liabilities	4,704.80			20,675.80			412			619.1			1,559.60			(391.5		)	27,579.80
	Temporary equity	—			—			—			—			319.3			—			319.3
	Total stockholders’ equity	550.6			1,389.70			103.5			67.9			693.5			(2,111.7		)	693.5
	Noncontrolling interests	432.2			298.5			—			(0.8		)	—			—			729.9
	Total permanent equity	982.8			1,688.20			103.5			67.1			693.5			(2,111.7		)	1,423.40
	Total liabilities and equity	$	5,687.60		$	22,364.00		$	515.5		$	686.2		$	2,572.40		$	(2,503.2	)	$	29,322.50
	September 30, 2013	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
	Assets:
	Investments	$	—		$	16,282.30		$	—		$	389.3		$	42.3		$	(248.0	)	$	16,465.90
	Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	—			62			—			—			2,012.90			(2,074.9		)	—
	Affiliated loans and receivables	—			150.1			—			0.9			—			(151.0		)	—
	Cash and cash equivalents	207.3			1,248.30			18.7			166.5			258.9			—			1,899.70
	Receivables, net	546.9			—			22.2			1.2			41			—			611.3
	Inventories, net	632.9			—			—			—			—			—			632.9
	Accrued investment income	—			159.3			—			2.3			—			(0.4		)	161.2
	Reinsurance recoverable	—			2,363.70			—			—			—			—			2,363.70
	Deferred tax assets	33			260.4			—			—			—			—			293.4
	Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	412.5			7			572.6			0.7			0.5			—			993.3
	Goodwill	1,476.70			—			—			—			—			—			1,476.70
	Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA, net	2,163.20			565.9			—			—			—			—			2,729.10
	Other assets	154.2			84.1			4.1			11.3			27.9			—			281.6
	Total assets	$	5,626.70		$	21,183.10		$	617.6		$	572.2		$	2,383.50		$	(2,474.3	)	$	27,908.80
	Liabilities and Equity:
	Insurance reserves	$	—		$	18,895.90		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	18,895.90
	Debt	3,218.90			300			271.2			181.8			924.2			—			4,896.10
	Accounts payable and other current liabilities	849.4			52.9			32.8			6.3			71.3			—			1,012.70
	Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			330.8			—			330.8
	Employee benefit obligations	96.6			—			—			—			3			—			99.6
	Deferred tax liabilities	492.8			—			—			—			—			—			492.8
	Other liabilities	28.9			640.2			25.4			23.3			0.2			—			718
	Affiliated debt and payables	—			0.8			102.2			293.3			—			(396.3		)	—
	Total liabilities	4,686.60			19,889.80			431.6			504.7			1,329.50			(396.3		)	26,445.90
	Temporary equity	—			—			0.1			—			329.3			—			329.4
	Total stockholders’ equity	531			1,293.30			185.9			67.8			724.7			(2,078.0		)	724.7
	Noncontrolling interests	409.1			—			—			(0.3		)	—			—			408.8
	Total permanent equity	940.1			1,293.30			185.9			67.5			724.7			(2,078.0		)	1,133.50
	Total liabilities and equity	$	5,626.70		$	21,183.10		$	617.6		$	572.2		$	2,383.50		$	(2,474.3	)	$	27,908.80
Schedule of Income Statement Information	'
	Harbinger Group Inc. - Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations Information
	Six months ended March 31, 2014	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
	Revenues:
	Net consumer product sales	$	2,122.30		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	2,122.30
	Oil and natural gas	—			—			74.7			—			—			—			74.7
	Insurance premiums	—			28.7			—			—			—			—			28.7
	Net investment income	—			400.6			—			14.3			—			(7.3		)	407.6
	Net investment gains	—			182.8			—			—			—			—			182.8
	Insurance and investment product fees and other	—			35.1			—			—			—			—			35.1
	Total revenues	2,122.30			647.2			74.7			14.3			—			(7.3		)	2,851.20
	Operating costs and expenses:
	Consumer products cost of goods sold	1,381.50			—			—			—			—			—			1,381.50
	Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	—			—			33.2			—			—			—			33.2
	Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	—			431.2			—			—			—			—			431.2
	Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	482.5			64.3			26.3			14.2			60.3			0.4			648
	Impairment of oil and gas properties	—			—			81			—			—			—			81
	Amortization of intangibles	40.7			40.1			—			—			—			—			80.8
	Total operating costs and expenses	1,904.70			535.6			140.5			14.2			60.3			0.4			2,655.70
	Operating income (loss)	217.6			111.6			(65.8		)	0.1			(60.3		)	(7.7		)	195.5
	Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	—			(3.8		)	—			—			48.2			(44.4		)	—
	Interest expense	(104.4		)	(11.3		)	(4.1		)	—			(41.4		)	—			(161.2		)
	Affiliated interest expense	—			0.2			(4.5		)	(3.0		)	—			7.3			—
	(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			(50.7		)	—			(50.7		)
	Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	—			—			—			—			0.5			—			0.5
	Other expense, net	(1.6		)	—			(10.2		)	(1.3		)	1.4			(4.8		)	(16.5		)
	(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	111.6			96.7			(84.6		)	(4.2		)	(102.3		)	(49.6		)	(32.4		)
	Income tax (benefit) expense	23.3			0.4			—			(0.1		)	—			1.4			25
	Net (loss) income	88.3			96.3			(84.6		)	(4.1		)	(102.3		)	(51.0		)	(57.4		)
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	36.6			8.6			—			(0.3		)	—			—			44.9
	Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interest	51.7			87.7			(84.6		)	(3.8		)	(102.3		)	(51.0		)	(102.3		)
	Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	—			—			—			—			24.3			—			24.3
	Net (loss) income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$	51.7		$	87.7		$	(84.6	)	$	(3.8	)	$	(126.6	)	$	(51.0	)	$	(126.6	)
	Six months ended March 31, 2013	Consumer Products			Insurance			Energy			Asset Management			Corporate and Other			Eliminations			Total
	Revenues:
	Net consumer product sales	$	1,858.00		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,858.00
	Oil and natural gas	—			—			16.7			—			—			—			16.7
	Insurance premiums	—			27.9			—			—			—			—			27.9
	Net investment income	—			336.5			—			13.7			—			(0.9		)	349.3
	Net investment gains	—			353.2			—			—			—			—			353.2
	Insurance and investment product fees and other	—			28.3			—			—			—			—			28.3
	Total revenues	1,858.00			745.9			16.7			13.7			—			(0.9		)	2,633.40
	Operating costs and expenses:
	Consumer products cost of goods sold	1,247.00			—			—			—			—			—			1,247.00
	Oil and natural gas operating costs	—			—			8.8			—			—			—			8.8
	Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	—			324.5			—			—			—			—			324.5
	Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	453.4			51.4			7.4			5.9			50.9			(0.9		)	568.1
	Amortization of intangibles	37.2			98.4			—			—			—			—			135.6
	Total operating costs and expenses	1,737.60			474.3			16.2			5.9			50.9			(0.9		)	2,284.00
	Operating income	120.4			271.6			0.5			7.8			(50.9		)	—			349.4
	Equity in net income of subsidiaries	—			—			—			—			148			(148.0		)	—
	Interest expense	(130.2		)	—			(0.9		)	—			(87.7		)	—			(218.8		)
	Affiliated interest expense	—			2.5			(1.1		)	(1.4		)	—			—			—
	Loss from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	—			—			—			—			29.3			—			29.3
	Other (expense) income, net	(5.3		)	0.3			(8.9		)	(0.1		)	2.1			—			(11.9		)
	(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(15.1		)	274.4			(10.4		)	6.3			40.8			(148.0		)	148
	Income tax (benefit) expense	39.8			90.6			—			—			—			—			130.4
	Net income	(54.9		)	183.8			(10.4		)	6.3			40.8			(148.0		)	17.6
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23.5		)	—			—			0.3			—			—			(23.2		)
	Net income attributable to controlling interest	(31.4		)	183.8			(10.4		)	6			40.8			(148.0		)	40.8
	Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	—			—			—			—			24.3			—			24.3
	Net income attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	$	(31.4	)	$	183.8		$	(10.4	)	$	6		$	16.5		$	(148.0	)	$	16.5

Description_of_Business_Basis_

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 13, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Jan. 02, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Segment

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Fgl Reinsurance Agreement With Fsr [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

FGL [Member]

Bankers Life Insurance Company [Member]

The Liquid Fence Company [Member]

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]

6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]

Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]

6.625% Notes [Member]

6.625% Notes [Member]

7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]

7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]

Seven Point Seven Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Document Period End Date

31-Mar-14

31-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, interest rate

'

'

'

6.40%

0.00%

3.60%

'

3.60%

6.40%

6.40%

6.60%

6.60%

'

7.90%

0.00%

7.75%

'

'

'

3.80%

'

0.00%

Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$35.80

'

'

'

Long-term debt

5,405.20

5,405.20

4,909.70

300

300

513.7

215

300

520

520

570

570

'

925

925

200

'

'

'

309.2

225

0

Reinsurance arrangment in percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payments for reinsurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,400

'

'

'

'

153

'

'

'

'

Asset-based loans

$795.70

$795.70

$560.40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of ownership interest acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.40%

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Offered To Public In Initial Offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,750

'

'

'

'

'

Sale of Stock, Price Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$17

'

'

'

'

'

Shares Offered To Underwriters In Initial Offering

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,463

'

'

'

'

'

Investment Owned, Balance, Shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,000

'

'

'

'

'

Number of reporting segments

4

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis_of_Presentation_Signific2

Basis of Presentation, Significant Accounting Polices and Practicies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013	Apr. 06, 2011
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	31-Mar-14	'	'	'
Unamortized costs exceed ceiling limitations	$81	$81	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement Or Change In Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Change in Cash Due to Operations Activities	'	'	20.2	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement Or Change In Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Change in Cash Due to Financing Activities	'	'	-20.2	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Change in Statutory Capital and Surplus Required as a Result of Electing New Statutory Accounting Practice	'	'	'	11.5	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Unassigned Balance Netted Against Additional Paid in Capital	'	'	'	'	$805.80
Spectrum Brands [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	41.40%	41.40%	'	'	'
FGL [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	19.60%	19.60%	'	'	'
Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	14.30%	14.30%	'	'	'
Zap Com Corporation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	2.10%	2.10%	'	'	'
Natural Gas [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Average Sales Prices	'	3.99	'	'	'
Oil [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Average Sales Prices	'	98.3	'	'	'
Natural Gas Liquids [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserve Quantities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Average Sales Prices	'	43.63	'	'	'

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
EXCO/HGI JV [Member] | EXCO [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition Percentage Of Equity Interests Acquired	25.50%
EXCO/HGI JV [Member] | HGI [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Business Acquisition Percentage Of Equity Interests Acquired	74.40%
Liquid Fence Promissory Note [Member] | The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Notes Payable, Current	'24 months

Acquisitions_Companys_Pro_Form

Acquisitions - Company's Pro Forma Results (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition Actual Revenue And Pre Tax Income Loss [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Basic net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:	'	'	'	'
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.06
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.08
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	'	($0.34)	'	$0.12
Revenues	$1,341.20	$1,411.10	$2,851.20	$2,633.40
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	'	1,428.20	'	2,878.90
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	'	-51.4	'	22
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	'	($0.34)	'	$0.08
As Initially Reported [Member]	'	'	'	'
Basic net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	'	-50.5	'	17.6
HHI Business [Member] | Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Basic net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	'	'	'	$0.04
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	'	'	'	191.8
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	'	0	'	4.9
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	'	'	'	$0.02
EXCO/HGI JV [Member] | Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Basic net income per common share attributable to controlling interest:	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic	'	($0.01)	'	$0
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue	'	17.1	'	53.7
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	'	($0.90)	'	($0.50)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted	'	($0.01)	'	$0

Acquisitions_Acquisitions_Liqu

Acquisitions Acquisitions - Liquid Fence (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jan. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 02, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified			The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	Technology assets [Member]	Technology assets [Member]	Trade names [Member]	Customer relationships [Member]	Customer relationships [Member]
					The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	The Liquid Fence Company [Member]	The Liquid Fence Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'	'	'	'17 years	'	'	'15 years	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	'	'	'	'	'	$20.50	$5.10	'	$1.30
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents	'	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	'	'	'	24.8	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred	'	'	'	9.5	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Other	'	'	'	1.5	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	'	'	'	35.8	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables	'	'	1.2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory	'	'	2.2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets	'	'	0.1	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill	'	'	26.9	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Assets	'	'	30.4	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities	'	'	1.6	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	'	'	28.8	'	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	1,479.60	1,476.70	7	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Less Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	35.8	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Combination, Liabilities Arising from Contingencies, Amount Recognized	'	'	$1.50	'	'	'	'	'	'

Investments_AvailableforSale_S

Investments - Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Document Period End Date

'

'

31-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

$755.60

$419

$755.60

$419

$709.50

$523.50

$313.50

$206

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

'

-0.1

0.6

-0.3

'

'

'

'

Asset Backed Securities Fair Value Disclosure

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

18,312.80

'

18,312.80

'

'

16,465.90

'

'

Derivative investments, Cost or Amortized Cost

154.6

'

154.6

'

'

141.7

'

'

Derivative investments, Gross Unrealized Gains

120.7

'

120.7

'

'

88.5

'

'

Derivative investments, Gross Unrealized Losses

2.3

'

2.3

'

'

8.4

'

'

Derivative investments, Estimated Fair Value

273

'

273

'

'

221.8

'

'

Derivative investments, Carrying Value

273

'

273

'

'

221.8

'

'

Asset-Backed Loans, Cost or Amortized Cost

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Asset-Backed Loans, Gross Unrealized Gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Short Term Investments Gross Unrealized Losses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-Backed Loans, at Carrying Value

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Total investments, Cost or Amortized Cost

17,610.10

'

17,610.10

'

'

16,190.10

'

'

Investments, Unrealized Losses

-174.6

'

-174.6

'

'

-311.5

'

'

Investments, Unrealized Gains

877.3

'

877.3

'

'

587.3

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-138.4

'

-138.4

'

'

-263.9

'

'

Total investment, Estimated Fair Value

18,312.80

'

18,312.80

'

'

16,465.90

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

11.3

3.3

4.6

1.2

'

'

'

'

Purchases

41.7

154.2

234.3

288.4

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

9.6

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

1.9

13

2.4

13.7

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

-5

[1]

-38.9

[2]

-5

[1]

-53

[2]

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

10.7

5.3

10.7

5.3

9.8

5

5.3

15.9

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-8.5

'

-8.5

'

'

-5.2

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

-0.1

'

-0.3

-0.1

'

'

'

'

Purchases

0

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

1

[1]

'

[2]

1

[1]

-10.5

[2]

'

'

'

'

Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

'

6.2

'

6.2

6

5.7

6.1

5

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-1.9

'

-1.9

'

'

-1.6

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

'

0.1

0.3

0.2

'

'

'

'

Purchases

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

-6

[1]

'

[2]

-6

[1]

'

[2]

'

'

'

'

Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

657

356.5

657

356.5

607.1

461.1

256.1

135.3

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

0

-0.1

0

-0.3

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-86.6

'

-86.6

'

'

-185.1

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

10.1

3.2

4

1.2

'

'

'

'

Purchases

41.7

144.2

194.3

277.4

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

0

'

0

9.6

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

1.9

13

2.4

13.7

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

'

[1]

-33.9

[2]

'

[1]

-33.8

[2]

'

'

'

'

Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

8.8

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-0.6

'

-0.6

'

'

-3.3

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

'

'

'

-0.1

'

'

'

'

Purchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

'

-5

[2]

'

-8.7

[2]

'

'

'

'

Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

35.6

'

35.6

'

34.3

'

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-19.8

'

-19.8

'

'

-40.8

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

1.3

'

0.6

'

'

'

'

'

Purchases

0

'

35

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

'

[1]

'

'

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

'

'

'

'

'

-0.3

'

'

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrealized gains included in AOCI related to the non-credit portion of other than-temporary impairments on non-agency residential-mortgage-backed securities

0.9

'

0.9

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-10.1

'

-10.1

'

'

-13.4

'

'

Unrealized losses included in AOCI related to the non-credit portion of other than-temporary impairments on non-agency residential-mortgage-backed securities

'

'

'

'

'

-1.9

'

'

Other Marketable Securities, Current

14,334.40

'

14,334.40

'

'

19.4

'

'

U.S. Government securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

-2.8

'

-2.8

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

'

10

'

10

'

'

0

0

Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings

0

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

486.8

'

486.8

'

'

394.7

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

484.9

'

484.9

'

'

352.5

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

484.9

'

484.9

'

'

352.5

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

40.1

'

40.1

'

'

7.3

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

42

'

42

'

'

49.5

'

'

Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Purchases

'

10

'

10

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)

'

0

[1]

'

0

[1]

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities [Member] | Available-for-sale [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

346.6

'

346.6

'

'

274.6

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

353.1

'

353.1

'

'

271

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

353.1

'

353.1

'

'

271

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

14.6

'

14.6

'

'

6.7

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

8.1

'

8.1

'

'

10.3

'

'

Equity Securities [Member] | Held for trading [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

140.2

'

140.2

'

'

120.1

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

131.8

'

131.8

'

'

81.5

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

131.8

'

131.8

'

'

81.5

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

25.5

'

25.5

'

'

0.6

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

33.9

'

33.9

'

'

39.2

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

16,040.50

'

16,040.50

'

'

15,062.10

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

16,626.60

'

16,626.60

'

'

15,300

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

16,626.60

'

16,626.60

'

'

15,300

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

716.4

'

716.4

'

'

491.5

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

130.3

'

130.3

'

'

253.6

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

1,576.60

'

1,576.60

'

'

1,505.70

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

1,587.20

'

1,587.20

'

'

1,523.10

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

1,587.20

'

1,587.20

'

'

1,523.10

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

19.1

'

19.1

'

'

22.6

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

8.5

'

8.5

'

'

5.2

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

463.3

'

463.3

'

'

431.3

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

486.6

'

486.6

'

'

454.4

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

486.6

'

486.6

'

'

454.4

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

25.2

'

25.2

'

'

24.7

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

1.9

'

1.9

'

'

1.6

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

10,177.30

'

10,177.30

'

'

9,314.70

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

10,522.10

'

10,522.10

'

'

9,418.30

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

10,522.10

'

10,522.10

'

'

9,418.30

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

431.4

'

431.4

'

'

288.7

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

86.6

'

86.6

'

'

185.1

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

423.6

'

423.6

'

'

412.6

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

451.6

'

451.6

'

'

428.8

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

451.6

'

451.6

'

'

428.8

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

28.6

'

28.6

'

'

19.5

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

0.6

'

0.6

'

'

3.3

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

1,182.80

'

1,182.80

'

'

998.8

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

1,240

'

1,240

'

'

1,007

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

1,240

'

1,240

'

'

1,007

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

77

'

77

'

'

49

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

19.8

'

19.8

'

'

40.8

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

96.9

'

96.9

'

'

96.5

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

99.4

'

99.4

'

'

98.6

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

99.4

'

99.4

'

'

98.6

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

2.5

'

2.5

'

'

2.4

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

'

'

'

'

'

0.3

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

1,730.90

'

1,730.90

'

'

1,304

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

1,847.10

'

1,847.10

'

'

1,368

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

1,847.10

'

1,847.10

'

'

1,368

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

126.3

'

126.3

'

'

77.4

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

10.1

'

10.1

'

'

13.4

'

'

Fixed-maturity securities, available-for-sale [Member] | U.S. Government securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

389.1

'

389.1

'

'

998.5

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

392.6

'

392.6

'

'

1,001.80

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

392.6

'

392.6

'

'

1,001.80

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

6.3

'

6.3

'

'

7.2

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

2.8

'

2.8

'

'

3.9

'

'

Other invested assets [Member] | Policy loans and other invested assets [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Schedule of Investments [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost

132.5

'

132.5

'

'

31.2

'

'

Equity Securities, Estimated Fair Value

132.6

'

132.6

'

'

31.2

'

'

Total investments, Carrying Value

132.6

'

132.6

'

'

31.2

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Gains

0.1

'

0.1

'

'

'

'

'

Total investment, Gross Unrealized Losses

$0

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.

[2]

(a)The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
		Investment
		industry
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Change Of Intent Operations	$0	'	$0.70	'
Document Period End Date	'	31-Mar-14	'	'
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses Investment	'	138.4	'	263.9
Other than temporary impairment credit losses recognized in earnings additions other	0.4	'	0.9	'
Other Than Temporary Impairment Credit Losses Recognized In Earnings Additions Including Credit Impairments	0	'	0.3	'
Amortized cost on other-than temporary impairments	'	'	'	2.7
Fair value on other than temporary impairments	'	'	'	1.8
Significant investment, number of industries	'	1	'	'
Industry holdings, number of top investments	'	10	'	'
Equity Securities Holdings Exposure Amount of Single Issuer Greater than Stated Percentage of Total Investments	'	37.70%	'	'
Total investments, Carrying Value	'	18,312.80	'	16,465.90
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses Investment	'	8.5	'	5.2
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains included in AOCI related to the non-credit portion of other than-temporary impairments on non-agency residential-mortgage-backed securities	'	0.9	'	'
Unrealized losses included in AOCI related to the non-credit portion of other than-temporary impairments on non-agency residential-mortgage-backed securities	'	'	'	-1.9
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses Investment	'	10.1	'	13.4
Other Marketable Securities, Current	'	14,334.40	'	19.4
FGL [Member] | Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair value of investment	'	1,851.30	'	1,983.70
Percentage of fair value of the invested assets portfolio	'	10.10%	'	12.00%
Investment in issuers	'	18	'	19
Percentage of stockholders equity	'	10.00%	'	'
Net Investment Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	'	-2.5	-0.6	'
Available for sale securities on fixed maturity	'	2,627.90	5,738.30	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains	'	22.2	249	'
Concentration [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Investment Securities Held by Subsidiaries Subject to Specialized Industry Accounting Principles at Fair Value	'	2,019.40	'	1,892.10
Percentage of fair value of the invested assets portfolio	'	11.00%	'	11.50%
Number Of Issuers In Investment	'	78	'	'
Concentration [Member] | FGL [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair value of investment	'	250	'	150.7
Percentage of fair value of the invested assets portfolio	'	1.40%	'	0.90%
Insurance and Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair value on securities	'	1	'	60.9
Percentage of amortized cost	'	20.00%	'	'
Percentage of carrying values of all investments (less than 1%)	'	1.00%	'	'
FHLB of Atlanta Funding Agreement Collateral Held [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Investment Owned, at Fair Value	'	592.3	'	604.9
Fixed Maturities Available For Sale [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	'	16,040.50	'	15,062.10
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses Investment	'	-130.3	'	-253.6
Total investments, Carrying Value	'	16,626.60	'	15,300
Fixed Maturities Available For Sale [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	'	1,576.60	'	1,505.70
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses Investment	'	-8.5	'	-5.2
Total investments, Carrying Value	'	1,587.20	'	1,523.10
Fixed Maturities Available For Sale [Member] | Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Equity Securities, Cost or Amortized Cost	'	1,730.90	'	1,304
Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Losses Investment	'	-10.1	'	-13.4
Total investments, Carrying Value	'	$1,847.10	'	$1,368

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and

Investments - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, Amortized Cost	$16,040.50
Total fixed maturity available-for-sale securities, Fair Value	16,626.60
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	463.3
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	486.6
Structured hybrids [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	73.5
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	77.1
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	96.9
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	99.4
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Amortized Cost	1,730.90
Other securities which provide for periodic payments, Fair Value	1,847.10
Non-structured Hybrids [Member] | Corporate [Member] | Municipal [Member] | U.S. Government securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Due in one year or less, Amortized Cost	353.8
Due after one year through five years, Amortized Cost	2,770.70
Due after five years through ten years, Amortized Cost	3,528.30
Due after ten years, Amortized Cost	5,446.50
Subtotal, Amortized Cost	12,099.30
Due in one year or less, Fair Value	356.8
Due after one year through five years, Fair Value	2,856
Due after five years through ten years, Fair Value	3,612.60
Due after ten years, Fair Value	5,703.80
Subtotal, Fair Value	$12,529.20

Investments_Fair_Value_and_Gro

Investments - Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
	Securities	Security
	Security
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	$3,355	$5,405.90
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-92	-235.9
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	1,171.40	520
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-46.4	-28
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	4,526.40	5,925.90
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-138.4	-263.9
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, Less than 12 months	440	588
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer	156	78
Total number of available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position	596	666
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	483.4	329.3
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-6.1	-4.5
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	120.3	81.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-2.4	-0.7
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	603.7	410.8
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-8.5	-5.2
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	46.8	26.6
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-0.6	-0.5
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	0.2	4.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-1.3	-1.1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	47	31.5
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-1.9	-1.6
Corporates [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	1,902.20	3,457.20
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-54.9	-175
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	769.9	186
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-31.7	-10.1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	2,672.10	3,643.20
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-86.6	-185.1
Equities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	70	118.6
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-6.4	-9.1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	26	32.2
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-1.7	-1.2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	96	150.8
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-8.1	-10.3
Hybrids [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	19.1	52
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-0.4	-3.3
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	10.5	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-0.2	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	29.6	52
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-0.6	-3.3
Municipals [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	359.8	333.3
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-13.5	-27.3
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	107.5	144.4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-6.3	-13.5
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	467.3	477.7
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-19.8	-40.8
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	9.9	9.8
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	'	-0.1
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	0.6	1.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	'	-0.2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	10.5	10.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	'	-0.3
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	335.9	325.2
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-7.6	-12.2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	96.7	69.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-2.5	-1.2
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	432.6	395.1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-10.1	-13.4
U.S. Government securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	127.9	'
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	-2.5	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	39.7	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	-0.3	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	167.6	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	-2.8	'
US Government Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Less than 12 months	'	753.9
Available For Sale Securities In A Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Less Than 12 Months Aggregate Losses	'	-3.9
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, 12 months or longer	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, 12 months or longer	'	'
Available-for-sale securities, Fair Value, Total	'	753.9
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses, Total	'	($3.90)

Investments_Reconciliation_of_

Investments - Reconciliation of Other than Temporary Impairment on Fixed Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Additions, Additional Credit Losses	$0	$0	$0	$0
Balance at the beginning of the period	2,700,000	2,700,000	2,700,000	2,700,000
Increases attributable to credit losses on securities:	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	0	0	0	0
Balance at the end of the period	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000

Investments_OtherthanTemporary

Investments - Other-than-Temporary Impairments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'	'	'	'	'
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Credit Losses on Debt Securities Held	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000	$2,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Additions, Additional Credit Losses	0	0	0	0	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized	$0	$0	$0	$0	'	'	'	'

Investments_Portfolio_of_Asset

Investments - Portfolio of Asset-Backed Loans and Other Invested Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	$802.70	'	$802.70	'	'	$565.60	'	'
Less: Allowance for credit losses	7	'	7	'	'	5.2	'	'
Total asset-backed loans, net	795.7	'	795.7	'	'	560.4	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	7	2.8	7	2.8	7	5.2	2.6	1.4
Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses	'	0.2	1.8	1.4	'	'	'	'
Wholesale [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	225.5	'	225.5	'	'	252.9	'	'
Apparel [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	121	'	121	'	'	125.8	'	'
Jewelry [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	16.9	'	16.9	'	'	25.1	'	'
Manufacturing [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	53.6	'	53.6	'	'	34.3	'	'
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	90.1	'	90.1	'	'	41.8	'	'
Transportation [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	45.6	'	45.6	'	'	85.7	'	'
Electronics [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Asset-backed loans, by major industry:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	$250	'	$250	'	'	'	'	'

Investments_Schedule_of_Allowa

Investments - Schedule of Allowance for Credit Losses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Allowance for credit losses:	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$7	$2.60	$5.20	$1.40
Provision for credit losses	'	0.2	1.8	1.4
Balance at end of period	$7	$2.80	$7	$2.80

Investments_Schedule_of_Credit

Investments - Schedule of Credit Quality of Asset-Based Loan Portfolio (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Asset-based loans, by credit quality rating	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	$802.70	$565.60
Doubtful [Member]	'	'
Asset-based loans, by credit quality rating	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	0	0
Substandard [Member]	'	'
Asset-based loans, by credit quality rating	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	245.7	222
Special Mention [Member]	'	'
Asset-based loans, by credit quality rating	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	335.6	36.7
Pass [Member]	'	'
Asset-based loans, by credit quality rating	'	'
Total asset-backed loans	$221.40	$306.90

Investments_Net_Investment_Inc

Investments - Net Investment Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Gross investment income	$210.30	$174.10	$415.10	$356.20
External investment expense	-3.9	-2.8	-7.5	-6.9
Net investment income	206.4	171.3	407.6	349.3
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	193.5	163	385.3	328.4
Equity available-for-sale securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	5.1	2.9	9.6	7.6
Policy loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	0.1	0.2	0.3	0.5
Invested cash and short-term investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	'	0.4	0.1	1.2
Asset Backed Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	11.1	7	18.5	17.6
Other investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross investment income	$0.50	$0.60	$1.30	$0.90

Investments_Net_Investment_Gai

Investments - Net Investment Gains (Losses) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Net realized gains before other-than-temporary impairments	$7.90	$73	$17.70	$245.50
Gross other-than-temporary impairments	'	-0.4	'	-0.9
Net realized gains on fixed maturity available-for-sale securities	7.9	72.6	17.7	244.6
Realized gains on equity securities	5.4	1.9	10.8	1.9
Net realized gains on securities	13.3	74.5	28.5	246.5
Realized gains (losses) on certain derivative instruments	50	29.7	110.6	45.3
Unrealized gains on certain derivative instruments	-27.5	102.5	39.3	61.3
Change in fair value of derivatives	22.5	132.2	149.9	106.6
Realized gains on other invested assets	5.1	'	4.4	0.1
Net investment gains (losses)	$40.90	$206.70	$182.80	$353.20

Investments_Cash_Flows_from_Co

Investments - Cash Flows from Consolidated Investing Activities by Security (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid	$2,863.60	$6,016.30
Cost of investments acquired	-4,032.90	-5,916.20
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid	2,675.40	5,769.70
Cost of investments acquired	-3,815.70	-5,839
Trading (acquired for holding) [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid	'	91.8
Cost of investments acquired	-40.5	-0.9
Derivative and other [Member]	'	'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from investments sold, matured or repaid	188.2	154.8
Cost of investments acquired	($176.70)	($76.30)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments - Fair Value of Outstanding Derivative Contracts in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Total asset derivatives	$273	$221.80
Derivatives	273	221.8
Call options [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	271.5	221.8
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	2.4	2.1
Total liability derivatives	5.2	5.2
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Commodity swap and option agreements [Member] | Receivables, net [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	0.3	0.4
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Commodity swap and option agreements [Member] | Other assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	0.1	0
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member] | Receivables, net [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	2	1.7
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member] | Accounts payable and other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	4.8	4.6
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	0.2	0.1
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Commodity contracts [Member] | Accounts payable and other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	0.2	0.5
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	276.7	227.7
Total liability derivatives	2,095.80	1,888.60
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	364.8	330.8
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member] | Accounts payable and other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	'	5.3
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	2.2	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Receivables, net [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	0.1	0.1
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity contracts [Member] | Receivables, net [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	'	3.7
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity contracts [Member] | Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	0	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	4.9	1.9
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member] | Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	271.5	221.8
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | FIA embedded derivatives [Member] | Contractholder funds [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	1,718.70	1,544.40
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Futures contracts [Member] | Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	1.5	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Futures contracts [Member] | Other liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total liability derivatives	0	1
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | FX embedded derivative included in asset-based loans [Member] | Receivables, net [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Total asset derivatives	'	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments - Pretax Impact of Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges on the Accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and Within AOCI (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	($1.80)	$1.50	($0.90)	$1.40
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	-0.2	-0.1	0	-0.1
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	0	0	-0.9	-0.5
Consumer products cost of goods sold [Member] | Commodity contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-1	-2.2	0.1	-2.4
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	-0.2	-0.1	0	-0.1
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	0.3	0.2	0	0.1
Consumer products cost of goods sold [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-0.7	3.6	-1.1	3.2
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	0	'	0	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	-0.3	-0.4	-1	-0.9
Net consumer products sales [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	-0.1	0.1	0.1	0.6
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net	0	'	0	'
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$0	$0.20	$0.10	$0.30

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$87.20	($37)	$265	$36
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member] | Gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	-3.5	-39.6	-50.7	29.3
Commodity contracts [Member] | Other (expense) income, net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	-6.8	-8.8	-10.2	-8.8
Bronze Commodity Contract [Member] | Other (expense) income, net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	'	0	'	'
Bronze Commodity Contract [Member] | Consumer products cost of goods sold [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	0	'	-0.1	0
Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Other (expense) income, net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	-0.2	1.8	0.6	-2.3
FX embedded derivative included in asset-based loans [Member] | Other (expense) income, net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	1.2	0	1.2	0
Call options [Member] | Net investment gains [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	21.2	118.5	135.5	97.6
Futures contracts [Member] | Net investment gains [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	1.3	13.7	14.4	9
FIA embedded derivatives [Member] | Benefits and other changes in policy reserves [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$74	($122.60)	$174.30	($88.80)

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$273,000,000	'	$273,000,000	'	$221,800,000
Estimated amount of derivative net losses/gains to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings over the next twelve months	0	0	-900,000	-500,000	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	6,801,900,000	'	6,801,900,000	'	6,407,400,000
Call options purchased to match the funding requirements	'	'	'Call options are one, two and three year options	'	'
FGL purchases call options to fund the next index credit	'	'	'One, two or three year call options to fund the next index credit	'	'
Derivative, Percentage of Production Volume Covered by Derivative Financial Instruments	69.00%	54.00%	77.00%	'	'
Futures contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash collateral	8,600,000	'	8,600,000	'	5,900,000
Futures contracts	1,990	'	1,990	'	1,693
Call options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	150,000,000	'	150,000,000	'	72,000,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	271,500,000	'	271,500,000	'	221,800,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	121,500,000	'	121,500,000	'	149,800,000
Swap [Member] | Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Natural Gas, Volume	12,272,000	'	12,272,000	'	16,018,000
Swap [Member] | Oil Commodity Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Commodity Contract, Oil Volume	205,000	'	205,000	'	375
Spectrum Brands [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	120,500,000	'	120,500,000	'	108,500,000
Cash collateral	500,000	'	500,000	'	'
Spectrum Brands [Member] | Standby Letters of Credit [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Standby letters of credit	0	'	0	'	0
Spectrum Brands [Member] | Zinc Commodity Swap Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Contract value	13,700,000	'	13,700,000	'	'
Weight of raw materials under derivative contract	'	'	7	'	'
Spectrum Brands [Member] | Silver Commodity Swap Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Contract value	300,000	'	300,000	'	1,000,000
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	15	'	15	'	45
Spectrum Brands [Member] | Bronze Commodity Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Contract value	5,700,000	'	5,700,000	'	'
Spectrum Brands [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Contract value	223,100,000	'	223,100,000	'	'
Derivative net loss/gain	'	'	1,400,000	'	'
Derivative net loss/gain, net of tax benefit/expense	'	'	700,000	'	'
Derivative net loss/gain, non-controlling interest	'	'	1,000,000	'	'
Estimated amount of derivative net losses/gains to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings over the next twelve months	'	'	1,300,000	'	'
Remainder of 2014 [Member] | Swap [Member] | Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Average Forward Price	98.47	'	98.47	'	'
Natural Gas, Volume	12,272,000	'	12,272,000	'	'
Remainder of 2014 [Member] | Swap [Member] | Oil Commodity Contract [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Average Forward Price	4.45	'	4.45	'	'
Derivative, Commodity Contract, Oil Volume	205,000	'	205,000	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	276,700,000	'	276,700,000	'	227,700,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Call options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	108,900,000	'	108,900,000	'	72,000,000
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Futures contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	1,500,000	'	1,500,000	'	0
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Commodity contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	0	'	0	'	'
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$271,500,000	'	$271,500,000	'	$221,800,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments - FGL's Exposure to Credit Loss on Call Options Held (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	$6,801.90	$6,407.40
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	273	221.8
Bank of America [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	'A/A	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,018.20	2,037.80
Deutsche Bank [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	'A3/A	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,143.30	1,620.40
Morgan Stanley [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	'A2/A	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,265.30	2,264.10
Royal Bank of Scotland [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	'BBB+/Baa2	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	114.7	364.3
Barclay's Bank [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Credit Rating (Moody's/S&P)	'A2/A	'
Derivative, Notional Amount	260.4	120.8
Call options [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	121.5	149.8
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	271.5	221.8
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	150	72
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	276.7	227.7
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	271.5	221.8
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member] | Bank of America [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	41.9	70.7
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	83	70.7
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	41.1	0
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member] | Deutsche Bank [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	36.2	28.7
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	89.9	51.7
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	45.7	23
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member] | Morgan Stanley [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	26.7	26.7
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	81.9	75.7
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	63.2	49
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member] | Royal Bank of Scotland [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	8.1	20.3
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	8.1	20.3
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	0	0
Derivatives For Trading And Investment [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Call options [Member] | Barclay's Bank [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Offset Against Collateral	8.6	3.4
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	8.6	3.4
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	$0	$0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen7

Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Oil and Gas Commodity Contracts on (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen8

Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Financial Instruments - Oil and Gas Commodity Contracts (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
				Swap [Member]	Swap [Member]	Swap [Member]	Swap [Member]	Swap [Member]	Swap [Member]
				Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member]	Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member]	Natural Gas Commodity Contract [Member]	Oil Commodity Contract [Member]	Oil Commodity Contract [Member]	Oil Commodity Contract [Member]
				MMBTU	MMBTU	Remainder of 2014 [Member]	MBbls	MBbls	Remainder of 2014 [Member]
						MMBTU			MBbls
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative, Percentage of Production Volume Covered by Derivative Financial Instruments	69.00%	54.00%	77.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'	'	'	'	'	'
Natural Gas, Volume	'	'	'	12,272,000	16,018,000	12,272,000	'	'	'
Weighted average strike price per Mmbtu/Bbl	'	'	'	'	'	4.15	'	'	91.87
31-Mar-14	'	'	'	($3.80)	'	($3.80)	($1.20)	'	($1.20)
Derivative, Commodity Contract, Oil Volume	'	'	'	'	'	'	205,000	375	205,000

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Carrying at Fair Value on Non-Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

$755.60

$419

$755.60

$419

$709.50

$523.50

$313.50

$206

Document Period End Date

'

'

31-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

1,319.80

'

1,319.80

'

'

1,899.70

1,475

1,470.70

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

273

'

273

'

'

221.8

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed loans

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock

364.8

'

364.8

'

'

330.8

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

'

-0.1

0.6

-0.3

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

11.3

3.3

4.6

1.2

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

41.7

154.2

234.3

288.4

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

-9.6

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

-1.9

-13

-2.4

-13.7

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

-5

[1]

-38.9

[2]

-5

[1]

-53

[2]

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value

2,234.50

1,842.30

2,234.50

1,842.30

2,172.60

1,875.20

1,680.10

1,782.80

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

81.2

162.2

228

59.5

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Purchases

0

'

150.6

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Sales

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements

19.3

'

19.3

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Transfers, Net

0

'

[2]

0

[1]

'

[2]

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

10.7

5.3

10.7

5.3

9.8

5

5.3

15.9

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

-0.1

'

-0.3

-0.1

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

0

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

1

[1]

'

[2]

1

[1]

-10.5

[2]

'

'

'

'

Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

'

6.2

'

6.2

6

5.7

6.1

5

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

0.1

0.3

0.2

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

-6

[1]

'

[2]

-6

[1]

'

[2]

'

'

'

'

Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

657

356.5

657

356.5

607.1

461.1

256.1

135.3

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

0

-0.1

0

-0.3

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

10.1

3.2

4

1.2

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

41.7

144.2

194.3

277.4

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

0

'

0

-9.6

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

-1.9

-13

-2.4

-13.7

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

'

[1]

-33.9

[2]

'

[1]

-33.8

[2]

'

'

'

'

Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

8.8

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

'

'

-0.1

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

'

-5

[2]

'

-8.7

[2]

'

'

'

'

Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

35.6

'

35.6

'

34.3

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

1.3

'

0.6

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

0

'

35

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

'

[1]

'

'

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

Held for trading [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

10.8

'

10.8

'

10.8

10.7

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

'

'

0.1

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

0

[1]

'

0

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

'

10

'

10

'

'

0

0

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

484.9

'

484.9

'

'

352.5

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

0

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

'

10

'

10

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

'

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

'

0

[1]

'

0

[1]

'

'

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

1,319.80

[3],[4]

'

1,319.80

[3],[4]

'

'

1,899.70

[3],[4]

'

'

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable

41.5

[3]

'

41.5

[3]

'

'

41

[3]

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed loans

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Total financial assets

926.2

'

926.2

'

'

591.6

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

5,488.10

[5]

'

5,488.10

[5]

'

'

4,773.20

[5]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock

364.8

[3]

'

364.8

[3]

'

'

330.8

[3]

'

'

Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature

319.3

'

319.3

'

'

377.1

'

'

Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds

12,872.30

'

12,872.30

'

'

12,378.60

'

'

Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure

18,679.70

'

18,679.70

'

'

17,528.90

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Government securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

392.6

[3]

'

392.6

[3]

'

'

1,001.80

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

2.1

[3]

'

2.1

[3]

'

'

1.8

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

7.2

[3]

'

7.2

[3]

'

'

10

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Commodity Option [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

0.4

[3]

'

0.4

[3]

'

'

4.1

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

5.1

[3]

'

5.1

[3]

'

'

2.4

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Call options [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

273

[3]

'

273

[3]

'

'

221.8

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Available-for-sale embedded derivatives [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - available-for-sale

353.1

[3]

'

353.1

[3]

'

'

271

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

1,718.70

[3]

'

1,718.70

[3]

'

'

1,544.40

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Future contracts [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

'

'

'

'

1

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

1,587.20

[3]

'

1,587.20

[3]

'

'

1,523.10

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

486.6

[3]

'

486.6

[3]

'

'

454.4

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

10,522.10

[3]

'

10,522.10

[3]

'

'

9,418.30

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

451.6

[3]

'

451.6

[3]

'

'

428.8

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

1,240

[3]

'

1,240

[3]

'

'

1,007

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

99.4

[3]

'

99.4

[3]

'

'

98.6

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

1,847.10

[3]

'

1,847.10

[3]

'

'

1,368

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed loans

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Total financial assets

926.2

'

926.2

'

'

591.6

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

5,396.30

[5]

'

5,396.30

[5]

'

'

4,896.10

[5]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature

319.3

'

319.3

'

'

329.4

'

'

Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds

14,279.60

'

14,279.60

'

'

13,703.80

'

'

Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure

19,995.20

'

19,995.20

'

'

18,929.30

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Equity [Member] | Fair Value [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - trading

131.8

[3]

'

131.8

[3]

'

'

81.5

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Policy loans [Member] | Fair Value [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Policy loans and other invested assets

130.5

'

130.5

'

'

31.2

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Policy loans [Member] | Carrying Amount [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Policy loans and other invested assets

130.5

'

130.5

'

'

31.2

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

1,319.80

[3],[4]

'

1,319.80

[3],[4]

'

'

1,899.70

[3],[4]

'

'

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total financial assets

0

'

0

'

'

0

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

'

[5]

'

'

[5]

'

'

0

[5]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure

0

'

0

'

'

0

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Government securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

181.5

[3]

'

181.5

[3]

'

'

790.9

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Commodity Option [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Call options [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Available-for-sale embedded derivatives [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - available-for-sale

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Future contracts [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - trading

121

[3]

'

121

[3]

'

'

70.8

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Policy loans [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Policy loans and other invested assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

'

[3],[4]

'

'

[3],[4]

'

'

0

[3],[4]

'

'

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable

'

'

'

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed loans

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total financial assets

0

'

0

'

'

0

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

5,488.10

[5]

'

5,488.10

[5]

'

'

4,773.20

[5]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure

5,488.10

'

5,488.10

'

'

4,773.20

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

211.1

[3]

'

211.1

[3]

'

'

210.9

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

2.1

[3]

'

2.1

[3]

'

'

1.8

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

7.2

[3]

'

7.2

[3]

'

'

10

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commodity Option [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

0.4

[3]

'

0.4

[3]

'

'

4.1

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

5.1

[3]

'

5.1

[3]

'

'

2.4

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Call options [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

273

[3]

'

273

[3]

'

'

221.8

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Available-for-sale embedded derivatives [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - available-for-sale

353.1

[3]

'

353.1

[3]

'

'

271

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Future contracts [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

'

'

'

'

1

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

1,576.50

[3]

'

1,576.50

[3]

'

'

1,518.10

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

486.6

[3]

'

486.6

[3]

'

'

448.7

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

9,865.10

[3]

'

9,865.10

[3]

'

'

8,957.20

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

451.6

[3]

'

451.6

[3]

'

'

428.8

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

1,204.40

[3]

'

1,204.40

[3]

'

'

1,007

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

99.4

[3]

'

99.4

[3]

'

'

98.6

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

1,847.10

[3]

'

1,847.10

[3]

'

'

1,368

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - trading

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Policy loans [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Policy loans and other invested assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

'

[3],[4]

'

'

[3],[4]

'

'

'

[3],[4]

'

'

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable

41.5

[3]

'

41.5

[3]

'

'

41

[3]

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-backed loans

795.7

'

795.7

'

'

560.4

'

'

Total financial assets

926.2

'

926.2

'

'

591.6

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

'

[5]

'

'

[5]

'

'

'

[5]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock

364.8

[3]

'

364.8

[3]

'

'

330.8

[3]

'

'

Redeemable preferred stock, excluding equity conversion feature

319.3

'

319.3

'

'

377.1

'

'

Investment contracts, included in contractholder funds

12,872.30

'

12,872.30

'

'

12,378.60

'

'

Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure

13,191.60

'

13,191.60

'

'

12,755.70

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Government securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Foreign exchange forward agreements [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Commodity Option [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Call options [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Available-for-sale embedded derivatives [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - available-for-sale

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

1,718.70

[3]

'

1,718.70

[3]

'

'

1,544.40

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Future contracts [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

10.7

[3]

'

10.7

[3]

'

'

5

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

0

[3]

'

0

[3]

'

'

5.7

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

657

[3]

'

657

[3]

'

'

461.1

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Hybrids [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

0

[3]

'

0

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Municipals [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

35.6

[3]

'

35.6

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities

'

[3]

'

'

[3]

'

'

'

[3]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity securities - trading

10.8

[3]

'

10.8

[3]

'

'

10.7

[4]

'

'

Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Policy loans [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Policy loans and other invested assets

130.5

'

130.5

'

'

31.2

'

'

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Value

41.5

41

41.5

41

41.5

41

41

41

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

'

'

0.5

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Purchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Settlements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers, Net

'

[1]

'

[2]

'

[1]

'

[2]

'

'

'

'

FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value

1,718.70

1,639.60

1,718.70

1,639.60

1,644.70

1,544.40

1,517

1,550.80

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

74

122.6

174.3

88.8

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Purchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Transfers, Net

'

[1]

'

[2]

'

[1]

'

[2]

'

'

'

'

Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value

151

'

151

'

149.9

0

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

3.7

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Purchases

'

'

150.6

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Sales

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements

-2.6

'

2.6

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Transfers, Net

'

[1]

'

0

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivatives, Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value

364.8

202.7

364.8

202.7

378

330.8

163.1

232

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings

3.5

39.6

50.7

-29.3

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Purchases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Sales

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Settlements

-16.7

'

-16.7

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Liability, Transfers, Net

'

[1]

'

[2]

'

[1]

'

[2]

'

'

'

'

[1]

This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.

[2]

(a)The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.

[3]

The carrying amounts of trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued investment income and portions of other insurance liabilities approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.

[4]

The fair values of cash equivalents and equity investments set forth above are generally based on quoted or observed market prices.

[5]

(a)

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Unobservable Inputs Used for Level Three Fair Value Measurements of Financial Instruments on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Equity Securities [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Option Pricing [Member]

Market pricing [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Broker Quoted [Member]

Market pricing [Member]

Market pricing [Member]

Market pricing [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member]

Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member]

Municipal Bonds [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Municipal Bonds [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Discounted cash flow [Member]

Monte Carlo simulation / Option model [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Hybrids [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Hybrids [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Asset-backed securities [Member]

Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Corporates [Member]

Municipal Debt Securities [Member]

Hybrids [Member]

Hybrids [Member]

Equity Securities [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Fixed Index Annuity [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Document Period End Date

31-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Valuation Technique

'

'

'

'

'Broker-quoted

'Option Pricing

'Market Pricing

'Broker-quoted

'

'

'

'

'

'Market Pricing

'

'

'

'

'Discounted cash flow

'

'

'Discounted cash flow

'

'

'Monte Carlo simulation / Option model

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

$755.60

$523.50

$10.80

$10.70

'

'

'

$10.70

$5

$0

$5.70

$591.20

$404.50

$65.80

$56.60

$35.60

$41.50

$41

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Probability of collection

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

88.00%

88.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96.00%

96.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

92.00%

92.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 months

'9 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Discount rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Credit insurance risk premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.00%

11.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quoted prices

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

138.00%

113.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

94.00%

90.00%

'

'

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Offered quotes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

96.00%

100.00%

94.00%

90.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

101.00%

107.00%

96.00%

120.00%

131.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99.00%

101.00%

0.00%

99.00%

97.00%

102.00%

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Risk-free Discount Factor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.999

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Risk-adjusted Discount Factor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.995

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Upward Movement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Downward Movement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Upward Movement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Inputs, Probability of Downward Movement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure

$2,234.50

$1,875.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,718.70

$1,544.40

'

$364.80

$330.80

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Market value of option

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

44.00%

38.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

4.00%

'

'

'

'

SWAP rates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

Mortality multiplier

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.00%

80.00%

'

'

'

'

Surrender rates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75.00%

75.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.00%

7.00%

'

'

'

'

Non-performance spread

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

0.25%

'

'

0.60%

1.50%

Risk margin for uncertainty

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.30%

0.50%

Annualized volatility of equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41.00%

42.00%

'

'

Discount yield

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

11.00%

'

'

Non-cash accretion rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Calibration adjustment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

0.30%

'

'

Fair Value Measurements Revenue Multiple

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value Measurements Probability of Transaction

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers Between Asset Classification	$6,000,000		'		$6,000,000		'
Percentage of male contractholder	'		'		50.00%		'
Percentage of female contractholder	'		'		50.00%		'
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	0		79,300,000		0		79,300,000
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	($5,000,000)	[1]	($38,900,000)	[2]	($5,000,000)	[1]	($53,000,000)	[2]
[1]	This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.
[2]	(a)The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Document Period End Date	'		'		31-Mar-14		'
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount	$0		$79,300,000		$0		$79,300,000
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	709,500,000		313,500,000		523,500,000		206,000,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	'		-100,000		600,000		-300,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	11,300,000		3,300,000		4,600,000		1,200,000
Purchases	41,700,000		154,200,000		234,300,000		288,400,000
Sales	'		'		'		-9,600,000
Settlements	-1,900,000		-13,000,000		-2,400,000		-13,700,000
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	-5,000,000	[1]	-38,900,000	[2]	-5,000,000	[1]	-53,000,000	[2]
Balance at End of Period	755,600,000		419,000,000		755,600,000		419,000,000
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	2,172,600,000		1,680,100,000		1,875,200,000		1,782,800,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	81,200,000		162,200,000		228,000,000		59,500,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	0		'		0		'
Purchases	0		'		150,600,000		'
Sales	0		'		0		'
Settlements	19,300,000		'		19,300,000		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3	0		'	[2]	0	[1]	'	[2]
Balance at End of Period	2,234,500,000		1,842,300,000		2,234,500,000		1,842,300,000
FIA embedded derivatives, included in contractholder funds [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	1,644,700,000		1,517,000,000		1,544,400,000		1,550,800,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	74,000,000		122,600,000		174,300,000		88,800,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		'		'		'
Purchases	'		'		'		'
Sales	'		'		'		'
Settlements	'		'		'		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3	'	[1]	'	[2]	'	[1]	'	[2]
Balance at End of Period	1,718,700,000		1,639,600,000		1,718,700,000		1,639,600,000
Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	149,900,000		'		0		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	3,700,000		'		3,000,000		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		'		0		'
Purchases	'		'		150,600,000		'
Sales	'		'		0		'
Settlements	-2,600,000		'		2,600,000		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3	'	[1]	'		0	[1]	'
Balance at End of Period	151,000,000		'		151,000,000		'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	378,000,000		163,100,000		330,800,000		232,000,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	3,500,000		39,600,000		50,700,000		-29,300,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		'		'		'
Purchases	'		'		'		'
Sales	'		'		'		'
Settlements	-16,700,000		'		-16,700,000		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3	'	[1]	'	[2]	'	[1]	'	[2]
Balance at End of Period	364,800,000		202,700,000		364,800,000		202,700,000
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	9,800,000		5,300,000		5,000,000		15,900,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0		'		0		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	-100,000		'		-300,000		-100,000
Purchases	0		'		5,000,000		'
Sales	'		'		'		'
Settlements	0		'		0		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	1,000,000	[1]	'	[2]	1,000,000	[1]	-10,500,000	[2]
Balance at End of Period	10,700,000		5,300,000		10,700,000		5,300,000
ABS and Hybrids [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	'		'		'		0	[2]
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	6,000,000		6,100,000		5,700,000		5,000,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	'		'		'		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		100,000		300,000		200,000
Purchases	'		'		'		1,000,000
Sales	'		'		'		'
Settlements	0		'		0		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	-6,000,000	[1]	'	[2]	-6,000,000	[1]	'	[2]
Balance at End of Period	'		6,200,000		'		6,200,000
Corporates [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	607,100,000		256,100,000		461,100,000		135,300,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0		-100,000		0		-300,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	10,100,000		3,200,000		4,000,000		1,200,000
Purchases	41,700,000		144,200,000		194,300,000		277,400,000
Sales	0		'		0		-9,600,000
Settlements	-1,900,000		-13,000,000		-2,400,000		-13,700,000
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	'	[1]	-33,900,000	[2]	'	[1]	-33,800,000	[2]
Balance at End of Period	657,000,000		356,500,000		657,000,000		356,500,000
Hybrids [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	'		5,000,000		'		8,800,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	'		'		'		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		'		'		-100,000
Purchases	'		'		'		'
Sales	'		'		'		'
Settlements	'		'		'		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	'		-5,000,000	[2]	'		-8,700,000	[2]
Balance at End of Period	'		'		'		'
Municipals [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	34,300,000		'		'		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0		'		0		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	1,300,000		'		600,000		'
Purchases	0		'		35,000,000		'
Sales	0		'		0		'
Settlements	0		'		0		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	'	[1]	'		'	[1]	'
Balance at End of Period	35,600,000		'		35,600,000		'
Equity securities available-for-sale [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	'		0		'		0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	0		0		'		0
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		0		'		0
Purchases	'		10,000,000		'		10,000,000
Sales	'		0		'		0
Settlements	'		0		'		0
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	'		0	[1]	'		0	[1]
Balance at End of Period	'		10,000,000		'		10,000,000
Held for trading [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	10,800,000		'		10,700,000		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	'		'		100,000		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		'		'		'
Purchases	0		'		0		'
Sales	0		'		0		'
Settlements	0		'		0		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	0	[1]	'		0	[1]	'
Balance at End of Period	10,800,000		'		10,800,000		'
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'		'		'
Balance at Beginning of Period	41,500,000		41,000,000		41,000,000		41,000,000
Total Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings	'		'		500,000		'
Total Gains (Losses) Included in AOCI	'		'		'		'
Purchases	'		'		'		'
Sales	'		'		'		'
Settlements	'		'		'		'
Net transfer In (Out) of Level 3 (a)	'	[1]	'	[2]	'	[1]	'	[2]
Balance at End of Period	$41,500,000		$41,000,000		$41,500,000		$41,000,000
[1]	This includes a $6.0 transfer to asset-backed securities from commercial mortgage-backed securities, the remaining transfers were from level 3 to level 2.
[2]	(a)The net transfers in and out of Level 3 during the six months ended March 31, 2013 were exclusively to or from Level 2.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru6

Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets and Liabilities Carrying at Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,319.80		$1,899.70		$1,475	$1,470.70
Derivatives	273		221.8		'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8		330.8		'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	[1],[2]	'	[1],[2]	'	'
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	41.5	[1]	41	[1]	'	'
Funds Withheld Receivable	0	[1]	'		'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	755.6	[1]	523.5		'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8	[1]	330.8	[1]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	2,234.50	[1]	1,875.20	[1]	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,319.80	[1],[2]	1,899.70	[1],[2]	'	'
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	'		'	[1]	'	'
Funds Withheld Receivable	19	[1]	'		'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	1,641.30	[1]	2,761.40		'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]	'	'
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	'		'	[1]	'	'
Funds Withheld Receivable	135.5	[1]	'		'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	16,509.20	[1]	14,536		'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	12.3	[1]	13.4	[1]	'	'
Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,319.80	[1],[2]	1,899.70	[1],[2]	'	'
Contingent purchase price reduction receivable	41.5	[1]	41	[1]	'	'
Funds Withheld Receivable	154.5	[1]	'		'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	18,906.10	[1]	17,820.90		'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8	[1]	330.8	[1]	'	'
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	2,246.80	[1]	1,888.60	[1]	'	'
Commodity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Derivative Liability	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Commodity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Derivative Liability	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Commodity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	0.4	[1]	4.1	[1]	'	'
Derivative Liability	5.1	[1]	2.4	[1]	'	'
Commodity Option [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	0.4	[1]	4.1	[1]	'	'
Derivative Liability	5.1	[1]	2.4	[1]	'	'
Fixed Index Annuity [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	1,718.70	[1]	1,544.40	[1]	'	'
Fixed Index Annuity [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Fixed Index Annuity [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	'	[1]	'	[1]	'	'
Fixed Index Annuity [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	1,718.70	[1]	1,544.40	[1]	'	'
Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	151	[1]	'		'	'
Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	'	[1]	'		'	'
Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	'	[1]	'		'	'
Front Street Future Policyholder Benefits Reserve [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivative Liability	151	[1]	'		'	'
FX embedded derivative included in asset-based loans [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	'	[1]	'		'	'
FX embedded derivative included in asset-based loans [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	'	[1]	'		'	'
FX embedded derivative included in asset-based loans [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	1.2	[1]	'		'	'
FX embedded derivative included in asset-based loans [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Derivatives	1.2	[1]	'		'	'
Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	10.8	[1]	10.7	[2]	'	'
Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	121	[1]	70.8	[2]	'	'
Equity [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	'	[1]	'	[2]	'	'
Equity [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	131.8	[1]	81.5	[2]	'	'
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	'	[1]	'		'	'
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	0	[1]	'		'	'
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	2.1	[1]	'		'	'
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'		'		'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Equity securities - trading	$2.10	[1]	'		'	'
[1]	The carrying amounts of trade receivables, accounts payable, accrued investment income and portions of other insurance liabilities approximate fair value due to their short duration and, accordingly, they are not presented in the tables above.
[2]	The fair values of cash equivalents and equity investments set forth above are generally based on quoted or observed market prices.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu2

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Goodwill and Intangible Assets Including FGL's DAC and VOBA Balances (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Goodwill	'	'	$1,476.70	'
Beginning Balance, Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	1,178.10	'
Beginning Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	985.1	'
Beginning Balance, Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	'	'	2,729.10	'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'	'	10.5	'
Acquisitions (Note 3), Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	5.1	'
Acquisitions (Note 13)	'	'	27.1	'
Deferrals	'	'	115.8	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	37.4	49	80.8	135.6
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill	'	'	-105	'
Effect of translation, Goodwill	'	'	-7.6	'
Effect of translation, Indefinite Lived intangible assets	'	'	5	'
Effect of translation, Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill	'	'	5.3	'
Ending Balance, Goodwill	1,479.60	'	1,479.60	'
Ending Balance, Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	1,188.20	'	1,188.20	'
Ending Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	966.7	'	966.7	'
Ending Balance, Intangible Assets, Excluding Goodwill	2,691.50	'	2,691.50	'
Unlocking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Goodwill Amortization	'	'	'	'
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	-13.6	'
Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Goodwill Amortization	'	'	'	'
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	-14	'
Periodic amortization [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Goodwill Amortization	'	'	'	'
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	108.4	'
Definite Lived Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	985.1	'
Acquisitions (Note 3), Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	22	'
Deferrals	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	20.5	20.1	40.7	37.2
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Effect of translation, Finite Lived intangible assets	'	'	0.3	'
Ending Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	966.7	'	966.7	'
Definite Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Unlocking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	'	'
Definite Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	'	'
Definite Lived Intangible Assets [Member] | Periodic amortization [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	40.7	'
VOBA [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	225.3	'
Acquisitions (Note 3), Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'
Deferrals	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	24.1	75.7
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill	'	'	-63	'
Effect of translation, Finite Lived intangible assets	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	138.2	'	138.2	'
VOBA [Member] | Unlocking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	-11.9	'
VOBA [Member] | Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	-7.3	'
VOBA [Member] | Periodic amortization [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	43.3	'
DAC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	340.6	'
Acquisitions (Note 3), Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'
Deferrals	'	'	115.8	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	16	22.7
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill	'	'	-42	'
Effect of translation, Finite Lived intangible assets	'	'	'	'
Ending Balance, Finite Lived Intangible Assets	398.4	'	398.4	'
DAC [Member] | Unlocking [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	-1.7	'
DAC [Member] | Interest [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	-6.7	'
DAC [Member] | Periodic amortization [Member]	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	24.4	'
Goodwill [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Deferrals	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Deferrals	'	'	'	'
Less: Components of amortization:	'	'	'	'
Adjustment for unrealized investment (gains), net, Goodwill	'	'	'	'

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu3

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

VOBA [Member]

VOBA [Member]

VOBA [Member]

DAC [Member]

DAC [Member]

DAC [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Weighted Average [Member]

Hardware Acquisition [Member]

VOBA [Member]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill, Acquired During Period

'

'

$10.50

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3.50

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months

82

'

82

'

20.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible assets amortization method

'

'

'straight-line method

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'20 years

'4 years 9 months 18 days

'

Cumulative adjustments for net unrealized investment gains

'

'

'

'

-144.5

'

-81.4

-23.5

'

18.6

'

'

'

'

Amortization of intangibles

37.4

49

80.8

135.6

24.1

75.7

'

16

22.7

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred sales inducements, net of shadow adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29.5

'

26.2

'

'

'

'

2014

80.7

'

80.7

'

44.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

80.7

'

80.7

'

39.7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

80.7

'

80.7

'

32.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

$80.70

'

$80.70

'

$26.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu4

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA - Summary of Definite Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Cost	$1,252.20	$1,229.60
Accumulated Amortization	-285.5	-244.5
Net	966.7	985.1
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'1 year	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'20 years	'
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	888.6	885.9
Accumulated Amortization	-184.5	-160.8
Net	704.1	725.1
Customer relationships [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'15 years	'
Customer relationships [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'20 years	'
Trade names [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	171.4	171.6
Accumulated Amortization	-52.8	-44.7
Net	118.6	126.9
Trade names [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'1 year	'
Trade names [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'12 years	'
Technology assets [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Cost	192.2	172.1
Accumulated Amortization	-48.2	-39
Net	$144	$133.10
Technology assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'4 years	'
Technology assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Amortizable Life	'17 years	'

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu5

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA - Summary of Amortization Expense of Definite Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	$37.40	$49	$80.80	$135.60
Customer relationships [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	11.6	11.3	23.3	21.7
Trade names [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	4.1	4.3	8.2	7.9
Technology assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	4.8	4.5	9.2	7.6
Definite Lived Intangible Assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	$20.50	$20.10	$40.70	$37.20

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_inclu6

Goodwill and Intangibles, including DAC and VOBA - Estimated Amortization Expense for VOBA and DAC in Future Fiscal Periods (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Amortization Expense And Weighted Average Lives Of Identified Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013	$82
2014	80.7
2015	80.7
2016	80.7
2017	80.7
VOBA [Member]	'
Schedule Of Amortization Expense And Weighted Average Lives Of Identified Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
2013	20.7
2014	44.5
2015	39.7
2016	32.5
2017	26.1
Thereafter	$119.20

Debt_Summary_of_Debt_Detail

Debt - Summary of Debt (Detail) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

In Millions, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]

Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]

Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]

Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]

EXCO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement [Member]

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]

7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]

Seven Point Seven Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

6.75% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2020 [Member]

6.75% Senior Notes, due March 15, 2020 [Member]

Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]

Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]

6.625% Notes [Member]

6.625% Notes [Member]

ABL Facility, expiring May 24, 2017 [Member]

ABL Facility, expiring May 24, 2017 [Member]

Other notes and obligations [Member]

Other notes and obligations [Member]

Capitalized lease obligations [Member]

Capitalized lease obligations [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]

6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]

EXO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018 [Member]

EXO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018 [Member]

Unaffiliated Long-Term Debt of Consolidated Variable-Interest-Entity [Member]

Unaffiliated Long-Term Debt of Consolidated Variable-Interest-Entity [Member]

Secured Borrowings Related to non-qualifying participating loan interests [Member]

Secured Borrowings Related to non-qualifying participating loan interests [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

EXO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Document Period End Date

31-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

$5,405.20

$4,909.70

$925

$925

$200

$300

$300

$520

$520

$570

$570

$167.50

$0

$50.40

$28.50

$97

$67.40

$834.10

$850

$513.70

$215

$300

$300

$300

'

'

$191.80

$182.90

$100

$0

'

$309.20

$225

$0

$75.90

$81.40

$513.30

$513.30

Original issuance (discounts) premiums on debt, net

-8.9

-13.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Debt

5,396.30

4,896.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less current maturities

119.3

102.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-current portion of debt

5,277

4,793.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, interest rate

'

'

7.90%

0.00%

7.75%

6.80%

6.80%

6.40%

6.40%

6.60%

6.60%

2.50%

5.70%

7.10%

8.50%

6.20%

6.20%

3.00%

3.00%

3.60%

'

3.60%

6.40%

0.00%

2.70%

0.00%

6.70%

6.57%

11.00%

0.00%

'

3.80%

'

0.00%

5.00%

5.10%

'

4.60%

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$271.20

'

'

'

'

$250.60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Seven Point Seven Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

HGI [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

EXCO/HGI JV [Member]

Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]

Salus Capital Partners L L C [Member]

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

United States of America, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

Seven Point Seven Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

Term Loan Due September 4, 2017 [Member]

ABL Facility, expiring May 24, 2017 [Member]

ABL Facility, expiring May 24, 2017 [Member]

Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]

Six Point Three Seven Five Senior Notes [Member]

6.625% Notes [Member]

6.625% Notes [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]

6.375% Senior Notes, Due April 1, 2021 [Member]

EXCO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement [Member]

EXO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018 [Member]

EXO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018 [Member]

EXO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement, due February 14, 2018 [Member]

Secured Borrowings Related to non-qualifying participating loan interests [Member]

Secured Borrowings Related to non-qualifying participating loan interests [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

EXCO/HGI Partnership Credit Agreement [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Euro Term Loan, Due September 4, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Term Loan Due December 17, 2019 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt, interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.75%

3.60%

3.60%

'

3.60%

2.50%

5.70%

6.40%

6.40%

6.60%

6.60%

'

6.40%

0.00%

'

2.70%

0.00%

'

11.00%

0.00%

3.80%

'

0.00%

'

'

4.60%

Debt Instrument Issue Price As Percentage Of Principle Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other assets

$408,500,000

'

$408,500,000

'

$281,600,000

$0

'

$0

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Expense

77,200,000

75,700,000

161,200,000

218,800,000

'

'

'

'

1.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Document Period End Date

'

'

31-Mar-14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

400,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding, Partnership

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

337,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Discount Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of debt discount

'

'

1,300,000

500,000

'

'

'

'

0.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Issuance Cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.6

7.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt

5,405,200,000

'

5,405,200,000

'

4,909,700,000

'

200,000,000

513,700,000

513,700,000

215,000,000

300,000,000

167,500,000

0

520,000,000

520,000,000

570,000,000

570,000,000

'

300,000,000

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

0

309,200,000

225,000,000

0

'

513,300,000

513,300,000

Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.2

'

'

Letter of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

271,200,000

250,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset-based loans

795,700,000

'

795,700,000

'

560,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

123.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Amount Reserve By Lender

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$8.60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined_Benefit_Plans_Componen

Defined Benefit Plans - Components of Consolidated Net Periodic Benefit and Deferred Compensation Benefit Costs and Contributions Made (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Net periodic benefit cost [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$0.80	$0.90	$2	$1.70
Interest cost	2.6	2.7	6	5.3
Expected return on assets	-2.4	-2.4	-6	-4.9
Recognized net actuarial loss	0.4	0.6	0.8	1.1
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants	0	-0.1	0	-0.1
Net periodic benefit expense	1.4	1.7	2.8	3.1
Contributions made during period	$2.20	$1.20	$5.60	$1.90

Reinsurance_Effect_of_Reinsura

Reinsurance - Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums Earned, Benefits Incurred and Reserve Changes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'
Insurance Premiums:	'	'	'	'
Direct	$67	$70	$134.70	$142.40
Assumed	9.5	3.3	18.8	15.4
Ceded	-61.7	-59.2	-124.8	-129.9
Net	14.8	14.1	28.7	27.9
Benefits and Other Changes in Insurance Policy Reserves:	'	'	'	'
Direct	256.4	289.3	552.8	428.9
Assumed	9.9	1	15.3	7.5
Ceded	-69.8	-49.4	-136.9	-111.9
Net	$196.50	$240.90	$431.20	$324.50

Reinsurance_Additional_Informa

Reinsurance - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014
			Fgl Reinsurance Agreement With Fsr [Member]	Bankers Life Insurance Company [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'	'
Reinsurance arrangment in percentage	'	'	10.00%	'
Payments for reinsurance	'	'	$1,400	$153
Contractholder funds	$15,998.30	$15,248.20	'	'

Stock_Compensation_Consolidate

Stock Compensation - Consolidated Stock Compensation Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$24	$15.70	$47.40	$22.20

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_

Stock Compensation - Summary of Stock Options Outstanding and Related Activity (Detail) (Stock option awards [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
HGI [Member]	'	'	'
Options (in shares):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	3,954	'
Granted	30	1,326	1,528
Exercised	'	-497	'
Forfeited or expired	'	-25	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	4,758	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	1,379	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	3,379	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	$6.52	'
Granted	'	$11.76	'
Exercised	'	$4.96	'
Forfeited or expired	'	$7.67	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	$8.14	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	$7.39	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	$8.45	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	$2.55	'
Granted	'	$4.91	'
Exercised	'	$1.77	'
Forfeited or expired	'	$2.98	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	$3.28	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	$2.93	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	$3.43	'
FGL [Member]	'	'	'
Options (in shares):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	335	'
Granted	'	0	'
Exercised	'	-28	'
Forfeited or expired	'	-3	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	304	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	129	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	168	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	$44.23	'
Granted	'	$0	'
Exercised	'	$41.79	'
Forfeited or expired	'	$46.43	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	$44.43	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	$42.56	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	$44.37	'
FGL [Member]	'	'	'
Options (in shares):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	0	'
Granted	'	249	'
Exercised	'	0	'
Forfeited or expired	'	-2	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	247	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	0	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	242	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	$0	'
Granted	'	$17	'
Exercised	'	$0	'
Forfeited or expired	'	$17	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	$17	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	$0	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	$17	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Stock options outstanding at September 30, 2013	'	$0	'
Granted	'	$3.76	'
Exercised	'	$0	'
Forfeited or expired	'	$5.26	'
Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014	'	$3.74	'
Stock options vested and exercisable at March 31, 2014	'	$0	'
Stock options outstanding and expected to vest	'	$3.71	'

Stock_Compensation_Summary_of_1

Stock Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Outstanding and Related Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Vested	'	$14,300,000	'
HGI [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Granted	'	$46,100,000	33,200,000
HGI [Member] | Stock option awards [Member]	'	'	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	3,379	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$3.43	'
HGI [Member] | Restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Granted	9	'	9
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	22	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award vested and exercisable at March 31, 2013	'	$4.61	'
HGI [Member] | Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	'	-26	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$9.26	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	3,456	'
Granted	29	3,302	3,256
Vested	'	-1,126	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	5,606	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	5,606	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	$7.72	'
Granted	'	$12	'
Vested	'	$10.15	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	$9.75	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$9.75	'
FGL [Member]	'	'	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Granted	'	$13,400,000	'
FGL [Member] | Stock option awards [Member]	'	'	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	242	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$3.71	'
FGL [Member] | Restricted stock awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	'	-3	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$19.98	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	0	'
Granted	'	171	'
Vested	'	0	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	168	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	164	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	$0	'
Granted	'	$18.11	'
Vested	'	$0	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	$18.08	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$18.03	'
FGL [Member] | Performance Restricted Stock Unit (PRSUs) [Member]	'	'	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	0	'
Granted	'	541	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	541	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	541	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	$0	'
Granted	'	$17.37	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	$17.37	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$17.37	'
Spectrum Brands [Member] | Restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	'	0	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$0	'
Equity instruments other than options, grant date fair value	'	$30.10	28.6
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	1,118	'
Granted	'	436	614
Vested	'	-949	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	605	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	605	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	$39.11	'
Granted	'	$69	'
Vested	'	$39.62	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$59.84	'
FGL [Member] | Stock option awards [Member]	'	'	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	168	'
FGL [Member] | Restricted stock units [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period	'	-1	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	$49.45	'
Shares:	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	46	'
Granted	'	'	'
Vested	'	-15	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	30	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	27	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share):	'	'	'
Restricted award outstanding at September 30, 2012	'	$49.60	'
Granted	'	$0	'
Vested	'	$49.45	'
Restricted award outstanding at March 31, 2013	'	$49.59	'
Restricted award expected to vest	'	$49.59	'

Stock_Compensation_Additional_

Stock Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Warrant [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

HGI [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

Spectrum Brands [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

FGL [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Stock option awards [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Stock option awards [Member]

Stock option awards [Member]

Stock option awards [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Time Based Restricted Stock Units Vesting Over One Year [Member]

Performance Based and Time Based Restricted Stock Units Two Year Vesting [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Immediate Vest Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Performance-based and Time-based Shares [Member]

Performance-based and Time-based Shares [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Performance Restricted Stock Unit (PRSUs) [Member]

Performance Restricted Stock Unit (PRSUs) [Member]

Stock option awards [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Restricted stock awards [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Stock option awards [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Restricted stock units [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restricted award vested and exercisable at March 31, 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4.61

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Document Fiscal Year Focus

'

'

'2014

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years 3 months 18 days

'5 years 3 months 18 days

'

'6 years 0 months 0 days

'6 years 0 months 0 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years 6 months

'4 years 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,359,000

1,302,000

Stock-based compensation

$24

$15.70

$47.40

$22.20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options, granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30,000

1,326,000

1,528,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

249,000

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

Vesting period

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'7 months

'36 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity intruments other than options granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29,000

3,302,000

3,256,000

'

9,000

9,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000

524,000

436,000

614,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

541,000

'

'

171,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity instruments other than options, grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30.1

28.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Time-based and vest over period of restricted stock units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Compensation cost not yet recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

29.9

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost expected to recognized, years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year 9 months 25 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 1 month 6 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average remaining contractual term of outstanding stock option awards

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years 8 months 9 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22,000

62,000

436,000

636,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

90,000

53,000

22,000

293,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$46,100,000

$33,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$69

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$13,400,000

'

$17.37

'

'

$18.11

'

$1,000,000

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested

'

'

$14,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10.15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$39.62

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

$49.45

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value

'

'

3.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options

'

'

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Volatility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41.22%

42.80%

0.00%

44.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

27.00%

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,606,000

'

3,456,000

'

'

22,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

605,000

'

1,118,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

541,000

0

'

168,000

0

58,000

'

'

'

30,000

46,000

'

'

Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Exercise Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$13.13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Requisite Service Period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'P4Y

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Fair Value of Shares Issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11.90

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock_Compensation_Assumptions

Stock Compensation - Assumptions Used in Determination of Grant Date Fair Values Using Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
FGL [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	'	0.80%
Assumed dividend yield	'	8.00%
Expected option term	'	'4 years 6 months
Volatility	'	27.00%
FGL [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%	'
Assumed dividend yield	1.50%	'
Expected option term	'4 years 6 months	'
Volatility	25.00%	'
Parent [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.46%	0.85%
Parent [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.75%	0.00%
HGI [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Assumed dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected option term	'	'5 years 3 months 18 days
HGI [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected option term	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'
Volatility	41.22%	42.80%
HGI [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected option term	'6 years 0 months 0 days	'6 years 0 months 0 days
Volatility	0.00%	44.00%

Stock_Compensation_Stock_compe

Stock Compensation Stock compensation - Schedule of Incentive Plan Activity (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Vested	$14,300,000

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	19.20%	425.80%	88.10%	-77.20%	'
Statutory rate	'	'	35.00%	'	'
Increase Decrease In Fair Value Of Equity Conversion Feature Of Preferred Stock	$3.50	$39.60	$50.70	($29.30)	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	11.7	'	11.7	'	13.8
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	8	'	8	'	10.1
Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit)	'	'	2	'	'
Uncertain tax positions [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to the uncertain tax positions	3.9	'	3.9	'	3.7
FGL [Member] | U S Federal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Increase In Valuation Allowance Due To Acquisition	'	'	-35	'	'
Spectrum Brands [Member] | U S Federal [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Increase In Valuation Allowance Due To Acquisition	'	'	'	-49.3	'
Repatriation of foreign earnings [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount	'	'	$178.70	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Summary_of_

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Preferred Stock Dividends, Income Statement Impact	'	'	'	($5.10)
Preferred Stock, Accretion of Redemption Discount	'	'	'	-24.3
Preferred Stock Conversions, Inducements	'	'	'	29.3
Dilutive Adjustments To Income Loss Attributable To Common Stock From Assumed Conversion Of Preferred Stock Net Of Tax	'	'	'	0.1
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	-87.6	-45.5	-126.6	16.5
Participating shares at end of period:	'	'	'	'
Common shares outstanding	142,801	139,724	142,801	139,724
Preferred shares (as-converted basis)	59,134	62,839	59,134	62,839
Total	201,935	202,563	201,935	202,563
Percentage of income (loss) allocated to:	'	'	'	'
Common shares	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%	69.00%
Preferred shares (a)	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	31.00%
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares - basic	-87.6	-45.5	-126.6	11.4
Dilutive adjustments to income (loss) attributable to common shares from assumed conversion of preferred shares, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares - diluted	($87.60)	($45.50)	($126.60)	$11.50
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	139,889	139,724	139,529	139,604
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Preferred Stock	'	'	'	62,839
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	'	'	'	1,856
Dilutive effect of stock options	'	'	'	592
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	139,889	139,724	139,529	204,891
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to controlling interest:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.06

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Preferred shares (as-converted basis)	59,134	62,839	59,134	62,839
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.08
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.63)	($0.33)	($0.91)	$0.06
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share Price	$6.62	'	$6.62	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Nov. 01, 2013	Apr. 06, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified				Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	FGL [Member]	FGL [Member]	Spectrum Brands [Member]	Cressy Plaintiff [Member]
Commitment And Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Receivable	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4.50
Reserves for legal, environmental and regulatory matters	24.2	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Environmental costs recognized, capitalized	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4.7	'
Accrued amount of guaranty fund assessments	'	'	'	'	'	'	4.8	'	'
Estimated future premium tax deductions	'	'	'	'	'	'	4.6	'	'
Pre-tax charge, net of reinsurance, to increase reserves to cover potential benefits payable	'	'	'	'	'	11	'	'	'
Administrative costs and potential liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Estimated range of external legal costs	'	'	'	3	1	'	'	'	'
Notional amount of unfunded, legally binding lending commitments	207.4	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expiration of partial amount of unfunded, legally binding lending commitments	45	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expiry date of partial amount of notional amount	'	'	'	'1 year	'	'	'	'	'
Expiry date of remainder part of notional amount	'	'	'	'5 years	'1 year	'	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Change in Statutory Capital and Surplus Required as a Result of Electing New Statutory Accounting Practice	'	11.5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Unassigned Balance Netted Against Additional Paid in Capital	'	'	805.8	'	'	'	'	'	'
Litigation Settlement, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9.2
Estimated Litigation Liability	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$7.10

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 18, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 13, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 18, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
					HCP Stockholders [Member]	Jefferies [Member]	FGL [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Limitation of Sale of Common Stock [Member]
								HCP Stockholders [Member]	HCP Stockholders [Member]	Leucadia [Member]	Maximum [Member]
											Leucadia [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenses related to Services Agreement	$1.50	$1.20	$2.90	$1.40	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,000,000	'	'	'
Share Price	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$11	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	253	'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	'	'	'	'	23,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage Of Beneficial Ownership	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	27.50%	4.90%
Shares Offered To Public In Initial Offering	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,750,000	'	'	'	'
Shares Offered To Underwriters In Initial Offering	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,463,000	'	'	'	'
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	$17	'	'	'	'
Expense Related to Distribution or Servicing and Underwriting Fees	'	'	'	'	'	$12.90	'	'	'	'	'

Segment_Data_Additional_Inform

Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
		Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Number of reporting segments	4	4

Segment_Data_Segment_Informati

Segment Data - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	'	'	31-Mar-14	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	$1,341,200,000	$1,411,100,000	$2,851,200,000	$2,633,400,000	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	16,200,000	134,000,000	195,500,000	349,400,000	'
Interest expense	-77,200,000	-75,700,000	-161,200,000	-218,800,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	-3,500,000	-39,600,000	-50,700,000	29,300,000	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	500,000	0	'
Other expense, net	-4,600,000	-3,200,000	-16,500,000	-11,900,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	-69,100,000	15,500,000	-32,400,000	148,000,000	'
Total assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated total assets	29,322,500,000	'	29,322,500,000	'	27,908,800,000
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	-81,900,000	-67,200,000	'
Consumer Products Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	1,021,700,000	987,700,000	2,122,300,000	1,858,000,000	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	92,500,000	52,200,000	217,600,000	120,400,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	-104,400,000	'	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-1,600,000	-5,300,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	111,600,000	-15,100,000	'
Total assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated total assets	5,687,600,000	'	5,687,600,000	'	5,626,700,000
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	-156,700,000	-179,900,000	'
Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	274,100,000	402,300,000	647,200,000	745,900,000	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	26,300,000	108,000,000	111,600,000	271,600,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	-11,300,000	'	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'	'
Other expense, net	'	'	'	300,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	96,700,000	274,400,000	'
Total assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated total assets	22,364,000,000	'	22,364,000,000	'	21,183,100,000
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	123,600,000	188,300,000	'
Energy Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	39,200,000	16,700,000	74,700,000	16,700,000	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	-71,800,000	500,000	-65,800,000	500,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	-4,100,000	'	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-10,200,000	-8,900,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-84,600,000	-10,400,000	'
Total assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated total assets	515,500,000	'	515,500,000	'	617,600,000
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	25,000,000	2,700,000	'
Financial Services segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	'	'	14,300,000	13,700,000	'
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	5,200,000	-1,400,000	'
Other Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	9,800,000	5,300,000	14,300,000	13,700,000	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	4,000,000	2,700,000	100,000	7,800,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-1,300,000	-100,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-4,200,000	6,300,000	'
Total assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated total assets	686,200,000	'	686,200,000	'	572,200,000
Total segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	47,000,000	163,400,000	255,800,000	400,300,000	'
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	-2,900,000	9,700,000	'
Intersegment elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	-3,600,000	-900,000	-7,300,000	-900,000	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	-4,000,000	'	-7,700,000	0	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	-148,000,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-4,800,000	'	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-49,600,000	-148,000,000	'
Corporate expenses [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated revenues	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income (loss):	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated operating income	-30,800,000	-29,400,000	-60,300,000	-50,900,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	-41,400,000	148,000,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	-50,700,000	29,300,000	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	500,000	'	'
Other expense, net	'	'	1,400,000	2,100,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-102,300,000	40,800,000	'
Total assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated total assets	2,572,400,000	'	2,572,400,000	'	2,383,500,000
Corporate Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Total cash provided from operating activities:	'	'	'	'	'
Consolidated cash provided from operating activities	'	'	($79,000,000)	($76,900,000)	'

Consolidating_Financial_Inform2

Consolidating Financial Information - Schedule of Balance Sheet Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Balance Sheet [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	$18,312.80	$16,465.90	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,319.80	1,899.70	1,475	1,470.70
Receivables, net	657.3	611.3	'	'
Inventories, net	725.9	632.9	'	'
Accrued investment income	182	161.2	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	2,387.40	2,363.70	'	'
Deferred tax assets	227.1	293.4	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	930.6	993.3	'	'
Goodwill	1,479.60	1,476.70	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	2,691.50	2,729.10	'	'
Other assets	408.5	281.6	'	'
Total assets	29,322.50	27,908.80	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Debt	5,277	4,793.20	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8	330.8	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	92.5	99.6	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	493	492.8	'	'
Total liabilities	27,579.80	26,445.90	'	'
Temporary equity	319.3	329.4	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	693.5	724.7	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	729.9	408.8	'	'
Total permanent equity	1,423.40	1,133.50	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	29,322.50	27,908.80	'	'
Consumer Products Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	'	'	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	93.4	207.3	'	'
Receivables, net	591.9	546.9	'	'
Inventories, net	725.9	632.9	'	'
Accrued investment income	'	'	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	35.7	33	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	444.2	412.5	'	'
Goodwill	1,479.60	1,476.70	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	2,154.90	2,163.20	'	'
Other assets	162	154.2	'	'
Total assets	5,687.60	5,626.70	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'	'	'
Debt	3,429.50	3,218.90	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	666.8	849.4	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	89.8	96.6	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	490.7	492.8	'	'
Other liabilities	28	28.9	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	4,704.80	4,686.60	'	'
Temporary equity	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	550.6	531	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	432.2	409.1	'	'
Total permanent equity	982.8	940.1	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	5,687.60	5,626.70	'	'
Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	17,884.50	16,282.30	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	67.9	62	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	146.4	150.1	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	761.8	1,248.30	'	'
Receivables, net	0.9	'	'	'
Inventories, net	'	'	'	'
Accrued investment income	178.7	159.3	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	2,387.40	2,363.70	'	'
Deferred tax assets	190.5	260.4	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	8.9	7	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	536.6	565.9	'	'
Other assets	200.4	84.1	'	'
Total assets	22,364	21,183.10	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	19,783	18,895.90	'	'
Debt	300	300	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	48.8	52.9	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	0	'	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'	'	'
Other liabilities	542.1	640.2	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	1.9	0.8	'	'
Total liabilities	20,675.80	19,889.80	'	'
Temporary equity	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,389.70	1,293.30	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	298.5	'	'	'
Total permanent equity	1,688.20	1,293.30	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	22,364	21,183.10	'	'
Energy Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	'	'	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	19.3	18.7	'	'
Receivables, net	17.2	22.2	'	'
Inventories, net	'	'	'	'
Accrued investment income	'	'	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	'	'	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	476.1	572.6	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	'	'	'	'
Other assets	2.9	4.1	'	'
Total assets	515.5	617.6	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'	'	'
Debt	250.6	271.2	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	33	32.8	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'	'	'
Other liabilities	26.3	25.4	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	102.1	102.2	'	'
Total liabilities	412	431.6	'	'
Temporary equity	'	0.1	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	103.5	185.9	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Total permanent equity	103.5	185.9	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	515.5	617.6	'	'
Other Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	595.6	389.3	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	'	'	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	2.1	0.9	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	73	166.5	'	'
Receivables, net	0.3	1.2	'	'
Inventories, net	'	'	'	'
Accrued investment income	3.9	2.3	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	'	'	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	0.9	0.7	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	'	'	'	'
Other assets	10.4	11.3	'	'
Total assets	686.2	572.2	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'	'	'
Debt	291.9	181.8	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	5.1	6.3	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'	'	'
Other liabilities	32.3	23.3	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	289.8	293.3	'	'
Total liabilities	619.1	504.7	'	'
Temporary equity	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	67.9	67.8	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	-0.8	-0.3	'	'
Total permanent equity	67.1	67.5	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	686.2	572.2	'	'
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	82	42.3	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	2,038.80	2,012.90	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	372.3	258.9	'	'
Receivables, net	46	41	'	'
Inventories, net	'	'	'	'
Accrued investment income	'	'	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	'	'	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	0.5	0.5	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	'	'	'	'
Other assets	32.8	27.9	'	'
Total assets	2,572.40	2,383.50	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'	'	'
Debt	1,124.30	924.2	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	67.8	71.3	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8	330.8	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	2.7	3	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	'	'	'	'
Other liabilities	'	0.2	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	1,559.60	1,329.50	'	'
Temporary equity	319.3	329.3	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	693.5	724.7	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Total permanent equity	693.5	724.7	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	2,572.40	2,383.50	'	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	-249.3	-248	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	-2,106.70	-2,074.90	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	-148.5	-151	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'	'	'
Receivables, net	1	'	'	'
Inventories, net	'	'	'	'
Accrued investment income	-0.6	-0.4	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax assets	0.9	'	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	'	'	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	'	'	'	'
Other assets	'	'	'	'
Total assets	-2,503.20	-2,474.30	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	'	'	'	'
Debt	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	'	'	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	'	'	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	2.3	'	'	'
Other liabilities	'	'	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	-393.8	-396.3	'	'
Total liabilities	-391.5	-396.3	'	'
Temporary equity	'	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-2,111.70	-2,078	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	'	'	'	'
Total permanent equity	-2,111.70	-2,078	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	-2,503.20	-2,474.30	'	'
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	18,312.80	16,465.90	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates	'	'	'	'
Affiliated loans and receivables	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,319.80	1,899.70	'	'
Receivables, net	657.3	611.3	'	'
Inventories, net	725.9	632.9	'	'
Accrued investment income	182	161.2	'	'
Reinsurance recoverable	2,387.40	2,363.70	'	'
Deferred tax assets	227.1	293.4	'	'
Properties, including oil and natural gas properties, net	930.6	993.3	'	'
Goodwill	1,479.60	1,476.70	'	'
Intangibles, including deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired, net	2,691.50	2,729.10	'	'
Other assets	408.5	281.6	'	'
Total assets	29,322.50	27,908.80	'	'
Liabilities and Equity:	'	'	'	'
Insurance reserves	19,783	18,895.90	'	'
Debt	5,396.30	4,896.10	'	'
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	821.5	1,012.70	'	'
Equity conversion feature of preferred stock	364.8	330.8	'	'
Employee benefit obligations	92.5	99.6	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities	493	492.8	'	'
Other liabilities	628.7	718	'	'
Affiliated debt and payables	'	'	'	'
Total liabilities	27,579.80	26,445.90	'	'
Temporary equity	319.3	329.4	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	693.5	724.7	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	729.9	408.8	'	'
Total permanent equity	1,423.40	1,133.50	'	'
Total liabilities and equity	$29,322.50	$27,908.80	'	'

Consolidating_Financial_Inform3

Consolidating Financial Information - Schedule of Income Statement Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	$1,021,700,000	$987,700,000	$2,122,300,000	$1,858,000,000
Oil and natural gas	39,200,000	16,700,000	74,700,000	16,700,000
Insurance premiums	14,800,000	14,100,000	28,700,000	27,900,000
Net investment income	206,400,000	171,300,000	407,600,000	349,300,000
Net investment gains	40,900,000	206,700,000	182,800,000	353,200,000
Insurance and investment product fees and other	18,200,000	14,600,000	35,100,000	28,300,000
Total revenues	1,341,200,000	1,411,100,000	2,851,200,000	2,633,400,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	662,100,000	664,900,000	1,381,500,000	1,247,000,000
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	17,100,000	8,800,000	33,200,000	8,800,000
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	196,500,000	240,900,000	431,200,000	324,500,000
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	330,900,000	313,500,000	648,000,000	568,100,000
Amortization of intangibles	37,400,000	49,000,000	80,800,000	135,600,000
Total operating costs and expenses	1,325,000,000	1,277,100,000	2,655,700,000	2,284,000,000
Operating income	16,200,000	134,000,000	195,500,000	349,400,000
Interest expense	-77,200,000	-75,700,000	-161,200,000	-218,800,000
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	-3,500,000	-39,600,000	-50,700,000	29,300,000
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	500,000	0
Other expense, net	-4,600,000	-3,200,000	-16,500,000	-11,900,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	-69,100,000	15,500,000	-32,400,000	148,000,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	-13,300,000	66,000,000	25,000,000	130,400,000
Net income (loss)	-55,800,000	-50,500,000	-57,400,000	17,600,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	19,700,000	-17,200,000	44,900,000	-23,200,000
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	-75,500,000	-33,300,000	-102,300,000	40,800,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	12,100,000	12,200,000	24,300,000	24,300,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	-87,600,000	-45,500,000	-126,600,000	16,500,000
Consumer Products Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	2,122,300,000	1,858,000,000
Oil and natural gas	'	'	'	'
Insurance premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	'	'
Net investment gains	'	'	'	'
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	1,021,700,000	987,700,000	2,122,300,000	1,858,000,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	1,381,500,000	1,247,000,000
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	'	'
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	'	'
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	482,500,000	453,400,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	40,700,000	37,200,000
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	1,904,700,000	1,737,600,000
Operating income	92,500,000	52,200,000	217,600,000	120,400,000
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	-104,400,000	'
Affiliated interest income	'	'	'	-130,200,000
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-1,600,000	-5,300,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	111,600,000	-15,100,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	23,300,000	39,800,000
Net income (loss)	'	'	88,300,000	-54,900,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	36,600,000	-23,500,000
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	51,700,000	-31,400,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	51,700,000	-31,400,000
Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas	'	'	'	'
Insurance premiums	'	'	28,700,000	27,900,000
Net investment income	'	'	400,600,000	336,500,000
Net investment gains	'	'	182,800,000	353,200,000
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	35,100,000	28,300,000
Total revenues	274,100,000	402,300,000	647,200,000	745,900,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	'	'
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	431,200,000	324,500,000
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	64,300,000	51,400,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	40,100,000	98,400,000
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	535,600,000	474,300,000
Operating income	26,300,000	108,000,000	111,600,000	271,600,000
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	-3,800,000	2,500,000
Interest expense	'	'	-11,300,000	'
Affiliated interest income	'	'	200,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'
Other expense, net	'	'	'	300,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	96,700,000	274,400,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	400,000	90,600,000
Net income (loss)	'	'	96,300,000	183,800,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	8,600,000	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	87,700,000	183,800,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	87,700,000	183,800,000
Energy Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas	'	'	74,700,000	16,700,000
Insurance premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	'	'
Net investment gains	'	'	'	'
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	39,200,000	16,700,000	74,700,000	16,700,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	33,200,000	8,800,000
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	'	'
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	26,300,000	7,400,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	81,000,000	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	'	'
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	140,500,000	16,200,000
Operating income	-71,800,000	500,000	-65,800,000	500,000
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	'	-1,100,000
Interest expense	'	'	-4,100,000	'
Affiliated interest income	'	'	-4,500,000	-900,000
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-10,200,000	-8,900,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-84,600,000	-10,400,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	-84,600,000	-10,400,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	-84,600,000	-10,400,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	-84,600,000	-10,400,000
Other Financial Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas	'	'	'	'
Insurance premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	14,300,000	13,700,000
Net investment gains	'	'	'	'
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	9,800,000	5,300,000	14,300,000	13,700,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	'	'
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	'	'
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	14,200,000	5,900,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	'	'
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	14,200,000	5,900,000
Operating income	4,000,000	2,700,000	100,000	7,800,000
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	'	-1,400,000
Interest expense	'	'	'	'
Affiliated interest income	'	'	-3,000,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-1,300,000	-100,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-4,200,000	6,300,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	-100,000	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	-4,100,000	6,300,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	-300,000	300,000
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	-3,800,000	6,000,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	-3,800,000	6,000,000
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas	'	'	'	'
Insurance premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	'	'
Net investment gains	'	'	'	'
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	'	'
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	'	'
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	60,300,000	50,900,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	'	'
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	60,300,000	50,900,000
Operating income	-30,800,000	-29,400,000	-60,300,000	-50,900,000
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	48,200,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	-41,400,000	148,000,000
Affiliated interest income	'	'	'	-87,700,000
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	-50,700,000	29,300,000
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	500,000	'
Other expense, net	'	'	1,400,000	2,100,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-102,300,000	40,800,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	-102,300,000	40,800,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	-102,300,000	40,800,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	24,300,000	24,300,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	-126,600,000	16,500,000
Intersegment elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas	'	'	'	'
Insurance premiums	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	-7,300,000	-900,000
Net investment gains	'	'	'	'
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	-3,600,000	-900,000	-7,300,000	-900,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	'	'
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	'	'
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	400,000	-900,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	'	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	'	'
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	400,000	-900,000
Operating income	-4,000,000	'	-7,700,000	0
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	-44,400,000	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	-148,000,000
Affiliated interest income	'	'	7,300,000	'
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	'	'
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	0	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-4,800,000	'
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-49,600,000	-148,000,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	1,400,000	'
Net income (loss)	'	'	-51,000,000	-148,000,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	-51,000,000	-148,000,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	-51,000,000	-148,000,000
Consolidated Entities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Net consumer product sales	'	'	2,122,300,000	1,858,000,000
Oil and natural gas	'	'	74,700,000	16,700,000
Insurance premiums	'	'	28,700,000	27,900,000
Net investment income	'	'	407,600,000	349,300,000
Net investment gains	'	'	182,800,000	353,200,000
Insurance and investment product fees and other	'	'	35,100,000	28,300,000
Total revenues	'	'	2,851,200,000	2,633,400,000
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Consumer products cost of goods sold	'	'	1,381,500,000	1,247,000,000
Oil and natural gas direct operating costs	'	'	33,200,000	8,800,000
Benefits and other changes in policy reserves	'	'	431,200,000	324,500,000
Selling, acquisition, operating and general expenses	'	'	648,000,000	568,100,000
Impairment of Proved Oil and Gas Properties	'	'	81,000,000	'
Amortization of intangibles	'	'	80,800,000	135,600,000
Total operating costs and expenses	'	'	2,655,700,000	2,284,000,000
Operating income	'	'	195,500,000	349,400,000
Equity in net income (losses) of subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	-161,200,000	'
Affiliated interest income	'	'	'	-218,800,000
(Loss) gain from the change in the fair value of the equity conversion feature of preferred stock	'	'	-50,700,000	29,300,000
Gain on contingent purchase price reduction	'	'	500,000	'
Other expense, net	'	'	-16,500,000	-11,900,000
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	'	-32,400,000	148,000,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	'	'	25,000,000	130,400,000
Net income (loss)	'	'	-57,400,000	17,600,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	44,900,000	-23,200,000
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest	'	'	-102,300,000	40,800,000
Less: Preferred stock dividends and accretion	'	'	24,300,000	24,300,000
Net income (loss) attributable to common and participating preferred stockholders	'	'	($126,600,000)	$16,500,000

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified			Seven Point Seven Five Percent Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]	7.875% Senior Secured Notes, due July 15, 2019 [Member]	Common Stock Issued Per Share of Preferred Stock Held [Member]	Common Stock Issued Per Share of Preferred Stock Held [Member]
			HGI [Member]	HGI [Member]	HGI [Member]	Series A Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Series A-2 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
						Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued	'	'	'	'	'	160.95	148.11
Long-term Debt	$5,405.20	$4,909.70	$200	$925	$925	'	'
Long-term debt, interest rate	'	'	7.75%	7.90%	0.00%	'	'