Pitney Bowes (PBI) 10-Q 5 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Registrant Name	PITNEY BOWES INC /DE/
Entity Central Index Key	78814
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		201,683,304

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Equipment sales	$165,964	$189,056
Supplies	73,368	79,517
Software	86,357	91,555
Rentals	113,997	123,579
Financing	105,630	110,050
Support services	139,558	158,252
Business services	205,807	185,488
Total revenue	890,681	937,497
Costs and expenses:
Cost of equipment sales	75,013	82,534
Cost of supplies	22,659	24,154
Cost of software	29,864	30,164
Cost of rentals	20,701	25,444
Financing interest expense	18,770	19,653
Cost of support services	83,599	98,981
Cost of business services	139,919	128,936
Selling, general and administrative	314,529	351,375
Research and development	26,048	26,192
Restructuring charges, net	-81	9,841
Interest expense, net	24,064	24,064
Other expense	0	61,657
Total costs and expenses	755,085	882,995
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	135,596	54,502
Provision for income taxes	50,547	8,036
Income from continuing operations	85,049	46,466
Net income	85,206	49,267
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,594	4,594
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	80,612	44,673
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income from continuing operations	80,455	41,872
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	157	2,801
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$80,612	$44,673
Basic earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.21
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc. (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.22
Diluted earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.21
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc. (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.22
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$0.19	$0.19

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$85,206	$49,267
Less: Preferred stock dividends attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,594	4,594
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	80,612	44,673
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translations	-72,179	-7,351
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $341 and $238, respectively	549	373
Net unrealized gain on investment securities, net of tax of $1,012 and $1,204, respectively	1,730	2,059
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, net of tax of $4,167 and $3,641, respectively	7,409	6,142
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-62,491	1,223
Comprehensive income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc.	$18,121	$45,896

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, tax	$341	$238
Net unrealized loss on investment securities, tax	1,012	1,204
Amortization of pension and postretirement costs, tax	$4,167	$3,641

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$871,687	$1,079,145
Short-term investments	41,741	32,121
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $10,166 and $10,742, respectively)	379,578	413,737
Short-term finance receivables (net of allowance of $17,422 and $19,108, respectively)	962,073	1,000,304
Inventories	95,029	84,827
Current income taxes	36,743	40,542
Other current assets and prepayments	67,881	57,173
Assets held for sale	43,750	52,271
Total current assets	2,498,482	2,760,120
Property, plant and equipment, net	288,680	285,091
Rental property and equipment, net	193,369	200,380
Long-term finance receivables (net of allowance of $7,479 and $9,002, respectively)	775,223	819,721
Goodwill	1,635,171	1,672,721
Intangible assets, net	72,172	82,173
Non-current income taxes	85,259	96,377
Other assets	561,087	569,110
Total assets	6,109,443	6,485,693
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,354,876	1,558,731
Current income taxes	102,347	90,167
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable	520,914	324,879
Advance billings	409,381	386,846
Total current liabilities	2,387,518	2,360,623
Deferred taxes on income	66,775	64,839
Tax uncertainties and other income tax liabilities	88,381	86,127
Long-term debt	2,554,317	2,927,127
Other non-current liabilities	661,147	673,348
Total liabilities	5,758,138	6,112,064
Noncontrolling interests (Preferred stockholders’ equity in subsidiaries)	296,370	296,370
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 14)
Stockholders’ equity:
Cumulative preferred stock, $50 par value, 4% convertible	1	1
Cumulative preference stock, no par value, $2.12 convertible	543	548
Common stock, $1 par value (480,000,000 shares authorized; 323,337,912 shares issued)	323,338	323,338
Additional paid-in capital	152,869	178,852
Retained earnings	4,940,505	4,897,708
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-908,647	-846,156
Treasury stock, at cost (121,671,755 and 122,309,948 shares, respectively)	-4,453,674	-4,477,032
Total stockholders’ equity	54,935	77,259
Total liabilities, noncontrolling interests and stockholders’ equity	$6,109,443	$6,485,693

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$10,166	$10,742
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Current	17,422	19,108
Allowance for Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Noncurrent	$7,479	$9,002
Preferred stock par value (in dollars per share)	$50	$50
Preferred stock dividend rate, per-dollar dividend	4.00%	4.00%
Preference stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0
Preference stock dividend rate (in dollars per share)	$2.12	$2.12
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	323,337,912	323,337,912
Treasury stock, shares	121,671,755	122,309,948

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$85,206	$49,267
Restructuring payments	-21,874	-18,937
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on disposal of businesses	821	539
Depreciation and amortization	42,496	44,595
Stock-based compensation	5,036	3,886
Restructuring charges, net	-81	9,841
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Decrease in accounts receivable	25,406	40,135
Decrease in finance receivables	64,590	52,857
Increase in inventories	-12,029	-447
Increase in other current assets and prepayments	-13,392	-4,020
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-142,957	-114,327
Increase in current and non-current income taxes	30,269	5,494
Increase in advance billings	30,971	36,523
Other, net	9,425	210
Net cash provided by operating activities	103,887	105,616
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-65,297	-401,205
Proceeds from sales/maturities of available-for-sale securities	65,411	381,268
Capital expenditures	-43,908	-30,143
Net payments for divested businesses	-2,522	-539
Change in reserve account deposits	-20,077	-15,159
Other investing activities	1,953	6,690
Net cash used in investing activities	-64,440	-59,088
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of fees and discounts of $7,475 in 2014	0	492,525
Principal payments of long-term debt	-274,879	-499,850
Increase in notes payable, net	100,000	0
Dividends paid to stockholders	-37,804	-37,975
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock under employee stock-based compensation plans	713	3,099
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	0	-7,718
Net cash used in financing activities	-211,970	-49,919
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-34,935	-1,073
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-207,458	-4,464
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,079,145	907,806
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	871,687	903,342
Cash interest paid	68,187	74,374
Cash income tax payments, net of refunds	$21,197	$5,649

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Debt issuance, fees and discounts	$7,475

Description_of_Business_and_Ba

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Presentation
	Pitney Bowes Inc. and its subsidiaries (we, us, our or the Company) is a global technology company offering innovative products and solutions that enable commerce in the areas of customer information management, location intelligence, customer engagement, shipping and mailing, and global ecommerce.
	We have prepared the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In addition, the December 31, 2014 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. In management's opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary to fairly state our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented have been included. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2015.
	These statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report to Stockholders on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (2014 Annual Report).
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. This standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe this standard will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items, which removes the concept of extraordinary items, thereby eliminating the need for companies to assess transactions for extraordinary treatment. The standard retained the presentation and disclosure requirements for items that are unusual in nature and/or infrequent in occurrence. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe this standard will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard requires companies to recognize revenue for the transfer of goods and services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods and services. The standard will also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue. This standard is currently effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016; however, in April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date. The standard can be adopted either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information
	Our business is organized around three distinct sets of solutions -- Small and Medium Business (SMB) Solutions, Enterprise Business Solutions and Digital Commerce Solutions (DCS). The principal products and services of each of our reportable segments are as follows:
	Small & Medium Business Solutions:
	North America Mailing: Includes the revenue and related expenses from the sale, rental, financing and servicing of mailing equipment and supplies for small and medium businesses to efficiently create mail and evidence postage in the U.S. and Canada.
	International Mailing: Includes the revenue and related expenses from the sale, rental, financing and servicing of mailing equipment and supplies for small and medium businesses to efficiently create mail and evidence postage in areas outside the U.S. and Canada.
	Enterprise Business Solutions:
	Production Mail: Includes the worldwide revenue and related expenses from the sale of production mail inserting and sortation equipment, high-speed production print systems, supplies and related support services to large enterprise clients to process inbound and outbound mail.
	Presort Services: Includes revenue and related expenses from presort mail services for our large enterprise clients to qualify large mail volumes for postal worksharing discounts.
	Digital Commerce Solutions:
	Digital Commerce Solutions: Includes the worldwide revenue and related expenses from (i) the sale of non-equipment-based mailing, customer information engagement, location intelligence and customer engagement solutions and related support services; (ii) shipping and global ecommerce solutions; and (iii) direct marketing services for targeted clients.
	We determine segment earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) by deducting the related costs and expenses attributable to the segment from segment revenue. Segment EBIT excludes interest, taxes, general corporate expenses, restructuring charges and other items, which are not allocated to a particular business segment. Management uses segment EBIT to measure profitability and performance at the segment level. Management believes segment EBIT provides a useful measure of our operating performance and underlying trends of the businesses. Segment EBIT may not be indicative of our overall consolidated performance and therefore, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated results of operations.
	Revenue and EBIT by business segment is presented below:
		Revenue
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	North America Mailing	$	361,874		$	381,027
	International Mailing	116,173			153,268
	Small & Medium Business Solutions	478,047			534,295
	Production Mail	99,503			105,216
	Presort Services	121,531			116,491
	Enterprise Business Solutions	221,034			221,707
	Digital Commerce Solutions	191,600			181,495
	Total revenue	$	890,681		$	937,497
		EBIT
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	North America Mailing	$	163,665		$	160,338
	International Mailing	11,724			24,819
	Small & Medium Business Solutions	175,389			185,157
	Production Mail	9,032			7,737
	Presort Services	27,494			23,896
	Enterprise Business Solutions	36,526			31,633
	Digital Commerce Solutions	15,895			9,531
	Total EBIT	227,810			226,321
	Reconciling items:
	Interest, net	(42,834		)	(43,717		)
	Unallocated corporate expenses	(49,461		)	(56,604		)
	Restructuring charges, net	81			(9,841		)
	Other expense	—			(61,657		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	135,596		$	54,502

Discontinued_Operations_and_As

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale	Discontinued Operations and Assets Held For Sale
	Discontinued Operations
	Income from discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisted of post-closing and purchase price adjustments in connection with the sale of our Management Services business in 2014.
	The table below shows selected financial information for discontinued operations for three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		PBMS			IMS		Nordic furniture business		DIS		Total
	Revenue	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	16,291	$	16,291
	(Loss) income from operations before taxes	$	(246	)	$	308	$	345	$	2,411	$	2,818
	Gain on sale	130			1,163		—		—		1,293
	(Loss) income before taxes	(116		)	1,471		345		2,411		4,111
	Tax (benefit) provision	(21		)	529		97		705		1,310
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations	$	(95	)	$	942	$	248	$	1,706	$	2,801
	Assets Held for Sale
	Assets held for sale at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 includes the fair value of our former corporate headquarters building. The fair value of the building was determined as the estimated selling price less the costs to sell. Assets held for sale at December 31, 2014 also included the value of a lease portfolio, which was sold in January 2015.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share
	The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	80,455	$	41,872
	Income from discontinued operations	157		2,801
	Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc. (numerator for diluted EPS)	80,612		44,673
	Less: Preference stock dividend	11		14
	Income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic EPS)	$	80,601	$	44,659
	Denominator (in thousands):
	Weighted-average shares used in basic EPS	201,337		202,339
	Effect of dilutive shares:
	Conversion of Preferred stock and Preference stock	334		352
	Employee stock plans	1,008		1,194
	Weighted-average shares used in diluted EPS	202,679		203,885
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.4	$	0.21
	Discontinued operations	—		0.01
	Net income	$	0.4	$	0.22
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.4	$	0.21
	Discontinued operations	—		0.01
	Net income	$	0.4	$	0.22
	Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares (in thousands):	7,779		9,411

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis for most U.S. inventories and on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis for most non-U.S. inventories. Inventories at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Raw materials and work in process	$	36,982		$	37,175
	Supplies and service parts	42,818			33,760
	Finished products	28,692			26,992
	Inventory at FIFO cost	108,492			97,927
	Excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost	(13,463		)	(13,100		)
	Total inventory, net	$	95,029		$	84,827

Finance_Assets

Finance Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Finance Assets	Finance Assets
	Finance Receivables
	Finance receivables are comprised of sales-type lease receivables and unsecured revolving loan receivables. Sales-type lease receivables are generally due in monthly, quarterly or semi-annual installments over periods ranging from three to five years. Loan receivables arise primarily from financing services offered to our customers for postage and supplies. Loan receivables are generally due each month; however, customers may rollover outstanding balances. Interest is recognized on loan receivables using the effective interest method and related annual fees are initially deferred and recognized ratably over the annual period covered. Customer acquisition costs are expensed as incurred.
	Finance receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
		North America			International			Total			North America			International			Total
	Sales-type lease receivables
	Gross finance receivables	$	1,254,166		$	323,490		$	1,577,656		$	1,286,624		$	366,669		$	1,653,293
	Unguaranteed residual values	102,322			16,289			118,611			105,205			18,291			123,496
	Unearned income	(266,176		)	(73,869		)	(340,045		)	(270,196		)	(83,110		)	(353,306		)
	Allowance for credit losses	(8,465		)	(4,066		)	(12,531		)	(10,281		)	(5,129		)	(15,410		)
	Net investment in sales-type lease receivables	1,081,847			261,844			1,343,691			1,111,352			296,721			1,408,073
	Loan receivables
	Loan receivables	359,174			46,801			405,975			376,987			47,665			424,652
	Allowance for credit losses	(10,732		)	(1,638		)	(12,370		)	(10,912		)	(1,788		)	(12,700		)
	Net investment in loan receivables	348,442			45,163			393,605			366,075			45,877			411,952
	Net investment in finance receivables	$	1,430,289		$	307,007		$	1,737,296		$	1,477,427		$	342,598		$	1,820,025
	Allowance for Credit Losses and Aging of Receivables
	We estimate our finance receivable risks and provide an allowance for credit losses accordingly. We evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses based on historical loss experience, the nature and volume of our portfolios, adverse situations that may affect a client's ability to pay, prevailing economic conditions and our ability to manage the collateral and make adjustments to the allowance as necessary. This evaluation is inherently subjective and actual results may differ significantly from estimated reserves.
	We establish credit approval limits based on the credit quality of the client and the type of equipment financed. Our policy is to discontinue revenue recognition for lease receivables that are more than 120 days past due and for unsecured loan receivables that are more than 90 days past due. We resume revenue recognition when payments reduce the account balance aging to 60 days or less past due. Finance receivables deemed uncollectible are written off against the allowance after all collection efforts have been exhausted and management deems the account to be uncollectible. We believe that our finance receivable credit risk is limited because of our large number of clients, small account balances for most of our clients, and geographic and industry diversification.
	Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	10,281		$	5,129		$	10,912		$	1,788		$	28,110
	Amounts charged to expense	16			(270		)	2,431			214			2,391
	Write-offs and other	(1,832		)	(793		)	(2,611		)	(364		)	(5,600		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	8,465		$	4,066		$	10,732		$	1,638		$	24,901
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	14,165		$	9,703		$	11,165		$	1,916		$	36,949
	Amounts charged to expense	1,052			169			2,492			361			4,074
	Write-offs and other	(2,310		)	(93		)	(2,663		)	(336		)	(5,402		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	12,907		$	9,779		$	10,994		$	1,941		$	35,621
	Aging of Receivables
	The aging of gross finance receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	1 - 30 days	$	1,174,381		$	301,905		$	344,225		$	44,992		$	1,865,503
	31 - 60 days	29,268			7,993			7,769			1,117			46,147
	61 - 90 days	20,723			6,699			3,312			306			31,040
	> 90 days	29,794			6,893			3,868			386			40,941
	Total	$	1,254,166		$	323,490		$	359,174		$	46,801		$	1,983,631
	Past due amounts > 90 days
	Still accruing interest	$	9,818		$	2,608		$	—		$	—		$	12,426
	Not accruing interest	19,976			4,285			3,868			386			28,515
	Total	$	29,794		$	6,893		$	3,868		$	386		$	40,941
		December 31, 2014
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	1 - 30 days	$	1,217,623		$	347,236		$	359,672		$	45,678		$	1,970,209
	31 - 60 days	23,242			6,207			9,245			1,201			39,895
	61 - 90 days	24,198			4,494			3,498			413			32,603
	> 90 days	21,561			8,732			4,572			373			35,238
	Total	$	1,286,624		$	366,669		$	376,987		$	47,665		$	2,077,945
	Past due amounts > 90 days
	Still accruing interest	$	5,931		$	2,517		$	—		$	—		$	8,448
	Not accruing interest	15,630			6,215			4,572			373			26,790
	Total	$	21,561		$	8,732		$	4,572		$	373		$	35,238
	Credit Quality
The extension of credit and management of credit lines to new and existing clients uses a combination of an automated credit score, where available, and a detailed manual review of the client’s financial condition and, when applicable, payment history. Once credit is granted, the payment performance of the client is managed through automated collections processes and is supplemented with direct follow up should an account become delinquent. We have robust automated collections and extensive portfolio management processes. The portfolio management processes ensure that our global strategy is executed, collection resources are allocated appropriately and enhanced tools and processes are implemented as needed.
We use a third party to score the majority of the North America portfolio on a quarterly basis using a commercial credit score. We do not use a third party to score our international portfolio because the cost to do so is prohibitive, given that it is a localized process and there is no single credit score model that covers all countries.
The table below shows the North America portfolio at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 by relative risk class (low, medium, high) based on the relative scores of the accounts within each class. The relative scores are determined based on a number of factors, including the company type, ownership structure, payment history and financial information. A fourth class is shown for accounts that are not scored. Absence of a score is not indicative of the credit quality of the account. The degree of risk, as defined by the third party, refers to the relative risk that an account in the next 12 month period may become delinquent.
•	Low risk accounts are companies with very good credit scores and are considered to approximate the top 30% of all commercial borrowers.
•	Medium risk accounts are companies with average to good credit scores and are considered to approximate the middle 40% of all commercial borrowers.
•	High risk accounts are companies with poor credit scores, are delinquent or are at risk of becoming delinquent and are considered to approximate the bottom 30% of all commercial borrowers.
	March 31,			December 31,
	2015			2014
Sales-type lease receivables
Low	$	934,494		$	936,979
Medium	220,809			230,799
High	44,232			45,202
Not Scored	54,631			73,644
Total	$	1,254,166		$	1,286,624
Loan receivables
Low	$	246,071		$	259,436
Medium	91,725			96,243
High	10,730			10,913
Not Scored	10,648			10,395
Total	$	359,174		$	376,987

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets and Goodwill	Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross			Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Carrying			Amortization			Carrying
		Amount					Amount		Amount						Amount
	Customer relationships	$	329,064	$	(262,406	)	$	66,658	$	337,438		$	(263,121	)	$	74,317
	Supplier relationships	29,000		(28,638		)	362		29,000			(27,913		)	1,087
	Software & technology	157,430		(152,701		)	4,729		160,825			(154,610		)	6,215
	Trademarks & other	31,045		(30,622		)	423		33,079			(32,525		)	554
	Total intangible assets	$	546,539	$	(474,367	)	$	72,172	$	560,342		$	(478,169	)	$	82,173
	Amortization expense for intangible assets was $8 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Future amortization expense for intangible assets as of March 31, 2015 was as follows:
	Remaining for year ending December 31, 2015	$	20,228
	Year ending December 31, 2016	21,512
	Year ending December 31, 2017	10,720
	Year ending December 31, 2018	8,124
	Year ending December 31, 2019	5,066
	Thereafter	6,522
	Total	$	72,172
	Actual amortization expense may differ from the amounts above due to, among other things, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, impairments, acquisitions and accelerated amortization.
	Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Gross value before accumulated impairment		Accumulated impairment			December 31, 2014		Foreign currency translation			March 31,
												2015
	North America Mailing	$	309,448	$	—		$	309,448	$	(13,871	)	$	295,577
	International Mailing	162,146		—			162,146		(12,110		)	150,036
	Small & Medium Business Solutions	471,594		—			471,594		(25,981		)	445,613
	Production Mail	110,837		—			110,837		(5,337		)	105,500
	Presort Services	195,140		—			195,140		—			195,140
	Enterprise Business Solutions	305,977		—			305,977		(5,337		)	300,640
	Digital Commerce Solutions	895,150		—			895,150		(6,232		)	888,918
	Total goodwill	$	1,672,721	$	—		$	1,672,721	$	(37,550	)	$	1,635,171

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments	Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments
	We measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. An entity is required to classify certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on the following fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
	Level 1 –	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2 –	Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 –	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, may be derived from internally developed methodologies based on management’s best estimate of fair value and that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.
	The following tables show, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy.
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities
	Money market funds / commercial paper	$	305,145			$	222,614			$	—			$	527,759
	Equity securities	—				27,625				—				27,625
	Commingled fixed income securities	—				23,868				—				23,868
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	114,396				22,399				—				136,795
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				66,308				—				66,308
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	—				165,243				—				165,243
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				2,834				—				2,834
	Total assets	$	419,541			$	530,891			$	—			$	950,432
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	—			$	(4,705	)		$	—			$	(4,705	)
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	(4,705	)		$	—			$	(4,705	)
		December 31, 2014
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities
	Money market funds / commercial paper	$	505,643			$	193,986			$	—			$	699,629
	Equity securities	—				27,409				—				27,409
	Commingled fixed income securities	—				24,077				—				24,077
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	113,974				24,006				—				137,980
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				67,448				—				67,448
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	—				156,614				—				156,614
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				1,386				—				1,386
	Total assets	$	619,617			$	494,926			$	—			$	1,114,543
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	—			$	(2,988	)		$	—			$	(2,988	)
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	(2,988	)		$	—			$	(2,988	)
	Investment Securities
	The valuation of investment securities is based on the market approach using inputs that are observable, or can be corroborated by observable data, in an active marketplace. The following information relates to our classification into the fair value hierarchy:
	•	Money market funds / commercial paper: Money market funds typically invest in government securities, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and other highly liquid, low-risk securities. Money market funds are principally used for overnight deposits and are classified as Level 1 when unadjusted quoted prices in active markets are available and as Level 2 when they are not actively traded on an exchange. Direct investments in commercial paper are not listed on an exchange in an active market and are classified as Level 2.
	•	Equity securities: Equity securities are comprised of mutual funds investing in U.S. and foreign common stock. These mutual funds are classified as Level 2 as they are not separately listed on an exchange.
	•	Commingled fixed income securities: Mutual funds that invest in a variety of fixed income securities including securities of the U.S. government and its agencies, corporate debt, mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities. The value of the funds is based on the market value of the underlying investments owned by each fund, minus its liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding, as reported by the fund manager. These commingled funds are not listed on an exchange in an active market and are classified as Level 2.
	•	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities: Securities are classified as Level 1 where active, high volume trades for identical securities exist. Valuation adjustments are not applied to these securities. Securities valued using quoted market prices for similar securities or benchmarking model derived prices to quoted market prices and trade data for identical or comparable securities are classified as Level 2.
	•	Corporate notes and bonds: Corporate notes and bonds are valued using recently executed transactions, market price quotations where observable, or bond spreads. The spread data used are for the same maturity as the security. These securities are classified as Level 2.
	•	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities: These securities are valued based on external pricing indices. When external index pricing is not observable, these securities are valued based on external price/spread data. These securities are classified as Level 2.
	Available-For-Sale Securities
	Certain investment securities are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and other assets depending on the type of investment and maturity. Unrealized holding gains and losses are recorded, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI).
	Available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains				Gross unrealized losses				Estimated fair value
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	$	133,904			$	3,342			$	(452	)		$	136,794
	Corporate notes and bonds	64,169				2,224				(85		)		66,308
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	162,841				3,147				(745		)		165,243
	Total	$	360,914			$	8,713			$	(1,282	)		$	368,345
		December 31, 2014
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains				Gross unrealized losses				Estimated fair value
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	$	135,839			$	2,905			$	(764	)		$	137,980
	Corporate notes and bonds	66,170				1,569				(291		)		67,448
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	155,330				2,362				(1,078		)		156,614
	Total	$	357,339			$	6,836			$	(2,133	)		$	362,042
	Investment securities that were in a loss position for 12 or more continuous months at March 31, 2015 had aggregate unrealized holding losses of $1 million and an estimated fair value of $35 million. Investment securities that were in a loss position for less than 12 continuous months at March 31, 2015 had aggregate unrealized holding losses of less than $1 million and an estimated fair value of $76 million.
Investment securities that were in a loss position for 12 or more continuous months at December 31, 2014 had aggregate unrealized holding losses of $1 million and an estimated fair value of $42 million. Investment securities that were in a loss position for less than 12 continuous months at December 31, 2014 had aggregate unrealized holding losses of $1 million and an estimated fair value of $88 million.
We have not recognized an other-than-temporary impairment on any of the investment securities in an unrealized loss position because we do not intend to sell these securities, it is more likely than not that we will not be required to sell these securities before recovery of the unrealized losses and we expect to receive the contractual principal and interest on these investment securities.
Scheduled maturities of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 were as follows:
	Amortized cost				Estimated fair value
Within 1 year	$	62,578			$	62,641
After 1 year through 5 years	61,094				62,380
After 5 years through 10 years	63,198				65,364
After 10 years	174,044				177,960
Total	$	360,914			$	368,345
The expected payments on mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may not coincide with their contractual maturities as borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.
We have not experienced any significant write-offs in our investment portfolio. The majority of our mortgage-backed securities are either guaranteed or supported by the U.S. Government. We have no investments in inactive markets that would warrant a possible change in our pricing methods or classification within the fair value hierarchy. Further, we have no investments in auction rate securities.
Derivative Instruments
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We limit these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures, including the use of derivatives. We use derivative instruments to limit the effects of exchange rate fluctuations on financial results and manage the related cost of debt. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We record our derivative instruments at fair value and the accounting for changes in the fair value depends on the intended use of the derivative, the resulting designation and the effectiveness of the instrument in offsetting the risk exposure it is designed to hedge.
The valuation of foreign exchange derivatives is based on the market approach using observable market inputs, such as foreign currency spot and forward rates and yield curves. As required by the fair value measurements guidance, we also incorporate counterparty credit risk and our credit risk into the fair value measurement of our derivative assets and liabilities, respectively. We derive credit risk from observable data in the credit default swap market. We have not seen a material change in the creditworthiness of those banks acting as derivative counterparties.
The fair value of derivative instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
Designation of Derivatives		Balance Sheet Location		March 31,				December 31,
				2015				2014
Derivatives designated as
hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts		Other current assets and prepayments		$	1,144			$	762
Derivatives not designated as
hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts		Other current assets and prepayments		1,690				624
		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:		(4,705		)		(2,988		)
		Total derivative assets		$	2,834			$	1,386
		Total derivative liabilities		(4,705		)		(2,988		)
		Total net derivative liabilities		$	(1,871	)		$	(1,602	)
Foreign Exchange Contracts
We enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the currency risk associated with the anticipated purchase of inventory between affiliates and from third parties. These contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the gain or loss on cash flow hedges is included in AOCI in the period that the change in fair value occurs and is reclassified to earnings in the period that the hedged item is recorded in earnings. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had outstanding contracts associated with these anticipated transactions with notional amounts of $17 million and $18 million, respectively.
The amounts included in AOCI at March 31, 2015 will be recognized in earnings within the next 12 months. No amount of ineffectiveness was recorded in earnings for these designated cash flow hedges.
The following represents the results of cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		Derivative Gain (Loss)								Location of Gain (Loss)		Gain (Loss) Reclassified
		Recognized in AOCI								(Effective Portion)		from AOCI to Earnings
		(Effective Portion)										(Effective Portion)
Derivative Instrument		2015				2014						2015				2014
Foreign exchange contracts		$	(409	)		$	(69	)		Revenue		$	(396	)		$	(234	)
										Cost of sales		(395		)		199
												$	(791	)		$	(35	)
We also enter into foreign exchange contracts to minimize the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on short-term intercompany loans and related interest that are denominated in a foreign currency. The revaluation of the intercompany loans and interest and the mark-to-market adjustment on the derivatives are both recorded in earnings. All outstanding contracts at March 31, 2015 mature within 12 months.
The following represents the results of our non-designated derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
				Three Months Ended March 31,
				Derivative Gain (Loss)
				Recognized in Earnings
Derivatives Instrument		Location of Derivative Gain (Loss)		2015				2014
Foreign exchange contracts		Selling, general and administrative expense		$	(208	)		$	(682	)
Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features
Certain derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features that would require us to post collateral based on a combination of our long-term senior unsecured debt ratings and the net fair value of our derivatives. At March 31, 2015, the maximum amount of collateral that we would have been required to post had the credit-risk-related contingent features been triggered was $3 million.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, accounts receivable, loan receivables, derivative instruments, accounts payable and debt. The carrying value for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, loans receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
The fair value of our debt is estimated based on recently executed transactions and market price quotations. These inputs used to determine the fair value of our debt were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value and estimated fair value of our debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
Carrying value	$	3,075,231			$	3,252,006
Fair value	$	3,294,522			$	3,440,383

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Charges	Restructuring Charges
	The tables below show the activity in our restructuring reserves for our Operational Excellence plan, implemented in 2014, and our other plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and includes amounts for both continuing operations and discontinued operations.
	Operational Excellence
		Severance and benefits costs			Other exit			Total
					costs
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	78,105		$	8,154		$	86,259
	Expenses, net	20			(30		)	(10		)
	Cash payments	(18,383		)	(1,912		)	(20,295		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	59,742		$	6,212		$	65,954
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	42,427		$	7,622		$	50,049
	Expenses, net (1)	7,272			1,103			8,375
	Cash payments	(15,216		)	(2,671		)	(17,887		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	34,483		$	6,054		$	40,537
	Other Plans
		Severance and benefits costs			Other exit			Total
					costs
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	3,731		$	189		$	3,920
	Expenses, net	(71		)	—			(71		)
	Cash payments	(1,501		)	(78		)	(1,579		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,159		$	111		$	2,270
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	16,131		$	392		$	16,523
	Expenses, net	(1,084		)	—			(1,084		)
	Cash payments	(1,023		)	(27		)	(1,050		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	14,024		$	365		$	14,389
	The majority of the remaining restructuring reserves are expected to be paid over the next 12 to 24 months; however, due to certain international labor laws and long-term lease agreements, some payments will extend beyond 24 months. We expect to fund these payments from cash flows from operations.
	(1) See Note 11 for additional restructuring charge.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Commercial Paper
	At March 31, 2015, we had $100 million of commercial paper outstanding at an effective interest rate of 0.54%. This amount is included in current portion of long-term debt and notes payable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Long-term Debt
		Interest rate	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Notes due March 2015	5.00%	$	—	$	274,879
	Notes due January 2016	4.75%	370,914		370,914
	Notes due September 2017	5.75%	385,109		385,109
	Notes due March 2018	5.60%	250,000		250,000
	Notes due May 2018	4.75%	350,000		350,000
	Notes due March 2019	6.25%	300,000		300,000
	Notes due November 2022	5.25%	110,000		110,000
	Notes due March 2024	4.63%	500,000		500,000
	State of CT DECD loan due November 2024	2.00%	16,000		16,000
	Notes due January 2037	5.25%	115,041		115,041
	Notes due March 2043	6.70%	425,000		425,000
	Term loans	Variable	130,000		130,000
	Principal amount		2,952,064		3,226,943
	Less: unamortized discount		6,269		6,653
	Plus: unamortized interest rate swap proceeds		29,436		31,716
	Total debt		2,975,231		3,252,006
	Less: current portion long-term debt		420,914		324,879
	Long-term debt		$	2,554,317	$	2,927,127
	During the quarter, we repaid the $275 million, 5% notes that matured in March.

Pensions_and_Other_Benefit_Pro

Pensions and Other Benefit Programs	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pensions and Other Benefit Programs	Pensions and Other Benefit Programs
	The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) were as follows:
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans												Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans
		United States						Foreign
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014			2015		2014
	Service cost	$	38		$	2,415		$	565		$	908		$	679	$	728
	Interest cost	18,859			19,416			6,063			7,169			2,375		2,462
	Expected return on plan assets	(26,044		)	(25,956		)	(8,839		)	(9,825		)	—		—
	Amortization of transition credit	—			—			(2		)	(2		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	2			2			(17		)	(15		)	74		40
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	7,648			6,160			1,480			2,076			2,391		1,522
	Settlement / curtailment (1)	—			2,550			—			—			—		—
	Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	503		$	4,587		$	(750	)	$	311		$	5,519	$	4,752
	(1) Included in Restructuring charges, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
	Through March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, contributions to our U.S. pension plans were $3 million and $10 million, respectively, and contributions to our foreign plans were $9 million and $12 million, respectively. Nonpension postretirement benefit plan contributions were $6 million and $7 million through March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 37.3% and 14.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate for 2015 includes a $3 million charge from the write-off of deferred tax assets associated with the expiration of out-of-the-money vested stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units previously granted to our employees. The effective tax rate for 2014 includes a net incremental tax benefit associated with the early extinguishment of debt and a benefit of $6 million from the resolution of tax examinations.
	As is the case with other large corporations, our tax returns are examined each year by tax authorities in the U.S., other countries and local jurisdictions in which we have operations. The Internal Revenue Service examinations of tax years prior to 2011 are closed to audit. Other than the pending application of legal principles to specific issues arising in earlier years, only post-2009 Canadian tax years are subject to examination. Other significant tax filings subject to examination include various post-2004 U.S. state and local, post-2007 German, and post-2010 French and U.K. tax filings. We have other less significant tax filings currently under examination or subject to examination.

Noncontrolling_Interests_Prefe

Noncontrolling Interests (Preferred Stockholders' Equity in Subsidiaries)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interests (Preferred Stockholders' Equity in Subsidiaries)	Noncontrolling Interests (Preferred Stockholders’ Equity in Subsidiaries)
	Pitney Bowes International Holdings, Inc. (PBIH), a subsidiary of the Company, has 300,000 shares, or $300 million, of outstanding perpetual voting preferred stock (PBIH Preferred Stock) held by certain institutional investors. The holders of PBIH Preferred Stock are entitled as a group to 25% of the combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of PBIH. All outstanding common stock of PBIH, representing the remaining 75% of the combined voting power of all classes of capital stock, is owned directly or indirectly by the Company. The PBIH Preferred Stock is entitled to cumulative dividends at a rate of 6.125% through April 30, 2016. Commencing October 30, 2016, the PBIH Preferred Stock is redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of PBIH. If the PBIH Preferred Stock is not redeemed in whole on October 30, 2016, the dividend rate increases 50% and will increase 50% every six months thereafter. No dividends were in arrears at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	In the ordinary course of business, we are routinely defendants in, or party to a number of pending and threatened legal actions. These may involve litigation by or against us relating to, among other things, contractual rights under vendor, insurance or other contracts; intellectual property or patent rights; equipment, service, payment or other disputes with clients; or disputes with employees. Some of these actions may be brought as a purported class action on behalf of a purported class of employees, customers or others. In management's opinion, the potential liability, if any, that may result from these actions, either individually or collectively, is not reasonably expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, as litigation is inherently unpredictable, there can be no assurances in this regard.
	In December 2013, we received a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the Department of Justice (DOJ) pursuant to the False Claims Act requesting documents and information relating to compliance with certain postal regulatory requirements in our Presort Services business. We have provided information to the DOJ in response to letter requests and the CID, and we are in ongoing discussions with the DOJ about the potential resolution of this matter. Given the current stage of this inquiry, we cannot yet predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or its impact, if any, on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity
	Changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Preferred			Preference			Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Treasury stock			Total equity
		stock			stock
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	1		$	548		$	323,338	$	178,852		$	4,897,708		$	(846,156	)	$	(4,477,032	)	$	77,259
	Net income	—			—			—		—			80,612			—			—			80,612
	Other comprehensive loss	—			—			—		—			—			(62,491		)	—			(62,491		)
	Cash dividends
	Common	—			—			—		—			(37,804		)	—			—			(37,804		)
	Preference	—			—			—		—			(11		)	—			—			(11		)
	Issuance of common stock	—			—			—		(30,914		)	—			—			23,248			(7,666		)
	Conversion to common stock				(5		)	—		(105		)	—			—			110			—
	Stock-based compensation expense	—			—			—		5,036			—			—			—			5,036
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1		$	543		$	323,338	$	152,869		$	4,940,505		$	(908,647	)	$	(4,453,674	)	$	54,935
		Preferred			Preference			Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Treasury stock			Total equity
		stock			stock
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	4		$	591		$	323,338	$	196,977		$	4,715,564		$	(574,556	)	$	(4,456,742	)	$	205,176
	Net income	—			—			—		—			44,673			—			—			44,673
	Other comprehensive loss	—			—			—		—			—			1,223			—			1,223
	Cash dividends
	Common	—			—			—		—			(37,975		)	—			—			(37,975		)
	Preference	—			—			—		—			(14		)	—			—			(14		)
	Issuance of common stock	—			—			—		(22,655		)	—			—			19,757			(2,898		)
	Conversion to common stock	(3		)	(28		)	—		(650		)	—			—			681			—
	Stock-based compensation expense	—			—			—		3,886			—			—			—			3,886
	Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	—			—			—		(7,520		)	—			—			—			(7,520		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1		$	563		$	323,338	$	170,038		$	4,722,248		$	(573,333	)	$	(4,436,304	)	$	206,551

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Amount Reclassified from AOCI (a)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
	Revenue	$	(396	)	$	(234	)
	Cost of sales	(395		)	199
	Interest expense	(507		)	(507		)
	Total before tax	(1,298		)	(542		)
	Tax benefit	(502		)	(210		)
	Net of tax	$	(796	)	$	(332	)
	Gains (losses) on available for sale securities
	Unrealized losses	$	(24	)	$	(347	)
	Tax benefit	(9		)	(128		)
	Net of tax	$	(15	)	$	(219	)
	Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (b)
	Transition credit	$	2		$	2
	Prior service costs	(59		)	(27		)
	Actuarial losses	(11,519		)	(9,758		)
	Total before tax	(11,576		)	(9,783		)
	Tax benefit	(4,167		)	(3,641		)
	Net of tax	$	(7,409	)	$	(6,142	)
	(a)     Amounts in parentheses indicate debits (reductions) to income.
	(b)	These items are included in the computation of net periodic costs of defined benefit pension plans and nonpension postretirement benefit plans (see Note 11 for additional details).
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			Gains (losses) on available for sale securities			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Foreign currency items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	(4,689	)	$	2,966		$	(786,079	)	$	(58,354	)	$	(846,156	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (a)	(247		)	1,715			—			(72,179		)	(70,711		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a), (b)	796			15			7,409			—			8,220
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	549			1,730			7,409			(72,179		)	(62,491		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(4,140	)	$	4,696		$	(778,670	)	$	(130,533	)	$	(908,647	)
		Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			Gains (losses) on available for sale securities			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Foreign currency items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(6,380	)	$	(1,769	)	$	(601,421	)	$	35,014		$	(574,556	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (a)	41			1,840			—			(7,351		)	(5,470		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a), (b)	332			219			6,142			—			6,693
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	373			2,059			6,142			(7,351		)	1,223
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(6,007	)	$	290		$	(595,279	)	$	27,663		$	(573,333	)
	(a)     Amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI.
	(b)     See table above for additional details of these reclassifications.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	On May 5, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Borderfree, Inc. (Borderfree). Under the terms of the definitive agreement, we will commence a tender offer for all outstanding common shares of Borderfree at $14 per share in cash, or approximately $395 million in the aggregate, net of expected cash and investments on Borderfree’s balance sheet at the time of closing. Borderfree provides cross-border ecommerce solutions through a proprietary technology and services platform that enables retailers in the United States and United Kingdom to transact with consumers around the world. The transaction is subject to the completion of customary conditions, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2015. Once completed, we expect Borderfree will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary within our Digital Commerce Solutions segment.

Description_of_Business_and_Ba1

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the associated debt liability. This standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe this standard will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items, which removes the concept of extraordinary items, thereby eliminating the need for companies to assess transactions for extraordinary treatment. The standard retained the presentation and disclosure requirements for items that are unusual in nature and/or infrequent in occurrence. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We do not believe this standard will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard requires companies to recognize revenue for the transfer of goods and services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods and services. The standard will also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue. This standard is currently effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016; however, in April 2015, the FASB proposed a one-year deferral of the effective date. The standard can be adopted either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment and early adoption is prohibited. We are currently assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated Statements	Revenue and EBIT by business segment is presented below:
		Revenue
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	North America Mailing	$	361,874		$	381,027
	International Mailing	116,173			153,268
	Small & Medium Business Solutions	478,047			534,295
	Production Mail	99,503			105,216
	Presort Services	121,531			116,491
	Enterprise Business Solutions	221,034			221,707
	Digital Commerce Solutions	191,600			181,495
	Total revenue	$	890,681		$	937,497
Reconciliation of EBIT from Segments to Consolidated
		EBIT
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	North America Mailing	$	163,665		$	160,338
	International Mailing	11,724			24,819
	Small & Medium Business Solutions	175,389			185,157
	Production Mail	9,032			7,737
	Presort Services	27,494			23,896
	Enterprise Business Solutions	36,526			31,633
	Digital Commerce Solutions	15,895			9,531
	Total EBIT	227,810			226,321
	Reconciling items:
	Interest, net	(42,834		)	(43,717		)
	Unallocated corporate expenses	(49,461		)	(56,604		)
	Restructuring charges, net	81			(9,841		)
	Other expense	—			(61,657		)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$	135,596		$	54,502

Discontinued_Operations_and_As1

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Discontinued Operations, Income Statement and Balance Sheet Items	The table below shows selected financial information for discontinued operations for three months ended March 31, 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		PBMS			IMS		Nordic furniture business		DIS		Total
	Revenue	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	16,291	$	16,291
	(Loss) income from operations before taxes	$	(246	)	$	308	$	345	$	2,411	$	2,818
	Gain on sale	130			1,163		—		—		1,293
	(Loss) income before taxes	(116		)	1,471		345		2,411		4,111
	Tax (benefit) provision	(21		)	529		97		705		1,310
	(Loss) income from discontinued operations	$	(95	)	$	942	$	248	$	1,706	$	2,801

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Calculation of Numerator and Denominator in Earnings Per Share	The calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share are presented below:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income from continuing operations	$	80,455	$	41,872
	Income from discontinued operations	157		2,801
	Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc. (numerator for diluted EPS)	80,612		44,673
	Less: Preference stock dividend	11		14
	Income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic EPS)	$	80,601	$	44,659
	Denominator (in thousands):
	Weighted-average shares used in basic EPS	201,337		202,339
	Effect of dilutive shares:
	Conversion of Preferred stock and Preference stock	334		352
	Employee stock plans	1,008		1,194
	Weighted-average shares used in diluted EPS	202,679		203,885
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.4	$	0.21
	Discontinued operations	—		0.01
	Net income	$	0.4	$	0.22
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.4	$	0.21
	Discontinued operations	—		0.01
	Net income	$	0.4	$	0.22
	Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares (in thousands):	7,779		9,411

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Components	Inventories at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Raw materials and work in process	$	36,982		$	37,175
	Supplies and service parts	42,818			33,760
	Finished products	28,692			26,992
	Inventory at FIFO cost	108,492			97,927
	Excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost	(13,463		)	(13,100		)
	Total inventory, net	$	95,029		$	84,827

Finance_Assets_Tables

Finance Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivables	Finance receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015									December 31, 2014
		North America			International			Total			North America			International			Total
	Sales-type lease receivables
	Gross finance receivables	$	1,254,166		$	323,490		$	1,577,656		$	1,286,624		$	366,669		$	1,653,293
	Unguaranteed residual values	102,322			16,289			118,611			105,205			18,291			123,496
	Unearned income	(266,176		)	(73,869		)	(340,045		)	(270,196		)	(83,110		)	(353,306		)
	Allowance for credit losses	(8,465		)	(4,066		)	(12,531		)	(10,281		)	(5,129		)	(15,410		)
	Net investment in sales-type lease receivables	1,081,847			261,844			1,343,691			1,111,352			296,721			1,408,073
	Loan receivables
	Loan receivables	359,174			46,801			405,975			376,987			47,665			424,652
	Allowance for credit losses	(10,732		)	(1,638		)	(12,370		)	(10,912		)	(1,788		)	(12,700		)
	Net investment in loan receivables	348,442			45,163			393,605			366,075			45,877			411,952
	Net investment in finance receivables	$	1,430,289		$	307,007		$	1,737,296		$	1,477,427		$	342,598		$	1,820,025
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	Activity in the allowance for credit losses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	10,281		$	5,129		$	10,912		$	1,788		$	28,110
	Amounts charged to expense	16			(270		)	2,431			214			2,391
	Write-offs and other	(1,832		)	(793		)	(2,611		)	(364		)	(5,600		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	8,465		$	4,066		$	10,732		$	1,638		$	24,901
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	14,165		$	9,703		$	11,165		$	1,916		$	36,949
	Amounts charged to expense	1,052			169			2,492			361			4,074
	Write-offs and other	(2,310		)	(93		)	(2,663		)	(336		)	(5,402		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	12,907		$	9,779		$	10,994		$	1,941		$	35,621
Past Due Financing Receivables	The aging of gross finance receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
		March 31, 2015
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	1 - 30 days	$	1,174,381		$	301,905		$	344,225		$	44,992		$	1,865,503
	31 - 60 days	29,268			7,993			7,769			1,117			46,147
	61 - 90 days	20,723			6,699			3,312			306			31,040
	> 90 days	29,794			6,893			3,868			386			40,941
	Total	$	1,254,166		$	323,490		$	359,174		$	46,801		$	1,983,631
	Past due amounts > 90 days
	Still accruing interest	$	9,818		$	2,608		$	—		$	—		$	12,426
	Not accruing interest	19,976			4,285			3,868			386			28,515
	Total	$	29,794		$	6,893		$	3,868		$	386		$	40,941
		December 31, 2014
		Sales-type Lease Receivables						Loan Receivables
		North			International			North			International			Total
		America						America
	1 - 30 days	$	1,217,623		$	347,236		$	359,672		$	45,678		$	1,970,209
	31 - 60 days	23,242			6,207			9,245			1,201			39,895
	61 - 90 days	24,198			4,494			3,498			413			32,603
	> 90 days	21,561			8,732			4,572			373			35,238
	Total	$	1,286,624		$	366,669		$	376,987		$	47,665		$	2,077,945
	Past due amounts > 90 days
	Still accruing interest	$	5,931		$	2,517		$	—		$	—		$	8,448
	Not accruing interest	15,630			6,215			4,572			373			26,790
	Total	$	21,561		$	8,732		$	4,572		$	373		$	35,238
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Sales-type lease receivables
	Low	$	934,494		$	936,979
	Medium	220,809			230,799
	High	44,232			45,202
	Not Scored	54,631			73,644
	Total	$	1,254,166		$	1,286,624
	Loan receivables
	Low	$	246,071		$	259,436
	Medium	91,725			96,243
	High	10,730			10,913
	Not Scored	10,648			10,395
	Total	$	359,174		$	376,987

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill1

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure	Intangible assets consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated			Net		Gross			Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying		Carrying			Amortization			Carrying
		Amount					Amount		Amount						Amount
	Customer relationships	$	329,064	$	(262,406	)	$	66,658	$	337,438		$	(263,121	)	$	74,317
	Supplier relationships	29,000		(28,638		)	362		29,000			(27,913		)	1,087
	Software & technology	157,430		(152,701		)	4,729		160,825			(154,610		)	6,215
	Trademarks & other	31,045		(30,622		)	423		33,079			(32,525		)	554
	Total intangible assets	$	546,539	$	(474,367	)	$	72,172	$	560,342		$	(478,169	)	$	82,173
Amortization Expense In Future Periods	Future amortization expense for intangible assets as of March 31, 2015 was as follows:
	Remaining for year ending December 31, 2015	$	20,228
	Year ending December 31, 2016	21,512
	Year ending December 31, 2017	10,720
	Year ending December 31, 2018	8,124
	Year ending December 31, 2019	5,066
	Thereafter	6,522
	Total	$	72,172
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Gross value before accumulated impairment		Accumulated impairment			December 31, 2014		Foreign currency translation			March 31,
												2015
	North America Mailing	$	309,448	$	—		$	309,448	$	(13,871	)	$	295,577
	International Mailing	162,146		—			162,146		(12,110		)	150,036
	Small & Medium Business Solutions	471,594		—			471,594		(25,981		)	445,613
	Production Mail	110,837		—			110,837		(5,337		)	105,500
	Presort Services	195,140		—			195,140		—			195,140
	Enterprise Business Solutions	305,977		—			305,977		(5,337		)	300,640
	Digital Commerce Solutions	895,150		—			895,150		(6,232		)	888,918
	Total goodwill	$	1,672,721	$	—		$	1,672,721	$	(37,550	)	$	1,635,171

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De1

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables show, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect its placement within the fair value hierarchy.
		March 31, 2015
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities
	Money market funds / commercial paper	$	305,145			$	222,614			$	—			$	527,759
	Equity securities	—				27,625				—				27,625
	Commingled fixed income securities	—				23,868				—				23,868
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	114,396				22,399				—				136,795
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				66,308				—				66,308
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	—				165,243				—				165,243
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				2,834				—				2,834
	Total assets	$	419,541			$	530,891			$	—			$	950,432
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	—			$	(4,705	)		$	—			$	(4,705	)
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	(4,705	)		$	—			$	(4,705	)
		December 31, 2014
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Assets:
	Investment securities
	Money market funds / commercial paper	$	505,643			$	193,986			$	—			$	699,629
	Equity securities	—				27,409				—				27,409
	Commingled fixed income securities	—				24,077				—				24,077
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	113,974				24,006				—				137,980
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				67,448				—				67,448
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	—				156,614				—				156,614
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				1,386				—				1,386
	Total assets	$	619,617			$	494,926			$	—			$	1,114,543
	Liabilities:
	Derivatives
	Foreign exchange contracts	$	—			$	(2,988	)		$	—			$	(2,988	)
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	(2,988	)		$	—			$	(2,988	)
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	Available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
		March 31, 2015
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains				Gross unrealized losses				Estimated fair value
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	$	133,904			$	3,342			$	(452	)		$	136,794
	Corporate notes and bonds	64,169				2,224				(85		)		66,308
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	162,841				3,147				(745		)		165,243
	Total	$	360,914			$	8,713			$	(1,282	)		$	368,345
		December 31, 2014
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains				Gross unrealized losses				Estimated fair value
	U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities	$	135,839			$	2,905			$	(764	)		$	137,980
	Corporate notes and bonds	66,170				1,569				(291		)		67,448
	Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities	155,330				2,362				(1,078		)		156,614
	Total	$	357,339			$	6,836			$	(2,133	)		$	362,042
Available-for-sale Securities	Scheduled maturities of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 were as follows:
		Amortized cost				Estimated fair value
	Within 1 year	$	62,578			$	62,641
	After 1 year through 5 years	61,094				62,380
	After 5 years through 10 years	63,198				65,364
	After 10 years	174,044				177,960
	Total	$	360,914			$	368,345
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The fair value of derivative instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was as follows:
	Designation of Derivatives		Balance Sheet Location		March 31,				December 31,
					2015				2014
	Derivatives designated as
	hedging instruments
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other current assets and prepayments		$	1,144			$	762
	Derivatives not designated as
	hedging instruments
	Foreign exchange contracts		Other current assets and prepayments		1,690				624
			Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:		(4,705		)		(2,988		)
			Total derivative assets		$	2,834			$	1,386
			Total derivative liabilities		(4,705		)		(2,988		)
			Total net derivative liabilities		$	(1,871	)		$	(1,602	)
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following represents the results of cash flow hedging relationships for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			Derivative Gain (Loss)								Location of Gain (Loss)		Gain (Loss) Reclassified
			Recognized in AOCI								(Effective Portion)		from AOCI to Earnings
			(Effective Portion)										(Effective Portion)
	Derivative Instrument		2015				2014						2015				2014
	Foreign exchange contracts		$	(409	)		$	(69	)		Revenue		$	(396	)		$	(234	)
											Cost of sales		(395		)		199
													$	(791	)		$	(35	)
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following represents the results of our non-designated derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
					Three Months Ended March 31,
					Derivative Gain (Loss)
					Recognized in Earnings
	Derivatives Instrument		Location of Derivative Gain (Loss)		2015				2014
	Foreign exchange contracts		Selling, general and administrative expense		$	(208	)		$	(682	)
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The carrying value and estimated fair value of our debt at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Carrying value	$	3,075,231			$	3,252,006
	Fair value	$	3,294,522			$	3,440,383

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost	The tables below show the activity in our restructuring reserves for our Operational Excellence plan, implemented in 2014, and our other plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and includes amounts for both continuing operations and discontinued operations.
	Operational Excellence
		Severance and benefits costs			Other exit			Total
					costs
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	78,105		$	8,154		$	86,259
	Expenses, net	20			(30		)	(10		)
	Cash payments	(18,383		)	(1,912		)	(20,295		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	59,742		$	6,212		$	65,954
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	42,427		$	7,622		$	50,049
	Expenses, net (1)	7,272			1,103			8,375
	Cash payments	(15,216		)	(2,671		)	(17,887		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	34,483		$	6,054		$	40,537
	Other Plans
		Severance and benefits costs			Other exit			Total
					costs
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	3,731		$	189		$	3,920
	Expenses, net	(71		)	—			(71		)
	Cash payments	(1,501		)	(78		)	(1,579		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	2,159		$	111		$	2,270
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	16,131		$	392		$	16,523
	Expenses, net	(1,084		)	—			(1,084		)
	Cash payments	(1,023		)	(27		)	(1,050		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	14,024		$	365		$	14,389

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Long-term Debt
		Interest rate	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Notes due March 2015	5.00%	$	—	$	274,879
	Notes due January 2016	4.75%	370,914		370,914
	Notes due September 2017	5.75%	385,109		385,109
	Notes due March 2018	5.60%	250,000		250,000
	Notes due May 2018	4.75%	350,000		350,000
	Notes due March 2019	6.25%	300,000		300,000
	Notes due November 2022	5.25%	110,000		110,000
	Notes due March 2024	4.63%	500,000		500,000
	State of CT DECD loan due November 2024	2.00%	16,000		16,000
	Notes due January 2037	5.25%	115,041		115,041
	Notes due March 2043	6.70%	425,000		425,000
	Term loans	Variable	130,000		130,000
	Principal amount		2,952,064		3,226,943
	Less: unamortized discount		6,269		6,653
	Plus: unamortized interest rate swap proceeds		29,436		31,716
	Total debt		2,975,231		3,252,006
	Less: current portion long-term debt		420,914		324,879
	Long-term debt		$	2,554,317	$	2,927,127

Pensions_and_Other_Benefit_Pro1

Pensions and Other Benefit Programs (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures	The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) were as follows:
		Defined Benefit Pension Plans												Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans
		United States						Foreign
		Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,						Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014			2015		2014
	Service cost	$	38		$	2,415		$	565		$	908		$	679	$	728
	Interest cost	18,859			19,416			6,063			7,169			2,375		2,462
	Expected return on plan assets	(26,044		)	(25,956		)	(8,839		)	(9,825		)	—		—
	Amortization of transition credit	—			—			(2		)	(2		)	—		—
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	2			2			(17		)	(15		)	74		40
	Amortization of net actuarial loss	7,648			6,160			1,480			2,076			2,391		1,522
	Settlement / curtailment (1)	—			2,550			—			—			—		—
	Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$	503		$	4,587		$	(750	)	$	311		$	5,519	$	4,752

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	Changes in stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Preferred			Preference			Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Treasury stock			Total equity
		stock			stock
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	1		$	548		$	323,338	$	178,852		$	4,897,708		$	(846,156	)	$	(4,477,032	)	$	77,259
	Net income	—			—			—		—			80,612			—			—			80,612
	Other comprehensive loss	—			—			—		—			—			(62,491		)	—			(62,491		)
	Cash dividends
	Common	—			—			—		—			(37,804		)	—			—			(37,804		)
	Preference	—			—			—		—			(11		)	—			—			(11		)
	Issuance of common stock	—			—			—		(30,914		)	—			—			23,248			(7,666		)
	Conversion to common stock				(5		)	—		(105		)	—			—			110			—
	Stock-based compensation expense	—			—			—		5,036			—			—			—			5,036
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1		$	543		$	323,338	$	152,869		$	4,940,505		$	(908,647	)	$	(4,453,674	)	$	54,935
		Preferred			Preference			Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Treasury stock			Total equity
		stock			stock
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	4		$	591		$	323,338	$	196,977		$	4,715,564		$	(574,556	)	$	(4,456,742	)	$	205,176
	Net income	—			—			—		—			44,673			—			—			44,673
	Other comprehensive loss	—			—			—		—			—			1,223			—			1,223
	Cash dividends
	Common	—			—			—		—			(37,975		)	—			—			(37,975		)
	Preference	—			—			—		—			(14		)	—			—			(14		)
	Issuance of common stock	—			—			—		(22,655		)	—			—			19,757			(2,898		)
	Conversion to common stock	(3		)	(28		)	—		(650		)	—			—			681			—
	Stock-based compensation expense	—			—			—		3,886			—			—			—			3,886
	Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest	—			—			—		(7,520		)	—			—			—			(7,520		)
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	1		$	563		$	323,338	$	170,038		$	4,722,248		$	(573,333	)	$	(4,436,304	)	$	206,551

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Amount Reclassified from AOCI (a)
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
	Revenue	$	(396	)	$	(234	)
	Cost of sales	(395		)	199
	Interest expense	(507		)	(507		)
	Total before tax	(1,298		)	(542		)
	Tax benefit	(502		)	(210		)
	Net of tax	$	(796	)	$	(332	)
	Gains (losses) on available for sale securities
	Unrealized losses	$	(24	)	$	(347	)
	Tax benefit	(9		)	(128		)
	Net of tax	$	(15	)	$	(219	)
	Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans (b)
	Transition credit	$	2		$	2
	Prior service costs	(59		)	(27		)
	Actuarial losses	(11,519		)	(9,758		)
	Total before tax	(11,576		)	(9,783		)
	Tax benefit	(4,167		)	(3,641		)
	Net of tax	$	(7,409	)	$	(6,142	)
	(a)     Amounts in parentheses indicate debits (reductions) to income.
	(b)	These items are included in the computation of net periodic costs of defined benefit pension plans and nonpension postretirement benefit plans (see Note 11 for additional details).
Schedule of Comprehensive Income Loss	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			Gains (losses) on available for sale securities			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Foreign currency items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	(4,689	)	$	2,966		$	(786,079	)	$	(58,354	)	$	(846,156	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (a)	(247		)	1,715			—			(72,179		)	(70,711		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a), (b)	796			15			7,409			—			8,220
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	549			1,730			7,409			(72,179		)	(62,491		)
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	(4,140	)	$	4,696		$	(778,670	)	$	(130,533	)	$	(908,647	)
		Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges			Gains (losses) on available for sale securities			Pension and postretirement benefit plans			Foreign currency items			Total
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	(6,380	)	$	(1,769	)	$	(601,421	)	$	35,014		$	(574,556	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (a)	41			1,840			—			(7,351		)	(5,470		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (a), (b)	332			219			6,142			—			6,693
	Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	373			2,059			6,142			(7,351		)	1,223
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	(6,007	)	$	290		$	(595,279	)	$	27,663		$	(573,333	)
	(a)     Amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI.
	(b)     See table above for additional details of these reclassifications.

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	reporting_segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	$890,681	$937,497
EBIT	227,810	226,321
Reconciling items:
Interest, net	-42,834	-43,717
Unallocated corporate expenses	-49,461	-56,604
Restructuring charges, net	81	-9,841
Other expense	0	-61,657
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	135,596	54,502
Small & Medium Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	478,047	534,295
EBIT	175,389	185,157
North America Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	361,874	381,027
EBIT	163,665	160,338
International Mailing
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	116,173	153,268
EBIT	11,724	24,819
Enterprise Business Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	221,034	221,707
EBIT	36,526	31,633
Production Mail
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	99,503	105,216
EBIT	9,032	7,737
Presort Services
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	121,531	116,491
EBIT	27,494	23,896
Digital Commerce Solutions
Segment reporting information profit (loss)
Revenues	191,600	181,495
EBIT	$15,895	$9,531

Discontinued_Operations_and_As2

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenue		$16,291
(Loss) income from operations before taxes		2,818
Gain on sale		1,293
(Loss) income before taxes		4,111
Tax (benefit) provision		1,310
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	157	2,801
PBMS
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenue		0
(Loss) income from operations before taxes		-246
Gain on sale		130
(Loss) income before taxes		-116
Tax (benefit) provision		-21
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		-95
IMS
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenue		0
(Loss) income from operations before taxes		308
Gain on sale		1,163
(Loss) income before taxes		1,471
Tax (benefit) provision		529
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		942
Nordic furniture business
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenue		0
(Loss) income from operations before taxes		345
Gain on sale		0
(Loss) income before taxes		345
Tax (benefit) provision		97
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		248
DIS
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenue		16,291
(Loss) income from operations before taxes		2,411
Gain on sale		0
(Loss) income before taxes		2,411
Tax (benefit) provision		705
(Loss) income from discontinued operations		$1,706

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Amounts attributable to common stockholders:
Net income from continuing operations	$80,455	$41,872
(Loss) income from discontinued operations	157	2,801
Net income - Pitney Bowes Inc. (numerator for diluted EPS)	80,612	44,673
Less: Preference stock dividend	11	14
Income attributable to common stockholders (numerator for basic EPS)	$80,601	$44,659
Weighted-average shares used in basic EPS	201,337	202,339
Effect of dilutive shares:
Conversion of Preferred stock and Preference stock	334	352
Employee stock plans	1,008	1,194
Weighted-average shares used in diluted EPS	202,679	203,885
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.21
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc. (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.22
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.21
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.01
Net income attributable to Pitney Bowes Inc. (in dollars per share)	$0.40	$0.22
Anti-dilutive shares not used in calculating diluted weighted-average shares (in thousands):	7,779	9,411

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials and work in process	$36,982	$37,175
Supplies and service parts	42,818	33,760
Finished products	28,692	26,992
Inventory at FIFO cost	108,492	97,927
Excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost	-13,463	-13,100
Total inventory, net	$95,029	$84,827

Finance_Assets_Details

Finance Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Net investment in finance receivables	$1,737,296		$1,820,025
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning	28,110	36,949
Amounts charged to expense	2,391	4,074
Write-offs and other	-5,600	-5,402
Balance Closing	24,901	35,621
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
1 to 30 days	1,865,503		1,970,209
31 to 60 days	46,147		39,895
61 to 90 days	31,040		32,603
Total	1,983,631		2,077,945
Still accruing interest	12,426		8,448
Not accruing interest	28,515		26,790
Total	40,941		35,238
Revenue recognition resume period	60 days
Low
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Approximate percentage of portfolio	30.00%
Medium
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Approximate percentage of portfolio	40.00%
High
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Approximate percentage of portfolio	30.00%
North America
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Net investment in finance receivables	1,430,289		1,477,427
International
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Net investment in finance receivables	307,007		342,598
Sales-type lease receivables
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	1,577,656		1,653,293
Unguaranteed residual values	118,611		123,496
Unearned income	-340,045		-353,306
Allowance for credit losses	-12,531		-15,410
Net investment in sales-type lease receivables	1,343,691		1,408,073
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	1,577,656		1,653,293
Revenue recognition discontinuation period	120 days
Sales-type lease receivables | North America
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	1,254,166		1,286,624
Unguaranteed residual values	102,322		105,205
Unearned income	-266,176		-270,196
Allowance for credit losses	-8,465		-10,281
Net investment in sales-type lease receivables	1,081,847		1,111,352
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning	10,281	14,165
Amounts charged to expense	16	1,052
Write-offs and other	-1,832	-2,310
Balance Closing	8,465	12,907
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
1 to 30 days	1,174,381		1,217,623
31 to 60 days	29,268		23,242
61 to 90 days	20,723		24,198
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	1,254,166		1,286,624
Still accruing interest	9,818		5,931
Not accruing interest	19,976		15,630
Total	29,794		21,561
Sales-type lease receivables | North America | Low
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	934,494		936,979
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	934,494		936,979
Sales-type lease receivables | North America | Medium
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	220,809		230,799
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	220,809		230,799
Sales-type lease receivables | North America | High
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	44,232		45,202
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	44,232		45,202
Sales-type lease receivables | North America | Not Scored
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	54,631		73,644
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	54,631		73,644
Sales-type lease receivables | International
Sales-type lease receivables
Gross finance receivables	323,490		366,669
Unguaranteed residual values	16,289		18,291
Unearned income	-73,869		-83,110
Allowance for credit losses	-4,066		-5,129
Net investment in sales-type lease receivables	261,844		296,721
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning	5,129	9,703
Amounts charged to expense	-270	169
Write-offs and other	-793	-93
Balance Closing	4,066	9,779
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
1 to 30 days	301,905		347,236
31 to 60 days	7,993		6,207
61 to 90 days	6,699		4,494
Sales-type Lease Receivables - Total	323,490		366,669
Still accruing interest	2,608		2,517
Not accruing interest	4,285		6,215
Total	6,893		8,732
Loan receivables
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	405,975		424,652
Allowance for credit losses	-12,370		-12,700
Net investment in loan receivables	393,605		411,952
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
Revenue recognition discontinuation period	90 days
Loan receivables | North America
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	359,174		376,987
Allowance for credit losses	-10,732		-10,912
Net investment in loan receivables	348,442		366,075
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning	10,912	11,165
Amounts charged to expense	2,431	2,492
Write-offs and other	-2,611	-2,663
Balance Closing	10,732	10,994
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
1 to 30 days	344,225		359,672
31 to 60 days	7,769		9,245
61 to 90 days	3,312		3,498
Total			376,987
Still accruing interest	0		0
Not accruing interest	3,868		4,572
Total	3,868		4,572
Loan receivables | North America | Low
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	246,071		259,436
Loan receivables | North America | Medium
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	91,725		96,243
Loan receivables | North America | High
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	10,730		10,913
Loan receivables | North America | Not Scored
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	10,648		10,395
Loan receivables | International
Loans and Leases Receivable, Net Amount [Abstract]
Loan receivables	46,801		47,665
Allowance for credit losses	-1,638		-1,788
Net investment in loan receivables	45,163		45,877
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance Beginning	1,788	1,916
Amounts charged to expense	214	361
Write-offs and other	-364	-336
Balance Closing	1,638	1,941
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Aging [Abstract]
1 to 30 days	44,992		45,678
31 to 60 days	1,117		1,201
61 to 90 days	306		413
Total			47,665
Still accruing interest	0		0
Not accruing interest	386		373
Total	$386		$373

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill2

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite lived intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$546,539,000		$560,342,000
Accumulated Amortization	-474,367,000		-478,169,000
Net Carrying Amount	72,172,000		82,173,000
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense	8,000,000	6,000,000
Customer relationships
Finite lived intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	329,064,000		337,438,000
Accumulated Amortization	-262,406,000		-263,121,000
Net Carrying Amount	66,658,000		74,317,000
Supplier relationships
Finite lived intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	29,000,000		29,000,000
Accumulated Amortization	-28,638,000		-27,913,000
Net Carrying Amount	362,000		1,087,000
Software & technology
Finite lived intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	157,430,000		160,825,000
Accumulated Amortization	-152,701,000		-154,610,000
Net Carrying Amount	4,729,000		6,215,000
Trademarks & other
Finite lived intangible assets
Gross Carrying Amount	31,045,000		33,079,000
Accumulated Amortization	-30,622,000		-32,525,000
Net Carrying Amount	$423,000		$554,000

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill3

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Future Amortization Expense) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite lived intangible assets future amortization expense
Remaining for year ending December 31, 2015	$20,228
Year ending December 31, 2016	21,512
Year ending December 31, 2017	10,720
Year ending December 31, 2018	8,124
Year ending December 31, 2019	5,066
Thereafter	6,522
Net Carrying Amount	$72,172	$82,173

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill4

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		$1,672,721
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	1,672,721
Foreign currency translation	-37,550
Goodwill	1,635,171
North America Mailing
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		309,448
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	309,448
Foreign currency translation	-13,871
Goodwill	295,577
International Mailing
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		162,146
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	162,146
Foreign currency translation	-12,110
Goodwill	150,036
Small & Medium Business Solutions
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		471,594
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	471,594
Foreign currency translation	-25,981
Goodwill	445,613
Production Mail
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		110,837
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	110,837
Foreign currency translation	-5,337
Goodwill	105,500
Presort Services
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		195,140
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	195,140
Foreign currency translation	0
Goodwill	195,140
Enterprise Business Solutions
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		305,977
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	305,977
Foreign currency translation	-5,337
Goodwill	300,640
Digital Commerce Solutions
Goodwill [Line Items]
Gross value before accumulated impairment		895,150
Accumulated impairment		0
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	895,150
Foreign currency translation	-6,232
Goodwill	$888,918

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De2

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	$950,432	$1,114,543
Liabilities:	-4,705	-2,988
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	419,541	619,617
Liabilities:	0	0
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	530,891	494,926
Liabilities:	-4,705	-2,988
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Liabilities:	0	0
Money market funds / commercial paper
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	527,759	699,629
Money market funds / commercial paper | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	305,145	505,643
Money market funds / commercial paper | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	222,614	193,986
Money market funds / commercial paper | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Equity securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	27,625	27,409
Equity securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Equity securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	27,625	27,409
Equity securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Commingled fixed income securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	23,868	24,077
Commingled fixed income securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Commingled fixed income securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	23,868	24,077
Commingled fixed income securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	136,795	137,980
U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	114,396	113,974
U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	22,399	24,006
U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Corporate notes and bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	66,308	67,448
Corporate notes and bonds | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Corporate notes and bonds | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	66,308	67,448
Corporate notes and bonds | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	165,243	156,614
Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	165,243	156,614
Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Foreign exchange contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	2,834	1,386
Liabilities:	-4,705	-2,988
Foreign exchange contracts | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Liabilities:	0	0
Foreign exchange contracts | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	2,834	1,386
Liabilities:	-4,705	-2,988
Foreign exchange contracts | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets:	0	0
Liabilities:	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De3

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Available-for-sale Securities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$360,914	$357,339
Gross unrealized gains	8,713	6,836
Gross unrealized losses	-1,282	-2,133
Estimated fair value	368,345	362,042
U.S. Government, federal agencies and municipalities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized cost	133,904	135,839
Gross unrealized gains	3,342	2,905
Gross unrealized losses	-452	-764
Estimated fair value	136,794	137,980
Corporate notes and bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized cost	64,169	66,170
Gross unrealized gains	2,224	1,569
Gross unrealized losses	-85	-291
Estimated fair value	66,308	67,448
Mortgage-backed / asset-backed securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized cost	162,841	155,330
Gross unrealized gains	3,147	2,362
Gross unrealized losses	-745	-1,078
Estimated fair value	$165,243	$156,614

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De4

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investment securities at a loss position for more than 12 months, aggregate unrealized holding losses	$1	$1
Investment securities at a loss position for more than 12 months, estimated fair value	35	42
Investment securities at a loss position for less than 12 months, aggregate unrealized holding losses	1	1
Investment securities at a loss position for less than 12 months, estimated fair value	76	88
Total notional amount of outstanding contracts in cash flow hedging relationships	17	18
Maximum collateral required	$3

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De5

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Available-for-sale Securities Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Amortized cost - Within 1 year	$62,578
Amortized cost - After 1 year through 5 years	61,094
Amortized cost - After 5 years through 10 years	63,198
Amortized cost - After 10 years	174,044
Amortized cost - Total	360,914
Estimated fair value - Within 1 year	62,641
Estimated fair value - After 1 year through 5 years	62,380
Estimated fair value - After 5 years through 10 years	65,364
Estimated fair value - After 10 years	177,960
Estimated fair value - Total	$368,345

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De6

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Derivative Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Total net derivative liabilities	($1,871)	($1,602)
Total derivative assets
Derivative [Line Items]
Total net derivative liabilities	2,834	1,386
Total derivative liabilities
Derivative [Line Items]
Total net derivative liabilities	-4,705	-2,988
Foreign exchange contracts | Derivatives designated as hedging instruments | Other current assets and prepayments
Derivative [Line Items]
Total net derivative liabilities	1,144	762
Foreign exchange contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Other current assets and prepayments
Derivative [Line Items]
Total net derivative liabilities	1,690	624
Foreign exchange contracts | Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Derivative [Line Items]
Total net derivative liabilities	($4,705)	($2,988)

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De7

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Foreign Exchange Contracts) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings (Effective Portion)	($791)	($35)
Revenue
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings (Effective Portion)	-396	-234
Cost of sales
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Earnings (Effective Portion)	-395	199
Foreign exchange contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion)	-409	-69
Foreign exchange contracts | Selling, general and administrative expense
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings	($208)	($682)

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_De8

Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments (Fair Value of Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	$3,075,231	$3,252,006
Fair value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt	$3,294,522	$3,440,383

Restructuring_Charges_Details

Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Cash payments	($21,874)	($18,937)
International
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve, payment period	24 months
Minimum
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve, payment period	12 months
Maximum
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Restructuring reserve, payment period	24 months
Operational Excellence
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Balance Beginning	86,259	50,049
Expenses, net	-10	8,375	[1]
Cash payments	-20,295	-17,887
Balance Ending	65,954	40,537
Operational Excellence | Severance and benefits costs
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Balance Beginning	78,105	42,427
Expenses, net	20	7,272	[1]
Cash payments	-18,383	-15,216
Balance Ending	59,742	34,483
Operational Excellence | Other exit costs
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Balance Beginning	8,154	7,622
Expenses, net	-30	1,103	[1]
Cash payments	-1,912	-2,671
Balance Ending	6,212	6,054
Other Plans
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Balance Beginning	3,920	16,523
Expenses, net	-71	-1,084
Cash payments	-1,579	-1,050
Balance Ending	2,270	14,389
Other Plans | Severance and benefits costs
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Balance Beginning	3,731	16,131
Expenses, net	-71	-1,084
Cash payments	-1,501	-1,023
Balance Ending	2,159	14,024
Other Plans | Other exit costs
Restructuring Costs [Abstract]
Balance Beginning	189	392
Expenses, net	0	0
Cash payments	-78	-27
Balance Ending	$111	$365
[1]	See Note 11 for additional restructuring charge.

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commercial paper outstanding	$100,000,000		$100,000,000
Principal amount	2,952,064,000		2,952,064,000	3,226,943,000
Less: unamortized discount	6,269,000		6,269,000	6,653,000
Plus: unamortized interest rate swap proceeds	29,436,000		29,436,000	31,716,000
Total debt	2,975,231,000		2,975,231,000	3,252,006,000
Less: current portion long-term debt	420,914,000		420,914,000	324,879,000
Long-term debt	2,554,317,000		2,554,317,000	2,927,127,000
Repayments of debt	274,879,000	499,850,000
Notes due March 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.00%		5.00%
Debt instrument, face amount	0		0	274,879,000
Repayments of debt			275,000,000
Notes due January 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.75%		4.75%
Debt instrument, face amount	370,914,000		370,914,000	370,914,000
Notes due September 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.75%		5.75%
Debt instrument, face amount	385,109,000		385,109,000	385,109,000
Notes due March 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.60%		5.60%
Debt instrument, face amount	250,000,000		250,000,000	250,000,000
Notes due May 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.75%		4.75%
Debt instrument, face amount	350,000,000		350,000,000	350,000,000
Notes due March 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.25%		6.25%
Debt instrument, face amount	300,000,000		300,000,000	300,000,000
Notes due November 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.25%		5.25%
Debt instrument, face amount	110,000,000		110,000,000	110,000,000
Notes due March 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.63%		4.63%
Debt instrument, face amount	500,000,000		500,000,000	500,000,000
State of CT DECD loan due November 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.00%		2.00%
Debt instrument, face amount	16,000,000		16,000,000	16,000,000
Notes due January 2037
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.25%		5.25%
Debt instrument, face amount	115,041,000		115,041,000	115,041,000
Notes due March 2043
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	6.70%		6.70%
Debt instrument, face amount	425,000,000		425,000,000	425,000,000
Term loans
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$130,000,000		$130,000,000	$130,000,000
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate	0.54%		0.54%

Pensions_and_Other_Benefit_Pro2

Pensions and Other Benefit Programs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$38		$2,415
Interest cost	18,859		19,416
Expected return on plan assets	-26,044		-25,956
Amortization of transition credit	0		0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	2		2
Amortization of net actuarial loss	7,648		6,160
Settlement / curtailment	0	[1]	2,550	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	503		4,587
Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	565		908
Interest cost	6,063		7,169
Expected return on plan assets	-8,839		-9,825
Amortization of transition credit	-2		-2
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-17		-15
Amortization of net actuarial loss	1,480		2,076
Settlement / curtailment	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	-750		311
Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	679		728
Interest cost	2,375		2,462
Expected return on plan assets	0		0
Amortization of transition credit	0		0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	74		40
Amortization of net actuarial loss	2,391		1,522
Settlement / curtailment	0	[1]	0	[1]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$5,519		$4,752
[1]	Included in Restructuring charges, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Pensions_and_Other_Benefit_Pro3

Pensions and Other Benefit Programs (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer	$3	$10
Foreign
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer	9	12
Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Contributions By Employer	$6	$7

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate (percent)	37.30%	14.70%
Charge from write-off of deferred tax assets	$3
Tax benefits from resolution of tax examination		$6

Noncontrolling_Interests_Prefe1

Noncontrolling Interests (Preferred Stockholders' Equity in Subsidiaries) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	25.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	75.00%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	4.00%	4.00%
Preferred Stock, Cumulative Dividend Increase Interval if Outstanding Once Callable	6 months
Dividends in arrears	$0	$0
Redeemable Preferred Stock Member
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Shares, Outstanding	300,000
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	$300,000,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.13%
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Increase if Outstanding Once Callable	50.00%
Preferred stock-perpetual voting, dividend increase percentage each interval once shares become callable	50.00%

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	$77,259	$205,176
Net income	80,612	44,673
Other comprehensive loss	-62,491	1,223
Cash dividends
Common	-37,804	-37,975
Preference	-11	-14
Issuance of common stock	-7,666	-2,898
Conversion to common stock		0
Stock-based compensation expense	5,036	3,886
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest		-7,520
Balances, end of period	54,935	206,551
Preferred stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period		4	1
Cash dividends
Conversion to common stock		-3
Balances, end of period	1	1	1
Preference stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	548	591
Cash dividends
Conversion to common stock	-5	-28
Balances, end of period	543	563
Common stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period			323,338	323,338
Cash dividends
Balances, end of period	323,338	323,338	323,338	323,338
Additional paid-in capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	178,852	196,977
Cash dividends
Issuance of common stock	-30,914	-22,655
Conversion to common stock	-105	-650
Stock-based compensation expense	5,036	3,886
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest		-7,520
Balances, end of period	152,869	170,038
Retained earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	4,897,708	4,715,564
Net income	80,612	44,673
Cash dividends
Common	-37,804	-37,975
Preference	-11	-14
Balances, end of period	4,940,505	4,722,248
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	-846,156	-574,556
Other comprehensive loss	-62,491	1,223
Cash dividends
Balances, end of period	-908,647	-573,333
Treasury stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balances, beginning of period	-4,477,032	-4,456,742
Cash dividends
Preference		0
Issuance of common stock	23,248	19,757
Conversion to common stock	110	681
Balances, end of period	($4,453,674)	($4,436,304)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Reclassifications) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
Revenues	$890,681		$937,497
Interest expense	-24,064		-24,064
Tax benefit	-50,547		-8,036
Net income	85,206		49,267
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
Tax benefit	-4,167		-3,641
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
Revenues	-396	[1]	-234	[1]
Cost of sales	-395	[1]	199	[1]
Interest expense	-507	[1]	-507	[1]
Total before tax	-1,298	[1]	-542	[1]
Tax benefit	-502	[1]	-210	[1]
Net income	-796	[1]	-332	[1]
Gains (losses) on available for sale securities
Unrealized losses	-24	[1]	-347	[1]
Tax benefit	-9	[1]	-128	[1]
Net of tax	-15	[1]	-219	[1]
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
Transition credit	2	[1],[2]	2	[1],[2]
Prior service costs	-59	[1],[2]	-27	[1],[2]
Actuarial losses	-11,519	[1],[2]	-9,758	[1],[2]
Total before tax	-11,576	[1],[2]	-9,783	[1],[2]
Tax benefit	-4,167	[1],[2]	-3,641	[1],[2]
Net of tax	($7,409)	[1],[2]	($6,142)	[1],[2]
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits (reductions) to income.
[2]	These items are included in the computation of net periodic costs of defined benefit pension plans and nonpension postretirement benefit plans (see Note 11 for additional details).

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Changes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance Beginning	($846,156)		($574,556)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	-70,711	[1]	-5,470	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	8,220	[1],[2]	6,693	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-62,491		1,223
Balance Ending	-908,647		-573,333
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance Beginning	-4,689		-6,380
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	-247	[1]	41	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	796	[1],[2]	332	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	549		373
Balance Ending	-4,140		-6,007
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance Beginning	2,966		-1,769
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	1,715	[1]	1,840	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	15	[1],[2]	219	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	1,730		2,059
Balance Ending	4,696		290
Defined benefit pension plans and nonpension postretirement benefit plans
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance Beginning	-786,079		-601,421
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	0	[1]	0	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	7,409	[1],[2]	6,142	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	7,409		6,142
Balance Ending	-778,670		-595,279
Foreign currency items
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance Beginning	-58,354		35,014
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications	-72,179	[1]	-7,351	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	-72,179		-7,351
Balance Ending	($130,533)		$27,663
[1]	Amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI.
[2]	See table above for additional details of these reclassifications.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (Borderfree, Inc., Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	5-May-15	5-May-15
Borderfree, Inc. | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Tender offer (in dollars per share)	$14	$14
Payment to acquire business	$395