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Investments (Details 9) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | $ 1,475,396,000 | $ 1,311,289,000 | $ 1,263,663,000
Investment Income, Investment Expense | (39,190,000) | (30,092,000) | (25,003,000)
Investment income, net of related expenses | 1,436,206,000 | 1,281,197,000 | 1,238,660,000
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | 868,682,000 | 757,726,000 | 715,817,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member] |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | 96,901,000 | 55,931,000 | 51,186,000
Policy Loans [Member] |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | 62,855,000 | 66,621,000 | 72,743,000
Funds Withheld At Interest [Member] |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | 393,586,000 | 388,694,000 | 385,762,000
Short-term Investments [Member] |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | 4,173,000 | 2,378,000 | 4,968,000
Other Aggregated Investments [Member] |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net Of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment Revenue | $ 49,199,000 | $ 39,939,000 | $ 33,187,000

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- Definition This item represents investment income derived from investments in debt and equity securities consisting of interest income earned from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents, dividend income from investments in equity securities, and income or expense derived from the amortization of investment related discounts or premiums, respectively. This item does not include realized or unrealized gains or losses on the sale or holding of investments in debt and equity securities required to be included in earnings for the period or for other than temporary losses related to investments in debt and equity securities which are included in realized losses in the period recognized, and does not include investment income from real or personal property, such as rental income. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Total expenses related to the generation of investment income in debt and equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
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- Definition The income earned from investments in securities and property, equipment and other capital assets. It includes rent from property and equipment, dividends from shares in corporations, and interest from bonds, loans, mortgages, derivatives, commercial paper, bank accounts, certificates of deposits, treasuries, and other financial securities. It does not include realized gains and losses on investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 16 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 2 -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 + Details
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