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Reinsurance (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Reinsurance [Abstract] |
Reinsurance Premium And Effect On Claims And Other Policy Benefits [Table Text Block] |
The effect of reinsurance on net premiums is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years ended December 31, | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010
Direct | $ | 3,784 |  | $ | 2,590 |  | $ | 2,669
Reinsurance assumed |  | 8,228,811 |  |  | 7,701,594 |  |  | 7,198,219
Reinsurance ceded |  | (325,999) |  |  | (368,497) |  |  | (541,208)
| Net premiums | $ | 7,906,596 |  | $ | 7,335,687 |  | $ | 6,659,680
The effect of reinsurance on claims and other policy benefits as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years ended December 31, | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010
Direct | $ | 3,694 |  | $ | 4,179 |  | $ | 4,062
Reinsurance assumed |  | 6,912,942 |  |  | 6,472,041 |  |  | 5,877,153
Reinsurance ceded |  | (250,637) |  |  | (251,037) |  |  | (334,060)
| Net claims and other policy benefits | $ | 6,665,999 |  | $ | 6,225,183 |  | $ | 5,547,155
Reinsurance Information [Table Text Block] |
The effect of reinsurance on life insurance in force is shown in the following schedule (dollars in millions):
Life Insurance In Force: | Direct |  | Assumed |  | Ceded |  | Net |  | Assumed/Net %
December 31, 2012 | $ | 76 |  | $ | 2,927,573 |  | $ | 38,048 |  | $ | 2,889,601 |  | 101.31 | %
December 31, 2011 |  | 76 |  |  | 2,664,353 |  |  | 39,987 |  |  | 2,624,442 |  | 101.52 |
December 31, 2010 |  | 74 |  |  | 2,540,317 |  |  | 42,582 |  |  | 2,497,809 |  | 101.70 |

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