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Reinsurance (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Reinsurance [Line Items] |  |  |
Net premiums | $ 7,906,596,000 | $ 7,335,687,000 | $ 6,659,680,000
Claims and other policy benefits | 6,665,999,000 | 6,225,183,000 | 5,547,155,000
Direct Life Insurance [Member] |  |  |
Reinsurance [Line Items] |  |  |
Net premiums | 3,784,000 | 2,590,000 | 2,669,000
Claims and other policy benefits | 3,694,000 | 4,179,000 | 4,062,000
Reinsurance Assumed [Member] |  |  |
Reinsurance [Line Items] |  |  |
Net premiums | 8,228,811,000 | 7,701,594,000 | 7,198,219,000
Claims and other policy benefits | 6,912,942,000 | 6,472,041,000 | 5,877,153,000
Reinsurance Ceded [Member] |  |  |
Reinsurance [Line Items] |  |  |
Net premiums | (325,999,000) | (368,497,000) | (541,208,000)
Claims and other policy benefits | $ (250,637,000) | $ (251,037,000) | $ (334,060,000)

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- Definition Provision for benefits, claims and claims settlement expenses incurred during the period net of the effects of contracts assumed and ceded. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 5 -Article 7 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 + Details
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- Definition Premiums earned on the income statement for all insurance and reinsurance contracts after subtracting any amounts ceded to another insurer and adding premiums assumed from other insurers. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 1 -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 113 -Paragraph 27 -Subparagraph a, b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 + Details
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