This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Derivative Instruments (Changes in Estimated Fair Value Related to Embedded Derivatives) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total investment related gains (losses), net									$ 186,193us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments	$ 63,990us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments	$ 254,136us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Total benefits and expenses	2,420,670us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,484,773us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,532,485us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,457,733us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,507,304us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,188,120us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,665,400us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,322,275us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	9,895,661us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	9,683,099us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	8,921,688us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	191,091us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	157,996us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	198,296us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	136,664us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	144,959us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	137,955us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	(49,612)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	185,535us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	684,047us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	418,837us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	631,893us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Embedded Derivatives In Modified Coinsurance Or Funds Withheld Arrangements And Variable Annuity Contracts [Member]
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total investment related gains (losses), net									198,365	70,177	115,009
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent									45,171	18,920	25,454
Embedded Derivatives In Variable Annuity Contracts [Member]
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total investment related gains (losses), net									(129,224)	142,050	104,613
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent									27,601	70,123	6,367
Embedded Derivatives In Equity Indexed Annuities [Member]
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total benefits and expenses									(104,844)	(115,409)	(30,434)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent									$ (69,963)	$ (106,792)	$ 6,110