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Investments (Investment Income Net of Related Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2015
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | $ 525,229 | $ 467,718 | $ 960,349 | $ 911,280
Investment expense | (17,563) | (17,179) | (35,417) | (33,850)
Investment income, net of related expenses | 507,666 | 450,539 | 924,932 | 877,430
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 323,592 | 303,792 | 636,007 | 573,560
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member] |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 41,900 | 37,121 | 81,692 | 71,893
Policy loans |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 16,372 | 16,248 | 32,506 | 30,288
Funds withheld at interest |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 112,893 | 87,325 | 168,873 | 199,585
Short-term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 985 | 814 | 1,960 | 1,509
Other invested assets |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | $ 29,487 | $ 22,418 | $ 39,311 | $ 34,445

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