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Derivative Instruments (Gross Notional Amount and Fair Value of Derivatives Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 14,242,418	$ 11,928,989
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	363,772	301,270
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	1,225,050	1,202,203
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	12,870,134	10,985,503
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	261,105	155,005
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	1,182,539	1,172,217
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,062,745	1,123,057
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	175,123	85,075
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	821	4,196
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Financial Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	552,384	420,665
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	30,000	45,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	173	44
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,733	6,768
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	30,043	28,561
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	13	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	460	292
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Credit Default Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	909,000	897,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	10,605	8,230
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	3,430	11,053
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Equity Options
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	610,792	453,435
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	48,162	46,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Longevity Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	898,800	868,960
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	27,029	15,003
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	7
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Mortality Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	50,000	50,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,068	2,619
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Embedded Derivatives In Modified Coinsurance Or Funds Withheld Arrangements
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	42,903	76,698
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Embedded Derivatives In Indexed Annuity [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	854,564	878,114
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Embedded Derivatives In Variable Annuity [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	0	0
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	275,560	192,470
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	8,726,370	7,098,825
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Designated As Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,372,284	943,486
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	102,667	146,265
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	42,511	29,986
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	435,000	120,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	41,306	29,986
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Currency Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	937,284	823,486
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	102,667	146,265
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 1,205	$ 0

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- Definition

Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Article 12
-Section 13
-Sentence Column B

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
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-Paragraph 7
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 860
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
-Subparagraph (c)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=SL51823488-111719

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+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Topic 860
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-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
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