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Investments (Mortgage Loans by Method of Evaluation and Related Valuation Allowances) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Mortgage Loans [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Individually Evaluated for Impairment | $ 2,216 | $ 16,421 |  |
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment | 3,780,991 | 3,120,343 |  |
Loans Receivable, Gross, Commercial, Real Estate | 3,783,207 | 3,136,764 |  |
Valuation Allowances [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Individually Evaluated for Impairment | 0 | 588 |  |
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment | 7,685 | 6,225 |  |
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Real Estate | 7,685 | 6,813 | $ 6,471 | $ 10,106
Mortgage Loans Net Of Valuation Allowance [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Mortgage loans on real estate | $ 3,775,522 | $ 3,129,951 |  |

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- Definition The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 310 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6873192&loc=d3e21338-158488 + Details
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- Definition The valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were collectively evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
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- Definition Amount of valuation allowance for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible that were individually evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (g) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
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- Definition The balance of financing receivables that were collectively evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
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- Definition The balance of financing receivables that were individually evaluated for impairment. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 11B -Subparagraph (h) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=SL6953423-111524 + Details
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- Definition Amount before allowance of commercial loans issued to businesses to acquire, develop, construct, improve, or refinance land or building. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans covered under loss sharing agreements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66008989&loc=d3e5066-111524 + Details
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- Definition The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
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