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Derivative Instruments (Gross Notional Amount and Fair Value of Derivatives Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	$ 14,262,259	$ 14,012,598
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	268,600	283,094
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	1,007,325	1,061,408
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	12,849,301	12,649,093
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	168,357	150,834
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	980,888	1,029,451
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	956,480	949,556
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	59,926	78,405
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	763	5,949
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Financial Futures
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	466,519	475,968
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	25,000	25,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	142	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	3,380	5,070
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	21,819	20,615
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	244	262
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Credit Default Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	935,000	926,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	6,507	12,012
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	714	2,871
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Equity Options
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	570,713	525,894
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	26,439	33,459
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Longevity Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	852,160	841,360
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	29,170	26,958
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
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	2,857	2,462
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	8,971,610	8,834,700
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0
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	46,173	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	22,529
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	810,657	805,672
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	162,273	184,636
Designated As Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	1,412,958	1,363,505
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	100,243	132,260
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	26,437	31,957
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	435,000	435,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	0	27,901
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	23,854	31,223
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Currency Swap [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional Amount	977,958	928,505
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets	100,243	104,359
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$ 2,583	$ 734

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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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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
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+ References

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