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Investments (Investment Income Net of Related Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | $ 537,583 | $ 525,229 | $ 1,070,617 | $ 960,349
Investment expense | (19,045) | (17,563) | (37,715) | (35,417)
Investment income, net of related expenses | 518,538 | 507,666 | 1,032,902 | 924,932
Available-for-sale Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 355,735 | 323,592 | 680,235 | 636,007
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member] |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 44,442 | 41,900 | 88,789 | 81,692
Policy loans |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 15,194 | 16,372 | 30,466 | 32,506
Funds withheld at interest |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 97,367 | 112,893 | 224,945 | 168,873
Short-term Investments [Member] |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | 1,779 | 2,322 | 3,289 | 4,513
Other invested assets |  |  |  |
Major Categories Of Investment Income Net of Expenses [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Investment revenue | $ 23,066 | $ 28,150 | $ 42,893 | $ 36,758

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