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Derivative Instruments (Gross Notional Amount and Fair Value of Derivatives Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
--- | --- | ---
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | $ 14,700,117 | $ 14,012,598
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 284,281 | 283,094
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 1,040,570 | 1,061,408
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 13,137,493 | 12,649,093
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 211,831 | 150,834
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 994,358 | 1,029,451
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 946,726 | 949,556
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 61,263 | 78,405
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 1,825 | 5,949
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Financial Futures |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 448,600 | 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 | 6,000 | 25,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | (84) | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 0 | 5,070
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 132,081 | 20,615
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 589 | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 420 | 262
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Credit Default Swaps |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 948,000 | 926,000
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 7,905 | 12,012
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 490 | 2,871
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Equity Options |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 541,532 | 525,894
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 20,006 | 33,459
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 0 | 0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Longevity Swap [Member] |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 945,120 | 841,360
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 37,827 | 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 | 1,683 | 2,462
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 | 84,325 | 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 | 821,821 | 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 | 168,119 | 184,636
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument | Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 9,119,434 | 8,834,700
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 | 1,562,624 | 1,363,505
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 72,450 | 132,260
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 46,212 | 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 | 22,133 | 31,223
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Foreign Currency Forwards |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 331,135 | 0
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 1,418 | 0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | 10,203 | 0
Designated As Hedging Instrument | Currency Swap [Member] |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |
Notional Amount | 796,489 | 928,505
Carrying Value / Fair Value of Assets | 71,032 | 104,359
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability | $ 13,876 | $ 734

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