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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) securities	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) securities	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) securities
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 29,600		$ 29,600		$ 31,200
Net Amount Assets Liabilities From Repurchase Reverse Repurchase Agreements	400		400		$ 1,100
Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Sold At Loss	1,174,400	$ 696,400	2,438,000	$ 1,125,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Realized Losses, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	$ 35,934	10,288	$ 56,314	18,975
Policy Loans Percent Of Total Investments	2.70%		2.70%		2.60%
Mortgage Loan Percent Of Cash And Invested Assets	9.00%		9.00%		8.50%
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | securities	2,580		2,580		1,116
Securities As Percentage Of Consolidated Stockholder Equity	10.00%		10.00%
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
Funds Withheld At Interest Percent Of Total Investments	11.80%		11.80%
Funds withheld at interest	$ 5,981,092		$ 5,981,092		$ 6,083,388
Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Specific Client	$ 4,000,000		$ 4,000,000
Other Invested Assets Percent Of Cash And Invested Assets	3.20%		3.20%		2.90%
ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesSoldAtLoss		14,100	$ 28,400	161,700
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	$ 0	$ 183	$ 950	$ 4,059
CALIFORNIA
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	19.40%		19.40%
TEXAS
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	9.60%		9.60%
WASHINGTON
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	7.80%		7.80%
CANADA
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	2.60%		2.60%

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