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Investments (Mortgage Loans by Method of Evaluation and Related Valuation Allowances) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Sep. 30, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
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Mortgage Loans: |  |
Total mortgage loans | $ 4,794,226 | $ 4,413,171
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net, (Investment Based Operations Presentation) [Abstract] |  |
Mortgage loans on real estate (net of valuation allowances) | 4,779,074 | 4,400,533
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member] |  |
Mortgage Loans: |  |
Evaluated individually for credit losses | 30,629 | 5,858
Evaluated collectively for credit losses | 4,763,597 | 4,407,313
Total mortgage loans | 4,794,226 | 4,413,171
Valuation Allowances: |  |
Specific for credit losses | 0 | 0
Non-specifically identified credit losses | 10,366 | 9,384
Total valuation allowances | $ 10,366 | $ 9,384

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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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=d3e5066-111524 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -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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