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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) securities	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) securities	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) securities
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 28,900		$ 28,900		$ 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	1,345,300	$ 479,700	3,783,300	$ 1,604,700
Available-for-sale Securities, Realized Losses, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments	$ 37,880	7,593	$ 94,194	26,577
Policy Loans Percent Of Total Investments	2.50%		2.50%		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	2,866		2,866		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	11.30%		11.30%		11.80%
Funds withheld at interest	$ 5,976,301		$ 5,976,301		$ 6,083,388
Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Specific Client	$ 3,900,000		$ 3,900,000
Other Invested Assets Percent Of Cash And Invested Assets	3.20%		3.20%		2.90%
ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesSoldAtLoss	$ 3,100	5,000	$ 31,500	166,700
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss	$ 174	$ 85	$ 1,124	$ 4,135
CALIFORNIA
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	18.80%		18.80%
TEXAS
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	10.00%		10.00%
GEORGIA
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	7.50%		7.50%
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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