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Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Balances of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
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Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | $ 39,992,346 | $ 38,150,820
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments Fair Value Disclosure |  | 39,806
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 82,197 | 60,346
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Embedded Derivatives | 109,597 | 122,194
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure | 485,167 | 356,788
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments | 105,991 | 50,746
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 378,469 | 356,154
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 47,789 | 40,659
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 41,201,556 | 39,177,513
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives | 944,865 | 1,014,228
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure | 972,314 | 1,038,469
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 2,067,529 | 1,818,006
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments Fair Value Disclosure |  | 39,806
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 48,737 | 60,346
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Embedded Derivatives | 0 | 0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure | 473,509 | 354,071
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments | 4,989 | 0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 196,781 | 217,618
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 2,791,545 | 2,489,847
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives | 0 | 0
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 35,930,086 | 34,098,204
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments Fair Value Disclosure |  | 0
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Embedded Derivatives | 0 | 0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure | 11,658 | 2,717
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments | 98,774 | 47,650
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 181,688 | 138,536
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 36,222,206 | 34,287,107
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives | 0 | 0
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure | 27,080 | 22,558
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 1,994,731 | 2,234,610
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments Fair Value Disclosure |  | 0
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 33,460 | 0
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Embedded Derivatives | 109,597 | 122,194
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments | 2,228 | 3,096
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 47,789 | 40,659
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 2,187,805 | 2,400,559
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives | 944,865 | 1,014,228
Financial Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure | 945,234 | 1,015,911
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 37,976 | 51,359
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 18,542 | 14,311
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 37,976 | 51,359
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 18,542 | 14,311
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 50,740 | 730
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure |  | 7,213
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure |  | 0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 50,740 | 730
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure |  | 7,213
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure |  | 0
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure |  | (221)
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 11,384 | 1,939
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure |  | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure |  | (221)
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 11,384 | 1,939
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure |  | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Credit Default Swap [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 4,466 | 5,908
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 371 | 760
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 4,466 | 5,908
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 371 | 760
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Equity Option [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 36,206 | 16,932
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 6,630 | 6,339
Equity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Equity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 36,206 | 16,932
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 6,630 | 6,339
Equity Option [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Currency Swap [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 51,311 | 62,905
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 4,155 | 6,194
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 51,311 | 62,905
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 4,155 | 6,194
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 197,770 | 218,541
Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 196,781 | 217,618
Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 989 | 923
Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Mortality Swap [Member] |  |
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 369 | 1,683
Mortality Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Mortality Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 0 | 0
Mortality Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure | 369 | 1,683
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 23,982,119 | 23,210,968
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 22,651,194 | 21,873,696
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 1,330,925 | 1,337,272
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 3,892,385 | 4,220,076
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 3,364,261 | 3,626,134
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 528,124 | 593,942
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 1,869,221 | 1,719,880
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 1,862,366 | 1,611,998
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 6,855 | 107,882
Asset-backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 2,149,204 | 1,648,362
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure | 77,842 | 0
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 2,053,632 | 1,524,888
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 95,572 | 123,474
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 1,419,034 | 1,303,387
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 1,419,012 | 1,300,153
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 22 | 3,234
US Treasury and Government [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 2,185,874 | 1,943,592
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 2,067,529 | 1,818,006
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 100,320 | 103,075
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 18,025 | 22,511
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 752,194 | 703,428
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 741,992 | 662,225
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 10,202 | 41,203
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 3,742,315 | 3,401,127
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 0 | 0
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | 3,737,309 | 3,396,035
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] |  |
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] |  |
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale | $ 5,006 | $ 5,092

X
- Definition Embedded derivatives related to funds held by the ceding insurer on behalf the reinsurer, including funds held in trust, under reinsurance treaties or contracts with the assuming insurer as security for the payment of the obligations thereunder, which represent an asset for the reinsurer. There is another concept for the corresponding liability of the ceding insurer. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109979856&loc=d3e26610-111562 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66022186&loc=d3e32014-111567 + Details
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- Definition Fair value of financial obligations, including, but not limited to, debt instruments, derivative liabilities, federal funds purchased and sold under agreements to repurchase, securities loaned or sold under agreements to repurchase, financial instruments sold not yet purchased, guarantees, line of credit, loans and notes payable, servicing liability, and trading liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99377789&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
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