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Fair Values of Financial Instruments Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Level 3 Liabilities (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block] |
| Three Months Ended March 31,
| 2013 |  | 2012
| (Dollars in thousands)
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ | 3,337,556 |  |  | $ | 2,530,496 |
Premiums less benefits | 246,722 |  |  | 84,226 |
Change in unrealized gains, net | 264,624 |  |  | 306,315 |
Ending balance | $ | 3,848,902 |  |  | $ | 2,921,037 |
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |  |
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value Liability Measured on Recurring Basis, Fixed Index Annuities Embedded Derivative | $ 3,848,902,000 |  | $ 2,921,037,000
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliations, Recurring Basis, Liability Value | 3,337,556,000 | 2,530,496,000 |
Premiums Less Benefis Level 3 Liabilities | 246,722,000 | 84,226,000 |
Change in unrealized losses (gains), net | 264,624,000 | 306,315,000 |
Fair Value, Sensitivity, Increase in Discount Rate by 10 Percent [Member] |  |  |
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value, Sensitivity, Discount Rate Adjustment | 100 |  |
Fair Value Liability Measured on Recurring Basis, Fixed Index Annuities Embedded Derivative | 261,800,000 |  |
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements, Adjustment Due to Change in Discount Rate, Combined Balance | 158,300,000 |  |
Fair Value, Sensitivity, Decrease in Discount Rate by 10 Percent [Member] |  |  |
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair Value, Sensitivity, Discount Rate Adjustment | 0 |  |
Fair Value Liability Measured on Recurring Basis, Fixed Index Annuities Embedded Derivative | 291,900,000 |  |
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements, Adjustment Due to Change in Discount Rate, Combined Balance | $ 177,000,000 |  |

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- Definition Corresponding amount of change in the combined balance of deferred policy acquistion costs and deferred sales inducements due to a change in the discount rate utilized to determine the fair value of embedded derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Fair value of fixed index embedded derivative liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Item represents the number of basis points of change in the assumed discount rate utilized to determine the fair value of embedded derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents premiums less benefits which have taken place during the period in relation to liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3). + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of the fair value measurement of liabilities using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances, separately presenting changes attributable to the following: (1) total gains or losses for the period (realized and unrealized), segregating those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets), and gains or losses recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and a description of where those gains or losses included in earnings (or changes in net assets) are reported in the statement of income (or activities); (2) purchases, sales, issues, and settlements (each type disclosed separately); and (3) transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 (for example, transfers due to changes in the observability of significant inputs) by class of liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19279-110258 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings, arising from liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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