Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Held for investment, fair value	$ 75,838	$ 60,840
Other investments	286,726us-gaap_OtherInvestments	215,042us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Coinsurance deposits	3,044,342	2,999,618
Liabilities
Policy benefit reserves	39,802,861	35,789,655
Carrying Amount [Member]
Assets
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,434,580	2,581,082
Derivative assets	731,113	856,050
Other investments	266,488	192,198
Cash and cash equivalents	701,514	897,529
Coinsurance deposits	3,044,342	2,999,618
2015 notes hedges	30,291	107,041
Counterparty collateral	206,096	315,824
Liabilities
Policy benefit reserves	39,463,987	35,453,166
Single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) benefit reserves	365,440	417,625
Notes payable	421,679	549,958
Subordinated debentures	246,243	246,050
2015 notes embedded conversion derivative	30,291	107,041
Carrying Amount [Member] \| Interest Rate Caps [Member]
Assets
Interest rate derivative assets	2,778	6,103
Carrying Amount [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Assets
Interest rate derivative assets	0	712
Liabilities
Interest rate derivative liabilities	2,644	0
Carrying Amount [Member] \| Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Assets
Available for sale securities	32,445,202	26,610,447
Held for investment, fair value	76,432	76,255
Carrying Amount [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Assets
Available for sale securities	7,805	7,778
Fair Value [Member]
Assets
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,493,901	2,615,410
Derivative assets	731,113	856,050
Other investments	273,004	193,343
Cash and cash equivalents	701,514	897,529
Coinsurance deposits	2,698,552	2,669,432
2015 notes hedges	30,291	107,041
Counterparty collateral	206,096	315,824
Liabilities
Policy benefit reserves	33,078,978	29,670,827
Single premium immediate annuity (SPIA) benefit reserves	377,654	430,835
Notes payable	503,349	699,435
Subordinated debentures	244,437	234,959
2015 notes embedded conversion derivative	30,291	107,041
Fair Value [Member] \| Interest Rate Caps [Member]
Assets
Interest rate derivative assets	2,778	6,103
Fair Value [Member] \| Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Assets
Interest rate derivative assets	0	712
Liabilities
Interest rate derivative liabilities	2,644	0
Fair Value [Member] \| Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Assets
Available for sale securities	32,445,202	26,610,447
Held for investment, fair value	75,838	60,840
Fair Value [Member] \| Equity Securities [Member]
Assets
Available for sale securities	$ 7,805	$ 7,778

Fair Value Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Notes Payable Embedded Derivative

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Hedge transacation whereby we have the option to receive the cash equivalent of the conversion spread on shares of our common stock based upon a strike price per share, subject to certain conversion rate adjustments in the Notes.

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Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

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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.

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Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement.

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Fair value of subordinated debt obligations including, but not limited to, subordinated loan, subordinated bond, subordinated debenture or junior debt.

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Amount of the reinsurer's funds held on its behalf by the ceding insurer, including funds held in trust, under reinsurance treaties or contracts with the assuming insurer as security for the payment of the obligations thereunder.

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Fair value of investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative assets, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as assets.

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Fair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative liabilities, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as liabilities.

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Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events for long-duration contracts.

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Amount of accrued obligation to policyholders that relates to insured events under other insurance contracts.

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Fair value portion of loan receivable, including, but not limited to, mortgage loans held for investment, finance receivables held for investment, policy loans on insurance contracts.

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Fair value portion of notes payable.

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Fair value portion of other assets.

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Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

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