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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) Securities | Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Securities
Investments [Abstract] |  |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, percentage | 33.00% |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, currently callable, percentage | 2.00% |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, currently callable, amount | $ 700,000 |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, callable during next 12 months, percentage | 0.40% |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, callable during next 12 months, amount | $ 100,000 |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, not callable until within 6 months of stated maturity, percentage | 66.00% |  |
Percentage of fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade based on NAIC designations | 98.00% |  | 98.00%
Number of individual securities with unrealized losses | Securities | 855 |  | 402
Percentage of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities where securities are rated investment grade | 82.00% |  | 78.00%
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale securities, amortized cost | $ 34,058,330 |  | $ 30,205,046
Scheduled principal repayments, calls and tenders for available for sale securities | 1,280,927 | $ 1,233,408 |
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Scheduled principal repayments, calls and tenders for available for sale securities | $ 1,000,000 | 1,100,000 |
Alt-A Sector [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale securities, number of securities in unrealized loss positions | Securities | 34 |  |
Available for sale securities, amortized cost | $ 215,400 |  |
Available for sale, fair value | 238,800 |  |
Available For Sale Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities | 269,700 | $ 141,800 |
Available For Sale Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale, fair value | 35,389,842 |  | 32,445,202
Available For Sale Securities [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale, fair value | $ 1,556,308 |  | $ 1,751,345

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