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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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- Definition

Represents the percentage of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are callable over the next 12 months.

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Represents the percentage of fixed income securities at fair value rated investment grade (NAIC 1 or 2) compared to the entire fixed income security portfolio at fair value.

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The cash inflow associated with maturities (principal being due), prepayments and calls (requests of early payments) on securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities which are classified as available-for-sale securities.

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