Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	$ (351,360)	$ 39,218	$ (405,484)	$ 358,594
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	(414,724)	(195,206)	(583,112)	(21,652)
Call Options [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(347,038)	45,931	(396,399)	391,173
2015 Notes Hedges [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(1,141)	(6,823)	(4,516)	(27,124)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(2,349)	254	(3,283)	(2,996)
Interest Rate Caps [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(832)	(144)	(1,286)	(2,459)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	(413,583)	(188,383)	(578,596)	9,704
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	$ (1,141)	$ (6,823)	$ (4,516)	$ (31,356)

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Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

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- Definition

Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives included in earnings in the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

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