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Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) Securities | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Securities | Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
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 | $ 200,000 |  |
Fixed income securities with call features, not callable until within 6 months of stated maturity, percentage | 68.00% |  |
Percentage of fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade based on NAIC designations | 98.00% | 98.00% |
Number of individual securities with unrealized losses | Securities | 1,246 | 402 |
Percentage of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities where securities are rated investment grade | 84.00% | 78.00% |
Assets held by insurance regulators | $ 38,300,000 | $ 32,600,000 |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale, amortized cost | 35,823,710 | 30,205,046 |
Principal repayments, calls and tenders of available for sale securities | $ 1,612,121 | 1,490,906 | $ 3,456,719
Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Threshold for disclosure percentage | 10.00% |  |
Investment Type Concentration Risk [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Fair value, concentration of risk, investments | $ 0 | 0 |
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Principal repayments, calls and tenders of available for sale securities | 1,200,000 | 1,300,000 | 2,100,000
Available For Sale [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Proceeds from sales of available for sale securities | 400,000 | 200,000 | $ 1,500,000
Available For Sale [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale securities, fair value | $ 36,421,839 | 32,445,202 |
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Alt-A Sector [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of securities in unrealized loss position | Securities | 34 |  |
Available for sale, amortized cost | $ 204,700 |  |
Available for sale securities, fair value | 227,500 |  |
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Available For Sale [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |  |
Available for sale securities, fair value | $ 1,462,072 | $ 1,751,345 |

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