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Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ (336,146) | $ 504,825 | $ 1,076,015
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (464,698) | 32,321 | 133,968
Call Options [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (327,921) | 521,947 | 932,003
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (4,516) | (8,934) | 145,751
2015 Warrants [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 0 | 0 | (9,568)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (2,341) | (4,863) | 4,973
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (1,368) | (3,325) | 2,856
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (825,668) | (532,337) | (416,502)
Other Changes in Difference Between Policy Benefit Reserves Computed Using Derivative Accounting Vs. Long-Duration Contracts Accounting [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 365,486 | 579,885 | 408,496
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (4,516) | (19,036) | 141,974
2029 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 0 | $ 3,809 | $ 0

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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition 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=56946850&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
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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=56946850&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
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