Income Taxes (Components of Income Tax Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated statements of operations:
Current income taxes	$ 75,568	$ 116,545	$ 133,036
Deferred income taxes (benefits)	41,916	(46,504)	3,013
Total income tax expense included in consolidated statements of operations	117,484	70,041	136,049
Stockholders' equity:
Expense (benefit) relating to: change in net unrealized investment losses	(279,860)	363,572	(344,944)
Expense (benefit) relating to: share-based compensation	(3,649)	(5,716)	(4,043)
Expense (benefit) relating to: extinguishment of convertible debt	0	(9,284)	(4,546)
Total income tax expense (benefit) included in consolidated financial statements	$ (166,025)	$ 418,613	$ (217,484)

Adjustments to additional paid in capital, tax effect from extinguishment of convertible debt

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Amount of increase in additional paid in capital (APIC) resulting from a tax benefit associated with share-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Includes, but is not limited to, excess tax benefit.

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Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.

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Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations.

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The sum of income tax expense or benefit for the period that has been allocated among continuing operations, discontinued operations, extraordinary items, other comprehensive income, and items charged or credited directly to shareholders' equity.

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Amount of tax expense (benefit), after reclassification adjustments, of appreciation (loss) in value of unsold available-for-sale securities, attributable to parent entity. Excludes amounts related to other than temporary impairment (OTTI) loss.

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