Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Deferred income tax assets:
Policy benefit reserves	$ 2,092,731	$ 2,052,968
Other than temporary impairments	7,801	753
Derivative instruments	91,638	0
Amounts due reinsurer	0	680
Other policyholder funds	6,861	7,765
Litigation settlement accrual	7,100	7,100
Deferred compensation	8,346	10,565
Convertible senior notes	0	12,281
Net operating loss carryforwards	6,637	17,694
Other	13,317	11,685
Gross deferred tax assets	2,234,431	2,121,491
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements	(1,860,722)	(1,637,607)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity and equity securities	(96,454)	(376,314)
Derivative instruments	0	(94,038)
Amounts due reinsurer	(9,677)	0
Investment income items	(32,466)	(14,842)
Other	(2,429)	(2,585)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(2,001,748)	(2,125,386)
Net deferred income tax (liability) asset	$ 232,683
Net deferred income tax (liability) asset		$ (3,895)

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences between the methods used to account for reinsurance arrangements for tax purposes and under generally accepted accounting principles which will decrease future taxable income when such differences reverse.

No definition available.