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Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ (74,065) | $ (31,100)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 265,857 | 51,213
Call Options [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (70,751) | (29,220)
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 0 | 567
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (2,644) | (1,761)
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (670) | (686)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 179,715 | (69,877)
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 | 86,142 | 120,523
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 0 | $ 567

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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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