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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 | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ 39,099 | $ (23,024) | $ (34,966) | $ (54,124)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 284,303 | (219,601) | 550,160 | (168,388)
Call Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 40,394 | (20,141) | (30,357) | (49,361)
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 0 | (3,942) | 0 | (3,375)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (982) | 827 | (3,626) | (934)
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (313) | 232 | (983) | (454)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 199,917 | (334,481) | 379,632 | (404,358)
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 | 84,386 | 118,822 | 170,528 | 239,345
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 0 | $ (3,942) | $ 0 | $ (3,375)

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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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