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Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Condensed Statements of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015 | Jun. 30, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income | $ 475,633 | $ 463,583 | $ 459,830 | $ 450,826 | $ 438,262 | $ 436,085 | $ 418,176 | $ 399,669 | $ 1,849,872 | $ 1,692,192 | $ 1,531,667
Change in fair value of derivatives | 95,391 | 103,794 | 39,099 | (74,065) | 69,338 | (351,360) | (23,024) | (31,100) | 164,219 | (336,146) | 504,825
Loss on extinguishment of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | (12,502)
Total revenues | 622,816 | 630,060 | 549,802 | 417,604 | 541,883 | 126,965 | 441,094 | 408,995 | 2,220,282 | 1,518,937 | 2,168,973
Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 543,465 | (464,698) | 32,321
Interest expense on notes and loan payable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28,248 | 28,849 | 36,370
Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to subsidiary trusts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,958 | 12,239 | 12,122
Other operating costs and expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 102,231 | 96,218 | 81,584
Total benefits and expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,090,035 | 1,181,623 | 1,972,909
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 47,004 | 117,484 | 70,041
Net income | $ 120,796 | $ (7,420) | $ 14,708 | $ (44,841) | $ 33,776 | $ 97,306 | $ 82,845 | $ 5,903 | 83,243 | 219,830 | 126,023
Parent Company [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net investment income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 78 | 62 | 130
Dividends from subsidiary trusts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 384 | 363 | 360
Investment advisory fees |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 75,706 | 65,957 | 58,044
Surplus note interest from subsidiary |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,080 | 4,080 | 4,080
Change in fair value of derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (810) | (8,225) | (17,122)
Loss on extinguishment of debt |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | 0 | (12,502)
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 79,438 | 62,237 | 32,990
Expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 | (4,516) | (15,227)
Interest expense on notes and loan payable |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28,248 | 28,849 | 36,370
Interest expense on subordinated debentures issued to subsidiary trusts |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,958 | 12,239 | 12,122
Other operating costs and expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,551 | 8,195 | 7,928
Total benefits and expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 49,757 | 44,767 | 41,193
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,681 | 17,470 | (8,203)
Income tax expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,073 | 7,338 | 664
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 17,608 | 10,132 | (8,867)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 65,635 | 209,698 | 134,890
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 83,243 | $ 219,830 | $ 126,023

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