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Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | ---
Deferred income tax assets: |  |
Policy benefit reserves | $ 2,354,786 | $ 2,092,731
Other than temporary impairments | 15,681 | 7,801
Derivative instruments | 0 | 91,638
Amounts due reinsurer | 1,321 | 0
Other policyholder funds | 6,474 | 6,861
Litigation settlement accrual | 1,709 | 7,100
Deferred compensation | 7,963 | 8,346
Share-based compensation | 5,407 | 5,286
Net operating loss carryforwards | 3,745 | 6,637
Other | 9,658 | 8,031
Gross deferred tax assets | 2,406,744 | 2,234,431
Deferred income tax liabilities: |  |
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements | (1,951,333) | (1,860,722)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity and equity securities | (170,925) | (96,454)
Derivative instruments | (75,405) | 0
Amounts due reinsurer | 0 | (9,677)
Investment income items | (39,118) | (32,466)
Other | (1,385) | (2,429)
Gross deferred tax liabilities | (2,238,166) | (2,001,748)
Net deferred income tax asset | $ 168,578 | $ 232,683

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