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Investments (Credit Quality of Fixed Maturity Security Portfolio by NAIC Designation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
--- | --- | ---
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | $ 40,030,780 | $ 35,900,332
Fair value | 41,129,260 | 36,487,216
NAIC, Class 1 Designation [Member] |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | 25,607,268 | 23,363,259
Fair value | 26,507,798 | 24,207,801
NAIC, Class 2 Designation [Member] |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | 13,037,592 | 11,709,730
Fair value | 13,295,648 | 11,589,325
NAIC, Class 3 Designation [Member] |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | 1,201,059 | 758,531
Fair value | 1,155,702 | 643,293
NAIC, Class 4 Designation [Member] |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | 154,226 | 60,480
Fair value | 137,188 | 44,312
NAIC, Class 5 Designation [Member] |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | 17,475 | 0
Fair value | 24,664 | 0
NAIC, Class 6 Designation [Member] |  |
Investment Holdings [Line Items] |  |
Amortized cost | 13,160 | 8,332
Fair value | $ 8,260 | $ 2,485

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