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

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences between the methods used to account for reinsurance arrangements for tax purposes and under generally accepted accounting principles which will decrease future taxable income when such differences reverse.

No definition available.