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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
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Mar. 31, 2017 | Mar. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ 386,533 | $ (74,065)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 224,170 | 265,857
Call Options [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 386,736 | (70,751)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 75 | (2,644)
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (278) | (670)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 76,210 | 179,715
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 | $ 147,960 | $ 86,142

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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=64837297&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=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
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