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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 | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ 362,525 | $ 103,794 | $ 1,015,878 | $ 68,828
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 229,702 | 144,404 | 628,845 | 694,564
Call Options [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 362,560 | 103,267 | 1,017,001 | 72,910
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 63 | 647 | (411) | (2,979)
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (98) | (120) | (712) | (1,103)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 41,140 | 41,561 | 121,026 | 421,193
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 | $ 188,562 | $ 102,843 | $ 507,819 | $ 273,371

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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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