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Investments (Schedule of Credit Quality of Fixed Maturity Portfolio by NAIC Designation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$ 42,563,261	$ 40,030,780
Fair value	44,676,343	41,129,260
NAIC, Class 1 Designation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	26,653,735	25,607,268
Fair value	28,133,264	26,507,798
NAIC, Class 2 Designation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	14,618,128	13,037,592
Fair value	15,264,374	13,295,648
NAIC, Class 3 Designation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	1,156,976	1,201,059
Fair value	1,149,258	1,155,702
NAIC, Class 4 Designation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	102,604	154,226
Fair value	98,308	137,188
NAIC, Class 5 Designation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	19,492	17,475
Fair value	22,271	24,664
NAIC, Class 6 Designation [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	12,326	13,160
Fair value	$ 8,868	$ 8,260

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Amortized cost of fixed maturity portfolio, available for sale and held for investment, combined totals.

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