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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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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

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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

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