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Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ 1,677,871 | $ 164,219 | $ (336,146)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 919,735 | 543,465 | (464,698)
Call Options [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 1,678,283 | 165,029 | (327,921)
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 0 | 0 | (4,516)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 255 | (482) | (2,341)
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (667) | (328) | (1,368)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 174,154 | 145,045 | (825,668)
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 | 745,581 | 398,420 | 365,486
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ (4,516)

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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=84234895&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=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
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