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Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	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

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

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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

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