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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, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017 | Sep. 30, 2018 | Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ 595,311 | $ 362,525 | $ 276,433 | $ 1,015,878
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 383,716 | 229,702 | (585,465) | 628,845
Call Options |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 594,872 | 362,560 | 273,946 | 1,017,001
Interest Rate Swap |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 258 | 63 | 1,658 | (411)
Interest Rate Caps |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 181 | (98) | 829 | (712)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 196,808 | 41,140 | (1,198,115) | 121,026
Other Changes in Difference Between Policy Benefit Reserves Computed Using Derivative Accounting Vs. Long-Duration Contracts Accounting |  |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 186,908 | $ 188,562 | $ 612,650 | $ 507,819

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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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