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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Deferred Sales Inducements and Liability for Lifetime Income Benefit Riders (Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of year | $ 2,714,523 | $ 2,905,377 | $ 2,905,136
Costs deferred during the year: commissions | 384,432 | 401,124 | 538,863
Costs deferred during the year: policy issue costs | 3,790 | 5,517 | 4,462
Amortization: Amortization | (358,563) | (304,162) | (325,848)
Amortization: Impact of unlocking | 30,572 | 48,198 | (48,164)
Effect of net unrealized gains/losses | 761,084 | (341,531) | (169,072)
Balance at end of year | $ 3,535,838 | $ 2,714,523 | $ 2,905,377
Assumptions, revision to extend period of time related to investment spread targets |  |  | 2 years

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