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Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
--- | --- | ---
Valuation Allowance [Line Items] |  |
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance | $ 0 | $ 0
Net operating loss carryforwards | 0 |
Deferred income tax assets: |  |
Policy benefit reserves | 1,538,371 | 1,842,049
Other than temporary impairments | 9,804 | 11,262
Net unrealized losses on available for sale securities | 19,928 | 0
Derivative instruments | 141,075 | 0
Amounts due reinsurer | 0 | 6,852
Other policyholder funds | 3,368 | 3,724
Deferred compensation | 3,334 | 3,827
Share-based compensation | 3,169 | 3,383
State net operating loss carryforwards | 2,286 | 3,196
Other | 9,439 | 10,253
Gross deferred tax assets | 1,730,774 | 1,884,546
Deferred income tax liabilities: |  |
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements | (1,214,998) | (1,212,509)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity and equity securities | 0 | (220,533)
Derivative instruments | 0 | (179,776)
Policy benefit reserves | (172,578) | (197,233)
Investment income items | (37,795) | (34,849)
Amounts due reinsurer | (12,620) | 0
Other | (1,614) | (1,499)
Gross deferred tax liabilities | (1,439,605) | (1,846,399)
Net deferred income tax asset | 291,169 | $ 38,147
Deferred Tax Asset, Valuation Allowance, Unrealized Losses on Available For Sale Fixed Maturity Securities |  |
Valuation Allowance [Line Items] |  |
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance | $ 0 |

X
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