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

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences between the methods used to account for reinsurance arrangements for tax purposes and under generally accepted accounting principles which will decrease future taxable income when such differences reverse.

No definition available.