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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		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	$ 76,045	$ 132,205	$ 460,514	$ (318,878)
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	327,562	(101,949)	1,093,885	(969,181)
Call Options
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	76,942	131,672	462,108	(320,926)
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(688)	360	(1,056)	1,400
Interest Rate Caps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(209)	173	(538)	648
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	204,590	(288,900)	857,232	(1,394,923)
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	$ 122,972	$ 186,951	$ 236,653	$ 425,742

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Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4CC
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL109998890-113959

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-Topic 815
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-Section 50
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624171-113959

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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/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2229187

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