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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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	$ (20,042)	$ 595,311	$ 440,472	$ 276,433
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	212,278	383,716	1,306,163	(585,465)
Call Options
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(19,997)	594,872	442,111	273,946
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(3)	258	(1,059)	1,658
Interest Rate Caps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	(42)	181	(580)	829
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	24,998	196,808	882,230	(1,198,115)
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	$ 187,280	$ 186,908	$ 423,933	$ 612,650

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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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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (e)
-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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