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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, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Balance at beginning of year | $ 3,535,838 | $ 2,714,523 | $ 2,905,377
Costs deferred during the year: commissions | 419,165 | 384,432 | 401,124
Costs deferred during the year: policy issue costs | 3,351 | 3,790 | 5,517
Amortization: Amortization | (280,699) | (358,563) | (304,162)
Amortization: Impact of unlocking | 192,982 | 30,572 | 48,198
Effect of net unrealized gains/losses | (947,183) | 761,084 | (341,531)
Balance at end of year | $ 2,923,454 | $ 3,535,838 | $ 2,714,523

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