Significant Accounting Policies (Premiums and Annuity Deposits, By Product Type) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed index annuities: index strategies	$ 2,847,370	$ 2,223,652	$ 2,835,422
Fixed index annuities: fixed strategy	1,017,620	1,206,784	1,375,321
Fixed index annuities	3,864,990	3,430,436	4,210,743
Fixed rate annuities	112,740	148,105	247,237
Single premium immediate annuities (SPIA)	52,142	164,657	305,603
Life insurance	10,556	12,877	12,151
Premiums and annuity deposits, net of coinsurance	$ 4,040,428	$ 3,756,075	$ 4,775,734