Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fixed maturity securities:
Available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2017 - $43,116,759; 2016 - $39,953,955)	$ 45,372,989	$ 41,060,494
Held for investment, at amortized cost (fair value: 2017 - $76,460; 2016 - $68,766)	77,041	76,825
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,665,531	2,480,956
Derivative instruments	1,568,380	830,519
Other investments	616,764	308,774
Total investments	50,300,705	44,757,568
Cash and cash equivalents	1,434,045	791,266
Coinsurance deposits	4,858,289	4,639,492
Accrued investment income	429,008	397,773
Deferred policy acquisition costs	2,714,523	2,905,377
Deferred sales inducements	2,001,892	2,208,218
Deferred income taxes	38,147	168,578
Income taxes recoverable	0	11,474
Other assets	254,127	173,726
Total assets	62,030,736	56,053,472
Liabilities:
Policy benefit reserves	56,142,673	51,637,026
Other policy funds and contract claims	282,884	298,347
Notes and loan payable	494,093	493,755
Subordinated debentures	242,565	241,853
Income taxes payable	34,285	0
Other liabilities	1,984,079	1,090,896
Total liabilities	59,180,579	53,761,877
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share, 2,000,000 shares authorized, 2017 and 2016 - no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share, 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2017 - 89,331,087 shares (excluding 2,064,727 treasury shares); 2016 - 88,001,130 shares (excluding 2,887,082 treasury shares)	89,331	88,001
Additional paid-in capital	791,446	770,344
Accumulated other comprehensive income	724,599	339,966
Retained earnings	1,244,781	1,093,284
Total stockholders' equity	2,850,157	2,291,595
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 62,030,736	$ 56,053,472