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, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	$ 595,311	$ 362,525	$ 276,433	$ 1,015,878
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	383,716	229,702	(585,465)	628,845
Call Options
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	594,872	362,560	273,946	1,017,001
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	258	63	1,658	(411)
Interest Rate Caps
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of derivatives	181	(98)	829	(712)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	196,808	41,140	(1,198,115)	121,026
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	$ 186,908	$ 188,562	$ 612,650	$ 507,819

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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/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959

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- Definition

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/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84234895&loc=SL5624171-113959

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