BUSINESS SEGMENTS (DETAILS) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Revenues:
Fee revenue and other income	$ 7.0		$ 6.4		$ 13.4		$ 12.9
Total revenues	969.7		961.4		1,920.3		1,969.2
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	691.1		673.2		1,381.4		1,427.3
Other operating costs and expenses	201.5		179.8		395.6		369.4
Total expenses	872.8		863.2		1,731.4		1,799.7
Pre-tax operating earnings	96.9		98.2		188.9		169.5
Gain related to reinsurance transaction	(3.8)		0		(3.8)		0
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	969.7		961.4		1,920.3		1,969.2
Net realized investment gains	11.7		1.6		33.0		14.8
Revenues related to certain non-strategic investments and earnings attributable to VIEs	7.3		8.2		13.6		15.1
Revenues of CLIC being sold	104.3		110.3		210.8		225.0
Total revenues	1,093.0		1,081.5		2,177.7		2,224.1
Insurance policy benefits - fair value changes in embedded derivative liabilities	10.1		(29.0)		25.3		(32.1)
Amortization related to fair value changes in embedded derivative liabilities	(2.7)		10.5		(6.9)		11.5
Amortization related to net realized investment gains	0.1		0.4		0.5		1.2
Expenses related to certain non-strategic investments and earnings attributable to VIEs	10.2		11.1		19.8		19.9
Loss on extinguishment or modification of debt	0.6		7.7		0.6		65.4
Loss on sale of subsidiary	0		0		278.6		0
Expenses of CLIC being sold	91.3		102.9		187.4		209.2
Total benefits and expenses	978.6		966.8		2,232.9		2,074.8
Income (loss) before income taxes	114.4		114.7		(55.2)		149.3
Tax expense on period income	40.3		42.6		79.3		75.8
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes and other tax items	(4.0)		(5.0)		15.4		(15.5)
Net income (loss)	78.1		77.1		(149.9)		89.0
Bankers Life
Revenues:
Annuities	7.7		8.6		15.2		16.5
Health	320.5		334.1		651.0		666.7
Life	79.9		76.4		158.2		153.9
Net investment income (loss)	247.6	[1]	226.6	[1]	472.0	[1]	488.3	[1]
Fee revenue and other income	5.8	[1]	4.0	[1]	11.1	[1]	7.7	[1]
Total revenues	661.5		649.7		1,307.5		1,333.1
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	427.9		434.1		842.9		904.6
Amortization	45.4		45.7		93.6		100.2
Interest expense on investment borrowings	1.9		1.7		3.8		3.1
Other operating costs and expenses	98.9		89.1		195.6		184.0
Total expenses	574.1		570.6		1,135.9		1,191.9
Pre-tax operating earnings	87.4		79.1		171.6		141.2
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	661.5		649.7		1,307.5		1,333.1
Washington National
Revenues:
Annuities	1.4		1.7		2.4		3.2
Health	148.8		145.8		297.7		291.2
Life	6.5		5.6		12.2		11.6
Net investment income (loss)	71.8	[1]	69.8	[1]	140.8	[1]	147.7	[1]
Fee revenue and other income	0.2	[1]	0.2	[1]	0.4	[1]	0.4	[1]
Total revenues	228.7		223.1		453.5		454.1
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	132.8		130.3		264.6		268.0
Amortization	16.0		16.2		32.3		33.3
Interest expense on investment borrowings	0.5		0.5		0.9		1.0
Other operating costs and expenses	47.1		40.3		92.3		82.0
Total expenses	196.4		187.3		390.1		384.3
Pre-tax operating earnings	32.3		35.8		63.4		69.8
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	228.7		223.1		453.5		454.1
Colonial Penn
Revenues:
Health	0.9		1.1		1.9		2.2
Life	60.8		56.9		120.3		112.7
Net investment income (loss)	10.5	[1]	9.9	[1]	21.2	[1]	19.8	[1]
Fee revenue and other income	0.3	[1]	0.2	[1]	0.5	[1]	0.4	[1]
Total revenues	72.5		68.1		143.9		135.1
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	43.2		41.2		87.9		84.2
Amortization	3.8		3.7		7.8		7.4
Other operating costs and expenses	21.7		22.0		50.6		47.7
Total expenses	68.7		66.9		146.3		139.3
Pre-tax operating earnings	3.8		1.2		(2.4)		(4.2)
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	72.5		68.1		143.9		135.1
Other CNO Business
Revenues:
Health	0		6.1		0		12.3
Net investment income (loss)	0	[1]	8.4	[1]	0	[1]	16.8	[1]
Total revenues	0		14.5		0		29.1
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	0		15.3		0		30.9
Other operating costs and expenses	0		6.4		0		12.7
Total expenses	0		21.7		0		43.6
Pre-tax operating earnings	0		(7.2)		0		(14.5)
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	0		14.5		0		29.1
Corporate operations
Revenues:
Net investment income (loss)	5.7		4.5		12.7		14.6
Fee revenue and other income	1.3		1.5		2.7		3.2
Total revenues	7.0		6.0		15.4		17.8
Benefits and expenses:
Interest expense on investment borrowings	0		0		0		0.1
Interest expense on corporate debt	11.1		13.1		22.2		28.2
Other operating costs and expenses	22.5		3.6		36.9		12.3
Total expenses	33.6		16.7		59.1		40.6
Pre-tax operating earnings	(26.6)		(10.7)		(43.7)		(22.8)
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	$ 7.0		$ 6.0		$ 15.4		$ 17.8

[1] It is not practicable to provide additional components of revenue by product or services.