Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost – $10,048,100 in 2014 and $10,520,310 in 2013)	$ 11,263,174		$ 11,291,875
Equity securities available for sale, at fair value (cost – $434,875 in 2014 and $417,535 in 2013)	499,407		458,358
Commercial mortgage loans on real estate, at amortized cost	1,272,616		1,287,032
Policy loans	48,272		51,678
Short-term investments	345,246		470,458
Collateral held/pledged under securities agreements	95,985		95,215
Other investments	606,752		589,399
Total investments	14,131,452		14,244,015
Cash and cash equivalents	1,318,656		1,717,184
Premiums and accounts receivable, net	1,445,630		1,080,171
Reinsurance recoverables	7,254,585		5,752,134
Accrued investment income	138,868		145,189
Deferred acquisition costs	2,957,740		3,128,931
Property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation	277,645		253,630
Goodwill	15,132		0
Goodwill	841,239		784,561
Value of business acquired	45,462		53,549
Other intangible assets, net	381,960	[1]	354,636	[1]
Other assets	847,860		258,942
Assets held in separate accounts	1,906,237		1,941,747
Total assets	31,562,466		29,714,689
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and expenses	9,483,672		8,646,572
Unearned premiums	6,529,675		6,662,672
Claims and benefits payable	3,698,606		3,389,371
Commissions payable	487,322		429,636
Reinsurance balances payable	157,089		106,932
Funds held under reinsurance	75,161		76,778
Deferred gain on disposal of businesses	100,817		99,311
Obligation under securities agreements	95,986		95,206
Accounts payable and other liabilities	2,675,515		1,791,496
Tax payable	0		3,371
Debt	1,171,079		1,638,118
Liabilities related to separate accounts	1,906,237		1,941,747
Total liabilities	26,381,159		24,881,210
Commitments and contingencies (Note 25)
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 69,299,559 and 71,828,208 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	1,490		1,482
Additional paid-in capital	3,131,274		3,087,533
Retained earnings	4,809,287		4,415,875
Accumulated other comprehensive income	555,767		426,830
Treasury stock, at cost; 79,338,142 and 76,039,652 shares at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(3,316,511)		(3,098,241)
Total stockholders’ equity	5,181,307		4,833,479
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 31,562,466		$ 29,714,689

[1] In 2013, the Company removed $137,071 of fully amortized intangible assets that were determined to have no future value.