Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities - Annual (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
Net operating loss	$ 110,904	$ 94,628
Deferred compensation	65,162	56,069
Goodwill	7,009	8,434
Fixed Assets	2,003	0
Tax credits	1,630	2,668
Acquired lease liability	4,843	5,164
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	2,317	2,394
Total deferred tax assets	193,868	169,357
Valuation allowance	0	(2,263)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	193,868	167,094
Deferred tax liabilities
Basis difference on investments	(15,352)	(15,352)
Unrealized gains on investments	(34,613)	(21,739)
Intangible assets	(296)	(537)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	(47)	(66)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(50,308)	(37,694)
Deferred tax assets, net	143,560	129,400
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	47,522	$ 128,105	$ (28)
Luxembourg Reinsurance Companies [Member]
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	75,300
Valuation allowance	(75,300)
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross, Current	351,000
Hollenfels
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Other Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 37,200