SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details 5) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Successor
Other changes:
Add: reinsurance		$ 5,307,556
Successor | Life and health insurance
Activity in the liability for unpaid claims for life and health insurance
Balance beginning of year		403,009
Less: reinsurance		149,618
Net balance beginning of year		253,391
Incurred related to:
Current year		973,175
Prior year		95,977
Total incurred		1,069,152
Paid related to:
Current year		939,824
Prior year		111,222
Total paid		1,051,046
Other changes:
Net balance end of year	$ 253,391	271,497
Add: reinsurance	149,618	112,537
Balance end of year	403,009	384,034
Predecessor
Activity in the liability for unpaid claims for life and health insurance
Less: reinsurance	5,907,662
Other changes:
Add: reinsurance			$ 5,907,662
Predecessor | Life and health insurance
Activity in the liability for unpaid claims for life and health insurance
Balance beginning of year	419,401	403,009	334,450	$ 326,633
Less: reinsurance	163,671	149,618	117,502	155,341
Net balance beginning of year	255,730	$ 253,391	216,948	171,292
Incurred related to:
Current year	97,573		1,075,005	698,028
Prior year	9,360		102,936	68,396
Total incurred	106,933		1,177,941	766,424
Paid related to:
Current year	98,281		1,017,193	682,877
Prior year	10,991		121,966	85,146
Total paid	109,272		1,139,159	768,023
Other changes:
Acquisition and reserve transfers	0		0	47,255
Net balance end of year	253,391		255,730	216,948
Add: reinsurance	149,618		163,671	117,502
Balance end of year	$ 403,009		$ 419,401	$ 334,450