CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 40,887,859,000	$ 39,645,111,000
Fixed maturities, fair value	2,796,603,000	2,733,340,000
Equity securities, cost	726,605,000	729,951,000
Mortgage loans, securitizations	245,202,000	277,964,000
Investment real estate, accumulated depreciation	113,000	252,000
Other intangibles, accumulated amortization	126,604,000	79,183,000
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 18,822,000	$ 16,573,000
Preferred Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000	2,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation preference	$ 2,000	$ 2,000
Common Stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common Stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Net unrealized gains on investments, income tax	$ (54,512,000)	$ (349,242,000)
Net unrealized (losses) gains relating to other-than-temporary impaired investments for which a portion has been recognized in earnings, income tax	(27,000)	(3,864,000)
Accumulated loss - derivatives, income tax	$ 549,000	$ 391,000