RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013 Shades Creek
Assets
Other long-term investments	$ 377,670	$ 378,821			$ 34,093
Short-term investments	171,010	216,787			745
Total investments	35,828,775	36,859,834			34,838
Cash	130,860	269,582	118,785	169,775	44,963
Accounts and premiums receivable	109,046	67,891			16,036
Deferred policy acquisition cost					123,847
Other assets	388,581	343,925			48,953
Total assets	57,727,260	57,157,583			268,637
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and claims	21,931,674	21,626,065			1,626
Other liabilities	997,086	1,210,579			178,321
Deferred income taxes	1,327,598	1,783,713			2,459
Total liabilities	52,931,298	51,470,370			182,406
Total equity	4,795,962	5,687,213			86,231
Total liabilities and shareowner's equity	$ 57,727,260	$ 57,157,583			$ 268,637