FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	$ 4,794,924	$ 4,948,625
Policy loans	856,333	865,391
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	350,000	300,000
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,531,262	2,510,559
Annuity account balances	10,431,938	10,658,463
Debt
Non-recourse funding obligations	1,491,900	1,446,900
Golden Gate V
Debt
Non-recourse funding obligations	350,000
Carrying Amounts
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	4,794,924	4,948,625
Policy loans	856,333	865,391
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	350,000	300,000
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,531,262	2,510,559
Annuity account balances	10,431,938	10,658,463
Debt
Non-recourse funding obligations	1,491,900	1,446,900
Carrying Amounts | Golden Gate V
Debt
Non-recourse funding obligations	350,000	300,000
Fair Values | Golden Gate V
Debt
Non-recourse funding obligations	325,100	297,600
Fair Values | Level 3
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	5,287,854	5,723,579
Policy loans	856,333	865,391
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	341,797	319,163
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,535,865	2,534,094
Annuity account balances	10,074,996	10,525,702
Debt
Non-recourse funding obligations	$ 1,392,932	$ 1,357,290