FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		5 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Transfers
Securities transferred into Level 3		$ 0		$ 0
Securities transferred into Level 2 from Level 3		21,800		41,900
Securities transferred from Level 2 to Level 1		0		90,400
Securities transferred out of Level 1		0		0
Predecessor
Transfers
Securities transferred into Level 3	$ 43,200		$ 1,300		$ 31,000
Securities transferred into Level 2 from Level 3			67,500		83,800
Securities transferred from Level 2 to Level 1	0		0		0
Securities transferred out of Level 1	0		0		0
Level 3
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,219,304		2,240,077
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		29,367		48,446
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(9,870)		(9,964)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(225,095)		(272,428)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,220)		(5,645)
Ending Balance	2,240,077	2,049,208		2,049,208
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		16,617		29,310
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		574,837		628,397
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		147,963		212,854
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(14,090)		(27,225)
Issuances		72		86
Settlements		2,913		4,731
Ending Balance	628,397	438,123		438,123
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		134,784		(187,173)
Level 3 | Annuity account
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		97,108		98,279
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(911)		(1,544)
Issuances		72		86
Settlements		2,913		4,731
Ending Balance	98,279	95,178		95,178
Level 3 | Other liabilities.
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		477,729		530,118
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		147,963		212,854
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(13,179)		(25,681)
Ending Balance	530,118	342,945		342,945
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		134,784		187,173
Level 3 | Total investments
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,219,304		2,240,077
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		29,367		48,446
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(9,870)		(9,964)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(225,095)		(272,428)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,220)		(5,645)
Ending Balance	2,240,077	2,049,208		2,049,208
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		16,617		29,310
Level 3 | Fixed maturities:
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,073,391		2,109,186
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		4,385		8,414
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(6,185)		(6,251)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(224,864)		(272,197)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,220)		(5,645)
Ending Balance	2,109,186	1,882,229		1,882,229
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(4,680)		(7,009)
Level 3 | Fixed maturities: | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		1,883,277		1,914,583
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		3,656		4,291
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(779)		(779)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(219,235)		(258,737)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,322)		(5,761)
Ending Balance	1,914,583	1,702,319		1,702,319
Level 3 | Fixed maturities: | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		190,114		194,603
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		729		4,123
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(5,406)		(5,472)
Sales		(5,629)		(13,460)
Other		102		116
Ending Balance	194,603	179,910		179,910
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(4,680)		(7,009)
Level 3 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		3		3
Ending Balance	3	3		3
Level 3 | Other asset-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		600,132		603,646
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		165		165
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(92)		(92)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(9,323)		(12,891)
Sales		(87)		(127)
Other		90		184
Ending Balance	603,646	590,885		590,885
Level 3 | Other asset-backed securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		170,500		169,473
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		589		3,949
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(5,173)		(5,173)
Sales		(5,468)		(7,876)
Other		146		221
Ending Balance	169,473	160,594		160,594
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(4,587)		(5,829)
Level 3 | States, municipals, and political subdivisions | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance				3,675
Sales				(3,675)
Ending Balance	3,675
Level 3 | Corporate securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		1,283,142		1,307,259
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		3,656		4,291
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,001		15,619
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(687)		(687)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(24,247)		(24,247)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(219,148)		(254,935)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,412)		(5,945)
Ending Balance	1,307,259	1,111,431		1,111,431
Level 3 | Corporate securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		19,614		25,130
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		140		174
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(233)		(299)
Sales		(161)		(5,584)
Other		(44)		(105)
Ending Balance	25,130	19,316		19,316
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(93)		(1,180)
Level 3 | Equity securities
Assets:
Beginning Balance		66,691		66,691
Sales		(231)		(231)
Ending Balance	66,691	66,460		66,460
Level 3 | Other long-term investments.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		79,222		64,200
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		24,982		40,032
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(3,685)		(3,713)
Ending Balance	64,200	100,519		100,519
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		$ 21,297		36,319
Level 3 | Predecessor
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,198,843		2,505,121	2,221,953	2,490,492
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	17,805		6,852		9,123
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		58,165		89,546
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(15,501)		(11,531)		(35,256)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(2,354)		(8,664)
Purchases			65,746		104,685
Sales	(7,586)		(102,316)		(141,329)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(66,228)		(52,771)
Other	(199)		(3,524)		(5,895)
Ending Balance	2,221,953		2,449,931		2,449,931
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	2,304		(7,689)		(31,010)
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	604,168		414,142	730,226	340,738
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	61		13		25
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(126,531)		(92,847)		(169,079)
Issuances	7		63		175
Settlements	419		4,914		7,842
Ending Balance	730,226		502,125		502,125
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(125,934)		(91,120)		(165,931)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Annuity account
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	97,825		105,593	97,949	107,000
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(536)		(1,714)		(3,123)
Issuances	7		63		175
Settlements	419		4,914		7,842
Ending Balance	97,949		102,456		102,456
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other liabilities.
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	506,343		308,549	632,277	233,738
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	61		13		25
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(125,995)		(91,133)		(165,956)
Ending Balance	632,277		399,669		399,669
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(125,934)		(91,120)		(165,931)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Total investments
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,198,843		2,505,121	2,221,953	2,490,492
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	17,805		6,852		9,123
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		58,165		89,546
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(15,501)		(11,531)		(35,256)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(2,354)		(8,664)
Purchases			65,746		104,685
Sales	(7,586)		(102,316)		(141,329)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(66,228)		(52,771)
Other	(199)		(3,524)		(5,895)
Ending Balance	2,221,953		2,449,931		2,449,931
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	2,304		(7,689)		(31,010)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities:
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,087,527		2,351,817	2,109,186	2,323,627
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,188		6,538		8,698
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		57,200		88,354
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(335)		(2,726)		(3,167)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(2,354)		(8,498)
Purchases			65,746		95,134
Sales	(7,586)		(101,642)		(140,655)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(66,228)		(52,771)
Other	(199)		(3,524)		(5,895)
Ending Balance	2,109,186		2,304,827		2,304,827
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	853		802		654
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities: | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	1,893,322		2,126,207	1,914,583	2,099,451
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			74		969
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		57,200		88,354
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(2,354)		(8,498)
Purchases			60,845		90,233
Sales	(7,094)		(74,712)		(112,850)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(67,478)		(55,293)
Other	(236)		(3,703)		(6,287)
Ending Balance	1,914,583		2,096,079		2,096,079
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities: | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	194,205		225,610	194,603	224,176
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,188		6,464		7,729
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(335)		(2,726)		(3,167)
Purchases			4,901		4,901
Sales	(492)		(26,930)		(27,805)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			1,250		2,522
Other	37		179		392
Ending Balance	194,603		208,748		208,748
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	853		802		654
Level 3 | Predecessor | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	3		17	3	28
Purchases					1
Sales			(6)		(17)
Other			(1)		(2)
Ending Balance	3		10		10
Level 3 | Predecessor | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Purchases			842		842
Ending Balance			842		842
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other asset-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	563,961		548,805	603,646	545,808
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income			29,929		34,066
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(3,867)		(104)		(1,233)
Sales	(32)		(9,534)		(9,794)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205
Other	379		(999)		(750)
Ending Balance	603,646		568,097		568,097
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other asset-backed securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	169,461		194,664	169,473	194,977
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	586		6,124		6,851
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(139)		(2,686)		(3,114)
Sales	(472)		(21,883)		(22,695)
Other	37		167		367
Ending Balance	169,473		176,386		176,386
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	447		522		654
Level 3 | Predecessor | States, municipals, and political subdivisions | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	3,675		3,675	3,675	3,675
Ending Balance	3,675		3,675		3,675
Level 3 | Predecessor | Corporate securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	1,325,683		1,573,710	1,307,259	1,549,940
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			74		969
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		27,271		54,288
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(23,029)		(2,250)		(7,265)
Purchases			60,845		90,232
Sales	(7,062)		(65,172)		(103,039)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			(67,478)		(55,293)
Other	(615)		(2,703)		(5,535)
Ending Balance	1,307,259		1,524,297		1,524,297
Level 3 | Predecessor | Corporate securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	24,744		30,946	25,130	29,199
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	602		340		878
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(196)		(40)		(53)
Purchases			4,059		4,059
Sales	(20)		(5,047)		(5,110)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			1,250		2,522
Other			12		25
Ending Balance	25,130		31,520		31,520
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	406		280
Level 3 | Predecessor | Equity securities
Assets:
Beginning Balance	66,691		77,591	66,691	67,979
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income			965		1,192
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income					(166)
Purchases					9,551
Sales			(674)		(674)
Ending Balance	66,691		77,882		77,882
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other long-term investments.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	44,625		75,713	$ 46,076	98,886
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	16,617		314		425
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(15,166)		(8,805)		(32,089)
Ending Balance	46,076		67,222		67,222
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	$ 1,451		$ (8,491)		$ (31,664)