FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Transfers
Securities transferred into Level 3		$ 0		$ 0
Securities transferred into Level 2 from Level 3		20,000		61,900
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		$ 0		$ 31,000
Securities transferred into Level 2 from Level 3	0		110,600		194,400
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		2,049,208		2,240,077
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		232		48,678
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		5,983		21,767
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(47,543)		(57,507)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(12,985)		(50,123)
Purchases		64,183		176,112
Sales		(107,218)		(379,646)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(20,037)		(61,890)
Other		(1,605)		(7,250)
Ending Balance	2,240,077	1,930,218		1,930,218
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(47,166)		(16,892)
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		438,123		628,397
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		17,329		230,183
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(61,366)		(88,590)
Issuances		93		179
Settlements		3,246		7,976
Ending Balance	628,397	479,007		479,007
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(40,864)		(146,309)
Level 3 | Annuity account
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		95,178		98,279
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(3,173)		(4,716)
Issuances		93		179
Settlements		3,246		7,976
Ending Balance	98,279	95,198		95,198
Level 3 | Other liabilities.
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		342,945		530,118
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		17,329		230,183
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(58,193)		(83,874)
Ending Balance	530,118	383,809		383,809
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(40,864)		146,309
Level 3 | Total investments
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,049,208		2,240,077
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		232		48,678
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		5,983		21,767
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(47,543)		(57,507)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(12,985)		(50,123)
Purchases		64,183		176,112
Sales		(107,218)		(379,646)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(20,037)		(61,890)
Other		(1,605)		(7,250)
Ending Balance	2,240,077	1,930,218		1,930,218
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(47,166)		(16,892)
Level 3 | Fixed maturities:
Assets:
Beginning Balance		1,882,229		2,109,186
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		232		8,646
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		5,939		21,723
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(2,774)		(9,025)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(12,985)		(50,123)
Purchases		64,183		176,112
Sales		(107,218)		(379,415)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(20,037)		(61,890)
Other		(1,605)		(7,250)
Ending Balance	2,109,186	1,807,964		1,807,964
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(2,397)		(8,442)
Level 3 | Fixed maturities: | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		1,702,319		1,914,583
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		76		4,367
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		5,939		21,723
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(164)		(943)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(12,985)		(50,123)
Purchases		62,183		174,112
Sales		(101,161)		(359,898)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(20,037)		(61,890)
Other		(1,678)		(7,439)
Ending Balance	1,914,583	1,634,492		1,634,492
Level 3 | Fixed maturities: | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		179,910		194,603
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		156		4,279
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(2,610)		(8,082)
Purchases		2,000		2,000
Sales		(6,057)		(19,517)
Other		73		189
Ending Balance	194,603	173,472		173,472
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(2,397)		(8,442)
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		590,885		603,646
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income				165
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings				(92)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(4,185)		(17,076)
Sales				(127)
Other		(949)		(765)
Ending Balance	603,646	585,751		585,751
Level 3 | Other asset-backed securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		160,594		169,473
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		83		4,032
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(1,640)		(6,813)
Purchases		2,000		2,000
Sales		(6,001)		(13,877)
Other		117		338
Ending Balance	169,473	155,153		155,153
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(1,500)		(6,896)
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		1,111,431		1,307,259
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		76		4,367
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		5,939		21,558
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(164)		(851)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(8,800)		(33,047)
Purchases		62,183		174,112
Sales		(101,161)		(356,096)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3		(20,037)		(61,890)
Other		(729)		(6,674)
Ending Balance	1,307,259	1,048,738		1,048,738
Level 3 | Corporate securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		19,316		25,130
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		73		247
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(970)		(1,269)
Sales		(56)		(5,640)
Other		(44)		(149)
Ending Balance	25,130	18,319		18,319
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(897)		(1,546)
Level 3 | Equity securities
Assets:
Beginning Balance		66,460		66,691
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		44		44
Sales				(231)
Ending Balance	66,691	66,504		66,504
Level 3 | Other long-term investments.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		100,519		64,200
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings				40,032
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(44,769)		(48,482)
Ending Balance	64,200	55,750		55,750
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		$ (44,769)		(8,450)
Level 3 | Predecessor
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,198,843		2,449,931	2,221,953	2,490,492
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	17,805		3,123		12,246
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		10,596		100,142
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(15,501)		(8,427)		(43,683)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(13,843)		(22,507)
Purchases			11,797		116,481
Sales	(7,586)		(72,662)		(213,992)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(110,587)		(163,358)
Other	(199)		(1,252)		(7,145)
Ending Balance	2,221,953		2,268,676		2,268,676
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	2,304		(4,427)		(35,654)
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	604,168		502,125	730,226	340,738
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	61		23,179		22,342
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(126,531)		(42,833)		(211,050)
Issuances	7		125		300
Settlements	419		3,590		11,432
Ending Balance	730,226		518,314		518,314
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(125,934)		(20,516)		(186,447)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Annuity account
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	97,825		102,456	97,949	107,000
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			862
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(536)				(2,261)
Issuances	7		125		300
Settlements	419		3,590		11,432
Ending Balance	97,949		98,129		98,129
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other liabilities.
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	506,343		399,669	632,277	233,738
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	61		22,317		22,342
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(125,995)		(42,833)		(208,789)
Ending Balance	632,277		420,185		420,185
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(125,934)		(20,516)		(186,447)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Total investments
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,198,843		2,449,931	2,221,953	2,490,492
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	17,805		3,123		12,246
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		10,596		100,142
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(15,501)		(8,427)		(43,683)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(13,843)		(22,507)
Purchases			11,797		116,481
Sales	(7,586)		(72,662)		(213,992)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(110,587)		(163,358)
Other	(199)		(1,252)		(7,145)
Ending Balance	2,221,953		2,268,676		2,268,676
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	2,304		(4,427)		(35,654)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities:
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,087,527		2,304,827	2,109,186	2,323,627
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,188		2,228		10,926
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		10,596		98,950
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(335)		(1,584)		(4,751)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(13,752)		(22,250)
Purchases			11,797		106,930
Sales	(7,586)		(72,217)		(212,873)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(99,936)		(152,707)
Other	(199)		(1,252)		(7,145)
Ending Balance	2,109,186		2,140,707		2,140,707
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	853		1,521		1,958
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities: | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	1,893,322		2,096,079	1,914,583	2,099,451
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			201		1,170
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		10,596		98,950
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings			(71)		(71)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(13,752)		(22,250)
Purchases			11,797		102,029
Sales	(7,094)		(59,497)		(172,348)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205		(96,565)		(151,858)
Other	(236)		(1,934)		(8,219)
Ending Balance	1,914,583		1,946,854		1,946,854
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities: | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	194,205		208,748	194,603	224,176
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,188		2,027		9,756
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(335)		(1,513)		(4,680)
Purchases					4,901
Sales	(492)		(12,720)		(40,525)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			(3,371)		(849)
Other	37		682		1,074
Ending Balance	194,603		193,853		193,853
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	853		1,521		1,958
Level 3 | Predecessor | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	3		10	3	28
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income			(1)		(1)
Sales			(5)		(23)
Other			1		1
Ending Balance	3		5		5
Level 3 | Predecessor | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance			842
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			11		11
Purchases					842
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			(853)		(853)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other asset-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	563,961		568,097	603,646	545,808
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income			2,161		36,227
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings			(71)		(71)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(3,867)		(4,299)		(5,532)
Sales	(32)		(140)		(9,934)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	43,205
Other	379		(380)		(1,130)
Ending Balance	603,646		565,368		565,368
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other asset-backed securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	169,461		176,386	169,473	194,977
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	586		1,834		8,685
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(139)		(837)		(3,951)
Sales	(472)		(7,137)		(29,832)
Other	37		430		797
Ending Balance	169,473		170,676		170,676
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	447		1,287		1,959
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		1,524,297	1,307,259	1,549,940
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			201		1,170
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		8,435		62,723
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(23,029)		(9,452)		(16,717)
Purchases			11,797		102,029
Sales	(7,062)		(59,352)		(162,391)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			(96,565)		(151,858)
Other	(615)		(1,555)		(7,090)
Ending Balance	1,307,259		1,377,806		1,377,806
Level 3 | Predecessor | Corporate securities | Trading Securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	24,744		31,520	25,130	29,199
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	602		182		1,060
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(196)		(676)		(729)
Purchases					4,059
Sales	(20)		(5,583)		(10,693)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			(2,518)		4
Other			252		277
Ending Balance	25,130		23,177		23,177
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	406		234		(1)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Equity securities
Assets:
Beginning Balance	66,691		77,882	66,691	67,979
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income					1,192
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income			(91)		(257)
Purchases					9,551
Sales			(445)		(1,119)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3			(10,651)		(10,651)
Ending Balance	66,691		66,695		66,695
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other long-term investments.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	44,625		67,222	$ 46,076	98,886
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	16,617		895		1,320
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(15,166)		(6,843)		(38,932)
Ending Balance	46,076		61,274		61,274
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	$ 1,451		$ (5,948)		$ (37,612)