Shareholders' Equity - Share Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Globe Life Share Repurchase Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares Acquired (in shares)	4,459	3,932	4,406
Total Cost	$ 380,112	$ 350,080	$ 371,794
Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 85.24	$ 89.04	$ 84.38
Share Repurchase for Dilution Purposes
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Shares Acquired (in shares)	676	1,209	571
Total Cost	$ 63,754	$ 109,489	$ 49,955
Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 94.28	$ 90.52	$ 87.54