Business Segments (Assets By Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and invested assets	$ 12,437,699	$ 11,563,656
Accrued investment income	192,325	183,861
Deferred acquisition costs	3,484,851	3,406,335
Goodwill	396,891	396,891
Other assets	644,625	609,019
Total assets	17,156,391	16,159,762
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	2,929,739	2,803,095
Goodwill	309,609	309,609
Total assets	3,239,348	3,112,704
Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	520,685	548,436
Goodwill	87,282	87,282
Total assets	607,967	635,718
Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	34,427	54,804
Total assets	34,427	54,804
Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and invested assets	12,437,699	11,563,656
Accrued investment income	192,325	183,861
Total assets	12,630,024	11,747,517
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Other assets	644,625	609,019
Total assets	$ 644,625	$ 609,019