No definition available.

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Realized gains (losses) from investments, Applicable tax

No definition available.

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Realized gains (losses) from investments, Net of tax

No definition available.

Name:	tmk_RealizedGainsLossesFromInvestmentsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	tmk_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Total expenses related to the generation of investment income in debt and equity securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.9)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense
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The income earned from investments in securities and property, equipment and other capital assets. It includes rent from property and equipment, dividends from shares in corporations, and interest from bonds, loans, mortgages, derivatives, commercial paper, bank accounts, certificates of deposits, treasuries, and other financial securities. It does not include realized gains and losses on investments.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 16

-Article 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 2

-Article 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Name:	us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome
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The amount of investment earnings, excluding realized and unrealized gain (loss), recognized in the period on holdings of equity securities, net of related investment expenses.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 2

-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Name:	us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncomeInsuranceEntityEquitySecurities
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The amount of investment earnings, excluding realized and unrealized gain (loss), recognized in the period on holdings of debt securities having stated maturity dates, net of related investment expenses.

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The amount of investment earnings, excluding realized and unrealized gain (loss), recognized in the period on investments that the entity intends to hold for at least a year which are not otherwise specified in the disclosed schedule of investments, net of related investment expenses.

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The amount of investment earnings, excluding realized and unrealized gain (loss), recognized in the period on loans secured by benefits in borrowers' insurance contracts, net of related investment expenses.

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The amount of investment earnings, excluding realized and unrealized gain (loss), recognized in the period on investments that the entity intends to hold for at less than a year which are not otherwise specified in the disclosed schedule of investments, net of related investment expenses.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 325

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485959&loc=d3e22529-158502

Name:	us-gaap_RealizedInvestmentGainsLosses
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The net change in the difference between the fair value and the carrying value, or in the comparative fair values, of investments, not including unrealized gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, held at each balance sheet date and included in earnings for the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585