Schedule Of Analysis Deferred Acquisition Costs (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Balance at beginning of year				$ 2,916,732	[1]	$ 2,869,546	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Commissions				151,360		139,699	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Other expenses				84,632		79,290	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Total deferred costs				235,992		218,989	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment losses				6,571	[3]	0	[2],[3]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Foreign exchange adjustment				76		1,667	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Total additions				242,639		220,656	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Amortized during period	(96,601)	(91,664)	[4]	(193,099)		(184,127)	[2],[4],[5]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Adjustment attributable to unrealized investment gains				0	[3]	(5,999)	[2],[3]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Total deductions				(193,099)		(190,126)	[2]
Deferred Acquisition Costs, Balance at end of period	$ 2,966,272	$ 2,900,076	[2]	$ 2,966,272		$ 2,900,076	[2]

[1] Derived from audited financial statements. Additionally, 2011 balances have been retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note F-Adoption of New Accounting Standard.

[2] The 2011 balances have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of the new accounting guidance.

[3] Represents amounts pertaining to investments relating to universal life-type products.

[4] The 2011 balances have been retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note F-Adoption of New Accounting Standard.

[5] The 2011 balances have been retroactively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note F-Adoption of New Accounting Standard.