Other Balances By Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Future policy benefits	$ 10,706,219	$ 9,572,257
Unearned and advance premium	76,088	69,539
Policy claims and other benefits payable	228,470	222,254
Total	11,010,777	9,864,050
Life Insurance
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Future policy benefits	8,093,618	7,697,108
Unearned and advance premium	16,856	16,965
Policy claims and other benefits payable	123,600	118,737
Total	8,234,074	7,832,810
Health Insurance
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Future policy benefits	1,264,540	589,441
Unearned and advance premium	59,232	52,574
Policy claims and other benefits payable	104,870	103,517
Total	1,428,642	745,532
Annuity
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Future policy benefits	1,348,061	1,285,708
Total	$ 1,348,061	$ 1,285,708

The sum of the known and estimated amounts payable as of the balance sheet date to policyholders pertaining to insured events for long-duration contracts, which can be viewed as either (a) the present value of future benefits to be paid to or on behalf of policyholders and expenses less the present value of future net premiums payable under the insurance contracts or (b) the accumulated amount of net premiums already collected less the accumulated amount of benefits and expenses already paid to or on behalf of policyholders.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 60

-Paragraph 21-26

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 97

-Paragraph 15-21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 40

-Section 25

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6482067&loc=d3e13145-158430

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 113

-Paragraph 26

-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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph a

-Article 7

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.13(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

- Definition

Carrying amount of premiums written on insurance contracts that have not been earned as of the balance sheet date.

+ References+ Details