Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue:
Life premium	$ 1,808,524	$ 1,726,244	$ 1,663,699
Health premium	1,047,379	929,466	987,421
Other premium	559	608	638
Total premium	2,856,462	2,656,318	2,651,758
Net investment income	693,644	693,028	676,364
Realized investment gains (losses)	43,433	25,924	42,190
Other-than-temporary impairments	(5,600)	(20)	(4,850)
Other income	1,577	2,151	2,170
Total revenue	3,589,516	3,377,401	3,367,632
Benefits and expenses:
Life policyholder benefits	1,172,020	1,118,909	1,082,423
Health policyholder benefits	739,541	631,820	669,191
Other policyholder benefits	44,121	42,547	41,430
Total policyholder benefits	1,955,682	1,793,276	1,793,044
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	385,167	364,583	362,390
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition expenses	203,986	216,216	209,827
Other operating expense	198,176	201,636	176,272
Interest expense	80,512	77,908	75,529
Total benefits and expense	2,823,523	2,653,619	2,617,062
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	765,993	723,782	750,570
Income taxes	(236,669)	(226,166)	(246,475)
Income from continuing operations	529,324	497,616	504,095
Discontinued operations:
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	29,784
Loss on disposal, net of tax benefit of $467 in 2011 and $2,868 in 2010	0	(455)	(35,013)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	(455)	(5,229)
Net income	$ 529,324	$ 497,161	$ 498,866
Basic net income per share:
Continuing operations	$ 5.48	$ 4.60	$ 4.13
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ (0.04)
Total basic net income per share	$ 5.48	$ 4.59	$ 4.09
Diluted net income per share:
Continuing operations	$ 5.41	$ 4.53	$ 4.09
Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ 0.00	$ (0.04)
Total diluted net income per share	$ 5.41	$ 4.53	$ 4.05
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.60	$ 0.46	$ 0.41