Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2013 - $12,267,490 ; 2012 - $11,963,406)	$ 12,756,917	$ 13,541,193	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2013 - $875 ; 2012 - $14,875)	1,654	15,567	[1]
Policy loans	441,867	424,050	[1]
Other long-term investments	14,539	18,539	[1]
Short-term investments	135,988	94,860	[1]
Total investments	13,350,965	14,094,209	[1]
Cash	38,792	61,710	[1]
Accrued investment income	203,473	195,497	[1]
Other receivables	412,972	383,709	[1]
Deferred acquisition costs	3,306,417	3,198,431	[1]
Goodwill	441,591	441,591	[1]
Other assets	383,504	401,763	[1]
Total assets	18,137,714	18,776,910	[1]
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	11,118,833	10,706,219	[1]
Unearned and advance premiums	78,098	76,088	[1]
Policy claims and other benefits payable	248,821	228,470	[1]
Other policyholders' funds	94,348	93,288	[1]
Total policy liabilities	11,540,100	11,104,065	[1]
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,272,175	1,609,828	[1]
Other liabilities	330,070	392,502	[1]
Short-term debt	227,927	319,043	[1]
Long-term debt (fair value: 2013 - $1,145,499 ; 2012 - $1,191,320)	990,566	989,686	[1]
Total liabilities	14,360,838	14,415,124	[1]
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share - Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2013 and in 2012	0	0	[1]
Common stock, par value $1 per share - Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2013 - 105,812,123 issued, less 15,058,017 held in treasury and 2012 - 105,812,123 issued, less 11,576,487 held in treasury)	105,812	105,812	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	471,566	439,782	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	237,143	925,275	[1]
Retained earnings	3,724,146	3,403,338	[1]
Treasury stock, at cost	(761,791)	(512,421)	[1]
Total shareholders' equity	3,776,876	4,361,786	[1]
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 18,137,714	$ 18,776,910	[1]

[1] Derived from audited financial statements