Business Segments - Assets by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 01, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and invested assets	$ 13,456,944	$ 14,155,919
Accrued investment income	200,038	195,497
Deferred acquisition costs	3,337,649	3,198,431		2,916,732	2,869,546
Goodwill	441,591	441,591	44,700
Other assets	755,522	785,472
Total assets	18,191,744	18,776,910
Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	2,809,199	2,688,876
Goodwill	309,609	309,609
Total assets	3,118,808	2,998,485
Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	497,743	481,725
Goodwill	131,982	131,982
Total assets	629,725	613,707
Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Deferred acquisition costs	30,707	27,830
Total assets	30,707	27,830
Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Cash and invested assets	13,456,944	14,155,919
Accrued investment income	200,038	195,497
Total assets	13,656,982	14,351,416
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Other assets	755,522	785,472
Total assets	$ 755,522	$ 785,472