Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014-$12,699,242 ; 2013-$12,488,875)	$ 14,128,324	$ 12,879,133	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2014-$776 ; 2013-$875)	1,427	1,884	[1]
Policy loans	457,824	448,887	[1]
Other long-term investments	12,134	13,207	[1]
Short-term investments	48,561	76,890	[1]
Total investments	14,648,270	13,420,001	[1]
Cash	45,803	36,943	[1]
Accrued investment income	202,465	200,038	[1]
Other receivables	425,425	331,103	[1]
Deferred acquisition costs	3,398,379	3,337,649	[1]
Goodwill	441,591	441,591	[1]
Other assets	489,868	424,419	[1]
Total assets	19,651,801	18,191,744	[1]
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	11,521,630	11,256,155	[1]
Unearned and advance premiums	74,973	74,174	[1]
Policy claims and other benefits payable	213,553	223,380	[1]
Other policyholders' funds	96,542	94,286	[1]
Total policy liabilities	11,906,698	11,647,995	[1]
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,647,571	1,285,574	[1]
Other liabilities	322,149	261,898	[1]
Short-term debt	274,944	229,070	[1]
Long-term debt (fair value: 2014-$1,161,442 ; 2013-$1,360,461)	991,491	990,865	[1]
Total liabilities	15,142,853	14,415,402	[1]
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2014 and in 2013	0	0	[1]
Common stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2014-139,218,183 issued, less 8,185,698 held in treasury and 2013-151,218,183 issued, less 16,965,802 held in treasury)	139,218	151,218	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	450,734	462,058	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	887,974	210,981	[1]
Retained earnings	3,329,397	3,495,533	[1]
Treasury stock, at cost	(298,375)	(543,448)	[1]
Total shareholders' equity	4,508,948	3,776,342	[1]
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 19,651,801	$ 18,191,744	[1]

[1] Derived from audited financial statements