Benefits Payable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2010

Benefits Payable [Abstract]

Activity In Benefits Payable

	2010			2009			2008
	(in thousands)
Balances at January 1	$	2,943,379		$	2,898,782		$	2,355,461
Acquisitions		0			0			96,021
Incurred related to:
Current year		24,185,717			21,943,547			21,114,008
Prior years		(434,015	)		(252,756	)		(268,027	)
Total incurred		23,751,702			21,690,791			20,845,981
Paid related to:
Current year		(21,671,345	)		(19,581,314	)		(18,601,120	)
Prior years		(1,809,610	)		(2,064,880	)		(1,797,561	)
Total paid		(23,480,955	)		(21,646,194	)		(20,398,681	)
Balances at December 31	$	3,214,126		$	2,943,379		$	2,898,782

Benefit Expenses Excluded From Activity In Benefits Payable

	2010		2009		2008
	(in thousands)
Military services	$	3,059,492	$	3,019,655	$	2,819,787
Future policy benefits		305,875		73,130		64,338
Total	$	3,365,367	$	3,092,785	$	2,884,125