Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 67,309	$ 51,265
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Universal life and annuity contract interest	216,933	147,254
Surrender charges and other policy revenues	(10,854)	(1,340)
Realized (gains) losses on investments	(8,112)	(6,520)
Accrual and amortization of investment income	(1,740)	(2,140)
Depreciation and amortization	4,246	4,019
(Increase) decrease in value of index options	(42,328)	38,774
(Increase) decrease in deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs	(3,604)	(52,324)
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income	(5,852)	(10,052)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(6,088)	(6,015)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for future policy benefits	8,335	17,250
Increase (decrease) in other policyholder liabilities	1,417	(3,142)
Increase (decrease) in Federal income taxes	(14,391)	(4,353)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	18,416	(322)
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	223,687	172,354
Proceeds from sales of:
Securities available for sale	7,539	19,248
Other investments	8,646	4,732
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of:
Securities held to maturity	1,021,666	375,016
Securities available for sale	252,464	89,379
Index options	25,225	73,980
Purchases of:
Securities held to maturity	(1,208,044)	(884,205)
Securities available for sale	(388,228)	(263,937)
Index options	(42,184)	(50,239)
Other investments	(5,036)	(10,361)
Principal payments on mortgage loans	38,783	13,577
Cost of mortgage loans acquired	(16,728)	(33,918)
Decrease (increase) in policy loans	829	4,225
Other, net	(2)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(305,070)	(662,503)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits to account balances for universal life and annuity contracts	715,037	1,116,161
Return of account balances on universal life and annuity contracts	(625,306)	(615,196)
Issuance of common stock under stock option plan	0	908
Net cash provided by financing activities	89,731	501,873
Effect of foreign exchange	307	(154)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments	8,655	11,570
Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period	119,290	80,332
Cash and short-term investments at end of period	127,945	91,902
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	30	10
Income taxes	49,540	30,209
Noncash operating activities:
Deferral of sales inducements	$ 2,965	$ 12,386