Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014 Deferred Annuities Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Deferred Annuities Litigation [Member]	Feb. 03, 2010 Sheila Newman case [Member]	Oct. 26, 2011 Brazilian Superintendence of Private Insurance [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Life settlement options for policyholders, option 1		10 years
Life settlement options for policyholders, option 2		20 years
Litigation reserve			$ 6,500,000
Final judgment against the company				208,000
Final judgment amount, actual damages				113,000
Final judgment amount, exemplary damages				150,000,000
Fine SUSEP is attempting to impose on the company					6,000,000,000
Other commitment	$ 3,000,000