CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows - operating activities
Premiums collected	$ 707,275	$ 688,355	$ 662,729
Policyholder benefits paid	(486,295)	(476,103)	(484,144)
Policy acquisition and other operating expenses paid	(262,765)	(251,293)	(230,072)
Federal income taxes paid	(29,195)	(33,672)	(14,444)
Investment income collected	324,252	311,712	303,385
Interest expense paid	(13,902)	(13,825)	(13,948)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan trust fund	(2,000)	(3,103)	(2,534)
Other	(15,437)	(16,135)	(18,124)
Net cash provided by operating activities	221,933	205,936	202,848
Fixed maturities
Purchases	(1,309,267)	(1,212,937)	(1,448,219)
Sales	261,696	298,045	576,708
Maturities, paydowns, calls and redemptions	451,074	504,921	585,615
Purchase of other invested assets	(16,041)	(35,000)	(50,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) short-term and other investments	47,023	(153,355)	(18,902)
Net cash used in investing activities	(565,515)	(598,326)	(354,798)
Cash flows - financing activities
Dividends paid to shareholders	(39,237)	(32,550)	(22,541)
Acquisition of treasury stock	(5,411)	(3,889)	(15,735)
Exercise of stock options	8,252	19,336	5,421
Annuity contracts: variable, fixed and FHLB funding agreements
Deposits	730,632	673,057	417,600
Benefits, withdrawals and net transfers to Separate Account (variable annuity) assets	(326,374)	(278,350)	(220,803)
Life policy accounts
Deposits	1,093	1,636	1,881
Withdrawals and surrenders	(4,883)	(4,734)	(5,161)
Cash received (paid) related to repurchase agreements	(25,848)	25,848	0
Change in bank overdrafts	(1,156)	(4,956)	(983)
Net cash provided by financing activities	337,068	395,398	159,679
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(6,514)	3,008	7,729
Cash at beginning of period	18,189	15,181	7,452
Cash at end of period	$ 11,675	$ 18,189	$ 15,181