Schedule IV - Reinsurance (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Life reinsurance in force:
Gross amount, life reinsurance in force	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]	$ 0	[1]
Ceded to other companies, life reinsurance in force	378,391	[1]	443,798	[1]	559,676	[1]
Assumed from other companies, life reinsurance in force	77,917,632	[1]	82,099,647	[1]	88,646,215	[1]
Net amount, life reinsurance in force	77,539,241	[1]	81,655,849	[1]	88,086,539	[1]
Percentage of amount assumed to net, life reinsurance in force	100.50%	[1]	100.50%	[1]	100.60%	[1]
Total premiums earned:
Gross amount, premiums earned	4,966,207		4,604,323		4,624,557
Ceded to other companies, premiums earned	1,344,289		1,263,157		1,509,308
Assumed from other companies, premiums earned	2,687,603		2,749,271		2,574,881
Net amount, premiums earned	6,309,521		6,090,437		5,690,130
Percentage of amount assumed to net	42.60%		45.10%		45.30%
Property and casualty operations
Total premiums earned:
Gross amount, premiums earned	4,966,207		4,604,323		4,624,557
Ceded to other companies, premiums earned	1,315,369		1,231,835		1,477,000
Assumed from other companies, premiums earned	2,363,261		2,393,490		2,179,555
Net amount, premiums earned	6,014,099		5,765,978		5,327,112
Percentage of amount assumed to net	39.30%		41.50%		40.90%
Life operations
Total premiums earned:
Gross amount, premiums earned	0		0		0
Ceded to other companies, premiums earned	28,920		31,322		32,308
Assumed from other companies, premiums earned	324,342		355,781		395,326
Net amount, premiums earned	$ 295,422		$ 324,459		$ 363,018
Percentage of amount assumed to net	109.80%		109.70%		108.90%

[1] Represents the sum face value outstanding of the in force life reinsurance policies.