Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Details About AOCI Components (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	$ (22,547)		$ 2,068	$ (114,253)		$ (75,189)
Tax benefit (expense)	(30,057)		(897)	(58,724)		(73,248)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	(18,665)		(7,904)	(151,049)		(110,294)
OTTI on investments	8,246		2,388	43,655		7,676
Total before tax	(28,795)	[1]	(5,516)	(125,770)	[1]	(102,618)
Tax benefit (expense)	956		3,352	5,108		66
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(27,839)		(2,164)	(120,662)		(102,552)
OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	6,078		7,474	11,127		27,099
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	87		0	87		0
Cash flow hedge
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	83		110	303		330
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(22,547)		2,068	(114,253)		(75,189)
Tax benefit (expense)	953		3,347	4,988		56
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(21,594)		5,415	(109,265)		(75,133)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	5,686		6,675	9,030		24,562
OTTI on investments	392		799	2,097		2,537
Total before tax	6,078		7,474	11,127		27,099
Tax benefit (expense)	(3)		(5)	(120)		(10)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	6,075		7,469	11,007		27,089
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	87		0	87		0
Tax benefit (expense)	0		0	0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	87		0	87		0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash flow hedge
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	83		110	303		330
Tax benefit (expense)	0		0	0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	83		110	303		330
Life Funds Withheld Assets
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	2,022		0	2,646		0
OTTI on investments	(7,494)		0	(16,265)		0
Change in adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax	(18,376)			(18,376)
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Change in adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax	$ (18,376)		$ 0	$ (18,376)		$ 0

[1] Included in these amounts is the impact of Shadow Adjustments. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the initial impact of $44.7 million was recorded. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, additional net impacts of $423.2 million were recorded, resulting in a total cumulative net impact of shadow adjustments on future policy benefit reserves of $467.9 million at September 30, 2014.