Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Jun. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		$ 33,767,991		$ 29,359,034
Equity securities, at fair value		1,073,470		868,292
Short-term investments, at fair value		807,486		256,727
Total investments available for sale		35,648,947		30,484,053
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		748,931		1,171
Collateral and counterparty netting, assets	[1]	(3,239)		(696)
Liabilities
Funds withheld on life retrocession arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable)		915,116		1,155,016
Collateral and counterparty nettings, liabilities	[1]	(3,239)		(696)
Recurring
Assets
Total investments available for sale		35,648,947		30,484,053
Cash equivalents	[2]	975,876		1,501,832
Other investments	[3]	1,395,065		894,057
Other assets	[1]	225,236		135,963
Total assets accounted for at fair value		39,128,118		33,150,274
Liabilities
Funds withheld on life retrocession arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable)	[4]	381,337		450,831
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased	[5]	2,814		30,406
Other liabilities	[1]	79,645		30,488
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value		463,796		511,725
Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Total investments available for sale		659,338		502,284
Cash equivalents	[2]	705,092		1,103,877
Other investments		0		0
Other assets		0		0	[1]
Total assets accounted for at fair value		1,364,573		1,606,621
Liabilities
Funds withheld on life retrocession arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable)	[4]	0		0
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased	[5]	1,581		4,737
Other liabilities	[1]	0		0
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value		1,581		4,737
Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Total investments available for sale		34,444,101		29,280,719
Cash equivalents	[2]	270,784		397,955
Other investments	[3]	1,139,393		708,974
Other assets	[1]	215,083		122,996
Total assets accounted for at fair value		36,952,212		30,644,553
Liabilities
Funds withheld on life retrocession arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable)	[4]	381,337		450,831
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased	[5]	1,233		25,669
Other liabilities	[1]	59,739		7,757
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value		442,309		484,257
Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Total investments available for sale		545,508		701,050
Cash equivalents	[2]	0		0
Other investments	[3]	255,672		185,083
Other assets	[1]	13,392		13,663
Total assets accounted for at fair value		814,572		899,796
Liabilities
Funds withheld on life retrocession arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable)	[4]	0		0
Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased		0	[5]	0
Other liabilities	[1]	23,145		23,427
Total liabilities accounted for at fair value		23,145		23,427
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		29,770,903		24,177,469
Equity securities, at fair value		1,073,470		868,292
Short-term investments, at fair value		807,486		256,727
Total investments available for sale		31,651,859		25,302,488
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,827,106		2,171,953
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,958,144		3,728,576
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		372,271		427,351
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		936,058		1,052,544
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Collateralized debt obligations
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		488,025		692,034
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		2,350,387	[6]	1,065,293	[7]
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | US States and political subdivisions of the States
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		2,391,273		2,021,272
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		5,260,062		4,240,073
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		29,770,903		24,177,469
Equity securities, at fair value		1,073,470		868,292
Short-term investments, at fair value	[8],[9]	807,486		256,727
Total investments available for sale		31,651,859		25,302,488
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,827,106		2,171,953
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,958,144		3,728,576
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		372,271		427,351
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		936,058		1,052,544
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Collateralized debt obligations
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		488,025		692,034
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	2,350,387		1,065,293
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | US States and political subdivisions of the States
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		2,391,273		2,021,272
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		5,260,062		4,240,073
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Equity securities, at fair value		659,338		502,284
Short-term investments, at fair value	[8],[9]	0		0
Total investments available for sale		659,338		502,284
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Collateralized debt obligations
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | US States and political subdivisions of the States
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		29,225,395		23,476,419
Equity securities, at fair value		414,132		366,008
Short-term investments, at fair value	[8],[9]	807,486		256,727
Total investments available for sale		30,447,013		24,099,154
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,827,106		2,171,953
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,955,106		3,726,666
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		372,271		427,351
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		936,058		1,052,544
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Collateralized debt obligations
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,854		4,076
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	2,307,642		1,060,005
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | US States and political subdivisions of the States
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		2,391,273		2,021,272
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		5,260,062		4,240,073
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		545,508		701,050
Equity securities, at fair value		0		0
Short-term investments, at fair value	[8],[9]	0		0
Total investments available for sale		545,508		701,050
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,038		1,910
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Collateralized debt obligations
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		484,171		687,958
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	42,745		5,288
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | US States and political subdivisions of the States
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,997,088		5,181,565
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		791,484		1,171
Life Funds Withheld Assets | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		13,678		18,724
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		3,596
Life Funds Withheld Assets | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		837		3,782
Life Funds Withheld Assets | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		29,591		85,335
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		145,617		193,167
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		261
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		187,537		273,541
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		14,823
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		1,231,228		1,789,036
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		252,981
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,997,088		5,181,565
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		791,484		1,171
Cash equivalents	[2]	91,510		133,198
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		13,678		18,724
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		3,596
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		837		3,782
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		29,591		85,335
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		145,617		193,167
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		261
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		187,537		273,541
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		14,823
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		1,231,228		1,789,036
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		252,981
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0		0
Cash equivalents	[2]	143		460
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,997,088		5,181,565
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		791,484		1,171
Cash equivalents	[2]	91,367		132,738
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		13,678		18,724
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		3,596
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		837		3,782
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		29,591		85,335
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		145,617		193,167
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		261
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		187,537		273,541
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		14,823
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		1,231,228		1,789,036
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		252,981
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0		0
Cash equivalents	[2]	0		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | U.S. Government and Government - Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | RMBS - Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | RMBS - Non-Agency
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Other asset-backed securities
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Non-U.S. Sovereign Government, Provincial, Supranational, and Government-Related/Supported
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,235,513		2,761,916
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,235,513		2,761,916
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		3,225,513		2,761,916
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		10,000		0
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		722,922		801,019
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		187,169
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		722,922		801,019
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		187,169
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		722,922		801,019
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		187,169
Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		6,952,064	[6]	6,016,457	[7]
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	6,952,064		6,016,457
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	0		0
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	6,946,510		6,010,563
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value	[8]	5,554		5,894
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		1,665,678		2,016,961
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		332,654		1,171
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		1,665,678		2,016,961
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		332,654		1,171
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		0		0
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		1,665,678		2,016,961
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		332,654		1,171
Non-Financial Services Sector [Member] | Life Funds Withheld Assets | Recurring | Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Corporate
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value		0		0
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value		$ 0		$ 0

[1] Other assets and other liabilities include derivative instruments. The derivative balances included in each category are reported on a gross basis by level with a netting adjustment presented separately in the Collateral and Counterparty Netting column. The fair values of the individual derivative contracts are reported gross in their respective levels based on the fair value hierarchy. For further details regarding derivative fair values and associated collateral received or paid see Note 7, "Derivative Instruments," to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

[2] Cash equivalents balances subject to fair value measurement include certificates of deposit and money market funds. Operating cash balances are not subject to recurring fair value measurement guidance.

[3] The Other investments balance excludes certain structured transactions including certain investments in project finance transactions, and a payment obligation and liquidity financing provided to a structured credit vehicle as a part of a third party medium term note facility. These investments, which totaled $348.2 million as of June 30, 2015 and $354.4 million at December 31, 2014, are carried at amortized cost. For further information, see Item 8, Note 8, "Other Investments," to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

[4] Funds withheld on life retrocession arrangements (net of future policy benefit reserves recoverable) include balances related to the life retrocession embedded derivative, under which all investment results associated with the Life Funds Withheld Assets related to the Life Retro Arrangements described in Note 3(c), "Acquisition and Disposals - Sale of Life Reinsurance Subsidiary," accrue to the benefit of GCLR.

[5] Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, represent "short sales" and are included within "Payable for investments purchased" on the balance sheets.

[6] Included are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $75.3 million and an amortized cost of $64.5 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate value of these notes.

[7] Included are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes have a fair value of $79.9 million and an amortized cost of $68.4 million. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate value of these notes.

[8] Included are certain medium term notes supported primarily by pools of European investment grade credit with varying degrees of leverage. The notes had a fair value of $75.3 million and $79.9 million and an amortized cost of $64.5 million and $68.4 million as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These notes allow the investor to participate in cash flows of the underlying bonds including certain residual values, which could serve to either decrease or increase the ultimate values of these notes.

[9] Short-term investments consist primarily of Corporate securities and U.S. and Non-U.S. Government and Government-Related/Supported securities.