Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Details About AOCI Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	$ (92,063)		$ (22,547)	$ (242,696)		$ (114,253)
Tax benefit (expense)	37,042		(30,057)	(20,135)		(58,724)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(94,393)	[1]	(28,795)	(256,731)	[1]	(125,770)
OTTI losses recognized in AOCI
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	2,318		6,078	13,916		11,127
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	0		87	0		87
Underfunded pension liability
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	0		0	0		0
Cash flow hedge
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	12		83	119		303
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(92,063)		(22,547)	(242,696)		(114,253)
Tax benefit (expense)	1,243		953	5,009		4,988
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(90,820)		(21,594)	(237,687)		(109,265)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	(97,761)		(18,665)	(247,339)		(151,049)
OTTI on investments	44,036		8,246	79,158		43,655
Total before tax	(94,393)		(28,795)	(256,731)		(125,770)
Tax benefit (expense)	1,253		956	5,034		5,108
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	(93,140)		(27,839)	(251,697)		(120,662)
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	1,617		5,686	13,086		9,030
OTTI on investments	701		392	830		2,097
Total before tax	2,318		6,078	13,916		11,127
Tax benefit (expense)	(10)		(3)	(25)		(120)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	2,308		6,075	13,891		11,007
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	0		87	0		87
Tax benefit (expense)	0		0	0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	0		87	0		87
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Cash flow hedge
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	12		83	119		303
Tax benefit (expense)	0		0	0		0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	12		83	119		303
Life Funds Withheld Assets
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments sold	53,780		2,022	174,555		2,646
OTTI on investments	(2,023)		(7,494)	(10,110)		(16,265)
Change in adjustments related to future policy benefit reserves, net of tax	(40,668)		(18,376)	(88,551)		(18,376)
Life Funds Withheld Assets | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | 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	$ (40,668)		$ (18,376)	$ (88,550)		$ (18,376)

[1] Included in these amounts is the impact of Shadow Adjustments as defined in Note 6, "Investments.". As of December 31, 2014 the cumulative impact of the Shadow Adjustments was $445.1 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, net movements of $(127.4) million were recorded, resulting in a total cumulative net impact of Shadow Adjustments on future policy benefit reserves of $317.7 million as of September 30, 2015.