CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders	$ 1,207,152	$ 188,340	$ 1,059,916
Unrealized gains on held to maturity investment portfolio at time of transfer to available for sale, net of tax	0	424,861	0
Cumulative adjustments recorded to value of future policy benefit reserves, amount	170,688	(400,456)	(44,660)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on affiliate and other investments, net of tax	(6,074)	35,143	26,637
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax	18,545	13,143	32,181
Change in underfunded pension liability	(3,852)	(7,550)	7,653
Change in value of cash flow hedge	(200)	255	439
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25,315)	(25,729)	(54,858)
Comprehensive income (loss)	409,310	936,141	276,553
Exclude Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member]
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	(530,030)	434,051	(750,755)
Life Funds Withheld Assets [Member]
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	$ (421,604)	$ 274,083	$ 0