Investments - Analysis of net realized gains (losses) and the change in unrealized (losses) gains on investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Net realized gains (losses): [Abstract]
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$ 92,750	$ 52,891
Excluding Life Funds Withheld Assets
Net realized gains (losses): [Abstract]
Gross realized gains	61,227	62,300
Gross realized losses on investments sold	(50,063)	(47,122)
OTTI on investments, net of amounts transferred to other comprehensive income	(19,580)	(10,576)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	(8,416)	4,602
Life Funds Withheld Assets
Net realized gains (losses): [Abstract]
Gross realized gains	62,850	53,128
Gross realized losses on investments sold	(28,434)	(390)
OTTI on investments, net of amounts transferred to other comprehensive income	(2,346)	(5,209)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, trading securities	69,096	760
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	$ 101,166	$ 48,289

This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

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This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities and excluding other than temporary impairments (OTTI), if any, recognized elsewhere.

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- Definition

The amount of other than temporary impairment losses on investments in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale which have been recognized in earnings during the period. Such impairment losses consist of other than temporary impairments (OTTI) on equity securities, credit losses on investments in debt securities, and when the entity intends to sell an impaired debt security or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27161-111563

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The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 325
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485959&loc=d3e22529-158502

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Amount of unrealized holding gain (loss) recognized in the income statement for investments in debt and equity securities and other forms of securities that provide ownership interests classified as trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Trading Securities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6526789

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27723805&loc=d3e24584-111560

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (e)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

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