CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 440,968	$ 1,207,152	$ 188,340
Unrealized gains on held to maturity investment portfolio at time of transfer to available for sale, net of tax	0	0	424,861
Cumulative adjustments recorded to value of future policy benefit reserves, amount	62,295	170,688	(400,456)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on affiliate and other investments, net of tax	(57,820)	(6,074)	35,143
Change in OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax	6,550	18,545	13,143
Change in underfunded pension liability	(246)	(3,852)	(7,550)
Change in value of cash flow hedge	(182)	(200)	255
Foreign currency translation adjustments	95,473	(25,315)	(25,729)
Comprehensive income (loss)	469,898	409,310	936,141
Exclude Life Funds Withheld Assets
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	(72,638)	(530,030)	434,051
Life Funds Withheld Assets
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	$ (4,502)	$ (421,604)	$ 274,083