CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 570,145	$ 1,313,339	$ 268,838
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	(372,138)	(202,178)	(107,462)
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments	(2,521)	(53,123)	(29,886)
Amortization of premiums (discounts) on fixed maturities	193,482	194,824	153,849
(Income) loss from investment and operating affiliates	(67,802)	(46,072)	(129,915)
Loss (gain) sale of subsidiaries	(7,088)	0	666,423
Gain on sale of operating affiliate	0	(340,407)	0
Share based compensation	81,001	74,431	81,287
Depreciation and amortization	118,063	92,313	56,118
Accretion of deposit liabilities	43,984	43,633	11,195
Changes in:
Unpaid losses and loss expenses	1,073,313	(211,831)	(427,528)
Future policy benefit reserves	(162,096)	(278,818)	(229,204)
Funds withheld on life retrocession agreements, net	(223,516)	(210,943)	(218,144)
Unearned premiums	436,106	(528,214)	253,396
Premiums receivable	(1,084,432)	156,168	15,248
Unpaid losses and loss expenses recoverable	(360,223)	(439,548)	(44,688)
Ceded unearned premiums	70,529	237,017	(191,242)
Reinsurance balances receivable	(174,126)	2,319	(17,736)
Deferred acquisition costs and value of business acquired	(62,926)	126,455	303,998
Reinsurance balances payable	398,738	229,205	160,916
Deferred tax asset - net	(41,641)	(47,924)	(33,735)
Derivatives	119,038	185,300	42,187
Other assets	(26,673)	17,054	33,344
Other liabilities	(78,422)	123,897	(147,744)
Other	(65,548)	26,968	5,447
Total adjustments	345,192	(697,783)	694,346
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	915,337	615,556	963,184
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of fixed maturities and short-term investments	12,757,580	16,868,228	4,896,112
Proceeds from redemption of fixed maturities and short-term investments	3,847,709	3,751,174	3,601,793
Proceeds from sale of equity securities	848,779	664,735	571,410
Purchases of fixed maturities and short term investments	(15,457,689)	(19,718,064)	(7,158,258)
Purchases of equity securities	(1,103,447)	(567,334)	(445,504)
Proceeds from sale of affiliates	397,091	748,575	240,785
Purchases of affiliates	(681,385)	(280,856)	(371,226)
Purchase of subsidiaries, net of acquired cash	(92,893)	(1,020,015)	0
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary	22,998	0	570,000
Change in restricted cash	1,488	(154,992)	0
Other, net	197,536	(155,019)	(193,491)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	737,767	136,432	1,711,621
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares and exercise of stock options	9,854	9,976	6,367
Buybacks of ordinary shares	(1,051,050)	(468,971)	(801,953)
Dividends paid on ordinary shares	(222,761)	(208,516)	(169,620)
Distributions to non-controlling interests	(130,447)	(117,683)	(78,465)
Contributions from non-controlling interest	47,524	23,610	48,261
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	980,600	0
Repayment of debt	(8,248)	(87,447)	(600,000)
Deposit liabilities	(69,482)	(84,758)	(268,298)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(1,424,610)	46,811	(1,863,708)
Effects of exchange rate changes on foreign currency cash	(57,742)	(64,377)	(90,115)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	170,752	734,422	720,982
Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period	3,256,236	2,521,814	1,800,832
Cash and cash equivalents – end of period	3,426,988	3,256,236	2,521,814
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Net taxes paid	81,662	96,886	20,168
Interest paid on notes payable and debt	138,025	115,598	121,285
Life Funds Withheld Assets
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments	$ 540,090	$ 151,691	$ 488,222