SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Uncollectible Structured Project Loan Balances	$ 9,200,000	$ 9,900,000
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	40,483,000	42,282,000
Reinsurance Receivables	3,900,000,000	3,800,000,000
Allowance for Reinsurance Recoverable [Member]
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance	99,200,000	121,900,000
Reinsurance Segment [Member]
Reinsurance Receivables	3,900,000,000	3,800,000,000
Structured Loans [Member]
Certain Loans Acquired in Transfer Accounted for as Debt Securities, Carrying Amount, Net	$ 40,500,000	$ 42,300,000