Investments (Details) - Credit loss impairments on fixed income securities (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
OTTI related to credit losses recognized in earnings
Balance, beginning of period	$ 314,805	$ 330,170	$ 333,379	$ 426,372
Credit loss impairment recognized in the current period on securities not previously impaired	4,043	11,333	5,878	15,906
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities which matured, paid down, prepaid or were sold during the period	(40,797)	(38,316)	(59,737)	(164,027)
Credit loss impairments previously recognized on securities impaired to fair value during the period	0	0	(16,384)	0
Additional credit loss impairments recognized in the current period on securities previously impaired	21,952	13,339	36,882	38,798
Accretion of credit loss impairments previously recognized due to an increase in cash flows expected to be collected	(283)	(682)	(298)	(1,205)
Balance, end of period	$ 299,720	$ 315,844	$ 299,720	$ 315,844