CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Amortized cost of fixed maturities	$ 26,544,806	$ 25,771,715
Cost of equity securities	617,486	480,685
Amortized cost of short-term investments	322,563	359,378
Fair value of held to maturity securities	$ 3,262,804	$ 2,895,688
Ordinary shares, shares authorized (in shares)	999,990,000	999,990,000
Ordinary shares, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Ordinary shares, shares issued (in shares)	298,681,573	315,645,796
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding (in shares)	298,681,573	315,645,796	316,396,000