Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Financial instruments not carried at fair value (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, held to maturity	$ 2,814,447	$ 2,668,978
Other investments - structured transactions	312,122	323,705
Deposit Liabilities	1,551,398	1,608,108
Notes payable and debt	1,672,778	2,275,327
Carrying Value [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, held to maturity	2,814,447	2,668,978
Other investments - structured transactions	312,122	323,705
Financial Assets	3,126,569	2,992,683
Deposit Liabilities	1,551,398	1,608,108
Notes payable and debt	1,672,778	2,275,327
Financial Liabilities	3,224,176	3,883,435
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fixed maturities, held to maturity	3,262,804	2,895,688
Other investments - structured transactions	293,813	297,124
Financial Assets	3,556,617	3,192,812
Deposit Liabilities	1,878,499	1,809,812
Notes payable and debt	1,918,134	2,340,148
Financial Liabilities	$ 3,796,633	$ 4,149,960

For an unclassified balance sheet, this item represents investments in debt securities which are categorized as held-to-maturity. The held-to-maturity category is for those securities that the entity has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 210

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Number 115

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 8

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

-Paragraph 4

-Chapter 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

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-Section S99

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References+ Details