Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 1,114,431	$ 1,345,504	$ 906,814
Capitalization of commissions, sales and issue expenses	1,535	2,804	4,050
Amortization-Impact of assumption and experience unlocking and true-ups	33,113	91,895	31,666
Amortization-All other	(342,265)	(330,311)	353,895
Changes in unrealized investment gains and losses	16,352	4,539	49,079
Ceded DAC upon Reinsurance Treaty with Prudential Insurance	(73,864)	0	0
Balance, end of year	$ 749,302	$ 1,114,431	$ 1,345,504