Reinsurance (Reinsurance Info) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Policy charges fee income - Life	$ 1,715	$ 2,666	$ 2,241
Policy charges and fee income - Annuity	739,108	803,661	807,001
Realized investment gains (losses), net	6,052	7,368	(184,351)
Policyholders’ benefits	60,461	137,135	29,727
General, administrative and other expenses	313,471	394,248	402,679
Life Insurance, In force	113,000	121,000	128,000
Reinsurance Recoverable, Guarantee Benefits	3,088,328	2,996,845
Gross
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Policy charges fee income - Life	3,416	3,522	3,472
Policy charges and fee income - Annuity	740,540	805,550	809,549
Realized investment gains (losses), net	247,525	(1,967,588)	1,076,184
Policyholders’ benefits	60,535	137,502	29,874
General, administrative and other expenses	317,928	398,960	407,365
Unaffiliated Ceded
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Policy charges fee income - Life	(1,701)	(856)	(1,231)
Policy charges and fee income - Annuity	(1,432)	(1,889)	(2,548)
Realized investment gains (losses), net	0	0	0
Policyholders’ benefits	(74)	(367)	(147)
General, administrative and other expenses	(682)	(838)	(776)
Affiliated Ceded
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Policy charges fee income - Life	0	0	0
Policy charges and fee income - Annuity	0	0	0
Realized investment gains (losses), net	(241,473)	1,974,956	(1,260,535)
Policyholders’ benefits	0	0	0
General, administrative and other expenses	$ (3,775)	$ (3,874)	$ (3,910)