Reinsurance (Reinsurance Recoverable by Counterparty) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 588,608	$ 3,088,328
Prudential Insurance
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	306,191	323,363
Pruco Life
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	282,326	0
Pruco Re
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	0	2,764,927
Unaffiliated
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 91	$ 38

Amount, after valuation allowance, recoverable under reinsurance contracts including premium paid under reinsurance contracts. Examples include, but are not limited to, settled and unsettled claims, incurred but not reported losses, loss adjustment expense, premium paid, policy benefits and policy reserves.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6824-158387

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 310
-Section 45
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6485522&loc=d3e21409-158489

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.(a),6)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Name:	us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant