Significant Accounting Policies and Pronouncements - Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of DAC Restatement IS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
REVENUES
Total revenues	$ 375,418	$ 402,919	$ 688,619	$ 773,780
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	340,993	117,285	109,847	139,473
General, administrative and other expenses	106,917	109,668	216,777	217,088
Total benefits and expenses	716,619	358,357	498,621	568,641
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(341,201)	44,562	189,998	205,139
Income tax expense	(104,054)	9,910	54,798	48,967
NET INCOME	(237,147)	34,652	135,200	156,172
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
REVENUES
Total revenues		0		0
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(14,811)		(22,785)
General, administrative and other expenses		1,169		2,296
Total benefits and expenses		(13,642)		(20,489)
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		13,642		20,489
Income tax expense		4,047		8,546
NET INCOME		9,595		11,943
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
REVENUES
Total revenues		402,919		773,780
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		132,096		162,258
General, administrative and other expenses		108,499		214,792
Total benefits and expenses		371,999		589,130
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		30,920		184,650
Income tax expense		5,863		40,421
NET INCOME		$ 25,057		$ 144,229