Related Party (Reinsurance With Affiliates Pruco Re) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2011
Ceded Rider Fees [Line Items]
HD6 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	$ 12,253		$ 12,403		$ 24,449		$ 23,402
SHD6 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	5,296		5,284		10,579		9,965
HD7 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	12,961		12,868		25,970		24,944
SHD7 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	6,857		6,776		13,695		13,062
HD7 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	7,346		7,347		14,778		14,624
SHD7 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	2,262		2,241		4,536		4,465
GRO Plus and GRO Plus 2 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	2,144	[1]	2,339	[1]	4,316	[1]	4,334	[1]
HDGRO Living Benefits Fees Ceded	832	[1]	874	[1]	1,679	[1]	1,741	[1]
HDGRO 2 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	845	[1]	850	[1]	1,691	[1]	1,631	[1]
HDLT5 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	3,314		3,548		6,666		7,133
SLT5 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	2,647		2,882		5,321		5,739
LT5 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	8,653	[2]	9,547	[2]	17,412	[2]	19,048	[2]
GRO Fees Ceded	546		1,223		1,107		2,454
GMWB Fees Ceded	364		513		750		1,056
Total Fees Ceded to Pruco Reinsurance	65,956		68,182		132,199		132,542
Total Fees Ceded to Prudential Insurance	364		513		750		1,056
Total Fees Ceded	$ 66,320		$ 68,695		$ 132,949		$ 133,598

[1] GRO Plus and HD GRO were amended effective January 1, 2010 to include an amended version of the GRO Plus and HD GRO benefit features (GRO Plus II and HD GRO II).

[2] Effective August 1, 2007, the Company amended this coinsurance agreement to include the reinsurance of business sold prior to May 6, 2005 that was previously reinsured to Prudential Insurance.