Significant Accounting Policies and Pronouncements - Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of DAC Restatement BS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 829,214	$ 666,764
Income taxes receivable	0	102,678
TOTAL ASSETS	53,830,983	52,254,858
TOTAL LIABILITIES	52,597,245	51,234,281
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	166,260	160,712
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	171,642	(25,305)
TOTAL EQUITY	1,233,738	1,020,577
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	53,830,983	52,254,858
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Deferred policy acquisition costs		(90,419)
Income taxes receivable		32,253
TOTAL ASSETS		(58,166)
TOTAL LIABILITIES		0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		9,020
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(67,186)
TOTAL EQUITY		(58,166)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		(58,166)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Deferred policy acquisition costs		757,183
Income taxes receivable		70,425
TOTAL ASSETS		52,313,024
TOTAL LIABILITIES		51,234,281
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		151,692
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		41,881
TOTAL EQUITY		1,078,743
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$ 52,313,024