Significant Accounting Policies and Pronouncements - Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements - Impact of DAC Restatement IS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
REVENUES
Total revenues	$ 280,135	$ 413,949	$ 968,754	$ 1,187,730
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(229,687)	578,312	(119,840)	717,785
General, administrative and other expenses	93,052	116,514	309,829	333,602
Total benefits and expenses	(131,867)	1,133,796	366,754	1,702,437
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	412,002	(719,847)	602,000	(514,707)
Income tax expense	102,255	(280,116)	157,053	(231,149)
NET INCOME	309,747	(439,731)	444,947	(283,558)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
REVENUES
Total revenues		0		0
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(75,136)		(97,921)
General, administrative and other expenses		1,140		3,436
Total benefits and expenses		(73,996)		(94,485)
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		73,996		94,485
Income tax expense		24,524		33,070
NET INCOME		49,472		61,415
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
REVENUES
Total revenues		413,949		1,187,730
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		653,448		815,706
General, administrative and other expenses		115,374		330,166
Total benefits and expenses		1,207,792		1,796,922
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(793,843)		(609,192)
Income tax expense		(304,640)		(264,219)
NET INCOME		$ (489,203)		$ (344,973)