Statement of Operations (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
Premiums	$ 5,502	$ 6,325	$ 16,569	$ 21,771
Policy charges and fee income	197,284	209,247	598,714	624,820
Net investment income	71,371	72,987	214,441	230,705
Asset management fees and other income	66,618	69,329	200,593	226,358
Realized investment gains (losses), net:
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(2,377)	(4,295)	(5,508)	(19,623)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to Other Comprehensive Income	2,306	3,736	5,285	18,765
Other realized investment gains (losses), net	(60,569)	56,620	(61,340)	84,934
Total realized investment gains (losses), net	(60,640)	56,061	(61,563)	84,076
TOTAL REVENUES	280,135	413,949	968,754	1,187,730
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders' benefits	78,152	93,346	110,354	134,815
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances	(73,384)	345,624	66,411	516,235
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 (Benefit) [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	102,255	(280,116)	157,053	(231,149)
NET INCOME	309,747	(439,731)	444,947	(283,558)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	20	0	0	0
Unrealized investment gains (losses) for the period	30,002	(9,683)	25,159	(620)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	(2,756)	(8,899)	(16,613)	(54,521)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	27,246	(18,582)	8,546	(55,141)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	27,266	(18,582)	8,546	(55,141)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Tax	7	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Available For Sale Securities Tax	9,536	(6,503)	2,998	(19,299)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Total	9,543	(6,503)	2,998	(19,299)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	17,723	(12,079)	5,548	(35,842)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	$ 327,470	$ (451,810)	$ 450,495	$ (319,400)