Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Quantiative Info for Level 3 Inputs) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified					9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Maximum [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Minimum [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Weighted Average[ Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Weighted Average[ Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Future Policy Benefits [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Quantiative Information [Line Items]
Discount Rate					17.50%		3.20%		3.75%
Volatility Curve					34.00%		19.00%
Call Price					100.00%		100.00%			100.00%
Lapse Rate					14.00%		0.00%
NPR Spread					1.82%		0.24%
Utilization Rate					94.00%		70.00%
Withdrawal Rate					100.00%		85.00%
Mortality Rate					13.00%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value	$ 4,527,910	$ 5,273,767	[2]								$ 92,063
Reinsurance Recoverables				1,822,323
Future policy benefits				$ 1,886,648								$ 1,886,648

[1] Range reflects the mortality rate for the vast majority of business with living benefits, with policyholders ranging from 35 to 90 years old. While the majority of living benefits have a minimum age requirement, certain benefits do not have an age restriction. This results in contractholders for certain benefits with mortality rates approaching 0%.

[2] Prior period’s amounts are presented on a basis consistent with the current period presentation.