Related Party (Reinsurance With Affiliates Pruco Re) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Ceded Rider Fees [Line Items]
HD6 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	$ 50,313		$ 47,021		$ 31,412
SHD6 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	21,834		20,137		13,216
HD7 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	53,375		50,262		44,530
SHD7 Plus Living Benefits Fees Ceded	28,225		26,354		22,968
HD7 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	29,968		29,274		28,271
SHD7 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	9,185		8,955		8,667
GRO Plus and GRO Plus 2 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	8,552	[1]	8,757	[1]	3,829	[1]
HDGRO Living Benefits Fees Ceded	3,311	[1]	3,430	[1]	3,676	[1]
HDGRO 2 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	3,365	[1]	3,287	[1]	1,718	[1]
HDLT5 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	13,208		13,938		14,356
SLT5 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	10,611		10,998		10,747
LT5 Living Benefits Fees Ceded	34,607	[2]	36,290	[2]	35,848	[2]
GRO Fees Ceded	2,149		3,873		5,750
GMWB Fees Ceded	1,433		1,895		2,232
Total Fees Ceded to Pruco Reinsurance	268,703		262,576		224,988
Total Fees Ceded to Prudential Insurance	1,433		1,895		2,232
Total Fees Ceded	$ 270,136		$ 264,471		$ 227,220

[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.