Investments (All Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses in AOCI) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Balance	$ 70,867		$ 147,287
Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) Pre Tax [Member]
Balance	376,777	[1]	441,677	[1]	504,664	[1]
Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period	(183,950)	[1]	(42,295)	[1]	19,706	[1]
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	(8,100)	[1]	(22,605)	[1]	(82,693)	[1]
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on deferred policy acquisition costs	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders' account balance	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Balance	184,727	[1]	376,777	[1]	441,677	[1]
Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] | Deferred Costs Policy Acquisition And Sales Inducements And Valuation Of Business Acquired, Pre Tax [Member]
Balance	(147,089)		(192,119)		(206,046)
Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period	0		0		0
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	0		0		0
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on deferred policy acquisition costs	80,637		45,030		13,927
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders' account balance	0		0		0
Balance	(66,452)		(147,089)		(192,119)
Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] | Policyholders Account Balances Pre Tax [Member]
Balance	(2,164)		0		0
Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period	0		0		0
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	0		0		0
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on deferred policy acquisition costs	0		0		0
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders' account balance	(6,023)		(2,164)		0
Balance	(8,187)		(2,164)		0
Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] | Deferred Income Tax Liability Benefit [Member]
Balance	(80,468)		(88,181)		(105,352)
Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period	64,383		14,804		(6,897)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	2,835		7,912		28,947
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on deferred policy acquisition costs	(28,222)		(15,760)		(4,879)
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders' account balance	2,109		757		0
Balance	(39,363)		(80,468)		(88,181)
Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Balance	147,056		161,377		193,266
Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period	(119,567)		(27,491)		12,809
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income	(5,265)		(14,693)		(53,746)
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on deferred policy acquisition costs	52,415		29,270		9,048
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders' account balance	(3,914)		(1,407)		0
Balance	$ 70,725		$ 147,056		$ 161,377

[1] _____________ Includes cash flow hedges. See Note 11 for additional discussion of the Company’s cash flow hedges.