Reinsurance (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Reinsurance [Abstract]

Reinsurance Premium And Effect On Claims And Other Policy Benefits [Table Text Block]

The effect of reinsurance on net premiums is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years ended December 31,		2011		2010		2009
Direct		$	2,590	$	2,669	$	2,259
Reinsurance assumed			7,701,594		7,198,219		6,241,952
Reinsurance ceded			(368,497)		(541,208)		(519,050)
	Net premiums	$	7,335,687	$	6,659,680	$	5,725,161

The effect of reinsurance on claims and other policy benefits as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years ended December 31,		2011		2010		2009
Direct		$	4,179	$	4,062	$	4,098
Reinsurance assumed			6,472,041		5,877,153		5,025,383
Reinsurance ceded			(251,037)		(334,060)		(210,055)
	Net claims and other policy benefits	$	6,225,183	$	5,547,155	$	4,819,426

Reinsurance Information [Table Text Block]

The effect of reinsurance on life insurance in force is shown in the following schedule (dollars in millions):
Life Insurance In Force:	Direct		Assumed		Ceded		Net		Assumed/Net %
December 31, 2011	$	76	$	2,664,353	$	39,987	$	2,624,442	101.52	%
December 31, 2010		74		2,540,317		42,582		2,497,809	101.70
December 31, 2009		72		2,325,041		46,897		2,278,216	102.06