|
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2011
|
Dec. 31, 2010
|
|---|---|---|
| Statement Of Financial Position Parenthetical [Abstract] | ||
| Fixed maturities available for sale, at amortized cost | $ 9,165,438 | $ 8,771,988 |
| Short-term investments available for sale, at amortized cost | 909,121 | 913,488 |
| Investment of funds received under securities lending agreements, amortized cost | 48,577 | 69,682 |
| Equity securities (cost) | 299,058 | 292,958 |
| Other investments (cost) | 235,381 | 252,590 |
| TALF investments amortized cost | 373,040 | 389,200 |
| Investment in joint venture cost | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| TALF borrowings,at par | $ 310,868 | $ 326,219 |
| Common shares par | $ 0.0033 | $ 0.0033 |
| Common shares (issued) | 164,636,338 | 160,073,616 |
| Common shares held in treasury (shares) | 30,277,993 | 20,441,391 |
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Equity securities - available for sale, at cost No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amortized cost as of the balance sheet date of securities held that had been pledged by counterparties under financing and lending arrangements, pursuant to which the entity has the right by agreement or custom to sell or re-pledge such securities. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
The amortized cost as of the balance sheet date of short term investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy that will be realized in a short period of time, usually less than one year. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Details
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Par Value of asset backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities held as part of the FRBNY Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF"). No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Amortized cost of asset backed securities and commercial mortgage backed securities held as part of the FRBNY Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility ("TALF"). No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This item represents the total of all debt securities grouped by maturity dates, at cost, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any, which are classified neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Face amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
This element represents the aggregate cost of investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Includes other investments and securities that are not at fair value as of the balance sheet date and those that are not accounted for under the equity method. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
|
- Definition
Number of common and preferred shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury on the financial statement date. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|