485BPOS

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 3, 2013

1933 Act File No. 002-98409

1940 Act File No. 811-04325

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933			[ X ]
	Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____	[     ]
	Post-Effective Amendment No. 52	[ X ]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940			[ X ]
	Amendment No. 52	[ X ]
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)

FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUNDS

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

110 Wall Street

New York, New York 10005

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code:  (212) 858-8000

Mary Carty, Esq.

First Investors Life Series Funds

110 Wall Street

New York, New York 10005

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Francine J. Rosenberger, Esq.

K&L Gates LLP

1601 K Street, NW

Washington, D.C. 20006-1601

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

[ X ]	immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[     ]	on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
[     ]	60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[     ]	on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[     ]	75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[     ]	on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

[    ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

This amendment is being filed solely to submit exhibits containing risk/return summary information in interactive data format that is identical to the risk/return information contained in the Registrant’s prospectus that was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registrant’s registration statement on December 13, 2012.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant represents that this Amendment meets all the requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused  this Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Edison, and the State of New Jersey, on the 3rd day of January 2013.

FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUNDS
By:	/s/ Derek Burke
	Derek Burke
	President

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/ Derek Burke	President	January 3, 2013
Derek Burke
/s/ Joseph I. Benedek	Treasurer	January 3, 2013
Joseph I. Benedek
/s/ Susan E. Artmann	Trustee	January 3, 2013
Susan E. Artmann*
/s/ Mary J. Barneby	Trustee	January 3, 2013
Mary J. Barneby*
/s/ Charles R. Barton, III	Trustee	January 3, 2013
Charles R. Barton, III*
/s/ Stefan L. Geiringer	Trustee	January 3, 2013
Stefan L. Geiringer*
/s/ Arthur M. Scutro, Jr.	Trustee	January 3, 2013
Arthur M. Scutro, Jr.*
/s/ Mark R. Ward	Trustee	January 3, 2013
Mark R. Ward*

*  By:  /s/ Mary Carty        

Mary Carty

(Attorney-in-Fact)

Exhibit Index

Type	Description
EX-101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
EX-101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
EX-101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
EX-101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
EX-101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document

XML

First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund

First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund

Investment Objective:

  The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:

  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by First Investors Life Insurance Company (“FIL”).  This table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table would be higher.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

~ http://xbrl.sec.gov/rr/role/ShareholderFeesData column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact filsoptrf_S000039212Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund
Management Fees		0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses	[1]	0.18%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.93%

Example

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  The table below does not include the expenses you would incur in purchasing such a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table below would be higher.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	1 year	3 years
First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund	95	296

Portfolio Turnover:

  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s last fiscal year is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies:

  The Fund invests primarily in mid- and small-size companies that the Fund’s Adviser believes offer strong growth opportunities.  The Fund may continue to hold stocks of companies that grow into larger companies and may also invest opportunistically in larger companies.

The Fund uses a “bottom-up” approach to selecting investments.  The Fund uses fundamental research to search for companies that have one or more of the following: a strong balance sheet; experienced management; above-average earnings growth potential; and stocks that are attractively priced.  The Fund attempts to stay broadly diversified, but it may emphasize certain industry sectors based upon economic and market conditions.

The Fund may sell a stock if it becomes fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated or alternative investments become more attractive.  The Fund may also sell a stock if it grows into a large, well-established company, although it may also continue to hold such a stock irrespective of its size.

Principal Risks:

  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  Here are the principal risks of investing in the Opportunity Fund:

Market Risk.  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments, but also due to an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.

Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.

Security Selection Risk.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.

Performance:

  Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund

First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund

Investment Objective:

  The Fund seeks high, long-term total investment return consistent with moderate investment risk.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:

  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by First Investors Life Insurance Company (“FIL”).  This table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table would be higher.  

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

~ http://xbrl.sec.gov/rr/role/ShareholderFeesData column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact filsoptrf_S000039213Member column rr_ProspectusShareClassAxis compact * row primary compact * ~

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses		First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund
Management Fees		0.75%
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees		none
Other Expenses	[1]	0.22%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses		0.97%

Example

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  The table below does not include the expenses you would incur in purchasing such a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table below would be higher.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example (USD $)	1 year	3 years
First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund	99	309

Portfolio Turnover:

  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s last fiscal year is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

Principal Investment Strategies:

  The Fund allocates its assets among stocks, bonds and money market instruments.  While the percentage of assets allocated to each asset class is flexible rather than fixed, the Fund normally invests at least 50% of its net assets in stocks and at least 35% in bonds, cash and money market instruments.  The percentages may change due to, among other things, market fluctuations or reallocation decisions by the Fund’s portfolio managers.

Once the asset allocation for stocks, bonds and money market instruments has been set, the Fund uses fundamental research and analysis to determine which particular investments to purchase or sell.  

The Fund’s investments in stocks are normally diversified among common stocks of large-, mid- and small-size companies that offer the potential for capital growth, current income, or both.  In selecting stocks, the Fund considers, among other things, the issuer’s financial strength, management, earnings growth potential and history (if any) of paying dividends.

The Fund’s investments in bonds are normally diversified among different types of bonds and other debt securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Government securities and mortgage-backed securities.  The Fund selects bonds by first considering the outlook for the economy and interest rates, and thereafter, a particular security’s characteristics.

The Fund may sell a security if it becomes fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated, alternative investments become more attractive or if it is necessary to rebalance the portfolio.

Principal Risks:

  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  Here are the principal risks of investing in the Total Return Fund:

Market Risk.  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments, but also due to an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.  Similarly, bond prices fluctuate in value with changes in interest rates, the economy and the financial conditions of companies that issue them.  

Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.

Interest Rate Risk.  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Credit Risk.  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds and other debt securities will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  The prices of bonds and other debt securities are affected by the credit quality of the issuer and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, the credit quality of the underlying mortgages.  Credit risk also applies to securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Prepayment and Extension Risk.  The Fund is subject to prepayment and extension risk since it invests in mortgage-backed securities.  When interest rates decline, homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages.  This could cause a decrease in the Fund’s income and share price.  Extension risk is the flip side of prepayment risk.  Rising interest rates can cause the Fund’s average maturity to lengthen unexpectedly due to a drop in mortgage prepayments.  This will increase both the Fund’s sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.

Allocation Risk.  The Fund may allocate assets to investment classes that underperform other classes.  For example, the Fund may be overweighted in stocks when the stock market is falling and the bond market is rising.

Security Selection Risk.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.

Performance:

  Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

[1] Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

[1] Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.

XML

Label

Element

Value

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Document Type

dei_DocumentType

485BPOS

Document Period End Date

dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate

Dec. 13, 2012

Registrant Name

dei_EntityRegistrantName

First Investors Life Series Funds

Central Index Key

dei_EntityCentralIndexKey

0000770906

Amendment Flag

dei_AmendmentFlag

false

Document Creation Date

dei_DocumentCreationDate

Dec. 13, 2012

Document Effective Date

dei_DocumentEffectiveDate

Dec. 13, 2012

Prospectus Date

rr_ProspectusDate

Dec. 17, 2011

First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective:

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

  The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by First Investors Life Insurance Company (“FIL”).  This table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table would be higher.

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover:

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s last fiscal year is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  The table below does not include the expenses you would incur in purchasing such a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table below would be higher.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies:

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

  The Fund invests primarily in mid- and small-size companies that the Fund’s Adviser believes offer strong growth opportunities.  The Fund may continue to hold stocks of companies that grow into larger companies and may also invest opportunistically in larger companies.

The Fund uses a “bottom-up” approach to selecting investments.  The Fund uses fundamental research to search for companies that have one or more of the following: a strong balance sheet; experienced management; above-average earnings growth potential; and stocks that are attractively priced.  The Fund attempts to stay broadly diversified, but it may emphasize certain industry sectors based upon economic and market conditions.

The Fund may sell a stock if it becomes fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated or alternative investments become more attractive.  The Fund may also sell a stock if it grows into a large, well-established company, although it may also continue to hold such a stock irrespective of its size.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks:

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  Here are the principal risks of investing in the Opportunity Fund:

Market Risk.  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments, but also due to an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.

Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.

Security Selection Risk.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

You can lose money by investing in the Fund.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance:

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

  Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund | First Investors Life Series Opportunity Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.18%

^[1]

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.93%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

95

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

296

First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Risk/Return [Heading]

rr_RiskReturnHeading

First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund

Objective [Heading]

rr_ObjectiveHeading

Investment Objective:

Objective, Primary [Text Block]

rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock

  The Fund seeks high, long-term total investment return consistent with moderate investment risk.

Expense [Heading]

rr_ExpenseHeading

Fees and Expenses of the Fund:

Expense Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock

  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by First Investors Life Insurance Company (“FIL”).  This table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table would be higher.  

Shareholder Fees Caption [Text]

rr_ShareholderFeesCaption

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Operating Expenses Caption [Text]

rr_OperatingExpensesCaption

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Portfolio Turnover [Heading]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading

Portfolio Turnover:

Portfolio Turnover [Text Block]

rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock

  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance.  The portfolio turnover rate for the Fund’s last fiscal year is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

Expense Example [Heading]

rr_ExpenseExampleHeading

Example

Expense Example Narrative [Text Block]

rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock

The Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.  The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods.  The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same.  Investments in the Fund can only be made through a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy offered by FIL.  The table below does not include the expenses you would incur in purchasing such a variable annuity contract or life insurance policy.  If they were included, the expenses shown in the table below would be higher.  Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Strategy [Heading]

rr_StrategyHeading

Principal Investment Strategies:

Strategy Narrative [Text Block]

rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock

  The Fund allocates its assets among stocks, bonds and money market instruments.  While the percentage of assets allocated to each asset class is flexible rather than fixed, the Fund normally invests at least 50% of its net assets in stocks and at least 35% in bonds, cash and money market instruments.  The percentages may change due to, among other things, market fluctuations or reallocation decisions by the Fund’s portfolio managers.

Once the asset allocation for stocks, bonds and money market instruments has been set, the Fund uses fundamental research and analysis to determine which particular investments to purchase or sell.  

The Fund’s investments in stocks are normally diversified among common stocks of large-, mid- and small-size companies that offer the potential for capital growth, current income, or both.  In selecting stocks, the Fund considers, among other things, the issuer’s financial strength, management, earnings growth potential and history (if any) of paying dividends.

The Fund’s investments in bonds are normally diversified among different types of bonds and other debt securities, including corporate bonds, U.S. Government securities and mortgage-backed securities.  The Fund selects bonds by first considering the outlook for the economy and interest rates, and thereafter, a particular security’s characteristics.

The Fund may sell a security if it becomes fully valued, its fundamentals have deteriorated, alternative investments become more attractive or if it is necessary to rebalance the portfolio.

Risk [Heading]

rr_RiskHeading

Principal Risks:

Risk Narrative [Text Block]

rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock

  You can lose money by investing in the Fund.  Here are the principal risks of investing in the Total Return Fund:

Market Risk.  Stock prices may decline over short or even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments, but also due to an economic downturn, adverse political or regulatory developments, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment.  Similarly, bond prices fluctuate in value with changes in interest rates, the economy and the financial conditions of companies that issue them.  

Mid-Size and Small-Size Company Risk.  The market risk associated with stocks of mid- and small-size companies is generally greater than that associated with stocks of larger, more established companies because stocks of mid- and small-size companies tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.  At times, it may be difficult for the Fund to sell mid-to-small-size company stocks at reasonable prices.

Interest Rate Risk.  In general, when interest rates rise, the market value of a debt security declines, and when interest rates decline, the market value of a debt security increases.  Securities with longer maturities are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes.

Credit Risk.  This is the risk that an issuer of bonds and other debt securities will be unable to pay interest or principal when due.  The prices of bonds and other debt securities are affected by the credit quality of the issuer and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, the credit quality of the underlying mortgages.  Credit risk also applies to securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

Prepayment and Extension Risk.  The Fund is subject to prepayment and extension risk since it invests in mortgage-backed securities.  When interest rates decline, homeowners tend to refinance their mortgages.  This could cause a decrease in the Fund’s income and share price.  Extension risk is the flip side of prepayment risk.  Rising interest rates can cause the Fund’s average maturity to lengthen unexpectedly due to a drop in mortgage prepayments.  This will increase both the Fund’s sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.

Allocation Risk.  The Fund may allocate assets to investment classes that underperform other classes.  For example, the Fund may be overweighted in stocks when the stock market is falling and the bond market is rising.

Security Selection Risk.  Securities selected by the portfolio manager may perform differently than the overall market or may not meet the portfolio manager’s expectations.

Risk Lose Money [Text]

rr_RiskLoseMoney

You can lose money by investing in the Fund.

Bar Chart and Performance Table [Heading]

rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading

Performance:

Performance Narrative [Text Block]

rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock

  Performance information for the Fund is not provided because the Fund has not commenced operations prior to the date of this prospectus.

First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund | First Investors Life Series Total Return Fund

Risk/Return:

rr_RiskReturnAbstract

Management Fees

rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets

0.75%

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets

none

Other Expenses

rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets

0.22%

^[1]

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

rr_NetExpensesOverAssets

0.97%

Expense Example, with Redemption, 1 Year

rr_ExpenseExampleYear01

99

Expense Example, with Redemption, 3 Years

rr_ExpenseExampleYear03

309

[1] Expenses are based on estimated expenses expected to be incurred for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2013.