Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2011 - $5,189,994; 2010 - $10,974,330)	$ 5,570,550	$ 4,870,569
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2011 - $55,697; 2010 - $77,689)	57,432	56,486
Mortgage loans	552,359	552,348
Real estate	2,541	8,265
Policy loans	172,368	170,341
Short-term investments	41,756	194,871
Other investments	189	461
Total investments	6,397,195	5,853,341
Cash and cash equivalents	296,339	4,794
Restricted debt defeasance trust assets	211,627	0
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	64,516	42,415
Accrued investment income	67,200	62,183
Amounts receivable from affiliates	3,942	2,025
Reinsurance recoverable	94,685	97,257
Deferred acquisition costs	376,797	463,021
Value of insurance in force acquired	25,781	27,706
Current income taxes recoverable	16,334	13,952
Other assets	67,590	67,000
Assets held in separate accounts	603,903	675,586
Assets of subsidiary held for sale	0	8,024,820
Total Assets	8,225,909	15,334,100
Future policy benefits:
Interest sensitive products	3,744,857	3,468,557
Traditional life insurance and accident and health products	1,401,995	1,362,410
Other policy claims and benefits	40,488	47,668
Supplementary contracts without life contingencies	359,663	353,935
Advance premiums and other deposits	211,573	188,577
Amounts payable to affiliates	713	328
Short-term debt payable to affiliates	0	100,000
Short-term debt payable to non-affiliates	174,258	0
Long-term debt payable to affiliates	49,968	0
Long-term debt payable non-affiliates	97,000	271,168
Deferred income taxes	141,130	117,325
Other liabilities	122,180	104,653
Liabilities related to separate accounts	603,903	675,586
Liabilities of subsidiary held for sale	0	7,497,479
Total liabilities	6,947,728	14,187,686
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, without par value, at liquidation value - authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 5,000,000 Series B shares	3,000	3,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	149,622	39,895
Retained earnings	988,238	977,740
Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,278,066	1,146,322
Noncontrolling interest	115	92
Total stockholders' equity	1,278,181	1,146,414
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	8,225,909	15,334,100
Common Class A [Member]
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, without par value	129,684	118,165
Common Class B [Member]
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, without par value	$ 7,522	$ 7,522