Defined Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1,618	$ 2,029
Interest cost	3,346	3,176
Expected return on assets	(3,916)	(3,520)
Amortization of prior service cost	36	106
Amortization of actuarial loss	3,117	2,367
Net periodic pension cost	4,201	4,158
FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	63	111
Interest cost	258	290
Expected return on assets	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost	(3)	(3)
Amortization of actuarial loss	317	277
Net periodic pension cost	635	675
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member] | FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost	1,341	1,364	[1]
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member] | FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic pension cost	$ 359	$ 386	[1]

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