Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Interest sensitive product charges	$ 111,928	$ 114,584	$ 109,770
Traditional life insurance premiums	196,914	190,956	183,300
Net investment income	404,170	391,149	382,082
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	3,106	11,062	3,760
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	(7,320)	(719)	(822)
Non-credit portion in other comprehensive income/loss	2,451	146	0
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(4,869)	(573)	(822)
Other income	15,165	15,631	14,849
Total revenues	726,414	722,809	692,939
Benefits and expenses:
Interest sensitive product benefits	238,586	217,443	211,540
Traditional life insurance benefits	177,682	176,145	162,876
Policyholder dividends	10,574	11,828	12,012
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	135,967	143,668	138,258
Interest expense	4,850	4,850	4,707
Other expenses	16,966	17,507	16,445
Total benefits and expenses	584,625	571,441	545,838
Income from continuing operations before equity income, income taxes and noncontrolling interest	141,789	151,368	147,101
Income taxes	(46,010)	(47,418)	(47,335)
Equity income, net of related income taxes	11,440	9,523	10,103
Net income from continuing operations	107,219	113,473	109,869
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	4	54	72
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$ 107,223	$ 113,527	$ 109,941
Earnings per common share:
Earnings per common share	$ 4.29	$ 4.55	$ 4.42
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	4.28	4.53	4.39
Regular quarterly cash dividend [Member]
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Cash dividends per common share	1.68	1.60	1.40
Special cash dividend [Member]
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Cash dividends per common share	$ 2.00	$ 2.00	$ 0.00