Income Taxes Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Policyholder Liabilities	$ 30,340	$ 25,918
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits	10,001	15,138
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	5,709	8,212
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	2,393	4,030
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	48,443	53,298
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract]
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Comprehensive Income	131,655	94,919
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense, Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost	62,599	65,310
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Value of Insurance in Force Acquired	3,229	7,320
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment	7,777	7,078
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	6,678	13,734
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	211,938	188,361
Deferred income taxes	163,495	$ 135,063
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 15,700