Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Operating activities
Net income	$ 126,308	$ 93,822	$ 187,333
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Interest credited to account balances	161,893	164,623	163,111
Charges for mortality, surrenders and administration	(126,165)	(120,944)	(112,682)
Net realized losses on investments	(7,604)	12,274	3,387
Change in fair value of derivatives	(2,232)	7,162	(8,007)
Increase in liabilities for life insurance and other future policy benefits	66,503	77,786	87,489
Deferral of acquisition costs	(45,578)	(47,771)	(44,409)
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of insurance in force	25,875	36,371	25,016
Change in reinsurance recoverable	(2,415)	4,081	(5,097)
Provision for deferred income taxes	6,876	(4,952)	(73,094)
Other	9,593	16,725	16,587
Net cash provided by operating activities	213,054	239,177	239,634
Sales, maturities or repayments:
Fixed maturities - available for sale	665,276	590,106	619,627
Equity securities	15,397	7,039	9,880
Mortgage loans	102,132	69,208	62,285
Derivative instruments	15,659	16,754	13,220
Policy loans	36,441	36,720	36,330
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	8,814	8,359	8,999
Other investments	6,147	6,831	164
Real estate	641	0	717
Acquisitions:
Fixed maturities - available for sale	(815,762)	(705,250)	(690,013)
Equity securities	(16,729)	(4,447)	(2,692)
Mortgage loans	(71,202)	(139,836)	(217,409)
Derivative instruments	(19,886)	(14,425)	(9,311)
Policy loans	(40,664)	(42,688)	(39,474)
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	(21,084)	(21,146)	(13,555)
Other Investments	(7,649)	(7,891)	0
Short-term investments, net change	3,848	1,294	(659)
Purchases and disposals of property and equipment, net	(15,990)	(12,520)	(11,427)
Net cash used in investing activities	(154,611)	(211,892)	(233,318)
Financing activities
Contract holder account deposits	606,917	668,482	534,449
Contract holder account withdrawals	(577,238)	(631,181)	(440,581)
Dividends paid	(84,474)	(83,128)	(81,401)
Proceeds from the issuance of short-term debt	55,000	27,000	0
Repayments of short-term debt	(55,000)	(27,000)	0
Issuance (repurchase) of common stock, net	(5,346)	(15,152)	356
Other financing activities	(60)	33	(26)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(60,201)	(60,946)	12,797
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,758)	(33,661)	19,113
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	19,035	52,696	33,583
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	17,277	19,035	52,696
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest	(4,860)	(4,868)	(4,850)
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$ (2,736)	$ (3,005)	$ (16,347)