Reinsurance (Reinsurance amounts included in the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Premiums:
Direct	$ 62,975	$ 61,930	$ 127,608	$ 124,944
Ceded	(57,846)	(58,649)	(117,285)	(118,325)
Net premiums	5,129	3,281	10,323	6,619
Policy charges and fee income:
Direct	94,937	118,884	204,009	212,504
Ceded	(76,694)	(96,279)	(161,797)	(170,050)
Net policy charges and fee income	18,243	22,605	42,212	42,454
Net investment income:
Direct	20,874	19,634	38,066	38,543
Ceded	(191)	(162)	(418)	(330)
Net investment income	20,683	19,472	37,648	38,213
Asset administration fees:
Direct	9,290	9,394	19,015	18,273
Ceded	(7,744)	(7,945)	(15,904)	(15,481)
Net asset administration fees	1,546	1,449	3,111	2,792
Realized investment gains (losses), net:
Direct	146,576	(165,057)	(922,872)	(227,900)
Ceded	(154,088)	160,001	928,425	216,734
Realized investment gains (losses), net	(7,512)	(5,056)	5,553	(11,166)
Policyholders’ benefits (including change in reserves):
Direct	126,289	131,279	257,575	203,307
Ceded	(112,846)	(120,928)	(227,446)	(182,979)
Net policyholders’ benefits (including change in reserves)	13,443	10,351	30,129	20,328
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances:
Direct	16,061	17,271	38,319	32,488
Ceded	(4,074)	(7,266)	(16,141)	(13,430)
Net interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	11,987	10,005	22,178	19,058
Reinsurance expense allowances and general and administrative expenses, net of capitalization and amortization	(24,163)	(58,171)	(99,696)	(97,673)
Unaffiliated activity
Policy charges and fee income:
Ceded	(0)	(4,000)	(0)	(4,000)
Policyholders’ benefits (including change in reserves):
Ceded	$ 500	$ 1,000	$ 1,500	$ 2,000