Debt and Preferred Equity Investments (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Loan loss reserve activity
Balance at beginning of year	$ 61,361	$ 93,844	$ 98,916
Expensed	10,875	24,418	145,855
Recoveries	(4,370)	(3,662)
Charge-offs	(17,691)	(53,239)	(150,927)
Balance at end of period	$ 50,175	$ 61,361	$ 93,844

The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 60

-Paragraph 47

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 310

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6873192&loc=d3e21338-158488

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- Definition

Charge to expense for financing receivables that are expected to be uncollectible.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=SL6953423-111524

-Subparagraph (c)(2)

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- Definition

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- Definition

Reduction to the allowance for credit losses related to financing receivables deemed uncollectible.

+ References

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