Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, Market Value	$ 13,019,176	$ 12,636,907
Percentage threshold that triggers a review of available for sale debt securities for declines in market value	80.00%
Aggregate market value of investments in unrealized loss position	4,306,232	4,404,165
Gross unrealized losses on investments in unrealized loss position	124,467	173,192
Percentage threshold of unrealized losses not exceeded by any one single issuer	0.50%	0.40%
Fixed maturity securities, duration of unrealized loss, less than 12 months, gross unrealized depreciation	61,127	123,833
Fixed maturity securities, duration of unrealized loss, greater than 12 months, gross unrealized depreciation	56,334	40,762
Additional contractual commitments	121,387
Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Limited partnership financial reporting lag time, months	1 month
Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Limited partnership financial reporting lag time, months	3 months
Foreign Government Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, Market Value	1,748,271
Aggregate market value of investments in unrealized loss position	531,061	494,281
Gross unrealized losses on investments in unrealized loss position	23,806	29,347
European Sovereign Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale, Market Value	796,804
Percentage threshold maximum of securities held in sovereign debt	5.00%
United Kingdom [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Percentage of securities held in sovereign debt of a specific country	52.50%
France [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Percentage of securities held in sovereign debt of a specific country	21.90%
Austria [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Percentage of securities held in sovereign debt of a specific country	6.70%
Netherlands [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Percentage of securities held in sovereign debt of a specific country	5.60%
Investment Grade [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities, duration of unrealized loss, less than 12 months, gross unrealized depreciation	55,242	112,658
Fixed maturity securities, duration of unrealized loss, greater than 12 months, gross unrealized depreciation	54,566	38,964
Sub-prime and Alt-A Loans [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed maturity securities, duration of unrealized loss, greater than 12 months, gross unrealized depreciation	$ 230	$ 273

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