BUSINESS SEGMENTS (DETAILS) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net	$ 33.9		$ 0		$ 33.9		$ 0
Revenues:
Fee revenue and other income	4.9		4.6		12.5		11.7
Revenues	961.7		1,048.9		3,034.9		3,026.1
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	661.0		700.0		2,028.6		2,050.0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1.1		0		3.1		2.7
Other operating costs and expenses	127.6		128.2		367.1		370.8
Total expenses	885.4		975.1		2,790.9		2,825.4
Income before net realized investment losses (net of related amortization) and income taxes	76.3		73.8		244.0		200.7
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	961.7		1,048.9		3,034.9		3,026.1
Net realized investment gains (losses)	30.6		3.6		38.6		(18.0)
Consolidated revenues	992.3		1,052.5		3,073.5		3,008.1
Total segment expenses	885.4		975.1		2,790.9		2,825.4
Amortization related to fair value changes in embedded derivative liabilities	(19.4)		0		(19.4)		0
Amortization related to net realized investment gains (losses)	4.9		0.1		4.8		0.5
Consolidated expenses	904.8		975.2		2,810.2		2,825.9
Bankers Life [Member]
Revenues:
Annuities	9.6		11.7		26.7		30.7
Health	334.0		343.9		1,017.1		1,032.2
Life	61.0		49.5		170.4		139.1
Net investment income	158.0	[1]	208.5	[1]	564.5	[1]	554.9	[1]
Fee revenue and other income	3.6	[1]	3.6	[1]	9.2	[1]	8.6	[1]
Revenues	566.2		617.2		1,787.9		1,765.5
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	360.6		402.1		1,174.3		1,201.3
Amortization	67.2		76.4		238.8		214.0
Interest expense on investment borrowings	1.2		0		3.5		0
Other operating costs and expenses	45.8		43.2		131.3		137.5
Total expenses	474.8		521.7		1,547.9		1,552.8
Income before net realized investment losses (net of related amortization) and income taxes	91.4		95.5		240.0		212.7
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	566.2		617.2		1,787.9		1,765.5
Total segment expenses	474.8		521.7		1,547.9		1,552.8
Washington National [Member]
Revenues:
Health	141.2		139.6		423.1		418.6
Life	3.9		4.0		11.8		12.7
Other	0.8		1.3		3.0		3.7
Net investment income	47.3	[1]	46.4	[1]	140.3	[1]	137.7	[1]
Fee revenue and other income	0.4	[1]	0.3	[1]	0.9	[1]	0.8	[1]
Revenues	193.6		191.6		579.1		573.5
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	119.0		112.4		349.5		341.6
Amortization	13.9		14.4		44.0		42.3
Interest expense on investment borrowings	0.2		0		0.2		0
Other operating costs and expenses	38.4		37.6		115.4		113.7
Total expenses	171.5		164.4		509.1		497.6
Income before net realized investment losses (net of related amortization) and income taxes	22.1		27.2		70.0		75.9
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	193.6		191.6		579.1		573.5
Total segment expenses	171.5		164.4		509.1		497.6
Colonial Penn [Member]
Revenues:
Health	1.4		1.8		4.5		5.2
Life	49.4		47.0		147.5		141.1
Net investment income	10.1	[1]	9.9	[1]	30.9	[1]	29.3	[1]
Fee revenue and other income	0.2	[1]	0.2	[1]	0.6	[1]	0.5	[1]
Revenues	61.1		58.9		183.5		176.1
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	36.0		36.4		112.7		108.5
Amortization	9.3		7.0		26.9		24.5
Other operating costs and expenses	7.7		7.7		22.8		22.4
Total expenses	53.0		51.1		162.4		155.4
Income before net realized investment losses (net of related amortization) and income taxes	8.1		7.8		21.1		20.7
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	61.1		58.9		183.5		176.1
Total segment expenses	53.0		51.1		162.4		155.4
Other CNO Business [Member]
Revenues:
Annuities	3.4		3.8		8.6		8.7
Health	6.9		7.5		21.3		22.7
Life	61.7		63.9		184.9		190.4
Other	0.2		0.5		1.4		1.9
Net investment income	74.6	[1]	96.5	[1]	256.0	[1]	269.5	[1]
Revenues	146.8		172.2		472.2		493.2
Benefits and expenses:
Insurance policy benefits	111.5		149.1		358.2		398.6
Amortization	11.3		20.7		30.3		36.5
Interest expense on investment borrowings	5.3		5.1		15.2		15.1
Other operating costs and expenses	16.7		21.7		54.6		60.5
Total expenses	144.8		196.6		458.3		510.7
Income before net realized investment losses (net of related amortization) and income taxes	2.0		(24.4)		13.9		(17.5)
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	146.8		172.2		472.2		493.2
Total segment expenses	144.8		196.6		458.3		510.7
Corporate Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Net investment income	(6.7)		8.5		10.4		16.0
Fee revenue and other income	0.7		0.5		1.8		1.8
Revenues	(6.0)		9.0		12.2		17.8
Benefits and expenses:
Interest expense on investment borrowings	0.1		0		0.1		0
Interest expense on corporate debt	18.7		20.0		58.6		59.3
Interest expense on borrowings of variable interest entities	2.4		3.3		8.4		10.2
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1.1		0		3.1		2.7
Other operating costs and expenses	19.0		18.0		43.0		36.7
Total expenses	41.3		41.3		113.2		108.9
Income before net realized investment losses (net of related amortization) and income taxes	(47.3)		(32.3)		(101.0)		(91.1)
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Abstract]
Total segment revenues	(6.0)		9.0		12.2		17.8
Total segment expenses	$ 41.3		$ 41.3		$ 113.2		$ 108.9

[1] It is not practicable to provide additional components of revenue by product or services.