NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (DETAILS) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Convertible Subordinated Debt [Member]	Mar. 31, 2011 Senior Secured Credit Agreement	Sep. 30, 2011 Senior Secured Credit Agreement	Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Secured Credit Agreement	Sep. 30, 2011 Senior Secured Notes 9 Percent [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Senior Secured Notes 9 Percent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Notes Payable [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate									5.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, LIBOR Floor									1.25%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Prior To Ammendment									6.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, LIBOR Floor Prior To Ammendment									1.50%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Base Rate									4.00%
Debt Instruent, Basis Spread on Variable Rate, Base Rate Floor									2.25%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Floor, Base Rate Prior To Ammendment									5.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Base Rate Floor Prior to Ammendment									2.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate at Period End									6.25%
Debt to Capitalization Ratio, Threshold Requiring Equal Debt Repayment									17.50%
Debt to Capitalization Ratio, Threshold Requiring Half Debt Repayment [Roll Forward]									12.50%
Debt to Capitalization Ratio, Maximum Threshold for Repayment Requirement									12.50%
Ceiling on Non Investment Grade Investments at Period End									12.00%
Ceiling on Non Investment Grade Investments at Period End Prior to Ammendment									10.00%
Mandatory Debt Repayment									$ 55.7
Cost of shares acquired			(55.7)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt Resulting from Required Prepayments									1.7
Debt to Capitalization Ratio at Period End									18.00%
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Direct corporate obligations	871.2		871.2		998.5	293.0	293.0		269.3	375.0	275.0	275.0	50.0	75.0
Unamortized Discount						(13.4)	(14.8)		(2.7)	(4.7)
Early Repayment of Senior Debt								50.0
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(1.1)	0	(3.1)	(2.7)
Early Payment of Long Term Note Payable	25.0
Voluntary Debt Repayment									50.0
Long-term Debt, by Maturity [Abstract]
2012	10.0		10.0
2013	76.2		76.2
2014	95.0		95.0
2015	82.5		82.5
2016	55.6		55.6
Thereafter	568.0		568.0
Long-term Debt	887.3		887.3
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt Resulting from Voluntary Prepayments									$ 1.4