<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.6.0.2</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>802</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>812</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>247</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>16</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheet</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1005501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfShareholdersEquityParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1007000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessAndBasisOfPresentation</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2102100 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/Investments</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurements</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LiabilitiesForInsuranceProducts</Role>
      <ShortName>LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligations</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LitigationAndOtherLegalProceedings</Role>
      <ShortName>LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/AgentDeferredCompensationPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/Derivatives</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2111100 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2112100 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementData</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/StatutoryInformationBasedOnNonGaapMeasures</Role>
      <ShortName>STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - SALE OF SUBSIDIARY</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SaleOfSubsidiary</Role>
      <ShortName>SALE OF SUBSIDIARY</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA  (UNAUDITED)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnaudited</Role>
      <ShortName>QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA  (UNAUDITED)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntities</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIi</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Schedule - SCHEDULE IV</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIv</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE IV</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2202201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2302302 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303301 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2304301 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LiabilitiesForInsuranceProductsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LitigationAndOtherLegalProceedingsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/AgentDeferredCompensationPlanTables</Role>
      <ShortName>AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/DerivativesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2311301 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2312301 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementDataTables</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementCashFlowsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/StatutoryInformationBasedOnNonGaapMeasuresTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2315301 - Disclosure - SALE OF SUBSIDIARY (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SaleOfSubsidiaryTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SALE OF SUBSIDIARY (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedTables</Role>
      <ShortName>QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2401401 - Disclosure - BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessAndBasisOfPresentationNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402403 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE PROFITS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPresentValueOfFutureProfitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE PROFITS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402404 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (REINSURANCE) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesReinsuranceNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (REINSURANCE) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402405 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (INCOME TAXES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesIncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (INCOME TAXES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402406 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402407 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (INVESTMENT BORROWINGS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesInvestmentBorrowingsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (INVESTMENT BORROWINGS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402408 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAccountingForDerivativesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402409 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (MULTIBUCKET ANNUITY PRODUCTS) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesMultibucketAnnuityProductsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (MULTIBUCKET ANNUITY PRODUCTS) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402410 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (SALE OF INDUCEMENTS) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesSaleOfInducementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (SALE OF INDUCEMENTS) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2402411 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (OUT-OF-PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesOutOfPeriodAdjustmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (OUT-OF-PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403402 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF FIXED MATURITIES FOR AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND EQUITY SECURITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfFixedMaturitiesForAvailableForSaleAndEquitySecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF FIXED MATURITIES FOR AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND EQUITY SECURITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403404 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SUMMARY OF FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryOfFixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SUMMARY OF FIXED MATURITY SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403405 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403406 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS CLASSIFIED BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY DATE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfInvestmentsClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS CLASSIFIED BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY DATE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403407 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENT INCOME) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfInvestmentIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENT INCOME) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403408 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfRealizedGainLossOnInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403409 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS IN OUR PORTFOLIO RATED BELOW-INVESTMENT GRADE WHICH HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY IN AN UNREALIZED LOSS POSITION 1) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfInvestmentsInOurPortfolioRatedBelowInvestmentGradeWhichHaveBeenContinuouslyInUnrealizedLossPosition1Details</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS IN OUR PORTFOLIO RATED BELOW-INVESTMENT GRADE WHICH HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY IN AN UNREALIZED LOSS POSITION 1) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403410 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF CREDIT LOSSES RECOGNIZED IN EARNINGS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF CREDIT LOSSES RECOGNIZED IN EARNINGS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403411 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS WITH UNREALIZED LOSSES CLASSIFIED BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY DATE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfInvestmentsWithUnrealizedLossesClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS WITH UNREALIZED LOSSES CLASSIFIED BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY DATE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403412 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS IN OUR PORTFOLIO RATED BELOW-INVESTMENT GRADE WHICH HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY IN AN UNREALIZED LOSS POSITION 2) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfInvestmentsInOurPortfolioRatedBelowInvestmentGradeWhichHaveBeenContinuouslyInUnrealizedLossPosition2Details</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS IN OUR PORTFOLIO RATED BELOW-INVESTMENT GRADE WHICH HAVE BEEN CONTINUOUSLY IN AN UNREALIZED LOSS POSITION 2) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403413 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfUnrealizedLossOnInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF UNREALIZED LOSS ON INVESTMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403414 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF STRUCTURED SECURITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfStructuredSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SCHEDULE OF STRUCTURED SECURITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403415 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS (SUMMARY OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO FOR OUTSTANDING MORTGAGE LOANS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsSummaryOfWeightedAverageLoanToValueRatioForOutstandingMortgageLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS (SUMMARY OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO FOR OUTSTANDING MORTGAGE LOANS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404402 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404403 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS - SECURITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsOfFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS - SECURITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404404 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueMeasurementsOfFinancialInstrumentsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404405 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS, UNOBSERVABLE INPUT RECONCILIATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS, UNOBSERVABLE INPUT RECONCILIATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404406 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS, UNOBSERVABLE INPUT RECONCILIATION - ACTIVITY) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MEASURED ON A RECURRING BASIS, UNOBSERVABLE INPUT RECONCILIATION - ACTIVITY) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404407 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE INPUTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsFairValueInputsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (FAIR VALUE INPUTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS (SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE LIABILITIES BY PRODUCT SEGMENT) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LiabilitiesForInsuranceProductsScheduleOfInsuranceLiabilitiesByProductSegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS (SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE LIABILITIES BY PRODUCT SEGMENT) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405403 - Disclosure - LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS (SUMMARY OF LIABILITIES FOR UNPAID CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LiabilitiesForInsuranceProductsSummaryOfLiabilitiesForUnpaidClaimsAdjustmentExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LIABILITIES FOR INSURANCE PRODUCTS (SUMMARY OF LIABILITIES FOR UNPAID CLAIMS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfComponentsOfIncomeTaxExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (SCHEDULE OF COMPONENTS OF INCOME TAX EXPENSE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406404 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (SCHEDULE OF EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE RECONCILLIATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfEffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconcilliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (SCHEDULE OF EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATE RECONCILLIATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406405 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (SCHEDULE OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (SCHEDULE OF DEFERRED TAX ASSETS AND LIABILITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406406 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (SUMMARY OF VALUATION ALLOWANCE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryOfValuationAllowanceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (SUMMARY OF VALUATION ALLOWANCE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406407 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (SUMMARY OF OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesSummaryOfOperatingLossCarryforwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (SUMMARY OF OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406408 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES (RECONCILIATION OF UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/IncomeTaxesReconciliationOfUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES (RECONCILIATION OF UNRECOGNIZED TAX BENEFITS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsScheduleOfLongTermDebtInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (SCHEDULE OF LONG-TERM DEBT INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (NEW NOTES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsNewNotesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (NEW NOTES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (NEW REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsNewRevolvingCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (NEW REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (PREVIOUS SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsPreviousSeniorSecuredCreditAgreementNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (PREVIOUS SENIOR SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (6.375% NOTES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligations6375NotesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (6.375% NOTES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407407 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (SOURCES AND USES OF RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsSourcesAndUsesOfRecapitalizationTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (SOURCES AND USES OF RECAPITALIZATION TRANSACTIONS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407408 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsLossOnExtinguishmentOfDebtNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407409 - Disclosure - NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (SCHEDULE OF MATURITIES OF LONG-TERM DEBT) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/NotesPayableDirectCorporateObligationsScheduleOfMaturitiesOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NOTES PAYABLE - DIRECT CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS (SCHEDULE OF MATURITIES OF LONG-TERM DEBT) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LitigationAndOtherLegalProceedingsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (SCHEDULE OF FUTURE MINIMUM RENTAL PAYMENTS FOR OPERATING LEASES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/LitigationAndOtherLegalProceedingsScheduleOfFutureMinimumRentalPaymentsForOperatingLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LITIGATION AND OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (SCHEDULE OF FUTURE MINIMUM RENTAL PAYMENTS FOR OPERATING LEASES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R96.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/AgentDeferredCompensationPlanNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>96</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R97.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (SCHEDULE OF ASSUMPTIONS USED) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/AgentDeferredCompensationPlanScheduleOfAssumptionsUsedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (SCHEDULE OF ASSUMPTIONS USED) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>97</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R98.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (SCHEDULE OF EXPECTED BENEFIT PAYMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/AgentDeferredCompensationPlanScheduleOfExpectedBenefitPaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>AGENT DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (SCHEDULE OF EXPECTED BENEFIT PAYMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>98</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R99.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES (FAIR VALUE BY BALANCE SHEET LOCATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/DerivativesFairValueByBalanceSheetLocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES (FAIR VALUE BY BALANCE SHEET LOCATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>99</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R100.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES (SCHEDULE OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/DerivativesScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES (SCHEDULE OF DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>100</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R101.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES (SCHEDULE PRE-TAX GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED IN NET INCOME FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/DerivativesSchedulePreTaxGainsLossesRecognizedInNetIncomeForDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES (SCHEDULE PRE-TAX GAINS (LOSSES) RECOGNIZED IN NET INCOME FOR DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>101</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R102.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410405 - Disclosure - DERIVATIVES (DERIVATIVES WITH MASTER NETTING ARRANGEMENTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/DerivativesDerivativesWithMasterNettingArrangementsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DERIVATIVES (DERIVATIVES WITH MASTER NETTING ARRANGEMENTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>102</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R103.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411402 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>103</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R104.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411403 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfCommonStockOutstandingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>104</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R105.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411404 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>105</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R106.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411405 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS ON PAYMENT AWARDS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfValuationAssumptionsOnPaymentAwardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS ON PAYMENT AWARDS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>106</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R107.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411406 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION BY EXERCISE PRICE RANGE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationByExercisePriceRangeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION BY EXERCISE PRICE RANGE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>107</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R108.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411407 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF NONVESTED SHARE ACTIVITY) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfNonvestedShareActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF NONVESTED SHARE ACTIVITY) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>108</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R109.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411408 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfPerformanceShareBasedCompensationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCE SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>109</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R110.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2411409 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF EARNINGS PER SHARE RECONCILIATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ShareholdersEquityScheduleOfEarningsPerShareReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SCHEDULE OF EARNINGS PER SHARE RECONCILIATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>110</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R111.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412402 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE POLICY INCOME) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementDataScheduleOfInsurancePolicyIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF INSURANCE POLICY INCOME) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>111</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R112.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412403 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF OTHER OPERATING COST AND EXPENSE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementDataScheduleOfOtherOperatingCostAndExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF OTHER OPERATING COST AND EXPENSE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>112</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R113.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412404 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE INSURANCE PROFITS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementDataScheduleOfChangesInPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN PRESENT VALUE OF FUTURE INSURANCE PROFITS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>113</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R114.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412405 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementDataScheduleOfChangesInDeferredAcquisitionCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (SCHEDULE OF CHANGES IN DEFERRED ACQUISITION COSTS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>114</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R115.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2412406 - Disclosure - OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/OtherOperatingStatementDataNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>OTHER OPERATING STATEMENT DATA (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>115</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R116.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (SCHEDULE OF THE RECONCILIATION FOR NET INCOME PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementCashFlowsScheduleOfReconciliationForNetIncomeProvidedByOperatingActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (SCHEDULE OF THE RECONCILIATION FOR NET INCOME PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>116</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R117.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (EFFECTS OF REINSURANCE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementCashFlowsEffectsOfReinsuranceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (EFFECTS OF REINSURANCE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>117</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R118.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (SCHEDULE OF OTHER SIGNIFICANT NONCASH TRANSACTIONS) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementCashFlowsScheduleOfOtherSignificantNoncashTransactionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT CASH FLOWS (SCHEDULE OF OTHER SIGNIFICANT NONCASH TRANSACTIONS) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>118</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R119.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES) (SCHEDULE OF STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/StatutoryInformationBasedOnNonGaapMeasuresScheduleOfStatutoryAccountingPracticesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES) (SCHEDULE OF STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>119</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R120.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/StatutoryInformationBasedOnNonGaapMeasuresNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STATUTORY INFORMATION (BASED ON NON-GAAP MEASURES) (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>120</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R121.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415402 - Disclosure - SALE OF SUBSIDIARY (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SaleOfSubsidiaryNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SALE OF SUBSIDIARY (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>121</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R122.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415403 - Disclosure - SALE OF SUBSIDIARY (SCHEDULE OF CARRYING AMOUNT OF CLIC BUSINESS BEING SOLD) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/SaleOfSubsidiaryScheduleOfCarryingAmountOfClicBusinessBeingSoldDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SALE OF SUBSIDIARY (SCHEDULE OF CARRYING AMOUNT OF CLIC BUSINESS BEING SOLD) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>122</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R123.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS (SCHEDULE OF SEGMENT REPORTING INFORMATION BY SEGMENT) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessSegmentsScheduleOfSegmentReportingInformationBySegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS (SCHEDULE OF SEGMENT REPORTING INFORMATION BY SEGMENT) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>123</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R124.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416403 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS (RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) FROM SEGMENTS TO CONSOLIDATED) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessSegmentsReconciliationOfOperatingProfitLossFromSegmentsToConsolidatedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS (RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING PROFIT (LOSS) FROM SEGMENTS TO CONSOLIDATED) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>124</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R125.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416404 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS (SCHEDULE OF BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION, BY SEGMENT) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessSegmentsScheduleOfBalanceSheetInformationBySegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS (SCHEDULE OF BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION, BY SEGMENT) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>125</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R126.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416405 - Disclosure - BUSINESS SEGMENTS (SCHEDULE OF SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, BY SEGMENT) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/BusinessSegmentsScheduleOfSelectedFinancialInformationBySegmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>BUSINESS SEGMENTS (SCHEDULE OF SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, BY SEGMENT) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>126</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R127.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (SCHEDULE OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/QuarterlyFinancialDataUnauditedScheduleOfQuarterlyFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (SCHEDULE OF QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>127</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R128.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>128</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R129.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418403 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (SCHEDULE OF IMPACT ON BALANCE SHEET OF CONSOLIDATING VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesScheduleOfImpactOnBalanceSheetOfConsolidatingVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (SCHEDULE OF IMPACT ON BALANCE SHEET OF CONSOLIDATING VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>129</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R130.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418404 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION, REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesSupplementalInformationRevenuesAndExpensesOfVariableInterestEntitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION, REVENUES AND EXPENSES OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>130</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R131.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418405 - Disclosure - INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (SUMMARY OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/InvestmentsInVariableInterestEntitiesSummaryOfVariableInterestEntitiesByContractualMaturityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INVESTMENTS IN VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES (SUMMARY OF VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES BY CONTRACTUAL MATURITY) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>131</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R132.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420401 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II - BALANCE SHEET  (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIiBalanceSheetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - BALANCE SHEET  (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>132</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R133.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II - BALANCE SHEET Parenthetical  (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIiBalanceSheetParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - BALANCE SHEET Parenthetical  (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>133</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R134.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II - STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIiStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS  (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>134</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R135.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420404 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II - STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIiStatementOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS  (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>135</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R136.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420405 - Schedule - SCHEDULE II - STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Parenthetical (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIiStatementOfCashFlowsParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE II - STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Parenthetical (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>136</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="cno-20161231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R137.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2421401 - Schedule - SCHEDULE IV (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.cnoinc.com/role/ScheduleIvDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SCHEDULE IV (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Uncategorized</MenuCategory>
      <Position>137</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>cno-20161231.xml</File>
    <File>cno-20161231.xsd</File>
    <File>cno-20161231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>cno-20161231_def.xml</File>
    <File>cno-20161231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>cno-20161231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
