Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net earnings	$ 210,341	$ 227,236	$ 223,822
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Realized gains on sale of investments	(15,910)	(23,939)	(13,979)
Unrealized losses (gains) on investments	57,162	(38,680)	(56,672)
Other non-cash items	3,984	(1,268)	11,276
Depreciation and other amortization	55,159	60,771	52,560
Net change in trading securities held on behalf of policyholders	(7,241)	4,256	3,485
Sales and maturities of trading securities	3,913,094	2,974,318	2,679,826
Purchases of trading securities	(4,263,912)	(2,087,611)	(2,713,581)
Changes in:
Reinsurance balances recoverable	402,575	434,605	430,542
Funds held by reinsured companies	34,589	113,771	175,750
Losses and loss adjustment expenses	(1,020,404)	(967,263)	(706,880)
Policy benefits for life and annuity contracts	(24,438)	(52,236)	6,443
Insurance and reinsurance balances payable	(21,485)	(187,178)	(165,896)
Unearned premiums	(20,048)	4,998	(81,967)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(42,824)	35,839	92,884
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	(739,358)	497,619	(62,387)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	109,848	37,540	(409,560)
Sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	142,824	110,180	196,507
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities	0	0	(112)
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(102,214)	(117,624)	(15,739)
Maturities of held-to-maturity securities	11,558	36,680	18,449
Movement in restricted cash and cash equivalents	512,767	(114,538)	(78,638)
Purchase of other investments	(355,184)	(349,652)	(107,396)
Redemption of other investments	168,988	104,684	28,568
Other investing activities	(1,520)	632	2,132
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	487,067	(292,098)	(365,789)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Distribution of capital to noncontrolling interest	0	(11,864)	0
Contribution by noncontrolling interest	680	17,768	0
Contribution by redeemable noncontrolling interest	15,728	273,035	96,689
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest	(16,861)	(18,108)	(3,908)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(150,400)	0	0
Receipt of loans	657,700	70,000	369,800
Repayment of loans	(377,500)	(199,245)	(39,505)
Net cash flows provided by financing activities	129,347	131,586	423,076
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON FOREIGN CURRENCY CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(18,533)	(17,546)	(5,949)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(141,477)	319,561	(11,049)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	963,402	643,841	654,890
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	821,925	963,402	643,841
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	33,305	41,830	32,115
Interest paid	$ 19,395	$ 16,130	$ 9,114