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Description of Business	6 Months Ended
Description of Business	Jun. 30, 2011
Description of Business [Abstract]
Description of Business	1. Description of Business Symetra Financial Corporation is a Delaware corporation that, through its subsidiaries, offers group and individual insurance products and retirement products, including annuities, marketed through benefits consultants, financial institutions and independent agents and advisors in all states and the District of Columbia. The Company’s principal products include medical stop-loss insurance, fixed and variable deferred annuities, single premium immediate annuities and individual life insurance.