OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	$ 880,594	$ 864,196	$ 2,582,218	$ 2,632,990
Realized investment (losses) gains - investments	(31,968)	120,723	(140,299)	193,649
Realized investment (losses) gains - derivatives	37,196	(107,022)	124,321	(169,104)
Income tax expense	(37,107)	(35,778)	(98,966)	(116,428)
Net income	76,248	70,911	203,130	248,394
Realized gain (losses) on investments
Investment gains (losses)	(27,949)	113,977	(151,006)	185,301
Less: amortization related to DAC/VOBA and benefits settlement expenses	4,019	(6,746)	(10,707)	(8,348)
Realized investment gains (losses) in investments	(31,968)	120,723	(140,299)	193,649
Realized gain (losses) on derivatives
Derivative gains (losses)	32,212	(116,663)	102,410	(194,340)
Less: VA GMWB economic cost	(4,984)	(9,641)	(21,911)	(25,236)
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives	37,196	(107,022)	124,321	(169,104)
Other-than-temporary impairments	8,681	8,499	17,265	40,537
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	54,693,620		54,693,620		53,848,454
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,207,372		3,207,372		3,225,356
Goodwill	81,449		81,449		83,773
Total assets	57,982,441		57,982,441		57,157,583
Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	346,294	313,170	1,002,522	938,920
Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	240,067	251,550	752,247	812,355
Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	170,065	140,563	435,480	460,822
Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	25,207	26,933	91,735	96,374
Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	76,157	75,217	223,709	222,984
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	22,804	56,763	76,525	101,535
Operating
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	108,127	92,988	318,074	340,277
Operating | Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	28,158	27,885	75,505	87,678
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	12,913,177		12,913,177		12,171,384
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,030,605		2,030,605		2,001,708
Total assets	14,943,782		14,943,782		14,173,092
Operating | Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	29,429	46,155	93,241	128,869
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	11,196,504		11,196,504		11,312,550
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	597,284		597,284		679,746
Goodwill	33,291		33,291		35,615
Total assets	11,827,079		11,827,079		12,027,911
Operating | Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	43,825	9,041	120,260	72,864
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	19,372,420		19,372,420		17,649,488
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	526,780		526,780		491,184
Total assets	19,899,200		19,899,200		18,140,672
Operating | Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	19,206	13,050	59,514	41,654
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	2,530,150		2,530,150		2,509,160
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	1,112		1,112		1,399
Total assets	2,531,262		2,531,262		2,510,559
Operating | Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	5,365	2,825	15,347	10,171
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	775,563		775,563		740,153
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	50,883		50,883		50,253
Goodwill	48,158		48,158		48,158
Total assets	874,604		874,604		838,564
Operating | Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(17,856)	(5,968)	(45,793)	(959)
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	7,888,528		7,888,528		9,446,057
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	708		708		1,066
Total assets	7,889,236		7,889,236		9,447,123
Adjustments
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	17,278		17,278		19,662
Total assets	$ 17,278		$ 17,278		$ 19,662