Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Fixed maturities-available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2017—$14,995,101; 2016—$14,188,050)	$ 16,969,325	$ 15,245,861
Policy loans	529,529	507,975
Other long-term investments	108,559	53,852
Short-term investments	127,071	72,040
Total investments	17,734,484	15,879,728
Cash	118,563	76,163
Accrued investment income	233,453	223,148
Other receivables	391,775	384,454
Deferred acquisition costs	3,958,063	3,783,158
Goodwill	441,591	441,591
Other assets	528,536	520,313
Assets related to discontinued operations	68,520	127,532
Total assets	23,474,985	21,436,087
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	13,439,472	12,825,837
Unearned and advance premiums	61,430	64,017
Policy claims and other benefits payable	333,294	299,565
Other policyholders' funds	97,635	96,993
Total policy liabilities	13,931,831	13,286,412
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,312,002	1,743,990
Other liabilities	489,609	413,760
Short-term debt	328,067	264,475
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2017—$1,228,392; 2016—$1,233,019)	1,132,201	1,133,165
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	49,854	27,424
Total liabilities	17,243,564	16,869,226
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 15)
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share—Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: 0 in 2017 and 2016	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share—Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2017—124,218,183 issued, less 9,625,104 held in treasury and 2016—127,218,183 issued, less 9,187,075 held in treasury)	124,218	127,218
Additional paid-in capital	508,476	490,421
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,424,274	577,574
Retained earnings	4,806,208	3,890,798
Treasury stock	(631,755)	(519,150)
Total shareholders’ equity	6,231,421	4,566,861
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 23,474,985	$ 21,436,087