Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Fixed maturities—available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$15,274,490; 2017—$14,995,101)	$ 16,635,885	$ 16,969,325
Policy loans	532,383	529,529
Other long-term investments (includes: 2018—$106,151; 2017—$0, under the fair value option)	168,621	108,559
Short-term investments	80,023	127,071
Total investments	17,416,912	17,734,484
Cash	88,615	118,563
Accrued investment income	240,817	233,453
Other receivables	396,379	391,775
Deferred acquisition costs	4,002,181	3,958,063
Goodwill	441,591	441,591
Other assets	527,258	528,536
Assets related to discontinued operations	68,590	68,520
Total assets	23,182,343	23,474,985
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	13,571,585	13,439,472
Unearned and advance premiums	67,058	61,430
Policy claims and other benefits payable	333,760	333,294
Other policyholders' funds	97,468	97,635
Total policy liabilities	14,069,871	13,931,831
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,216,687	1,312,002
Other liabilities	528,877	489,609
Short-term debt	365,156	328,067
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2018—$1,202,444; 2017—$1,228,392)	1,131,215	1,132,201
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	50,236	49,854
Total liabilities	17,362,042	17,243,564
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share—Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2018 and 2017	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share—Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2018—124,218,183 issued, less 10,396,436 held in treasury and 2017—124,218,183 issued, less 9,625,104 held in treasury)	124,218	124,218
Additional paid-in capital	508,941	508,476
Accumulated other comprehensive income	940,199	1,424,274
Retained earnings	4,955,608	4,806,208
Treasury stock, at cost	(708,665)	(631,755)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,820,301	6,231,421
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 23,182,343	$ 23,474,985