Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Fixed maturities—available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$15,350,152; 2017—$14,995,101)	$ 16,284,691	$ 16,969,325
Policy loans	537,808	529,529
Other long-term investments (includes: 2018—$108,452; 2017—$0, under the fair value option)	181,676	108,559
Short-term investments	68,544	127,071
Total investments	17,072,719	17,734,484
Cash	82,230	118,563
Accrued investment income	237,985	233,453
Other receivables	407,676	391,775
Deferred acquisition costs	4,045,890	3,958,063
Goodwill	441,591	441,591
Other assets	522,042	528,536
Assets related to discontinued operations	68,568	68,520
Total assets	22,878,701	23,474,985
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	13,702,887	13,439,472
Unearned and advance premiums	66,872	61,430
Policy claims and other benefits payable	329,469	333,294
Other policyholders' funds	96,575	97,635
Total policy liabilities	14,195,803	13,931,831
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,098,411	1,312,002
Other liabilities	474,264	489,609
Short-term debt	671,666	328,067
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2018—$849,903; 2017—$1,228,392)	817,474	1,132,201
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	49,474	49,854
Total liabilities	17,307,092	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 11,294,710 held in treasury and 2017—124,218,183 issued, less 9,625,104 held in treasury)	124,218	124,218
Additional paid-in capital	517,077	508,476
Accumulated other comprehensive income	603,499	1,424,274
Retained earnings	5,115,071	4,806,208
Treasury stock, at cost	(788,256)	(631,755)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,571,609	6,231,421
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 22,878,701	$ 23,474,985