Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Fixed maturities—available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$15,462,364; 2017—$14,995,101)	$ 16,231,471	$ 16,969,325
Policy loans	543,836	529,529
Other long-term investments (includes: 2018—$107,996; 2017—$0, under the fair value option)	191,191	108,559
Short-term investments	633,490	127,071
Total investments	17,599,988	17,734,484
Cash	77,439	118,563
Accrued investment income	244,851	233,453
Other receivables	406,907	391,775
Deferred acquisition costs	4,091,601	3,958,063
Goodwill	441,591	441,591
Other assets	538,540	528,536
Assets related to discontinued operations	68,571	68,520
Total assets	23,469,488	23,474,985
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	13,842,694	13,439,472
Unearned and advance premiums	62,139	61,430
Policy claims and other benefits payable	337,981	333,294
Other policyholders' funds	97,007	97,635
Total policy liabilities	14,339,821	13,931,831
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,072,856	1,312,002
Other liabilities	493,726	489,609
Short-term debt	615,011	328,067
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2018—$1,387,229; 2017—$1,228,392)	1,358,947	1,132,201
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	50,222	49,854
Total liabilities	17,930,583	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 12,050,407 held in treasury and 2017—124,218,183 issued, less 9,625,104 held in treasury)	124,218	124,218
Additional paid-in capital	527,489	508,476
Accumulated other comprehensive income	477,624	1,424,274
Retained earnings	5,267,964	4,806,208
Treasury stock, at cost	(858,390)	(631,755)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,538,905	6,231,421
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 23,469,488	$ 23,474,985