Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets:
Fixed maturities—available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2018—$15,753,471; 2017—$14,995,101)	$ 16,297,932	$ 16,969,325
Policy loans	550,066	529,529
Other long-term investments (includes: 2018—$108,241; 2017—$0, under the fair value option)	207,258	108,559
Short-term investments	63,288	127,071
Total investments	17,118,544	17,734,484
Cash	121,026	118,563
Accrued investment income	243,003	233,453
Other receivables	415,157	391,775
Deferred acquisition costs	4,137,925	3,958,063
Goodwill	441,591	441,591
Other assets	549,899	528,536
Assets related to discontinued operations	68,577	68,520
Total assets	23,095,722	23,474,985
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	13,953,826	13,439,472
Unearned and advance premiums	61,208	61,430
Policy claims and other benefits payable	350,826	333,294
Other policyholders' funds	97,459	97,635
Total policy liabilities	14,463,319	13,931,831
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,047,737	1,312,002
Other liabilities	453,270	489,609
Short-term debt	307,848	328,067
Long-term debt (estimated fair value: 2018—$1,384,455; 2017—$1,228,392)	1,357,185	1,132,201
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	51,186	49,854
Total liabilities	17,680,545	17,243,564
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share—5,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding: 0 in 2018 and 2017	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share—320,000,000 shares authorized; outstanding: (2018—121,218,183 issued; 2017—124,218,183 issued)	121,218	124,218
Additional paid-in capital	524,414	508,476
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	319,475	1,424,274
Retained earnings	5,213,468	4,806,208
Treasury stock, at cost: (2018—10,525,147 shares; 2017—9,625,104 shares)	(763,398)	(631,755)
Total shareholders’ equity	5,415,177	6,231,421
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 23,095,722	$ 23,474,985