CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues
Premiums and policy fees	$ 2,800,140		$ 2,625,394		$ 2,689,699
Reinsurance ceded	(1,394,675)		(1,408,340)		(1,527,053)
Net of reinsurance ceded	1,405,465		1,217,054		1,162,646
Net investment income	1,820,643		1,683,676		1,665,036
Realized investment gains (losses):
Derivative financial instruments	(155,251)		(138,249)		(177,953)
All other investments	234,915		154,366		300,194
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(62,332)		(75,341)		(227,770)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)	14,890		33,831		47,725
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(47,442)		(41,510)		(180,045)
Other income	307,812		222,418		298,148
Total revenues	3,566,142		3,097,755		3,068,026
Benefits and expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2011 - $1,228,775; 2010 - $1,278,657; 2009- $1,419,702)	2,233,473		2,089,429		1,977,979
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	315,923		209,722		345,569
Other operating expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2011 - $198,888; 2010 - $199,610; 2009 - $209,937)	509,594		409,741		327,700
Total benefits and expenses	3,058,990		2,708,892		2,651,248
Income before income tax	507,152		388,863		416,778
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current	9,774		(3,214)		(49,727)
Deferred	158,063		132,281		195,017
Total income tax expense	167,837		129,067		145,290
Net income	339,315		259,796		271,488
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	245		(445)
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners(1)	$ 339,070	[1]	$ 260,241	[1]	$ 271,488	[1]
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.98		$ 3.01		$ 3.37
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.92		$ 2.97		$ 3.34
Cash dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.62		$ 0.54		$ 0.48
Average shares outstanding - basic	85,208,612		86,567,069		80,488,694
Average shares outstanding - diluted	86,475,229		87,675,857		81,249,265

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")