CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues
Premiums and policy fees	$ 2,814,278		$ 2,800,140		$ 2,625,394
Reinsurance ceded	(1,345,836)		(1,394,675)		(1,408,340)
Net of reinsurance ceded	1,468,442		1,405,465		1,217,054
Net investment income	1,862,332		1,820,643		1,683,676
Realized investment gains (losses):
Derivative financial instruments	(238,480)		(155,251)		(138,249)
All other investments	231,035		234,915		154,366
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(66,188)		(62,332)		(75,341)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)	7,302		14,890		33,831
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(58,886)		(47,442)		(41,510)
Other income	358,563		307,812		222,418
Total revenues	3,623,006		3,566,142		3,097,755
Benefits and expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2012 - $1,228,425; 2011 - $1,228,775; 2010 - $1,278,657)	2,326,040		2,233,473		2,089,429
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	203,565		264,993		164,963
Other operating expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2012 - $196,709; 2011 - $198,888; 2010 - $199,610)	640,430		597,200		508,591
Total benefits and expenses	3,170,035		3,095,666		2,762,983
Income before income tax	452,971		470,476		334,772
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current	76,186		9,774		(3,214)
Deferred	74,333		145,065		113,117
Total income tax expense	150,519		154,839		109,903
Net income	302,452		315,637		224,869
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			245		(445)
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 302,452	[1]	$ 315,392	[1]	$ 225,314	[1]
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.73		$ 3.70		$ 2.60
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.66		$ 3.65		$ 2.57
Cash dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70		$ 0.620		$ 0.540
Average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	81,066,338		85,208,612		86,567,069
Average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	82,723,016		86,475,229		87,675,857

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")