CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues
Premiums and policy fees	$ 2,981,651		$ 2,814,278		$ 2,800,140
Reinsurance ceded	(1,377,195)		(1,345,836)		(1,394,675)
Net of reinsurance ceded	1,604,456		1,468,442		1,405,465
Net investment income	1,918,081		1,862,332		1,820,643
Realized investment gains (losses):
Derivative financial instruments	188,131		(238,480)		(155,251)
All other investments	(123,537)		231,035		234,915
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(10,941)		(66,188)		(62,332)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)	(11,506)		7,302		14,890
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(22,447)		(58,886)		(47,442)
Other income	394,315		358,563		307,812
Total revenues	3,958,999		3,623,006		3,566,142
Benefits and expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2013 - $1,209,783; 2012 - $1,228,425; 2011 - $1,228,775)	2,479,757		2,326,040		2,233,473
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	192,898		203,565		264,993
Other operating expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2013 - $196,311; 2012 - $196,709; 2011 - $198,888)	695,971		640,430		597,200
Total benefits and expenses	3,368,626		3,170,035		3,095,666
Income before income tax	590,373		452,971		470,476
Income tax expense
Current	21,855		76,186		9,774
Deferred	175,054		74,333		145,065
Total income tax expense	196,909		150,519		154,839
Net income	393,464		302,452		315,637
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests					245
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 393,464	[1]	$ 302,452	[1]	$ 315,392	[1]
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 4.96		$ 3.73		$ 3.70
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 4.86		$ 3.66		$ 3.65
Cash dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.780		$ 0.700		$ 0.620
Average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	79,395,622		81,066,338		85,208,612
Average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	80,925,713		82,723,016		86,475,229

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")