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CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Separate account balances $ 13,157,429,000pl_LiabilitiesRelatedToSeparateAccountsVariableAnnuity $ 12,791,438,000pl_LiabilitiesRelatedToSeparateAccountsVariableAnnuity  
Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB)      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Separate account balances 9,700,000,000pl_LiabilitiesRelatedToSeparateAccountsVariableAnnuity
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumWithdrawalBenefitMember
   
Annuity account | CALIC      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Average attained age of contract holders 65 years    
Percentage of variable annuity business reinsured 100.00%pl_PercentageOfInsuranceBusinessReinsured
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= pl_CALICMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Annuity account | Acquisitions | CALIC      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Guaranteed amount payable 11,600,000us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRisk
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= pl_CALICMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AcquisitionsMember
   
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB)      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Interest rate at which last anniversary date account value is compounded (as a percent) 5.00%pl_GuaranteedReturnRateForAccountValue
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Mean investment performance (as a percent) 6.18%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeEstimatedAverageInvestmentYield
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Lapse rate, low end of the range (as a percent) 2.20%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRateLowEnd
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Lapse rate, high end of the range (as a percent) 33.00%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRateHighEnd
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Average discount rate (as a percent) 6.00%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Separate account balances 13,000,000,000pl_LiabilitiesRelatedToSeparateAccountsVariableAnnuity
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Guaranteed amount payable 108,600,000us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRisk
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
   
Average attained age of contract holders 69 years    
Guaranteed amount payable with GMDB reserve 26,251,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
16,284,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
19,606,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Activity relating to GMDB reserves (excluding those 100% reinsured under the Modco agreement)      
Balance at the beginning of the period 16,284,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
19,606,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
9,798,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Incurred guarantee benefits 12,091,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsIncurredBenefits1
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
(260,000)us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsIncurredBenefits1
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
14,087,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsIncurredBenefits1
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Less: Paid guarantee benefits 2,124,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
3,062,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
4,279,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsBenefitsPaid
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Balance at the end of the period 26,251,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
16,284,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
19,606,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) | Minimum      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Mortality rate assumed (as a percent) 49.00%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeMortalityRate
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) | Maximum      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Mortality rate assumed (as a percent) 80.00%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeMortalityRate
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
   
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) | Annuities      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Guaranteed amount payable 93,100,000us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRisk
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AnnuitiesMember
   
Guaranteed amount payable with GMDB reserve 26,000,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AnnuitiesMember
   
Activity relating to GMDB reserves (excluding those 100% reinsured under the Modco agreement)      
Balance at the end of the period 26,000,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AnnuitiesMember
   
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDB) | Acquisitions      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Guaranteed amount payable 15,500,000us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRisk
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AcquisitionsMember
   
Guaranteed amount payable with GMDB reserve 300,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AcquisitionsMember
   
Activity relating to GMDB reserves (excluding those 100% reinsured under the Modco agreement)      
Balance at the end of the period $ 300,000us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteedBenefitLiabilityGross
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumDeathBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= pl_AcquisitionsMember
   
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB) | Minimum      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Mortality rate assumed (as a percent) 44.50%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeMortalityRate
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumWithdrawalBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
   
Annuity account | Guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits (GMWB) | Maximum      
CERTAIN NONTRADITIONAL LONG-DURATION CONTRACTS      
Mortality rate assumed (as a percent) 100.00%us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeMortalityRate
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= us-gaap_GuaranteedMinimumWithdrawalBenefitMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= us-gaap_VariableAnnuityMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember