CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues
Premiums and policy fees	$ 726,847		$ 696,305
Reinsurance ceded	(335,350)		(304,558)
Net of reinsurance ceded	391,497		391,747
Net investment income	457,634		462,121
Realized investment gains (losses):
Derivative financial instruments	7,385		(29,909)
All other investments	(4,145)		35,726
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	(1,340)		(34,420)
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)	(3,244)		15,656
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(4,584)		(18,764)
Other income	85,027		111,260
Total revenues	932,814		952,181
Benefits and expenses
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2013 - $307,306; 2012 - $281,807)	581,880		589,629
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	52,239		56,836
Other operating expenses, net of reinsurance ceded: (2013 - $40,989; 2012 - $46,631)	181,068		155,137
Total benefits and expenses	815,187		801,602
Income before income tax	117,627		150,579
Income tax expense	39,336		51,558
Net income	78,291		99,021
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners	$ 78,291	[1]	$ 99,021	[1]
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.99		$ 1.20
Net income available to PLC's common shareowners - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.97		$ 1.18
Cash dividends paid per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.18		$ 0.16
Average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	79,139,392		82,330,330
Average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	80,706,744		83,921,135

[1] Protective Life Corporation ("PLC")