INVESTMENT OPERATIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Net realized investment gains (losses) for all other investments
Fixed maturities	$ 10,546,000	$ 22,889,000	$ 42,007,000	$ 58,929,000
Equity securities		(241,000)	2,367,000	(93,000)
Impairments on fixed maturity securities	(7,421,000)	(8,556,000)	(13,918,000)	(40,928,000)
Impairments on equity securities	(1,260,000)		(3,347,000)
Modco trading portfolio	(25,960,000)	104,865,000	(167,982,000)	179,027,000
Other investments	(4,094,000)	(4,958,000)	(10,023,000)	(13,989,000)
Total realized gains (losses) - investments	(28,189,000)	113,999,000	(150,896,000)	182,946,000
Gross realized gains on investments available-for-sale (fixed maturities, equity securities, and short-term investments)	11,700,000	23,600,000	48,500,000	63,000,000
Gross realized losses	9,600,000	9,300,000	20,800,000	44,800,000
Impairment losses on investments available-for-sale	8,500,000	8,400,000	16,700,000	40,600,000
Fair value (proceeds) of securities in an unrealized gain position sold	332,100,000	424,600,000	1,100,000,000	1,300,000,000
Gain realized on the sale of securities in an unrealized gain position	11,700,000	23,600,000	48,500,000	63,000,000
Fair value (proceeds) of securities in an unrealized loss position sold	7,000,000	14,300,000	64,200,000	31,700,000
Loss realized on the sale of securities in an unrealized loss position	$ 1,100,000	$ 900,000	$ 4,100,000	$ 4,100,000