FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	$ 4,794,924	$ 4,950,201
Policy loans	856,333	865,391
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	350,000	300,000
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,531,262	2,510,559
Annuity account balances	10,431,938	10,658,463
Debt:
Subordinated debt securities	540,593	540,593
Non-recourse funding obligations	619,900	586,000
Golden Gate V
Debt:
Non-recourse funding obligations	350,000
Carrying Amounts
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	4,794,924	4,950,201
Policy loans	856,333	865,391
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,531,262	2,510,559
Annuity account balances	10,431,938	10,658,463
Debt:
Bank borrowings	350,000	50,000
Senior Notes	1,100,000	1,350,000
Subordinated debt securities	540,593	540,593
Non-recourse funding obligations	619,900	586,000
Carrying Amounts | Fixed maturities
Assets:
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	350,000	300,000
Carrying Amounts | Golden Gate V
Debt:
Non-recourse funding obligations	350,000	300,000
Fair Values
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	5,287,854	5,725,382
Policy loans	856,333	865,391
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,535,865	2,534,094
Annuity account balances	10,074,996	10,525,702
Debt:
Bank borrowings	350,000	50,000
Senior Notes	1,292,066	1,584,438
Subordinated debt securities	502,628	556,524
Non-recourse funding obligations	517,180	481,056
Fair Values | Fixed maturities
Assets:
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	341,797	319,163
Fair Values | Golden Gate V
Debt:
Non-recourse funding obligations	$ 325,100	$ 297,600