OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	$ 1,090,558	$ 932,814
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	145,035	107,075
Realized investment (losses) gains - investments	68,533	(9,756)
Realized investment (losses) gains - derivatives	(88,363)	20,308
Income tax expense	(41,566)	(39,336)
Net income	83,639	78,291
Realized gain (losses) on investments
Investment gains (losses) - gross	70,523	(8,729)
Less: amortization related to DAC/VOBA and benefits and settlement expenses	1,990	1,027
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments	68,533	(9,756)
Realized gain (losses) on derivatives
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives, gross	(105,350)	7,385
Less: VA GMWB economic cost	(16,987)	(12,923)
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives	(88,363)	20,308
Other-than-temporary impairments	1,591	4,584
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	66,521,028		65,094,445
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,405,259		3,584,199
Goodwill	104,688		105,463
Total assets	70,030,975		68,784,107
Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	384,766	367,626
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	23,485	23,707
Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	426,948	250,487
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	60,996	34,377
Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	144,657	164,929
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	51,643	43,398
Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	27,819	31,920
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	17,397	17,844
Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	66,383	67,571
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	6,369	6,081
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	39,985	50,281
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(14,855)	(18,332)
Operating | Life Marketing
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	13,386,623		13,135,914
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	2,013,199		2,071,470
Goodwill	10,192		10,192
Total assets	15,410,014		15,217,576
Operating | Acquisitions
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	20,154,237		20,201,081
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	711,429		813,239
Goodwill	31,742		32,517
Total assets	20,897,408		21,046,837
Operating | Annuities
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	20,296,900		19,974,246
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	633,074		647,485
Total assets	20,929,974		20,621,731
Operating | Stable Value Products
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	2,536,603		2,558,551
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	901		1,001
Total assets	2,537,504		2,559,552
Operating | Asset Protection
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	866,113		852,273
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	46,104		50,358
Goodwill	62,671		62,671
Total assets	974,888		965,302
Operating | Corporate and Other
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	9,264,394		8,355,618
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	552		646
Goodwill	83		83
Total assets	9,265,029		8,356,347
Adjustments
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	16,158		16,762
Total assets	$ 16,158		$ 16,762