FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	$ 5,294,729	$ 5,493,492
Policy loans	1,778,379	1,815,744
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	400,000	365,000
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,435,995	2,559,552
Annuity account balances	11,071,468	11,125,253
Debt:
Subordinated debt securities	540,593	540,593
Non-recourse funding obligations	579,078	562,448
Golden Gate V
Debt:
Non-recourse funding obligations	400,000
Carrying Amounts
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	5,294,729	5,493,492
Policy loans	1,778,379	1,815,744
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	400,000	365,000
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,435,995	2,559,552
Annuity account balances	11,071,468	11,125,253
Debt:
Bank borrowings	345,000	485,000
Senior Notes	1,100,000	1,100,000
Subordinated debt securities	540,593	540,593
Non-recourse funding obligations	579,078	562,448
Carrying Amounts | Golden Gate V
Debt:
Non-recourse funding obligations	400,000	365,000
Fair Values | Level 3
Assets:
Mortgage loans on real estate	5,821,043	5,956,133
Policy loans	1,778,379	1,815,744
Fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	451,382	335,676
Liabilities:
Stable value product account balances	2,456,141	2,566,209
Annuity account balances	10,665,435	10,639,637
Debt:
Bank borrowings	345,000	485,000
Non-recourse funding obligations	578,392	470,709
Fair Values | Level 2
Debt:
Senior Notes	1,356,480	1,294,675
Subordinated debt securities	552,607	473,503
Fair Values | Golden Gate V | Level 3
Debt:
Non-recourse funding obligations	$ 427,100	$ 321,500