OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	$ 1,148,086	$ 952,694	$ 3,393,987	$ 2,841,864
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	168,010	121,295	472,800	346,225
Realized investment (losses) gains - investments	(4,836)	(36,282)	138,617	(165,349)
Realized investment (losses) gains - derivatives	21,709	57,108	(139,119)	235,885
Income tax expense	(65,974)	(49,060)	(161,773)	(142,210)
Net income	118,909	93,061	310,525	274,551
Realized gain (losses) on investments
Investment gains (losses) - gross	(1,160)	(28,189)	148,051	(150,896)
Less: amortization related to DAC/VOBA and benefits and settlement expenses	3,676	8,093	9,434	14,453
Realized investment gains (losses) - investments	(4,836)	(36,282)	138,617	(165,349)
Realized gain (losses) on derivatives
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives, gross	3,781	41,326	(191,495)	192,592
Less: VA GMWB economic cost	(17,928)	(15,782)	(52,376)	(43,293)
Realized investment gains (losses) - derivatives	21,709	57,108	(139,119)	235,885
Other-than-temporary impairments	2,354	8,681	5,405	17,265
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	67,186,789		67,186,789		65,081,685
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	3,263,299		3,263,299		3,570,215
Goodwill	103,139		103,139		105,463
Total assets	70,553,227		70,553,227		68,757,363
Life Marketing
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	400,706	377,416	1,192,504	1,092,063
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	32,820	29,218	82,654	77,598
Acquisitions
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	408,522	240,067	1,273,714	752,247
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	72,929	29,429	198,807	93,241
Annuities
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	182,239	196,305	482,313	547,259
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	49,335	50,866	156,236	130,646
Stable Value Products
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	38,713	25,208	93,641	91,596
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	19,506	19,206	54,190	59,514
Asset Protection
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	70,584	71,495	207,837	210,879
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	8,530	6,827	23,433	20,292
Corporate and Other
Summarized financial information for the company's segments
Revenues	47,322	42,203	143,978	147,820
Segment Operating Income (Loss)	(15,110)	(14,251)	(42,520)	(35,066)
Operating | Life Marketing
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	13,699,580		13,699,580		13,135,914
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	1,950,507		1,950,507		2,071,470
Goodwill	10,192		10,192		10,192
Total assets	15,660,279		15,660,279		15,217,576
Operating | Acquisitions
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	19,895,240		19,895,240		20,188,321
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	635,336		635,336		799,255
Goodwill	30,194		30,194		32,517
Total assets	20,560,770		20,560,770		21,020,093
Operating | Annuities
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	20,595,599		20,595,599		19,974,246
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	637,752		637,752		647,485
Total assets	21,233,351		21,233,351		20,621,731
Operating | Stable Value Products
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	2,260,840		2,260,840		2,558,551
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	706		706		1,001
Total assets	2,261,546		2,261,546		2,559,552
Operating | Asset Protection
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	917,926		917,926		852,273
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	38,596		38,596		50,358
Goodwill	62,670		62,670		62,671
Total assets	1,019,192		1,019,192		965,302
Operating | Corporate and Other
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	9,802,176		9,802,176		8,355,618
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	402		402		646
Goodwill	83		83		83
Total assets	9,802,661		9,802,661		8,356,347
Adjustments
Operating Segment Assets
Investments and other assets	15,428		15,428		16,762
Total assets	$ 15,428		$ 15,428		$ 16,762