FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 3) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		5 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Transfers
Securities transferred into Level 3		$ 0		$ 0
Securities transferred from level 3 to level 2		21,800		41,900
Transfers from Level 2 to Level 1		0		90,400
Transfers from Level 1		0		0
Predecessor
Transfers
Securities transferred into Level 3	$ 43,200		$ 1,300		$ 31,000
Securities transferred from level 3 to level 2	0		67,500		83,800
Transfers from Level 2 to Level 1	0		0		0
Transfers from Level 1	0		0		0
Level 3
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,266,236		2,275,504
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		51,087		84,756
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(6,185)		(6,271)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(225,095)		(272,428)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,220)		(8,738)
Ending Balance	2,275,504	2,121,545		2,121,545
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		42,022		69,313
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		724,623		840,409
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		224,194		358,811
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(25,355)		(45,990)
Issuances		72		86
Settlements		2,913		4,731
Ending Balance	840,409	522,943		522,943
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		199,750		314,365
Level 3 | Annuity account
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		97,108		98,279
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(911)		(1,544)
Issuances		72		86
Settlements		2,913		4,731
Ending Balance	98,279	95,178		95,178
Level 3 | Other liabilities.
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance		627,515		742,130
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		224,194		358,811
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(24,444)		(44,446)
Ending Balance	742,130	427,765		427,765
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		199,750		314,365
Level 3 | Total investments
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,266,236		2,275,504
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		51,087		84,756
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(6,185)		(6,271)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(225,095)		(272,428)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,220)		(8,738)
Ending Balance	2,275,504	2,121,545		2,121,545
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		42,022		69,313
Level 3 | Fixed maturities
Assets:
Beginning Balance		2,073,391		2,109,186
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		4,385		8,414
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(6,185)		(6,251)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(224,864)		(272,197)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,220)		(5,645)
Ending Balance	2,109,186	1,882,229		1,882,229
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(4,680)		(7,009)
Level 3 | Fixed maturities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		1,883,277		1,914,583
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		3,656		4,291
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,166		15,784
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(779)		(779)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(33,570)		(37,138)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(219,235)		(258,737)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,322)		(5,761)
Ending Balance	1,914,583	1,702,319		1,702,319
Level 3 | Fixed maturities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		190,114		194,603
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		729		4,123
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(5,406)		(5,472)
Sales		(5,629)		(13,460)
Other		102		116
Ending Balance	194,603	179,910		179,910
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(4,680)		(7,009)
Level 3 | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		3		3
Ending Balance	3	3		3
Level 3 | Other asset-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		600,132		603,646
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		165		165
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(92)		(92)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(9,323)		(12,891)
Sales		(87)		(127)
Other		90		184
Ending Balance	603,646	590,885		590,885
Level 3 | Other asset-backed securities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		170,500		169,473
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		589		3,949
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(5,173)		(5,173)
Sales		(5,468)		(7,876)
Other		146		221
Ending Balance	169,473	160,594		160,594
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(4,587)		(5,829)
Level 3 | States, municipals, and political subdivisions | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance				3,675
Sales				(3,675)
Ending Balance	3,675
Level 3 | Corporate securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		1,283,142		1,307,259
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		3,656		4,291
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income		4,001		15,619
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(687)		(687)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income		(24,247)		(24,247)
Purchases		89,929		111,929
Sales		(219,148)		(254,935)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3		(21,803)		(41,853)
Other		(3,412)		(5,945)
Ending Balance	1,307,259	1,111,431		1,111,431
Level 3 | Corporate securities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		19,614		25,130
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		140		174
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings		(233)		(299)
Sales		(161)		(5,584)
Other		(44)		(105)
Ending Balance	25,130	19,316		19,316
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		(93)		(1,180)
Level 3 | Equity securities
Assets:
Beginning Balance		69,951		73,044
Sales		(231)		(231)
Other				(3,093)
Ending Balance	73,044	69,720		69,720
Level 3 | Other long-term investments.
Assets:
Beginning Balance		122,894		93,274
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings		46,702		76,342
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings				(20)
Ending Balance	93,274	169,596		169,596
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date		$ 46,702		76,322
Level 3 | Predecessor
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,228,475		2,577,118	2,224,975	2,591,641
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,941		6,778		8,943
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		58,165		89,546
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(26,237)		(23,473)		(76,244)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,906)		(2,354)		(8,664)
Purchases			65,746		104,684
Sales	(7,586)		(102,317)		(141,330)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3	43,205		(66,228)		(52,771)
Other	(199)		(3,523)		(5,893)
Ending Balance	2,224,975		2,509,912		2,509,912
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(24,296)		(19,705)		(72,178)
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	852,677		476,958	1,106,513	377,630
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	61		13		25
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(254,309)		(115,109)		(217,265)
Issuances	7		63		175
Settlements	419		4,914		7,842
Ending Balance	1,106,513		587,203		587,203
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(253,712)		(113,382)		(214,117)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Annuity account
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	97,825		105,593	97,949	107,000
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(536)		(1,714)		(3,123)
Issuances	7		63		175
Settlements	419		4,914		7,842
Ending Balance	97,949		102,456		102,456
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other liabilities.
Liabilities:
Beginning Balance	754,852		371,365	1,008,564	270,630
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	61		13		25
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(253,773)		(113,395)		(214,142)
Ending Balance	1,008,564		484,747		484,747
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(253,712)		(113,382)		(214,117)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Total investments
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,228,475		2,577,118	2,224,975	2,591,641
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,941		6,778		8,943
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		58,165		89,546
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(26,237)		(23,473)		(76,244)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,906)		(2,354)		(8,664)
Purchases			65,746		104,684
Sales	(7,586)		(102,317)		(141,330)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3	43,205		(66,228)		(52,771)
Other	(199)		(3,523)		(5,893)
Ending Balance	2,224,975		2,509,912		2,509,912
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	(24,296)		(19,705)		(72,178)
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities
Assets:
Beginning Balance	2,087,527		2,351,817	2,109,186	2,323,627
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,188		6,538		8,698
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		57,200		88,354
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(335)		(2,726)		(3,167)
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(2,354)		(8,498)
Purchases			65,746		95,133
Sales	(7,586)		(101,643)		(140,656)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3	43,205		(66,228)		(52,771)
Other	(199)		(3,523)		(5,893)
Ending Balance	2,109,186		2,304,827		2,304,827
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	853		802		654
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	1,893,322		2,126,207	1,914,583	2,099,451
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			74		969
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		57,200		88,354
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(26,896)		(2,354)		(8,498)
Purchases			60,845		90,232
Sales	(7,094)		(74,713)		(112,851)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3	43,205		(67,478)		(55,293)
Other	(236)		(3,702)		(6,285)
Ending Balance	1,914,583		2,096,079		2,096,079
Level 3 | Predecessor | Fixed maturities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	194,205		225,610	194,603	224,176
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	1,188		6,464		7,729
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(335)		(2,726)		(3,167)
Purchases			4,901		4,901
Sales	(492)		(26,930)		(27,805)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3			1,250		2,522
Other	37		179		392
Ending Balance	194,603		208,748		208,748
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	853		802		654
Level 3 | Predecessor | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	3		17	3	28
Sales			(7)		(18)
Ending Balance	3		10		10
Level 3 | Predecessor | Residential mortgage-backed securities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Purchases			842		842
Ending Balance			842		842
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other asset-backed securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	563,961		548,805	603,646	545,808
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income			29,929		34,066
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(3,867)		(104)		(1,233)
Sales	(32)		(9,534)		(9,794)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3	43,205
Other	379		(999)		(750)
Ending Balance	603,646		568,097		568,097
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other asset-backed securities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	169,461		194,664	169,473	194,977
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	586		6,124		6,851
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(139)		(2,686)		(3,114)
Sales	(472)		(21,883)		(22,695)
Other	37		167		367
Ending Balance	169,473		176,386		176,386
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	447		522		654
Level 3 | Predecessor | States, municipals, and political subdivisions | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	3,675		3,675	3,675	3,675
Ending Balance	3,675		3,675		3,675
Level 3 | Predecessor | Corporate securities | Available-for-sale securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	1,325,683		1,573,710	1,307,259	1,549,940
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings			74		969
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income	12,282		27,271		54,288
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(23,029)		(2,250)		(7,265)
Purchases			60,845		90,232
Sales	(7,062)		(65,172)		(103,039)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3			(67,478)		(55,293)
Other	(615)		(2,703)		(5,535)
Ending Balance	1,307,259		1,524,297		1,524,297
Level 3 | Predecessor | Corporate securities | Trading securities.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	24,744		30,946	25,130	29,199
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	602		340		878
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(196)		(40)		(53)
Purchases			4,059		4,059
Sales	(20)		(5,047)		(5,110)
Transfers in/or out of Level 3			1,250		2,522
Other			12		25
Ending Balance	25,130		31,520		31,520
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	406		280
Level 3 | Predecessor | Equity securities
Assets:
Beginning Balance	73,054		81,493	73,044	71,881
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Other Comprehensive Income			965		1,192
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Other Comprehensive Income	(10)				(166)
Purchases					9,551
Sales			(674)		(674)
Ending Balance	73,044		81,784		81,784
Level 3 | Predecessor | Other long-term investments.
Assets:
Beginning Balance	67,894		143,808	$ 42,745	196,133
Total Realized and Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings	753		240		245
Total Realized and Unrealized Losses Included in Earnings	(25,902)		(20,747)		(73,077)
Ending Balance	42,745		123,301		123,301
Total Gains (losses) included in Earnings related to Instruments still held at the Reporting Date	$ (25,149)		$ (20,507)		$ (72,832)