ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded		$ (676,181)		$ (1,857,086)
Realized investment gains (losses): All other investments		5,348		(132,045)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		(10,064)		(15,798)
Income before income tax		87,260		276,997
Tax benefit (expense)		(26,853)		(89,889)
Net Income		60,407		187,108
Gains and losses on derivative instruments
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Net of tax				(86)
Gains and losses on derivative instruments | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded				(131)
Income before income tax				(131)
Tax benefit (expense)				45
Net Income				(86)
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Net of tax				(8,657)
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Realized investment gains (losses): All other investments		(1,253)		2,480
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		(10,064)		(15,798)
Income before income tax		(11,317)		(13,318)
Tax benefit (expense)		3,961		4,661
Net Income		$ (7,356)		$ (8,657)
Predecessor
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded	$ (267,287)		$ (630,285)		$ (2,106,620)
Realized investment gains (losses): All other investments	81,153		1,194		153,456
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(481)		(2,354)		(5,405)
Income before income tax	1,182		184,883		472,298
Tax benefit (expense)	327		(65,974)		(161,773)
Net Income	1,509		118,909		310,525
Predecessor | Gains and losses on derivative instruments
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Net of tax	(23)					$ (1,155)
Predecessor | Gains and losses on derivative instruments | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Benefits and settlement expenses, net of reinsurance ceded	(36)		(293)		(1,577)
Income before income tax	(36)		(293)		(1,577)
Tax benefit (expense)	13		103		552
Net Income	(23)		(190)		(1,025)
Predecessor | Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Net of tax	4,166					45,290
Predecessor | Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Realized investment gains (losses): All other investments	6,891		23,627		51,195
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(481)		(2,354)		(5,405)
Income before income tax	6,410		21,273		45,790
Tax benefit (expense)	(2,244)		(7,446)		(16,027)
Net Income	4,166		13,827		29,763
Predecessor | Minimum Pension Liability Adjustment
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total before tax	(772)		(1,805)		(5,415)
Tax (expense) or benefit	270		632		1,895
Net of tax	(502)		(1,173)		(3,520)	$ (5,086)
Predecessor | Amortization of net actuarial gain/(loss) | Other Operating Expenses
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total before tax	(808)		(1,900)		(5,700)
Predecessor | Amortization of prior service credit/(cost) | Other Operating Expenses
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total before tax	31		$ 95		$ 285
Predecessor | Amortization of transition asset/(obligation) | Other Operating Expenses
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Total before tax	$ 5