Reinsurance and Policy Benefits and Losses, Claims and Loss Expenses Payable (Insurance Subsidiaries Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Year ended December 31,
Direct amount (a) - Life insurance in force		$ 937,779	$ 927,647	$ 905,987
Ceded to other companies - Life insurance in force		249	397	402
Assumed from other companies - Life insurance in force		915,769	949,413	990,406
Net amount (a) - Life insurance in force		$ 1,853,299	$ 1,876,663	$ 1,895,991
Percentage of amount assumed to net - Life insurance in force		49.00%	51.00%	52.00%
Direct amount (a)	[1]	$ 202,535	$ 198,884	$ 187,420
Ceded to other companies		310	320	345
Assumed from other companies		13,688	14,118	15,484
Net amount (a)	[1]	215,913	212,682	202,559
Premiums earned: Life [Member]
Year ended December 31,
Direct amount (a)	[1]	50,251	49,126	47,298
Ceded to other companies			8
Assumed from other companies		10,626	11,310	12,337
Net amount (a)	[1]	$ 60,877	$ 60,428	$ 59,635
Percentage of amount assumed to net		17.00%	19.00%	21.00%
Premiums earned: Accident and health [Member]
Year ended December 31,
Direct amount (a)	[1]	$ 99,450	$ 99,354	$ 93,319
Ceded to other companies		310	312	345
Assumed from other companies		2,263	2,545	2,796
Net amount (a)	[1]	$ 101,403	$ 101,587	$ 95,770
Percentage of amount assumed to net		2.00%	3.00%	3.00%
Premiums earned: Annuity [Member]
Year ended December 31,
Direct amount (a)	[1]	$ 505	$ 392	$ 386
Ceded to other companies
Assumed from other companies		794	255	312
Net amount (a)	[1]	$ 1,299	$ 647	$ 698
Percentage of amount assumed to net		61.00%	39.00%	45.00%
Premiums earned: Property and casualty [Member]
Year ended December 31,
Direct amount (a)	[1]	$ 52,329	$ 50,012	$ 46,417
Ceded to other companies
Assumed from other companies		5	8	39
Net amount (a)	[1]	$ 52,334	$ 50,020	$ 46,456
Percentage of amount assumed to net		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

[1] Balances are reported net of inter-segment transactions