Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 55,627	$ 72,897	$ 45,484
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Universal life and annuity contract interest	232,788	266,603	242,816
Surrender charges and other policy revenues	(4,251)	(35,350)	(54,588)
Realized (gains) losses on investments	(6,082)	(6,932)	4,145
Accrual and amortization of investment income	(2,915)	(2,380)	(2,095)
Depreciation and amortization	792	2,386	(502)
(Increase) decrease in value of derivatives	33,335	(16,612)	(93,085)
(Increase) decrease in deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs	(65,073)	(124,191)	(34,348)
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income	(8,155)	(8,148)	(6,699)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	3,637	(18,523)	(8,544)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for future policy benefits	24,245	38,775	(4,361)
(Decrease) increase in other policyholder liabilities	(219)	22,597	35,037
(Decrease) increase in Federal income tax liability	(7,971)	(6,023)	(23,898)
(Decrease) increase in other liabilities	(11,104)	(6,230)	37,415
Other, net	111	(1)	748
Net cash provided by operating activities	244,765	178,868	137,525
Proceeds from sales of:
Securities held to maturity	0	0	0
Securities available for sale	19,522	32,545	19,781
Other investments	5,183	4,779	1,920
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of:
Securities held to maturity	640,620	833,157	958,491
Securities available for sale	171,852	78,175	91,378
Derivatives, index options	82,204	80,497	56,808
Purchases of:
Securities held to maturity	(1,311,122)	(1,633,597)	(1,245,032)
Securities available for sale	(387,203)	(359,365)	(243,824)
Derivatives, index options	(65,029)	(54,254)	(41,718)
Other investments	(10,903)	(2,212)	(21,245)
Principal payments on mortgage loans	19,534	21,943	11,533
Cost of mortgage loans acquired	(35,980)	(63,762)	(21,551)
(Increase) decrease in policy loans	3,481	(112)	941
Net cash used in investing activities	(867,841)	(1,062,206)	(432,518)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends on common stock	(1,273)	(1,270)	(1,269)
Deposits to account balances for universal life and annuity contracts	1,476,657	1,499,830	900,773
Return of account balances on universal life and annuity contracts	(813,766)	(643,911)	(563,371)
Issuance of common stock under stock option plan	633	463	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	662,251	855,112	336,133
Effect of foreign exchange	(217)	(308)	(70)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments	38,958	(28,534)	41,070
Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period	80,332	108,866	67,796
Cash and short-term investments at end of period	119,290	80,332	108,866
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	0	40	33
Income taxes	31,331	40,850	47,659
Noncash operating activities:
Deferral of sales inducements	$ 232,788	$ 28,985	$ 22,917