Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Premiums and other revenues:
Universal life and annuity contract charges	$ 36,653,000	$ 32,632,000	$ 72,852,000	$ 62,464,000
Traditional life and annuity contract premiums	4,904,000	4,607,000	8,987,000	8,629,000
Net investment income	78,181,000	97,724,000	227,739,000	231,239,000
Other revenues	5,866,000	4,698,000	11,521,000	14,604,000
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses	(185,000)	0	(462,000)	0
Portion of OTTI losses recognized in other comprehensive income	(235,000)	0	(157,000)	0
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	(420,000)	0	(619,000)	0
Other net investment gains (losses)	2,425,000	490,000	3,791,000	3,582,000
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	2,005,000	490,000	3,172,000	3,582,000
Total revenues	127,609,000	140,151,000	324,271,000	320,518,000
Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	13,857,000	9,598,000	27,535,000	21,814,000
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	31,349,000	38,848,000	63,060,000	66,337,000
Universal life and annuity contract interest	26,004,000	53,232,000	127,547,000	145,381,000
Other operating expenses	22,452,000	19,060,000	42,470,000	39,778,000
Total benefits and expenses	93,662,000	120,738,000	260,612,000	273,310,000
Earnings before Federal income taxes	33,947,000	19,413,000	63,659,000	47,208,000
Federal income taxes	10,701,000	5,623,000	20,672,000	15,207,000
Net earnings	23,246,000	13,790,000	42,987,000	32,001,000
Common Class A [Member]
Benefits and expenses:
Net earnings	22,589,000	13,400,000	41,771,000	31,096,000
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 6.58	$ 3.90	$ 12.16	$ 9.06
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.58	$ 3.90	$ 12.16	$ 9.04
Common Class B [Member]
Benefits and expenses:
Net earnings	$ 658,000	$ 390,000	$ 1,216,000	$ 905,000
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 3.29	$ 1.95	$ 6.08	$ 4.53
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 3.29	$ 1.95	$ 6.08	$ 4.53