Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 GWL&A Financial Inc. item	Sep. 30, 2014 Revolving credit facility	Dec. 31, 2013 Revolving credit facility	Sep. 30, 2014 First letter of credit	Sep. 30, 2014 Second letter of credit	Sep. 30, 2014 First and Second Letters of Credit	Dec. 31, 2013 First and Second Letters of Credit	Sep. 30, 2014 Other Letters of Credit	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Letters of Credit
Commitments
Amount of credit facility under agreement for general corporate purposes				$ 50,000,000		$ 1,168,800,000	$ 70,000,000			$ 7,975,000
Adjusted net worth required for each quarter				1,147,500,000
Percentage of net income added to basis for adjusted net worth				50.00%
Amount outstanding				0	0			0	0	0	0
Number of letters of credit obtained for the benefit of related party			2
Unfunded commitments	217,231,000	196,933,000
Unfunded commitments related to cost basis limited partnership interests	$ 5,372,000	$ 7,498,000