Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 517,224	$ 466,408
Proceeds from sales, maturities and redemptions of investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	3,540,606	3,433,511
Mortgage loans on real estate	323,332	200,913
Limited partnership interests, other corporation interests and other investments	6,674	22,132
Purchases of investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(1,811,311)	(2,152,210)
Mortgage loans on real estate	(362,962)	(354,591)
Limited partnership interests, other corporation interests and other investments	(2,335)	(2,518)
Net change in short-term investments	(2,785,846)	(1,994,378)
Net change in policy loans	(10,413)	(4,083)
Acquisition of business	(28,356)	0
Purchases of furniture, equipment and software	(17,076)	(15,668)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,147,687)	(866,892)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contract deposits	2,046,736	1,809,511
Contract withdrawals	(1,279,520)	(1,324,295)
Change in due to/from parent and affiliates	69,219	(4,580)
Dividends paid	(178,401)	(90,936)
Proceeds from financing element derivatives	4,263	51,832
Payments for and interest (paid) received on financing element derivatives, net	(5,961)	(7,388)
Net commercial paper borrowings	999	2,001
Change in book overdrafts	(12,163)	82
Income tax benefit of stock option exercises	47	110
Net cash provided by financing activities	645,219	436,337
Net increase in cash	14,756	35,853
Cash, beginning of year	7,491	11,387
Cash, end of period	22,247	47,240
Net cash received (paid) during the year for:
Income taxes	50,888	63
Interest	(18,708)	(18,750)
Non-cash investing and financing transactions during the years:
Contingent consideration (See Note 3)	(33,739)	0
Share-based compensation expense	2,812	1,928
Assets received from limited partnership investment distributions	0	(5,119)
Fixed maturity investments, available-for-sale acquired in reinsurance termination (See Note 6)	0	(44,104)
Policy loans acquired in reinsurance termination (See Note 6)	$ 0	$ (6,468)