Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 15, 2004	May 19, 2006	Jan. 02, 2013
Related party transactions
Reinsurance receivable	$ 529,921,000		$ 502,471,000
Future policy benefits	25,968,411,000		24,609,155,000
Premium income, net of related party premiums ceded of $13,901, $(30,114) and $18,112	71,453,000		137,785,000		85,873,000
Related party premiums ceded	13,901,000		(30,114,000)		18,112,000
Life and other policy benefits, net of reinsurance recoveries of $4,594, $(536) and $12,562	209,102,000		216,809,000		215,880,000
Reinsurance recoveries	4,594,000		(536,000)		12,562,000
Decrease in future policy benefits	(46,915,000)		(2,556,000)		(39,439,000)
Due from parent and affiliates	47,193,000		91,057,000
Due to parent and affiliates	547,266,000		541,793,000
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Total	29,781,000		26,036,000		22,213,000
Affiliated Entity
Related party transactions
Future policy benefits	1,812,077,000		1,887,182,000
The Canada Life Assurance Company (CLAC), Great-West Life, MAM Holding, and Putnam
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Provides corporate support service	(2,055,000)		(1,971,000)		(1,698,000)
The Canada Life Assurance Company (CLAC), Great-West Life, and Putnam
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Receives corporate support services	(4,053,000)		(2,556,000)		(2,610,000)
CLAC and Putnam
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Related Party Transaction Investment Management and Administrative Revenue Included in Fee Income and Net Investment Income	13,956,000		10,625,000		7,677,000
London Life, LRG (US) Inc., Putnam, Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P. and CLAC
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Provides U.S. tax services	(402,000)		(361,000)		(352,000)
Putnam
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	7,257,000		0
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Receives reimbursement from tax sharing indemnification related to state and local tax liabilities	7,506,000		8,114,000		6,206,000
Received internally developed internal use software	1,008,000		0		0
Lifeco U.S.
Related party transactions
Due from parent and affiliates	13,369,000		64,786,000
GWL&A Financial
Related party transactions
Due from parent and affiliates	32,572,000		23,396,000
Interest payable	1,012,162,000	[1]
GWL&A Financial | Surplus note
Related party transactions
Minimum multiple required to be applied on authorized control level at the time of payments of principal and interest	2.5
Interest expense attributable to related party debt obligations	37,059,000		37,059,000		37,059,000
Interest payable	4,701,000		4,701,000
GWL&A Financial | Surplus note, November 2034
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	194,446,000	[2]	194,418,000	[2]
Face amount						195,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	6.675%
GWL&A Financial | Surplus note, May 2046
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	333,400,000	[3]	333,400,000	[3]
Face amount	333,400,000						333,400,000
GWL&A Financial | Surplus note, May 2046 | Until May 16, 2016
Related party transactions
Interest rate (as a percent)	7.203%
GWL&A Financial | Surplus note, May 2046 | After May 16, 2016
Related party transactions
Margin added to variable rate basis (as a percent)	2.588%
Variable rate basis	three-month London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”)
GWL&A Financial | Note interest, May 2014
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	4,701,000		4,701,000
Other related party receivables
Related party transactions
Due from parent and affiliates	1,252,000		2,875,000
London Life
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	1,737,000		1,722,000
Great-West Life
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	1,739,000		1,514,000
CLAC
Related party transactions
Due to parent and affiliates	3,986,000		6,038,000					3,841,000
UNITED STATES | The Canada Life Assurance Company (CLAC) and Great-West Life
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Related Party Transaction Investment Management and Administrative Revenue Included in Fee Income and Net Investment Income	1,803,000		2,586,000		2,929,000
CANADA | The Canada Life Assurance Company (CLAC), Great-West Life, and London Life
Revenue, expenses incurred and expense reimbursement from related parties for services provided
Related Party Transaction Investment Management and Administrative Revenue Included in Fee Income and Net Investment Income	$ 3,912,000		$ 4,487,000		$ 4,841,000

[1] Related party long-term debt interest - One long-term surplus note bears interest at a fixed rate through maturity. The second surplus note bears interest initially at a fixed rate that will change in the future based upon the then current three-month London Interbank Offering Rate. The interest payments shown in this table are calculated based upon the contractual rates in effect on December 31, 2014 and do not consider the impact of future interest rate changes.

[2] A note payable to GWL&A Financial was issued as a surplus note on November 15, 2004, with a face amount of $195,000 and carrying amounts of $194,446 and $194,418 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The surplus note bears interest at the rate of 6.675% per annum, payable in arrears each May and November. The note matures on November 14, 2034.

[3] A note payable to GWL&A Financial was issued as a surplus note on May 19, 2006, with a face amount and carrying amount of $333,400. The surplus note bears interest initially at the rate of 7.203% per annum, payable in arrears each May and November until May 16, 2016. After May 16, 2016, the surplus note bears an interest rate of 2.588% plus the then-current three-month London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”). The surplus note is redeemable by the Company at the principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest after May 16, 2016. The note matures on May 16, 2046.