Fair Value - Recurring basis Level 3 rollforward (Details 2) (Recurring basis, Level 3, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Recurring Level 3 financial assets and liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	$ 259,642		$ 267,392		$ 317,657
Net income	(17)				(3,758)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(193)		34,526		37,063
Sales					(3,595)
Settlements	(651)		(48,108)		(42,717)
Transfers into Level 3			5,832	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	(252,903)	[2]			(37,258)	[2]
Balance at the end of the period	5,878		259,642		267,392
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, Corporate debt securities
Recurring Level 3 financial assets and liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	6,652		1,822		36,496
Net income	0				(66)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(178)		(240)		102
Sales					(1,598)
Settlements	(632)		(762)		(874)
Transfers into Level 3			5,832	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	0	[2]			(32,238)	[2]
Balance at the end of the period	5,842		6,652		1,822
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, Asset-backed securities
Recurring Level 3 financial assets and liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	252,958		265,538		279,021
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0		34,766		33,346
Settlements	(19)		(47,346)		(41,809)
Transfers out of Level 3	(252,903)	[2]			(5,020)	[2]
Balance at the end of the period	36		252,958		265,538
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0		0		0
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, Collateralized debt obligations
Recurring Level 3 financial assets and liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period	32		32		22
Net income	(17)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(15)		0		11
Settlements					(1)
Balance at the end of the period	0		32		32
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	0		0		0
Separate accounts
Recurring Level 3 financial assets and liabilities
Balance at the beginning of the period					2,118
Net income					(3,692)
Other comprehensive income (loss)					3,604
Sales					(1,997)
Settlements					(33)
Balance at the end of the period					0
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)					$ 0

[1] Transfers into Level 3 are due primarily to decreased observability of inputs in valuation methodologies.

[2] Transfers out of Level 3 are due primarily to increased observability of inputs in valuation methodologies as evidenced by corroboration of market prices with multiple pricing vendors and internal models.