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Stockholder's Equity and Dividend Restrictions (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]      
Preferred stock, shares authorized 50,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized 50,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized  
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 1us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare $ 1us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare  
Common stock, shares authorized 50,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized 50,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized  
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 1us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare $ 1us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare  
Common stock, shares issued 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued  
Common stock, shares outstanding 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding  
Net income and capital and surplus, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles and practices as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners      
Net income $ 134,091us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount $ 175,292us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount $ 147,741us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount
Capital and surplus 1,000,938us-gaap_StatutoryCapitalAndSurplusApplyingNationalAssociationOfInsuranceCommissionersNAICPractices 1,200,609us-gaap_StatutoryCapitalAndSurplusApplyingNationalAssociationOfInsuranceCommissionersNAICPractices  
Percentage of ACL as minimum level of TAC before corrective action commences 200.00%us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets    
Dividends paid to the parent company, GWL&A Financial 316,401us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompany 102,436us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompany 184,401us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompany
Dividends available for distribution without prior approval 209,163us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPaymentsWithoutRegulatoryApproval    
Colorado Division of Insurance      
Net income and capital and surplus, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles and practices as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners      
Capital and surplus 2,000us-gaap_StatutoryCapitalAndSurplusApplyingNationalAssociationOfInsuranceCommissionersNAICPractices
/ us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis
= stpr_CO		    
Net gain from operations $ 209,163us-gaap_ExcessCapital
/ us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis
= stpr_CO