Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 segment	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial information of the segments
Number of reportable segments	3
Revenues
Premium income	$ 145,703	$ 131,854
Fee income	225,277	166,513
Other revenue	1,820	0
Net investment income	358,856	300,023
Realized investment gains (losses), net	18,200	26,909
Total revenues	749,856	625,299
Benefits and expenses:
Policyholder benefits	327,671	306,379
Operating expenses	271,677	173,815
Total benefits and expenses	599,348	480,194
Income (loss) before income taxes	150,508	145,105
Income tax expense	51,896	50,354
Net income	98,612	94,751
Individual Markets
Revenues
Premium income	124,962	112,777
Fee income	21,502	23,630
Other revenue	0
Net investment income	217,653	185,520
Realized investment gains (losses), net	8,400	6,735
Total revenues	372,517	328,662
Benefits and expenses:
Policyholder benefits	256,323	238,997
Operating expenses	35,941	35,338
Total benefits and expenses	292,264	274,335
Income (loss) before income taxes	80,253	54,327
Income tax expense	28,222	18,965
Net income	52,031	35,362
Empower Retirement
Revenues
Premium income	0	572
Fee income	202,821	141,881
Other revenue	1,820
Net investment income	127,730	101,174
Realized investment gains (losses), net	9,800	20,154
Total revenues	342,171	263,781
Benefits and expenses:
Policyholder benefits	49,045	48,480
Operating expenses	221,030	123,986
Total benefits and expenses	270,075	172,466
Income (loss) before income taxes	72,096	91,315
Income tax expense	24,380	31,310
Net income	47,716	60,005
Other
Revenues
Premium income	20,741	18,505
Fee income	954	1,002
Other revenue	0
Net investment income	13,473	13,329
Realized investment gains (losses), net	0	20
Total revenues	35,168	32,856
Benefits and expenses:
Policyholder benefits	22,303	18,902
Operating expenses	14,706	14,491
Total benefits and expenses	37,009	33,393
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,841)	(537)
Income tax expense	(706)	79
Net income	$ (1,135)	$ (616)