Schedule III Supplemental Insurance Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental insurance information
Deferred acquisition costs	$ 393,418	$ 353,408
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	27,065,656	25,924,574
Unearned premium reserves	45,325	43,837
Other policy claims and benefits payable	726,981	753,215
Premium income	445,550	446,395	$ 464,093
Net investment income	1,254,430	1,228,388	1,091,389
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	1,234,627	1,222,445	1,232,091
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	96,095	41,045	55,490
Other operating expenses	1,122,078	822,077	691,831
Individual Markets Segment
Supplemental insurance information
Deferred acquisition costs	319,447	284,174
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	15,835,811	14,980,872
Unearned premium reserves	45,325	43,837
Other policy claims and benefits payable	699,559	726,479
Premium income	360,783	360,305	354,202
Net investment income	801,935	748,015	688,279
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	931,631	902,982	921,096
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	55,876	13,700	34,650
Other operating expenses	103,843	123,150	107,491
Empower Retirement Segment
Supplemental insurance information
Deferred acquisition costs	73,971	69,234
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	10,810,352	10,533,822
Other policy claims and benefits payable	662	581
Premium income	533	1,215	3,954
Net investment income	398,639	426,340	351,729
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	201,791	206,339	196,115
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	40,219	27,345	20,840
Other operating expenses	952,345	619,820	517,369
Other Segment
Supplemental insurance information
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	419,493	409,880
Other policy claims and benefits payable	26,760	26,155
Premium income	84,234	84,875	105,937
Net investment income	53,856	54,033	51,381
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	101,205	113,124	114,880
Other operating expenses	$ 65,890	$ 79,107	$ 66,971