Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 142,307	$ 298,843
Proceeds from sales, maturities and redemptions of investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	1,983,974	3,024,890
Mortgage loans on real estate	92,302	54,923
Limited partnership interests, other corporation interests and other investments	2,567	1,174
Purchases of investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(1,818,569)	(1,009,516)
Mortgage loans on real estate	(117,720)	(131,172)
Limited partnership interests, other corporation interests and other investments	(1,593)	(123)
Net change in short-term investments	(546,036)	(2,170,798)
Net change in policy loans	(29)	(141)
Purchases of furniture, equipment and software	(12,064)	(23,451)
Net cash used in investing activities	(417,168)	(254,214)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contract deposits	851,509	428,073
Contract withdrawals	(510,660)	(401,887)
Net change in due to/from parent and affiliates	(11,274)	16,067
Dividends paid	(73,401)	(77,309)
Payments for and interest paid on financing element derivatives, net	(3,000)	(4,169)
Net change in commercial paper borrowings	5,800	(8,600)
Net change in book overdrafts	92	(1,722)
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation	141	275
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	259,207	(49,272)
Net decrease in cash	(15,654)	(4,643)
Cash, beginning of year	34,362	12,775
Cash, end of period	18,708	8,132
Net cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	(8,305)	(11,488)
Interest	(140)	(56)
Non-cash investing and financing transactions during the years:
Share-based compensation expense	$ 534	$ 525