Schedule III Supplemental Insurance Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental insurance information
Deferred acquisition costs	$ 467,845	$ 393,418
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	28,826,978	27,065,656
Unearned premium reserves	45,921	45,325
Other policy claims and benefits payable	722,907	726,981
Premium income	465,349	445,550	$ 446,395
Net investment income	1,276,559	1,254,430	1,228,388
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	1,241,023	1,234,627	1,222,445
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	29,317	96,095	41,045
Other operating expenses	1,216,924	1,122,078	822,077
Individual Markets Segment
Supplemental insurance information
Deferred acquisition costs	340,532	319,447
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	16,420,554	15,835,811
Unearned premium reserves	45,921	45,325
Other policy claims and benefits payable	694,965	699,559
Premium income	379,127	360,783	360,305
Net investment income	798,557	801,935	748,015
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	969,182	931,631	902,982
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	45,944	55,876	13,700
Other operating expenses	129,072	103,843	123,150
Empower Retirement Segment
Supplemental insurance information
Deferred acquisition costs	127,313	73,971
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	12,019,243	10,810,352
Other policy claims and benefits payable	713	662
Premium income	1,853	533	1,215
Net investment income	428,327	398,639	426,340
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	206,143	201,791	206,339
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	(16,627)	40,219	27,345
Other operating expenses	1,018,756	952,345	619,820
Other Segment
Supplemental insurance information
Future policy benefits, losses, claims, and expenses	387,181	419,493
Other policy claims and benefits payable	27,229	26,760
Premium income	84,369	84,234	84,875
Net investment income	49,675	53,856	54,033
Benefits, claims, losses, and settlement expenses	65,698	101,205	113,124
Other operating expenses	$ 69,096	$ 65,890	$ 79,107