Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 361,764	$ 142,740
Proceeds from sales, maturities and redemptions of investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	1,825,006	1,983,974
Mortgage loans on real estate	54,480	92,302
Limited partnership interests, other corporation interests and other investments	1,426	2,567
Purchases of investments:
Fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(1,599,114)	(1,818,569)
Mortgage loans on real estate	(335,324)	(117,720)
Limited partnership interests, other corporation interests and other investments	(4,555)	(1,593)
Net change in short-term investments	(439,510)	(546,036)
Net change in policy loans	279	(29)
Purchases of furniture, equipment, and software	(9,978)	(12,064)
Net cash used in investing activities	(507,290)	(417,168)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Contract deposits	778,744	851,509
Contract withdrawals	(543,572)	(510,660)
Net change in due to/from parent and affiliates	(2,921)	(11,274)
Dividends paid	(77,000)	(73,401)
Payments for and interest paid on financing element derivatives, net	(1,870)	(3,000)
Net change in commercial paper borrowings	(404)	5,800
Net change in book overdrafts	(12,672)	92
Employee taxes paid for withheld shares	(180)	(433)
Income tax benefit on share-based compensation	0	141
Net cash provided by financing activities	140,125	258,774
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,401)	(15,654)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	18,321	34,362
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	12,920	18,708
Net cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes	(3,139)	(8,305)
Interest	(3,199)	(140)
Non-cash investing and financing transactions during the years:
Share-based compensation expense	$ 420	$ 534