Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred tax asset
Deferred acquisition costs	$ 46,832	$ 35,154
Policyholder dividends	11,586	18,449
Net operating loss carryforward	180,448	200,486
Pension plan accrued benefit liability	98,981	72,387
Experience rated refunds	10,908	21,623
Tax Credits	106,552	74,389
Total deferred taxes	455,307	422,488
Deferred tax liability
Policyholder reserves	218,303	210,457
Investment assets	496,096	336,482
Goodwill	24,045	25,169
Other	5,858	4,843
Total deferred taxes	744,302	576,951
Net unrealized losses (gains) on available-for-sale investments	(410,044)	(264,078)
Subsidiary | Federal
Federal net operating loss carry forwards generated by a subsidiary
2020	119,978
2021	113,002
2022	136,796
2023	81,693
Total	$ 451,469