Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Investment purchase obligations
Less than one year	$ 127,255
Total	127,255
Operating leases
Less than one year	4,404
One to three years	5,683
Three to five years	607
Total	10,694
Other liabilities
Less than one year	42,391
One to three years	49,041
Three to five years	70,713
More than five years	66,799
Total	228,944
Total
Less than one year	211,081
One to three years	128,786
Three to five years	145,382
More than five years	1,496,268
Total	1,981,517
GWL&A Financial Inc.
Related party long-term debt - principal
More than five years	528,400
Total	528,400
Related party long-term debt - interest
Less than one year	37,031
One to three years	74,062
Three to five years	74,062
More than five years	901,069
Total	$ 1,086,224