Related Party Transactions (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Jan. 04, 2013 The Canada Life Assurance Company
Revenues
Premium income	$ 178,321	$ 128,087	$ 42,297
Other revenue	7,355		7,355
Total revenues	653,467	570,039	49,652
Benefits and expenses:
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefits	45,272	(631)	41,297
Dividends to policyholders	21,852	20,950	1,000
Total benefits and expenses, net	537,484	494,686	42,297
Participating policyholders' net income before income taxes	115,983	75,353	7,355
Income tax expense	(41,755)	(24,360)	(2,574)
Participating policyholders' income			4,781
Provision for policyholders' share of earnings on participating business	4,979	1,631	4,781
Net income available to shareholder	$ 74,228	$ 50,993