Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 26, 2013 Subsequent event GWL&A Financial
Subsequent event
Dividend declared to be paid to the sole shareholder, GWL&A Financial	$ 44,435	$ 51,600	$ 2,000

Equity impact of aggregate cash, stock, and paid-in-kind dividends declared for common shareholders during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 405

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957935&loc=d3e64057-112817

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStock
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration