Related Party Transactions (Reinsurance by Counterparty) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	$ 19,642,472	$ 20,594,371
UPARC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	275,209	407,209
PAR U
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	9,444,368	9,147,870
PURC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	1,877,750	1,564,913
PARCC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	2,537,573	2,499,567
PAR Term
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	1,120,484	1,001,181
Term Re
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	192,281	97,099
Prudential Insurance
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	188,872	188,466
Pruco Re
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	2,779,245	4,522,665
Prudential of Taiwan
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	1,213,912	1,157,881
Unaffiliated
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverable	$ 12,778	$ 7,520