Derivative Instruments (Gross Notional Amount and Fair Value of Derivatives Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	$ 64,099,215	$ 43,902,689
Assets	404,019	243,118
Liabilities	(41,949)	(58,687)
Future Policy Benefits
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	(5,661,000)	(4,994,000)
Reinsurance Recoverables | Pruco Re
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	5,054,000	4,522,000
Reinsurance Recoverables | UPARC
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	321,000	376,000
Reinsurance Recoverables | Union Hamilton Reinsurance, Ltd.
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	14,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	409,887	291,100
Assets	43,265	14,733
Liabilities	(835)	(3,008)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Foreign Currency Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	409,887	291,100
Assets	43,265	14,733
Liabilities	(835)	(3,008)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	63,689,328	43,611,589
Assets	360,754	228,385
Liabilities	(41,114)	(55,679)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Foreign Currency Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	155,509	101,653
Assets	15,439	6,677
Liabilities	(227)	(712)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Interest Rate Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	3,184,400	3,184,400
Assets	245,585	192,181
Liabilities	(8,154)	(20,574)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Foreign Currency Forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	2,675	1,025
Assets	27	40
Liabilities	(3)	0
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Credit Default Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	7,275	12,275
Assets	327	150
Liabilities	(283)	(513)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Total Return Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	551,835	577,054
Assets	33,692	2,405
Liabilities	0	(19,670)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Equity Options
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	59,787,634	39,735,182
Assets	65,684	26,932
Liabilities	$ (32,447)	$ (14,210)