Policyholders' Liabilities (Future Policy Benefits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Future Policy Benefits [Line Items]
Individual and group annuities and supplementary contracts	$ 519,462	$ 457,324
Other contract liabilities	5,238,061	5,020,333
Total future policy benefits and other policyholder liabilities	15,031,390	13,915,330
Domestic
Future Policy Benefits [Line Items]
Life insurance	8,109,868	7,285,791
Taiwan
Future Policy Benefits [Line Items]
Life insurance	$ 1,163,999	$ 1,151,882