Derivative Instruments (Gross Notional Amount and Fair Value of Derivatives Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	$ 29,438,170	$ 29,709,613
Assets	458,035	300,655
Liabilities	(45,035)	(32,849)
Future Policy Benefits
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	(7,099,000)	(5,205,000)
Reinsurance Recoverables | Pruco Re
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	6,312,000	4,594,000
Reinsurance Recoverables | UPARC
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	394,000	340,000
Reinsurance Recoverables | Union Hamilton Reinsurance, Ltd.
Derivative [Line Items]
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Asset (Liability), Net	36,000	7,000
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	574,628	529,128
Assets	40,661	50,877
Liabilities	(10,626)	(1,385)
Derivatives Designated as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Foreign Currency Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	574,628	529,128
Assets	40,661	50,877
Liabilities	(10,626)	(1,385)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments:
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	28,863,542	29,180,485
Assets	417,374	249,778
Liabilities	(34,409)	(31,464)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Foreign Currency Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	132,403	122,425
Assets	16,160	17,079
Liabilities	(336)	(71)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Interest Rate Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	2,797,400	3,159,400
Assets	381,028	203,313
Liabilities	(6,443)	(8,605)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Foreign Currency Forwards
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	3,756	3,722
Assets	0	39
Liabilities	(46)	(15)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Credit Default Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	7,275	7,275
Assets	115	268
Liabilities	(262)	(222)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Total Return Swaps
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	533,801	542,294
Assets	25	411
Liabilities	(20,135)	(10,451)
Derivatives Not Qualifying as Hedge Accounting Instruments: | Equity Options
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	25,388,907	25,345,369
Assets	20,046	28,668
Liabilities	$ (7,187)	$ (12,100)