Related Party Transactions (Amounts Included In IS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Premiums:
Direct	$ 391,180	$ 366,243
Assumed	148	0
Ceded	(373,413)	(350,606)
Net premiums	17,915	15,637
Policy charges and fee income:
Direct	734,977	732,565
Assumed	194,313	168,786
Ceded	(401,883)	(360,586)
Net policy charges and fee income	527,407	540,765
Net investment income:
Direct	106,137	104,049
Assumed	345	329
Ceded	(1,030)	(958)
Net investment income	105,452	103,420
Other income:
Direct	11,695	12,527
Assumed & Ceded	1,827	4,690
Net other income	13,522	17,217
Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances:
Direct	213,482	142,405
Assumed	33,835	32,714
Ceded	(60,886)	(57,642)
Net interest credited to policyholders’ account balances	186,431	117,477
Policyholders’ benefits (including change in reserves):
Direct	609,636	480,655
Assumed	260,876	235,461
Ceded	(771,984)	(657,715)
Net policyholders’ benefits (including change in reserves)	98,528	58,401
Realized investment gains (losses), net:
Direct	(1,534,352)	(666,435)
Assumed	(39)	0
Ceded	1,589,542	725,460
Total realized investment gains (losses), net	55,151	59,025
Net reinsurance expense allowances, net of capitalization and amortization	$ (93,929)	$ (69,712)