Reinsurance (Balance Sheet Reinsurance Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	$ 31,785,676	$ 22,691,491
Policy loans	1,156,620	1,143,303
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,217,189	5,129,931
Deferred sales inducements	0	684,844
Other assets	266,597	59,578
Policyholders’ account balances	18,011,323	17,204,824
Future policy benefits	20,096,101	15,198,755
Other liabilities	784,635	935,662
Impacts of Reinsurance
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	31,785,676	22,691,491
Policy loans	(82,497)	(75,697)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(5,931,554)	(2,158,121)
Deferred sales inducements	(579,020)	0
Other assets	217,222	35,616
Policyholders’ account balances	4,950,899	5,020,230
Future policy benefits	3,086,284	2,380,215
Other liabilities	362,415	516,525
Unaffiliated activity
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Other liabilities	$ 18,000	$ 22,000