Reinsurance (Reinsurance Recoverable by Counterparty) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 31,785,676	$ 22,691,491
PALAC
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	10,697,284	0
PAR U
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	10,604,627	9,867,902
PURC
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	2,807,832	2,324,163
PARCC
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	2,586,898	2,563,300
PAR Term
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	1,399,771	1,226,749
Prudential of Taiwan
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	1,266,956	1,169,664
Prudential Insurance
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	1,262,242	226,926
UPARC
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	570,617	376,660
Term Re
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	512,044	298,002
Pruco Re
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	0	4,594,412
Unaffiliated
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Total reinsurance recoverables	$ 77,405	$ 43,713