Revision to Prior Year Information (Consolidated Statement of Financial Position) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 1,217,189	$ 5,129,931
Reinsurance recoverables		22,691,491
TOTAL ASSETS	158,802,045	148,807,633
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits	20,096,101	15,198,755
Policyholders’ account balances	18,011,323	17,204,824
Income taxes	123,584	138,639
TOTAL LIABILITIES	156,041,385	144,325,208
EQUITY
Retained earnings	1,522,310	3,635,147
TOTAL EQUITY	2,760,660	4,482,425
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$ 158,802,045	148,807,633
As Previously Reported
ASSETS
Deferred policy acquisition costs		5,111,373
Reinsurance recoverables		22,546,361
TOTAL ASSETS		148,643,945
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits		15,031,390
Policyholders’ account balances		17,164,705
Income taxes		154,043
TOTAL LIABILITIES		144,133,128
EQUITY
Retained earnings		3,663,539
TOTAL EQUITY		4,510,817
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		148,643,945
Revision
ASSETS
Deferred policy acquisition costs		18,558
Reinsurance recoverables		145,130
TOTAL ASSETS		163,688
LIABILITIES
Future policy benefits		167,365
Policyholders’ account balances		40,119
Income taxes		(15,404)
TOTAL LIABILITIES		192,080
EQUITY
Retained earnings		(28,392)
TOTAL EQUITY		(28,392)
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$ 163,688