Revision to Prior Year Information (Consolidated Statements of Financial Operations and Comprehensive Income) (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
REVENUES
Policy charges and fee income	$ 88,479	$ 546,344	$ 673,973	$ 1,615,977
TOTAL REVENUES	231,009	762,424	1,163,328	2,197,733
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits	54,496	115,186	(317,384)	233,950
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(17,690)	407,298	611,555	695,026
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES	182,005	920,714	757,592	2,025,242
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	49,004	(158,290)	405,736	172,491
Income tax expense (benefit)	(38,202)	(21,784)	(74,946)	12,681
NET INCOME (LOSS)	87,206	(136,506)	480,682	159,810
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)	$ 95,975	(122,282)	$ 665,664	90,443
As Previously Reported
REVENUES
Policy charges and fee income		547,404		1,618,202
TOTAL REVENUES		763,484		2,199,958
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits		112,448		228,115
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		408,510		697,570
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES		919,188		2,021,951
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(155,704)		178,007
Income tax expense (benefit)		(21,601)		13,451
NET INCOME (LOSS)		(134,103)		164,556
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		(119,879)		95,189
Revision
REVENUES
Policy charges and fee income		(1,060)		(2,225)
TOTAL REVENUES		(1,060)		(2,225)
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Policyholders’ benefits		2,738		5,835
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs		(1,212)		(2,544)
TOTAL BENEFITS AND EXPENSES		1,526		3,291
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(2,586)		(5,516)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(183)		(770)
NET INCOME (LOSS)		(2,403)		(4,746)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)		$ (2,403)		$ (4,746)