Investments (All Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses in AOCI) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) Pre Tax [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] Deferred Costs Policy Acquisition And Sales Inducements And Valuation Of Business Acquired, Pre Tax [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] Policyholders Account Balances Pre Tax [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] Deferred Income Tax Liability Benefit [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Other Net Unrealized Investment Gains and Losses [Member] Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Balance	$ 78,009	$ 267,461	$ 505,100	[1]	$ (220,208)		$ 125,833		$ (143,646)		$ 267,079
Net investment gains (losses) on investments arising during the period			(295,940)	[1]	0		0		103,580		(192,360)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income			(47,054)	[1]	0		0		16,469		(30,585)
Reclassification adjustment for OTTI losses excluded from net income			51	[1],[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	(18)	[2]	33	[2]
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on deferred policy acquisition costs			0	[1]	164,697		0		(57,645)		107,052
Impact of net unrealized investment (gains) losses on policyholders' account balance			0	[1]	0		(115,433)		40,402		(75,031)
Balance	$ 78,009	$ 267,461	$ 162,157	[1]	$ (55,511)		$ 10,400		$ (40,858)		$ 76,188

[1] _____________ Includes cash flow hedges. See Note 5 for information on cash flow hedges.

[2] Represents “transfers out” related to the portion of OTTI losses recognized during the period that were not recognized in earnings for securities with no prior OTTI loss.