Note 7 - Investments Gain (Loss) on Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Trading Securities	$ 4,211,059,000	$ 4,562,821,000
Fixed-maturities held to maturity	491,000	295,000	133,000
Fixed-maturities available for sale	(52,473,000)	(7,661,000)	91,577,000
Equities available for sale	6,228,000	2,001,000	764,000
Trading securities	121,393,000	66,351,000	107,479,000
Short-term investments	(1,000)	(67,000)	14,000
Other invested assets	0	388,000	822,000
Net realized gains (losses) on investments	75,638,000	61,307,000	200,789,000
Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities	126,539,000	78,637,000	56,352,000
Total gains (losses) on investments	202,177,000	139,944,000	257,141,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Transfers to Trading, Gross Gains		3,100,000
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Reductions, Securities Sold			$ 868,000