CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 334,960	$ 135,923
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued investment income	(9,588)	(35,457)
Premiums receivable and other reinsurance balances	(104,002)	(5,100)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	165,257	104,002
Reinsurance ceded receivable balances	(27,310)	64,814
Future policy benefits, other policy claims and benefits, and other reinsurance balances	581,812	806,172
Deferred income taxes	111,735	69,071
Other assets and other liabilities, net	34,577	(165,129)
Amortization of net investment premiums, discounts and other	(51,521)	(43,662)
Investment related gains, net	(203,098)	(142,614)
Gain on repurchase of collateral finance facility securities	0	(46,506)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement	(1,268)	(2,420)
Other, net	76,256	66,027
Net cash provided by operating activities	907,810	805,121
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Sales of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	2,756,942	1,898,833
Maturities of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	239,279	62,734
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	(3,302,047)	(2,487,016)
Cash invested in mortgage loans	(266,002)	(244,939)
Cash invested in policy loans	(52,913)	(17)
Cash invested in funds withheld at interest	(39,856)	(60,156)
Principal payments on mortgage loans on real estate	200,601	150,098
Principal payments on policy loans	46,747	32,940
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	(43,295)	0
Change in short-term investments	93,798	241,136
Change in other invested assets	271,373	(1,591)
Net cash used in investing activities	(95,373)	(407,978)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends to stockholders	(41,955)	(35,169)
Repurchase and repayment of collateral finance facility securities	0	(112,000)
Repayments of Short-term Debt	110,000	120,000
Purchases of treasury stock	(179,592)	(234,690)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement	1,268	2,420
Exercise of stock options, net	9,578	11,439
Change in cash collateral for derivatives and other arrangements	47,561	(31,858)
Deposits on universal life and other investment type policies and contracts	51,257	39,706
Withdrawals on universal life and other investment type policies and contracts	(374,567)	(397,033)
Net cash used in financing activities	(376,450)	(637,185)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	18,483	(46,231)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	454,470	(286,273)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	923,647	1,259,892
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,378,117	973,619
Supplementary information:
Cash paid for interest	67,248	58,387
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	$ 26,732	$ 105,401