Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 securities	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014 securities	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013 securities
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Transfer to Investments			$ 1,580,100,000	$ 0
Policy Loans Percent Of Total Investments	3.50%		3.50%		3.80%
Mortgage Loan To Value Ratio on Approval			75.00%
Mortgage Loan Percent Of Cash And Invested Assets	7.40%		7.40%		7.70%
Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Sold At Loss	225,600,000	410,400,000	683,500,000	872,200,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Losses	6,355,000	30,434,000	19,815,000	48,406,000
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	1,030		1,030		1,396
Securities As Percentage Of Consolidated Stockholder Equity	10.00%		10.00%
Securities Borrowed Or Pledged, Minimum Fair Value Percentage			100.00%
Minimum Collateral Balance of Cash Received Fair Value			105.00%
Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements			100.00%
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
Funds Withheld At Interest Percent Of Total Investments	16.80%		16.80%		17.80%
Funds withheld at interest	5,969,006,000		5,969,006,000		5,771,467,000
Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Specific Client	4,300,000,000		4,300,000,000
Other Invested Assets Percent Of Cash And Invested Assets	3.30%		3.30%		4.10%
Investment in mortgage loans
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due					$ 0
CALIFORNIA
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total	19.60%		19.60%		23.30%