CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 339,039	$ 492,956
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
Accrued investment income	(47,088)	(41,658)
Premiums receivable and other reinsurance balances	(100,804)	(74,089)
Deferred policy acquisition costs	(42,855)	185,107
Reinsurance ceded receivable balances	(42,620)	9,961
Future policy benefits, other policy claims and benefits, and other reinsurance balances	594,389	736,169
Deferred income taxes	128,557	43,670
Other assets and other liabilities, net	(14,670)	134,471
Amortization of net investment premiums, discounts and other	(61,714)	(80,188)
Investment related (gains) losses, net	119,941	(225,416)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement	(2,884)	3,088
Other, net	9,175	54,105
Net cash provided by operating activities	878,466	1,238,176
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Sales of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	3,904,948	3,370,036
Maturities of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	342,126	353,554
Principal payments on mortgage loans on real estate	(3,746,290)	(4,414,097)
Principal payments on policy loans	223,807	341,989
Purchases of fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	531	47,435
Cash invested in mortgage loans on real estate	(63,390)	(67,024)
Cash invested in policy loans	(686,878)	(480,906)
Cash invested in funds withheld at interest	(6,628)	(52,914)
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	(195,151)	0
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	(24,240)	(74,342)
Increase (Decrease) in Payables under Repurchase Agreements	(101,203)	100,000
Change in short-term investments	35,014	93,116
Change in other invested assets	132,412	266,389
Net cash used in investing activities	(184,942)	(516,764)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Dividends to stockholders	(69,111)	(64,587)
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Secured Debt	(19,732)	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt	160,060	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt	0	100,000
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs	(1,074)	0
Repayments of Long-term Debt	(1,776)	(192)
Purchases of treasury stock	(333,432)	(201,032)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement	2,884	(3,088)
Exercise of stock options, net	12,551	17,010
Change in cash collateral for derivative positions and other arrangements	60,202	83,283
Deposits on universal life and other investment type policies and contracts	204,456	84,036
Withdrawals on universal life and other investment type policies and contracts	(556,821)	(525,217)
Net cash provided in (used in) financing activities	(541,793)	(509,787)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(49,708)	(16,527)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	102,023	195,098
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,645,669	923,647
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	1,747,692
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest Paid, Net	103,481	93,698
Income Taxes Paid, Net	13,494	37,833
Transfer to Investments	342,082	0
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	804	0
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Assets Acquired	3,685,708	0
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed	(3,490,557)	$ 0
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	195,151
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	$ 19,907