Derivative Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Note 7 – Derivative Instruments

American National purchases over-the-counter equity-indexed options as economic hedges against fluctuations in the equity markets to which equity-indexed products are exposed. Equity-indexed contracts include a fixed host universal-life insurance or annuity contract and an equity-indexed embedded derivative. The detail of derivative instruments is shown below (in thousands, except number of instruments):

		September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position	Number of Instruments		Notional Amounts		Estimated Fair Value		Number of Instruments		Notional Amounts		Estimated Fair Value
Equity-indexed options	Other invested assets		454	$	1,249,300	$	141,385		436	$	1,095,300	$	189,449
Equity-indexed embedded derivative	Policyholders’ account balances		48,923		1,005,100		207,302		42,287		961,300		208,187

		Gains (Losses) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location in the Consolidated Statements of Operations	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
Equity-indexed options	Net investment income	$	(33,682	)	$	6,562		$	(34,646	)	$	29,011
Equity-indexed embedded derivative	Interest credited to policyholders’ account balances		16,780			(1,762	)		19,997			(16,484	)