Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Fixed maturities, amortized cost	$ 13,313,819	$ 13,489,633
Short-term investments, amortized cost	46,689	25,699
Equities, cost	418,428	843,429
Funds held - directly managed, cost	$ 537,661	$ 600,379
Shareholders’ Equity
Common shares, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common shares, shares issued	87,237,220	87,237,220
Preferred shares, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Number of preferred shares issued	34,150,000	34,150,000
Preferred shares, shares outstanding	34,150,000	34,150,000
Aggregate liquidation value	$ 853,750	$ 853,750
Common shares held in treasury, shares	39,303,068	39,400,936