FBL Financial (FFG) 10-K 20 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_entity_informatio

Document and entity information Document (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 18, 2014	Feb. 18, 2014
		Common Class A	Common Class B
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'FBL FINANCIAL GROUP INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001012771	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	24,787,511	11,413
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	$416,478,677	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2013 - $5,828,539; 2012 - $5,637,608)	$6,081,753	$6,265,745
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2013 - $90,071; 2012 - $82,140)	91,555	86,253
Mortgage loans	575,861	554,843
Real estate	4,084	4,668
Policy loans	176,993	174,254
Short-term investments	108,677	74,516
Other investments	1,079	371
Total investments	7,040,002	7,160,650
Cash and cash equivalents	6,370	78,074
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	116,305	100,606
Accrued investment income	75,186	69,965
Amounts receivable from affiliates	3,145	3,931
Reinsurance recoverable	100,001	98,238
Deferred acquisition costs	335,514	204,326
Value of insurance in force acquired	23,579	17,154
Current income taxes recoverable	0	6,735
Other assets	67,266	59,238
Assets held in separate accounts	693,955	618,809
Total Assets	8,461,323	8,417,726
Future policy benefits:	'	'
Interest sensitive products	4,278,871	4,050,846
Traditional life insurance and accident and health products	1,515,139	1,457,075
Other policy claims and benefits	45,530	39,072
Supplementary contracts without life contingencies	349,761	361,273
Advance premiums and other deposits	240,441	226,485
Amounts payable to affiliates	408	1,658
Long-term debt payable to affiliates	0	50,000
Long-term debt payable non-affiliates	97,000	97,000
Current income taxes	1,499	0
Deferred income taxes	122,839	208,433
Other liabilities	71,089	94,828
Liabilities related to separate accounts	693,955	618,809
Total liabilities	7,416,532	7,205,479
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, without par value, at liquidation value - authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 5,000,000 Series B shares	3,000	3,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	119,067	289,853
Retained earnings	787,609	796,110
Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,044,741	1,212,191
Noncontrolling interest	50	56
Total stockholders' equity	1,044,791	1,212,247
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	8,461,323	8,417,726
Common Class A	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, without par value	134,993	115,706
Common Class B	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, without par value	$72	$7,522

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical disclosures (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	$5,828,539	$5,637,608
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$90,071	$82,140
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	24,754,355	25,475,074
Common Class A	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	88,500,000	88,500,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	24,742,942	24,282,184
Common stock, shares outstanding	24,742,942	24,282,184
Common Class B	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	1,500,000	1,500,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	11,413	1,192,890
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,413	1,192,890

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	$111,575	$101,410	$97,103
Traditional life insurance premiums	180,944	175,086	168,519
Net investment income	370,651	361,324	343,310
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	15,967	17,479	5,355
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	-6,662	-26,399	-20,206
Non-credit portion in other comprehensive income/loss	4,250	9,372	6,555
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	-2,412	-17,027	-13,651
Other income	14,506	17,268	17,701
Total revenues	691,231	655,540	618,337
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product benefits	203,599	196,387	192,082
Traditional life insurance benefits	160,471	156,290	148,959
Policyholder dividends	13,319	14,275	17,030
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	138,260	141,906	128,184
Interest expense	6,863	7,952	8,532
Loss on debt redemption	0	33	33,176
Other expenses	18,414	20,513	20,652
Total benefits and expenses	540,926	537,356	548,615
Income from continuing operations before equity income, income taxes and noncontrolling interest	150,305	118,184	69,722
Income taxes	-49,322	-40,071	-18,797
Equity income, net of related income taxes	7,410	4,683	1,284
Net income from continuing operations	108,393	82,796	52,209
Discontinued operations:	'	'	'
Loss on sale of subsidiary, net of tax benefit ($1,213 in 2012 and $29,198 in 2011)	0	-2,252	-54,143	[1]
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	-687	42,679
Total income (loss) from discontinued operations	0	-2,939	-11,464
Net income	108,393	79,857	40,745	[1]
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest	165	83	-6
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$108,558	$79,940	$40,739
Earnings per common share:	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$4.25	$3.01	$1.69
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$0	($0.11)	($0.37)
Earnings per common share	$4.25	$2.90	$1.32
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$4.21	$2.97	$1.67
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$0	($0.10)	($0.37)
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$4.21	$2.87	$1.30
Regular quarterly cash dividend [Member]	'	'	'
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:	'	'	'
Cash dividends per common share	$0.52	$0.40	$0.29
Special cash dividend [Member]	'	'	'
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:	'	'	'
Cash dividends per common share	$2	$0	$0
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Net income	$108,393		$79,857		$40,745	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]	'		'		'
Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses	-169,894	[2]	126,043	[2]	130,467	[2]
Non-credit impairment losses	-2,690	[2]	-5,984	[2]	-4,261	[2]
Change in funded status of the other postretirement benefit plans	1,798	[2]	-8,051	[2]	-5	[2]
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	-170,786	[2]	112,008	[2]	126,201	[2]
Total comprehensive income, net of tax	-62,393		191,865		166,946
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-165		-83		6
Comprehensive income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	($62,228)		$191,948		$166,940
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.
[2]	Other comprehensive income is recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total		Preferred Stock [Member]	Common stocks	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2010	$1,044,725		$3,000	$125,687	$51,644	$864,302	$92
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'		'	'	'	'	'
Net income	40,745	[1]	'	'	'	40,739	6
Other comprehensive income	126,201	[2]	'	'	126,201	'	'
Other comprehensive income	126,201		'	'	'	0	0
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	13,277		'	13,277	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-13,619		'	-1,758	'	-11,861	'
Dividends on preferred stock	-150		'	'	'	-150	'
Dividends on common stock	-8,767		'	'	'	-8,767	'
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest	17		'	'	'	'	17
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2011	1,202,429		3,000	137,206	177,845	884,263	115
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'		'	'	'	'	'
Net income	79,857		'	'	'	79,940	-83
Other comprehensive income	112,008	[2]	'	'	112,008	'	'
Other comprehensive income	112,008		'	'	'	0	0
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	10,901		'	10,901	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-181,890		'	-24,879	'	-157,011	'
Dividends on preferred stock	-150		'	'	'	-150	'
Dividends on common stock	-10,932		'	'	'	-10,932	'
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest	24		'	'	'	'	24
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2012	1,212,247		3,000	123,228	289,853	796,110	56
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'		'	'	'	'	'
Net income	108,393		'	'	'	108,558	-165
Other comprehensive income	-170,786	[2]	'	'	-170,786	'	'
Other comprehensive income	-170,786		'	'	'	0	0
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	20,156		'	20,156	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-60,603		'	-8,319	'	-52,284	'
Dividends on preferred stock	-150		'	'	'	-150	'
Dividends on common stock	-64,625		'	'	'	-64,625	'
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest	159		'	'	'	'	159
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,044,791		$3,000	$135,065	$119,067	$787,609	$50
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.
[2]	Other comprehensive income is recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Operating activities	'	'		'
Net income	$108,393,000	$79,857,000		$40,745,000	[1]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'		'
Interest credited to account balances	144,906,000	141,490,000		449,164,000	[1]
Charges for mortality, surrenders and administration	-100,820,000	-95,437,000		-111,881,000	[1]
Net realized (gains) losses on investments	-13,555,000	-452,000		-30,096,000	[1]
Change in the fair value of derivatives	-955,000	259,000		-64,940,000	[1]
Increase in traditional life and accident and health benefit liabilities	58,064,000	55,081,000		39,585,000	[1]
Deferral of acquisition costs	-43,452,000	-47,552,000		-109,803,000	[1]
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of insurnace in force	33,076,000	43,466,000		139,784,000	[1]
Change in reinsurance recoverable	-1,763,000	-3,553,000		12,195,000	[1]
Provision for deferred income taxes	6,058,000	48,789,000		-35,865,000	[1]
Loss on sale of subsidiary	0	-2,252,000		-54,143,000	[1]
Loss on debt redemption	0	33,000		33,176,000	[1]
Other	-7,677,000	-17,754,000		-56,781,000	[1]
Net cash provided by operating activities	182,275,000	206,479,000		359,426,000	[1]
Sales, maturities or repayments:	'	'		'
Fixed maturities - available for sale	720,316,000	653,067,000		1,267,355,000	[1]
Equity securities - available for sale	12,810,000	12,860,000		2,505,000	[1]
Mortgage loans	64,215,000	71,544,000		87,847,000	[1]
Derivative instruments	506,000	161,000		55,349,000	[1]
Policy loans	34,946,000	35,907,000		38,344,000	[1]
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	10,381,000	302,000		86,000	[1]
Other investments	30,000	0		0	[1]
Real estate	1,957,000	0		1,331,000	[1]
Acquisitions:	'	'		'
Fixed maturities - available for sale	-893,555,000	-1,086,107,000		-1,769,476,000	[1]
Equity securities - available for sale	-26,740,000	-38,994,000		-4,643,000	[1]
Mortgage loans	-87,568,000	-75,780,000		-49,303,000	[1]
Derivative instruments	-607,000	-223,000		-63,478,000	[1]
Policy loans	-37,685,000	-37,793,000		-40,371,000	[1]
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	-30,960,000	-38,153,000		-26,680,000	[1]
Short-term investments, net change	-34,161,000	-32,760,000		306,839,000	[1]
Purchases and disposals of property and equipment, net	-11,846,000	-3,422,000		-5,008,000	[1]
Payments for (Proceeds from) Businesses and Interest in Affiliates	0	-9,315,000		471,431,000	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-277,961,000	-548,706,000		272,128,000	[1]
Financing activities	'	'		'
Contract holder account deposits	565,255,000	629,700,000		1,327,043,000	[1]
Contract holder account withdrawals	-384,914,000	-361,189,000		-1,391,312,000	[1]
Transfer from (to) restricted debt defeasance trusts	0	211,627,000		-211,627,000	[1]
Repayments of debt	-50,000,000	-174,258,000		-50,000,000	[1]
Receipts related to noncontrolling interests, net	159,000	24,000		17,000	[1]
Excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation	1,964,000	2,393,000		656,000	[1]
Repurchase of common stock, net	-43,707,000	-173,253,000		-5,869,000	[1]
Dividends paid	-64,775,000	-11,082,000		-8,917,000	[1]
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	23,982,000	123,962,000		-340,009,000	[1]
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	-71,704,000	-218,265,000		291,545,000	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	78,074,000	296,339,000	[1]	4,794,000	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6,370,000	78,074,000		296,339,000	[1]
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information	'	'		'
Cash paid during the period for interest	7,104,000	11,383,000		22,298,000	[1]
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	21,001,000	-27,957,000		52,852,000	[1]
Non-cash operating activity:	'	'		'
Deferral of sales inducements	1,477,000	1,872,000		51,502,000	[1]
Net assets of subsidiary sold	0	0	[1]	-543,990,000	[1]
Non-cash investing and financing activity:	'	'		'
Non-cash refinancing of debt payable to affiliates	$0	$0	[1]	$100,000,000	[1]
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Business
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. (we or the Company) operates predominantly in the life insurance industry through its principal subsidiary, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company (Farm Bureau Life). Farm Bureau Life markets individual life insurance policies and annuity contracts to Farm Bureau members and other individuals and businesses in the Midwestern and Western sections of the United States through an exclusive agency force. Greenfields Life Insurance Company (Greenfields), a subsidiary of Farm Bureau Life, was launched in early 2013 and offers life and annuity products in the state of Colorado. Several subsidiaries support various functional areas of Farm Bureau Life and other affiliates by providing investment advisory, marketing and distribution, and leasing services. In addition, we manage two Farm Bureau affiliated property-casualty companies.
	See Note 15 for information on the sale of our former subsidiary, EquiTrust Life Insurance Company (EquiTrust Life). Financial results of this business component have been reclassified to discontinued operations in the prior period financial statements and excluded from the notes to the consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise noted.
	Consolidation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
	Future Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance related to accounting for investments in low income housing tax credit limited partnerships. Presently, we account for these investments under the equity method and include related tax benefits as a component of equity income. The new guidance requires us to account for these partnerships using the proportional amortization method, which amortizes the acquisition cost of the partnership in proportion to the recognition of the tax credits associated with these projects. The tax credits, net of the amortization of the partnership interest, will be recognized as a component of income taxes. This guidance must be applied retrospectively and will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance.
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Investments
	Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities
	Fixed maturities, comprised of bonds, redeemable preferred stock and certain non-redeemable preferred stock, which may be sold, are designated as "available for sale." Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized gains and losses on these securities, with the exception of unrealized gains and losses relating to synthetic collateralized debt obligations, are included directly in stockholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Unrealized gains and losses relating to synthetic collateralized debt obligations are recorded as a component of net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations. The unrealized gains and losses are reduced by a provision for deferred income taxes and adjustments to deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired and unearned revenue reserve that would have been required as a charge or credit to income had such amounts been realized.
	Premiums and discounts are amortized/accrued using methods which result in a constant yield over the securities' expected lives. Amortization/accrual of premiums and discounts on mortgage and asset-backed securities incorporates prepayment assumptions to estimate the securities' expected lives.
	Equity securities, comprised of mutual funds and common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are designated as "available for sale" and are reported at fair value. The change in unrealized gains and losses of equity securities is included directly in stockholders' equity, net of any related deferred income taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
	Mortgage Loans
	Mortgage loans are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts. If we determine that the value of any mortgage loan is impaired (i.e., when it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to its fair value, which may be based upon the present value of expected future cash flows from the loan, or the fair value of the underlying collateral. The carrying value of impaired loans is reduced by the establishment of a valuation allowance, changes to which are recognized as realized gains or losses on investments. Interest income is accrued on impaired loans to the extent it is deemed collectible (generally delinquent less than 90 days) and the loan continues to perform under its original or restructured contractual terms. Interest income on non-performing loans is generally recognized on a cash basis. Once mortgage loans are classified as nonaccrual loans, the resumption of the interest accrual would commence only after all past due interest has been collected or the mortgage loan has been restructured to where the collection of interest is considered likely.
	Real Estate
	Real estate is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation, as applicable. The carrying value of these assets is subject to regular review. For properties not held for sale, if indicators of impairment are present and a property's expected undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the property's carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized and the property's cost basis is reduced to fair value. If the fair value, less estimated sales costs, of real estate held for sale decreases to an amount lower than its carrying value, the carrying value of the real estate is reduced by the establishment of a valuation allowance recognized as a realized loss on investments. There was one property held for investment with a valuation allowance of less than $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. There were no properties held for sale as of December 31, 2013 and no properties held for sale with a valuation allowance as of 2012.
	Other Investments
	Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal balance. Short-term investments, which include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months at the time of acquisition, are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts. Other investments include call options, which are carried at fair value, and our ownership interest in aircraft acquired in a troubled debt restructuring with a bond issuer that filed for bankruptcy. The ownership interest in the aircraft is reported at cost, less accumulated depreciation.
	We have embedded derivatives associated with modified coinsurance contracts, which are included within reinsurance recoverable. These instruments are carried at fair value with changes reflected in net investment income. See Note 2 for more information regarding our derivative instruments.
	Securities and indebtedness of related parties include investments in corporations and partnerships over which we may exercise significant influence and those investments for which we are required to use the equity method of accounting. These corporations and partnerships operate predominately in the investment company, insurance, broker/dealer and real estate industries and include low income housing tax credit generating partnerships. Such investments are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method, we record our share of income or loss reported by the equity investees. For partnerships operating in the investment company industry, this income or loss includes changes in unrealized gains and losses in the partnerships' investment portfolios.
	Accrued Investment Income
	We discontinue the accrual of investment income on invested assets when it is determined that it is probable that we will not collect the income.
	Realized Gains and Losses on Investments
	Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification. The carrying values of all our investments are reviewed on an ongoing basis for credit deterioration. When our review indicates a decline in fair value for a fixed maturity security is other-than-temporary and we do not intend to sell or believe we will be required to sell the security before recovery of our amortized cost, a specific write down is charged to earnings for the credit loss and a specific charge is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the non-credit loss component. If we intend to sell or believe we will be required to sell a fixed maturity security before its recovery, the full amount of the impairment write down to fair value is charged to earnings. For all equity securities, the full amount of an other-than-temporary impairment write down is recognized as a realized loss on investments in the consolidated statements of operations and the new cost basis for the security is equal to its fair value.
	We monitor the financial condition and operations of the issuers of fixed maturities and equity securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other-than-temporary. In determining whether or not an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, we review factors such as:
	•	historical operating trends;
	•	business prospects;
	•	status of the industry in which the company operates;
	•	analyst ratings on the issuer and sector;
	•	quality of management;
	•	size of unrealized loss;
	•	level of current market interest rates compared to market interest rates when the security was purchased; and
	•	length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position.
	In order to determine the credit and non-credit impairment loss for fixed maturities, every quarter we estimate the future cash flows we expect to receive over the remaining life of the instrument as well as review our plans to hold or sell the instrument. Significant assumptions regarding the present value of expected cash flows for each security are used when an other-than-temporary impairment occurs and there is a non-credit portion of the unrealized loss that won't be recognized in earnings. Our assumptions for residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities include collateral pledged, guarantees, vintage, anticipated principal and interest payments, prepayments, default levels, severity assumptions, delinquency rates and the level of nonperforming assets for the remainder of the investments' expected term. We use a single best estimate of cash flows approach and use the effective yield prior to the date of impairment to calculate the present value of cash flows. Our assumptions for corporate and other fixed maturities include anticipated principal and interest payments and an estimated recovery value, generally based on a percentage return of the current fair value.
	After an other-than-temporary write down of all equity securities and any fixed maturities with a credit-only impairment, the cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value. For fixed maturities for which we can reasonably estimate future cash flows after a write down, the discount or reduced premium recorded, based on the new cost basis, is amortized over the remaining life of the security. Amortization in this instance is computed using the prospective method and the current estimate of the amount and timing of future cash flows.
	Fair Values
	Fair values of fixed maturities are based on quoted market prices in active markets when available. Fair values of fixed maturities that are not actively traded are estimated using valuation methods that vary by asset class. Fair values of redeemable preferred stocks, equity securities and derivative investments are based on the latest quoted market prices, or for those items not readily marketable, generally at values which are representative of the fair values of comparable issues. Fair values for all securities are reviewed for reasonableness by considering overall market conditions and values for similar securities. See Note 3 for more information on our fair value policies, including assumptions and the amount of securities priced using the valuation models.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of our consolidated statements of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Reinsurance Recoverable
	We use reinsurance to manage certain risks associated with our insurance operations. These reinsurance arrangements provide for greater diversification of business, allow management to control exposure to potential risks arising from large claims and provide additional capacity for growth. For business ceded to other companies, reinsurance recoverable includes the reinsurers' share of policyholder liabilities, claims and expenses, net of amounts due the reinsurers for premiums. For business assumed from other companies, reinsurance recoverable includes premium receivable, net of our share of benefits and expenses we owe to the ceding company.
	Fair values for the embedded derivatives in our modified coinsurance contracts are based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the underlying investments. See Note 2 for more information regarding derivatives and Note 4 for additional details on our reinsurance agreements.
	Deferred Acquisition Costs and Value of Insurance In Force Acquired
	Deferred acquisition costs include certain costs of successfully acquiring new insurance business, including commissions and other expenses related to the production of new business, to the extent recoverable from future policy revenues and gross profits. Also included are premium bonuses and bonus interest credited to contracts during the first contract year only. The value of insurance in force acquired represents the cost assigned to insurance contracts when an insurance company is acquired. The initial value is determined by an actuarial study using expected future gross profits as a measurement of the net present value of the insurance acquired. Interest accrued on the unamortized balance at a weighted average rate of 4.56% in 2013, 4.70% in 2012 and 4.72% in 2011.
	For participating traditional life insurance and interest sensitive products, these costs are being amortized generally in proportion to expected gross margins or gross profits. That amortization is adjusted retrospectively through an unlocking process when estimates of current or future gross profits/margins (including the impact of investment gains and losses) to be realized from a group of products are revised. For nonparticipating traditional life products, these costs are amortized over the premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues. Such anticipated premium revenues are estimated using the same assumptions used for computing liabilities for future policy benefits.
	All insurance and investment contract modifications and replacements are reviewed to determine if the internal replacement results in a substantially changed contract. If so, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue associated with the new contract are deferred and amortized over the lifetime of the new contract. In addition, the existing deferred policy acquisition costs, sales inducement costs and unearned revenue balances associated with the replaced contract are written off. If an internal replacement results in a substantially unchanged contract, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue associated with the new contract are immediately recognized in the period incurred. In addition, the existing deferred policy acquisition costs, sales inducement costs or unearned revenue balance associated with the replaced contract is not written off, but instead is carried over to the new contract.
	Effective January 1, 2012, we retroactively adopted guidance issued by the FASB that narrowed the definition of deferrable acquisition costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. In addition, during 2011, refinements were made to the methods and assumptions used to calculate the amortization of value of insurance in force and deferred acquisition costs, which increased net income from continuing operations $4.8 million ($0.15 per basic and diluted common share).
	Other Assets
	Other assets include property and equipment, primarily comprised of capitalized software costs and furniture and equipment, which are reported at cost less allowances for depreciation and amortization. We expense costs incurred in the preliminary stages of developing internal-use software as well as costs incurred post-implementation for maintenance. Capitalization of internal-use software costs occurs after management has authorized the project and it is probable that the software will be used as intended. Amortization of software costs begins after the software has been placed in production. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to twenty years. Property and equipment had a carrying value of $25.8 million at December 31, 2013 and $18.6 million at December 31, 2012, and accumulated depreciation and amortization of $50.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $65.9 million at December 31, 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $4.6 million in 2013, $4.8 million in 2012 and $3.5 million in 2011.
	Other assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012, also includes goodwill of $9.9 million related to the excess of the amounts paid to acquire companies over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment testing. We evaluate our goodwill balance by comparing the fair value of our reporting units to the carrying value of the goodwill. We conduct our impairment review at least annually as well as when circumstances suggest an impairment may have occurred. Such circumstances include changes in the competitive or overall economic environment or other business condition changes that may negatively impact the value of the underlying business. On a periodic basis, as well as in the event circumstances indicate the value of the business may have declined significantly, we will estimate the value of the business using discounted cash flow techniques. In the event that we were to dispose of a reporting unit, a discounted cash flow approach would be used to estimate the fair value of that reporting unit. We believe this approach better approximates the fair value of our goodwill than a market capitalization approach. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the discounted cash flow model to forecast operating cash flows, including future premiums, product lapses, investment yields and discount rate. Underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and our best estimates given information available at the time of testing. As a result of our impairment review, we have determined our goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2013 or 2012.
	Future Policy Benefits
	Future policy benefit reserves for interest sensitive products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy account balances. Interest crediting rates for our interest sensitive products ranged from 1.00% to 5.50% in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The liability for future policy benefits for direct participating traditional life insurance is based on net level premium reserves, including assumptions as to interest, mortality and other factors underlying the guaranteed policy cash values. Reserve interest assumptions are level and range from 2.00% to 6.00%. The average rate of assumed investment yields used in estimating gross margins was 5.84% in 2013 and 2012 and 6.04% in 2011. The liability for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional life insurance is computed using a net level method, including assumptions as to mortality, persistency and interest and includes provisions for possible unfavorable deviations.
	The liabilities for future policy benefits for accident and health insurance are computed using a net level (or an equivalent) method, including assumptions as to morbidity, mortality and interest and include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations. Policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred.
	Other Policy Claims and Benefits
	We have unearned revenue reserves that reflect the unamortized balance of charges assessed to interest sensitive contract holders to compensate us for services to be performed over future periods (policy initiation fees). These charges have been deferred and are being recognized in income over the period benefited using the same assumptions and factors used to amortize deferred acquisition costs.
	We have accrued dividends for participating business that are established for anticipated amounts earned to date that have not been paid. The declaration of future dividends for participating business is at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Farm Bureau Life. Participating business accounted for 30% of receipts from policyholders during 2013 (2012 - 35% and 2011 - 38%) and represented 11% of life insurance in force at December 31, 2013, and 12% in 2012 and 2011.
	Deferred Income Taxes
	Deferred income tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. Deferred income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the asset or liability from period to period. A valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets is established if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
	Separate Accounts
	The separate account assets and liabilities reported in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets represent funds that are separately administered for the benefit of certain policyholders that bear the underlying investment risk. The separate account assets are carried at fair value and separate account liabilities represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities, to the extent of benefits paid or provided to the separate account policyholders, are excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	Recognition of Premium Revenues and Costs
	Revenues for interest sensitive and variable products consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, asset charges, administration charges, amortization of policy initiation fees and surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances. The timing of revenue recognition as it relates to these charges and fees is determined based on the nature of such charges and fees. Policy charges for the cost of insurance, asset charges and policy administration charges are assessed on a daily or monthly basis and are recognized as revenue when assessed and earned. Certain policy initiation fees that represent compensation for services to be provided in the future are reported as unearned revenue and recognized in income over the periods benefited. Surrender charges are determined based upon contractual terms and are recognized upon surrender of a contract. Policy benefits and claims charged to expense include interest amounts credited to policyholder account balances and benefit claims incurred in excess of policyholder account balances during the period. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs is recognized as expense over the life of the policy.
	Traditional life insurance premiums are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period. Future policy benefits and policy acquisition costs are recognized as expenses over the life of the policy by means of the provision for future policy benefits and amortization of deferred acquisition costs.
	All insurance-related revenues, benefits and expenses are reported net of reinsurance ceded. The cost of reinsurance ceded is recognized over the contract periods of the reinsurance agreements. Policies and contracts assumed are accounted for in a manner similar to that followed for direct business.
	Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses:
	Commission expense, net of deferrals	$	27,410	$	23,712	$	23,950
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	29,908		37,651		34,819
	Amortization of value of insurance in force acquired	2,565		5,562		(4,658		)
	Other underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals	78,377		74,981		74,073
	Total	$	138,260	$	141,906	$	128,184
	Other Income and Other Expenses
	Other income and other expenses primarily consist of revenue and expenses generated by our various non-insurance subsidiaries for investment advisory, marketing and distribution, and leasing services. They also include revenues and expenses generated by our parent company for management services. Certain of these activities are performed on behalf of our affiliates. Lease income from leases with affiliates totaled $2.2 million in 2013, $2.4 million in 2012 and $1.8 million in 2011. Investment advisory fee income from affiliates totaled $1.7 million in 2013, $1.5 million in 2012 and $1.2 million in 2011. In addition, Farm Bureau Life has certain items reported as other income and other expense, which netted to $3.0 million in 2013, $3.3 million in 2012 and $3.2 million in 2011. During 2012, we also received fees of $3.5 million from the acquirer of EquiTrust Life to provide administrative support and transition services. We expense legal costs associated with a loss contingency as incurred.
	Discontinued Operations
	Upon the sale of EquiTrust Life our independent distribution business segment was discontinued. Discontinued operations are those in which we no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations are segregated from our continuing operations and reported as income (loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for current and prior periods. The loss recognized on the disposal is also reported as a component of discontinued operations. Components of the income (loss) from discontinued operations are separately disclosed in Note 15.
	Debt required to be redeemed due to selling a significant component of our business remains a liability until we have been legally released from the entire obligation and all conditions for extinguishment have been met. In addition, any gain or loss on the extinguishment is recognized when we are relieved of the entire obligation. Changes in fair value of embedded derivatives related to make-whole redemption provisions are reported as loss on debt redemption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	If the debt is not specific to the disposed component, the liability is not classified as held for sale and any related gain or loss is reported as part of continuing operations. However, interest on any debt required to be redeemed as a result of the disposal transaction is reported in income from discontinued operations for current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or accounted for as a disposal group.
	Significant accounting policies related to the results from discontinued operations which are not discussed above include:
	•	Derivative instruments, which include call options used to fund index credits on index annuities, are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reflected in our results of discontinued operations.
	•	Deferred sales inducements represent premium bonuses and bonus interest credited to contracts during the first contract year only. These costs are amortized similar to other deferred acquisition costs discussed above.
	•	Future policy benefit reserves for index annuities are equal to the sum of the fair value of the embedded index options, accumulated index credits and the host contract reserve computed using a method similar to that used for interest sensitive products. Fair value of the index options are calculated using discounted cash flow valuation techniques based on current interest rates adjusted to reflect our credit risk and an additional provision for adverse deviation.
	•	Changes in reserves for the embedded derivatives in the index annuities and amortization of deferred sales inducements are recognized as expenses over the life of the policy.
	Retirement and Compensation Plans
	We participate with several affiliates in several defined benefit pension plans, including a multiemployer plan. We employ a long-term investment strategy of maintaining diversified plan assets. The expected return on plan assets is set at the long-term rate expected to be earned based on the long-term investment strategy of the plans for assets at the end of the reporting period.
	We have a Cash-Based Restricted Stock Unit Plan. Performance and non-performance units are awarded under this plan. In addition to meeting the performance goals, the performance units are subject to a five-year vesting schedule. The non-performance units awarded under this plan vest over five years. The amount payable per unit awarded is equal to the price per share of the Company's common stock at settlement of the award, and as such, we measure the value of the award each reporting period based on the current stock price. The expense related to the performance units is based on the number of units expected to vest and is recognized over the required service period. The expense related to the non-performance units is recognized over the five-year vesting schedule. The impact of forfeitures is estimated and compensation expense is recognized only for those units expected to vest.
	We also have share-based payment arrangements under our Class A Common Stock Compensation Plan, although no new awards have been made since 2011. We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments granted, modified or settled. The stock option non-performance related stock-based expense is recognized over the shorter of our five-year vesting schedule or the period ending when the employee becomes eligible for retirement using the straight-line method. The performance related stock-based expense is based on the number of shares expected to vest and is recognized over the required service period. The impact of forfeitures is estimated and compensation expense is recognized only for those stock-based instruments expected to vest. We report tax deductions related to stock-based instruments in excess of recognized compensation expense as a financing cash flow.
	See Note 8 for additional details on these plans.
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income includes net income, as well as other comprehensive income items not recognized through net income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on our available-for-sale securities and certain interest rate swaps held in prior years, as well as the unfunded obligation for postretirement benefit plans. These items are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax and other offsets, in stockholders' equity. The changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in our Statement of Comprehensive Income, excludes net investment gains and losses included in net income which represent transfers from unrealized to realized gains and losses. These transfers are further discussed in Note 7. The components of the unfunded obligation for postretirement benefit plans are provided in Note 8.
	Dividend Restriction
	We have agreed that we will not pay dividends on the Class A or Class B Common Stock, nor on the Series B Preferred Stock, if we are in default of the Subordinated Deferrable Interest Note Agreement dated May 30, 1997 with FBL Financial Group Capital Trust. We are compliant with all terms of this agreement at December 31, 2013. See Note 6 for additional information regarding this agreement.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. For example, significant estimates and assumptions are utilized in the valuation of investments, determination of other-than-temporary impairments of investments, amortization of deferred acquisition costs, calculation of policyholder liabilities and accruals and determination of pension expense. It is reasonably possible that actual experience could differ from the estimates and assumptions utilized which could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Investment_Operations

Investment Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Operations [Abstract]	'
Investment [Text Block]	'
	Investment Operations
	Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category
		December 31, 2013
		Amortized				Gross				Gross				Fair				Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments (1)
		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Value
						Gains				Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate (2)	$	3,142,476			$	229,151			$	(64,848	)		$	3,306,779			$	329
	Residential mortgage-backed	492,990				35,676				(7,938		)		520,728				(4,155		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	391,845				20,014				(7,192		)		404,667				—
	Other asset-backed	444,047				19,169				(6,673		)		456,543				1,725
	United States Government and agencies	39,261				4,218				(198		)		43,281				—
	State, municipal and other governments	1,317,920				60,869				(29,034		)		1,349,755				—
	Total fixed maturities	$	5,828,539			$	369,097			$	(115,883	)		$	6,081,753			$	(2,101	)
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	$	65,692			$	3,141			$	(2,383	)		$	66,450			$	—
	Common stocks	24,379				726				—				25,105				—
	Total equity securities	$	90,071			$	3,867			$	(2,383	)		$	91,555			$	—
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category
		December 31, 2012
		Amortized				Gross				Gross				Fair				Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments (1)
		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Value
						Gains				Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate (2)	$	2,906,622			$	399,144			$	(10,183	)		$	3,295,583			$	(2,913	)
	Residential mortgage-backed	632,955				47,459				(6,232		)		674,182				(5,164		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	463,504				49,173				(1,858		)		510,819				—
	Other asset-backed	485,796				16,981				(13,064		)		489,713				(4,788		)
	United States Government and agencies	42,079				6,930				—				49,009				—
	State, municipal and other governments	1,106,652				142,704				(2,917		)		1,246,439				—
	Total fixed maturities	$	5,637,608			$	662,391			$	(34,254	)		$	6,265,745			$	(12,865	)
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	$	56,909			$	4,251			$	(668	)		$	60,492			$	—
	Common stocks	25,231				530				—				25,761				—
	Total equity securities	$	82,140			$	4,781			$	(668	)		$	86,253			$	—
	-1	Non-credit losses subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date on other-than-temporary impairments are included in the gross unrealized gains and losses column above. The non-credit loss component of OTTI losses for corporate and other asset-backed securities were in an unrealized gain position at December 31, 2013 due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of non-credit losses on such securities.
	-2	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $76.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $99.6 million at December 31, 2012. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $17.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $5.6 million at December 31, 2012.
	Short-term investments have been excluded from the above schedules as amortized cost approximates fair value for these securities.
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date
		December 31, 2013
		Amortized				Fair Value
		Cost
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	75,383			$	76,935
	Due after one year through five years	691,894				764,826
	Due after five years through ten years	1,014,618				1,085,568
	Due after ten years	2,717,762				2,772,486
		4,499,657				4,699,815
	Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed	1,328,882				1,381,938
	Total fixed maturities	$	5,828,539			$	6,081,753
	Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Fixed maturities not due at a single maturity date have been included in the above table in the year of final contractual maturity.
	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net unrealized appreciation on:
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	253,214			$	628,137
	Equity securities - available for sale	1,484				4,113
		254,698				632,250
	Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization pattern of:
Deferred acquisition costs	(55,550		)		(172,320		)
Value of insurance in force acquired	(6,356		)		(15,346		)
Unearned revenue reserve	2,790				13,554
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities	(2,957		)		—
Provision for deferred income taxes	(67,404		)		(160,333		)
Net unrealized investment gains	$	125,221			$	297,805
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation of Investments - Recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Year ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	(374,923	)		$	247,581			$	278,142
Equity securities - available for sale	(2,629		)		2,378				161
Interest rate swaps	—				—				121
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments	$	(377,552	)		$	249,959			$	278,424
The changes in net unrealized investment gains and losses are recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities. Subsequent changes in fair value of securities for which a previous non-credit other-than-temporary impairment loss was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are reported along with changes in fair value for which no other-than-temporary impairment losses were previously recognized.
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities with Unrealized Losses by Length of Time
		December 31, 2013
		Less than one year								One year or more								Total
Description of Securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
Corporate		$	802,161			$	(60,138	)		$	43,500			$	(4,710	)		$	845,661	$	(64,848	)	56	%
Residential mortgage-backed		92,020				(3,548		)		20,948				(4,390		)		112,968		(7,938		)	6.8
Commercial mortgage-backed		53,647				(4,454		)		28,054				(2,738		)		81,701		(7,192		)	6.2
Other asset-backed		101,961				(1,109		)		33,170				(5,564		)		135,131		(6,673		)	5.8
United States Government and agencies		4,407				(198		)		—				—				4,407		(198		)	0.2
State, municipal and other governments		353,120				(25,700		)		19,165				(3,334		)		372,285		(29,034		)	25
Total fixed maturities		$	1,407,316			$	(95,147	)		$	144,837			$	(20,736	)		$	1,552,153	$	(115,883	)	100	%
Equity securities:
Non-redeemable preferred stocks		$	31,639			$	(1,756	)		$	4,373			$	(627	)		$	36,012	$	(2,383	)
Total equity securities		$	31,639			$	(1,756	)		$	4,373			$	(627	)		$	36,012	$	(2,383	)
		December 31, 2012
		Less than one year								One year or more								Total
Description of Securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
Corporate		$	123,610			$	(2,120	)		$	87,176			$	(8,063	)		$	210,786	$	(10,183	)	29.7	%
Residential mortgage-backed		10,560				(85		)		32,884				(6,147		)		43,444		(6,232		)	18.2
Commercial mortgage-backed		27,073				(380		)		32,697				(1,478		)		59,770		(1,858		)	5.4
Other asset-backed		31,749				(512		)		50,468				(12,552		)		82,217		(13,064		)	38.1
State, municipal and other governments		33,228				(542		)		15,932				(2,375		)		49,160		(2,917		)	8.6
Total fixed maturities		$	226,220			$	(3,639	)		$	219,157			$	(30,615	)		$	445,377	$	(34,254	)	100	%
Equity securities:
Non-redeemable preferred stocks		$	3,858			$	(32	)		$	7,364			$	(636	)		$	11,222	$	(668	)
Total equity securities		$	3,858			$	(32	)		$	7,364			$	(636	)		$	11,222	$	(668	)
Included in fixed maturities in the above table are 440 securities from 366 issuers at December 31, 2013 and 140 securities from 116 issuers at December 31, 2012. The unrealized losses in fixed maturities are generally due to an increase in risk free rates relative to the risk free rates when the securities were purchased. We do not intend to sell or believe we will be required to sell any of our impaired fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The following summarizes the more significant unrealized losses of fixed maturities and equity securities by investment category as of December 31, 2013.
Corporate securities: The largest unrealized losses are in the utilities sector ($206.2 million carrying value and $20.0 million unrealized loss). The largest unrealized losses in the utilities sector were in the electric ($141.6 million carrying value and $14.2 million unrealized loss) and the gas-pipeline ($50.4 million carrying value and $4.5 million unrealized loss) sub-sectors. The majority of losses in the sector are primarily attributable to general changes in market interest rates for corporate securities.
Residential mortgage-backed securities: The unrealized losses on residential mortgage-backed securities were primarily due to continued uncertainty regarding mortgage defaults on Alt-A loans. We purchased most of these investments at a discount to their face amount and the contractual cash flows of these investments are based on mortgages and other assets backing the securities.
Commercial mortgage-backed securities: The unrealized losses on commercial mortgage-backed securities were primarily due to spread widening and concerns regarding the potential for future defaults. The contractual cash flows of these investments are based on mortgages backing the securities. Unrealized losses on military housing bonds were mainly attributable to spread widening relative to spreads at which we acquired the bonds. Insured military housing bonds have also been impacted by the removal of their ratings following downgrades of the insurance providers.
Other asset-backed securities: The unrealized losses on other asset-backed securities were primarily due to market concerns regarding defaults on subprime mortgages and home equity loans. We purchased most of these investments at a discount to their face amount and the contractual cash flows of these investments are based on mortgages and other assets backing the securities.
State, municipal and other governments: The unrealized losses on state, municipal and other governments were primarily due to general spread widening relative to spreads at which we acquired the bonds.
Equity securities: Our gross unrealized losses were on investment grade non-redeemable perpetual preferred securities within the finance sector. These securities provide periodic cash flows, contain call features and are similarly rated and priced like other long-term callable bonds and are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment similar to fixed maturities. The decline in fair value is primarily due to market concerns regarding the sector. We have evaluated the near-term prospects of our equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of their impairment and based on that evaluation have the intent and ability to hold these investments until recovery of fair value.
Excluding mortgage and asset-backed securities, no securities from the same issuer had an aggregate unrealized loss in excess of $1.8 million at December 31, 2013, with the largest unrealized loss from an insurance carrier in the financial sector. With respect to mortgage and asset-backed securities not backed by the United States Government, no securities from the same issuer had an aggregate unrealized loss in excess of $4.0 million at December 31, 2013, which consists of two different securities from the same issuer that are backed by different pools of Alt-A residential mortgage loans. Both securities are rated non-investment grade and the largest unrealized loss totaled $2.1 million.
Mortgage Loans
Our mortgage loan portfolio consists principally of commercial mortgage loans that we have originated. Our lending policies require that the loans be collateralized by the value of the related property, establish limits on the amount that can be loaned to one borrower and require diversification by geographic location and collateral type. We originate loans with an initial loan-to- value ratio that provides sufficient excess collateral to absorb losses should we be required to foreclose and take possession of the collateral. In order to identify impairment losses timely, management maintains and reviews a watch list of mortgage loans that have heightened risk. These loans may include those with borrowers delinquent on contractual payments, borrowers experiencing financial difficulty, increases in rental real estate vacancies and significant declines in collateral value. We evaluate each of our mortgage loans individually and establish an allowance as needed for possible losses against our mortgage loan portfolio. An allowance is needed for loans for which we do not believe we will collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the respective loan agreements.
Any loan delinquent on contractual payments is considered non-performing. At December 31, 2013, there were no non-performing loans over 90 days past due on contractual payments. At December 31, 2012, there were two non-performing loans over 90 days past due on contractual payments with a carrying value of $16.4 million. Interest income is accrued on impaired loans to the extent it is deemed collectible (delinquent less than 90 days) and the loan continues to perform under its original or restructured contractual terms. Interest income on non-performing loans is generally recognized on a cash basis. Once mortgage loans are classified as nonaccrual loans, the resumption of the interest accrual would commence only after all past due interest has been collected or the mortgage loan has been restructured to where the collection of interest is considered likely. We did not accrue interest on the two loans at December 31, 2012.
Mortgage Loans by Collateral Type
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
Collateral Type		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Office		$	241,951			42	%		$	218,837			39.4	%
Retail		194,053				33.7			184,135				33.2
Industrial		126,151				21.9			133,149				24
Other		13,706				2.4			18,722				3.4
Total		$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Mortgage Loans by Geographic Location within the United States
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
Region of the United States		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
South Atlantic		$	170,529			29.6	%		$	164,294			29.6	%
Pacific		92,538				16.1			81,333				14.7
West North Central		85,629				14.9			77,798				14
East North Central		79,128				13.7			81,015				14.6
Mountain		53,460				9.3			48,881				8.8
West South Central		39,780				6.9			42,141				7.6
Other		54,797				9.5			59,381				10.7
Total		$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio
	December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
	Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
0% - 50%	$	149,719			26	%		$	173,040			31.2	%
50% - 60%	202,025				35.1			156,633				28.2
60% - 70%	204,460				35.5			186,738				33.7
70% - 80%	15,559				2.7			36,857				6.6
80% - 90%	4,098				0.7			1,575				0.3
Total	$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
The loan-to-value ratio is determined using the most recent appraised value. Appraisals are updated periodically including when there is indication of a possible significant collateral decline or loan modification and refinance requests.
Mortgage Loans by Year of Origination
	December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
	Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
2013	$	84,478			14.7	%		—				—	%
2012	72,792				12.6			75,173				13.6
2011	48,190				8.4			47,405				8.5
2010	26,173				4.5			27,422				4.9
2008	68,323				11.9			70,346				12.7
2007 and prior	275,905				47.9			334,497				60.3
Total	$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Impaired Mortgage Loans
	December 31,
	2013				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unpaid principal balance	$	22,100			$	10,046
Less:
Related allowance	888				1,694
Discount	429				—
Carrying value of impaired mortgage loans	$	20,783			$	8,352
Allowance on Mortgage Loans
	Year ended December 31,
	2013				2012
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,694			$	1,759
Allowances established	804				335
Charge offs	(1,610		)		(400		)
Balance at end of period	$	888			$	1,694
Components of Net Investment Income
	Year ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	328,979			$	318,364			$	302,272
Equity securities - available for sale	4,295				3,508				3,368
Mortgage loans	32,447				32,369				34,619
Real estate	331				—				367
Policy loans	8,502				8,997				9,235
Short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents	102				215				50
Prepayment fee income and other	5,098				6,737				2,238
	379,754				370,190				352,149
Less investment expenses	(9,103		)		(8,866		)		(8,839		)
Net investment income	$	370,651			$	361,324			$	343,310
Realized Gains (Losses) - Recorded in Income
	Year ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
Fixed maturities:
Gross gains	$	18,495			$	16,982			$	5,715
Gross losses	(2,374		)		(541		)		(368		)
Equity securities	—				309				(5		)
Mortgage loans	—				767				—
Real estate	12				(25		)		—
Other	(166		)		(13		)		13
Impairment losses recognized in earnings:
Credit-related portion of fixed maturity losses (1)	(618		)		(5,264		)		(1,454		)
Other credit-related (2)	(1,794		)		(11,763		)		(12,197		)
Realized gains (losses) on investments recorded in income	$	13,555			$	452			$	(8,296	)
-1	Amount represents the credit-related losses recognized for fixed maturities which were not written down to fair value. As discussed above the non-credit portion of the losses have been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).
-2	Amount represents credit-related losses for mortgage loans, real estate and fixed maturities written down to fair value.
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities were $138.4 million in 2013, $156.3 million in 2012 and $70.7 million in 2011.
Included in the net impairment loss recognized in earnings in 2011 is an other than temporary impairment of $4.7 million related to an equity method investment held as Securities and Indebtedness of related parties, which was undergoing financial difficulties as a result of class action litigation.
Realized losses on sales were on securities that we did not intend to sell at the prior balance sheet date or on securities that were impaired in a prior period, but decreased in value during the year. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification.
Credit Loss Component of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Fixed Maturities
The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments on fixed maturities held by the Company as of the dates indicated for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and corresponding changes in such amounts.
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period		$	(27,712	)		$	(22,746	)
Increases for which an impairment was not previously recognized		—				(3,815		)
Increases to previously impaired investments		(618		)		(1,449		)
Reductions due to investments sold		5,944				215
Reductions due to change of intent to not hold investments		794				83
Balance at end of period		$	(21,592	)		$	(27,712	)
Variable Interest Entities
We evaluate our variable interest entity (VIE) investees to determine whether the level of our direct ownership interest, our rights to manage operations or our obligation to provide ongoing financial support are such that we are the primary beneficiary of the entity, and are then required to consolidate it for financial reporting purposes. None of our VIE investees were required to be consolidated during 2013, 2012 or 2011. Our VIE investments are as follows:
	December 31, 2013								December 31, 2012
	Carrying Value				Maximum Exposure to Loss				Carrying Value				Maximum Exposure to Loss
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate limited partnerships	$	17,646			$	17,646			$	16,914			$	16,914
The real estate limited partnerships had revenues totaling $4.3 million for 2013, $4.1 million for 2012 and $4.9 million for 2011. We may make commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. We did not have any other commitments to investees designated as VIE's during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Derivative Instruments
We are not significantly involved in hedging activities and have limited exposure to derivatives. We do not apply hedge accounting to any of our derivative positions. Derivative assets, which are primarily reported in reinsurance recoverable and other investments, totaled $3.7 million at December 31, 2013 and $5.6 million at December 31, 2012. Our derivative assets consist of derivatives embedded within our modified coinsurance agreements and call options which provide an economic hedge for a small block of index annuity contracts. Derivative liabilities totaled $0.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $0.5 million at December 31, 2012 and include derivatives embedded within our index annuity contracts and derivatives embedded within our modified coinsurance agreements. The net gain (loss) recognized on these derivatives was included in net investment income and interest sensitive benefits and totaled ($1.5) million in 2013, $1.6 million in 2012 and ($0.5) million in 2011.
Other
At December 31, 2013, affidavits of deposits covering investments with a carrying value totaling $6,480.9 million were on deposit with state agencies to meet regulatory requirements. Fixed maturities with a carrying value of $356.0 million were on deposit with the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) as collateral for funding agreements.
At December 31, 2013, we had committed to provide additional funds for investments in limited partnerships. The amounts of these unfunded commitments totaled $38.3 million.
The carrying value of investments which have been non-income producing for the twelve months preceding December 31, 2013 includes fixed maturities, real estate, short-term and equity securities totaling $3.8 million.
No investment in any entity or its affiliates (other than bonds issued by agencies of the United States Government) exceeded 10.0% of stockholders' equity at December 31, 2013.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Fair Value
	The carrying and estimated fair values of our financial instruments are as follows:
	Fair Values and Carrying Values
		December 31,
		2013							2012
		Carrying Value				Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	6,081,753			$	6,081,753		$	6,265,745		$	6,265,745
	Equity securities - available for sale	91,555				91,555			86,253			86,253
	Mortgage loans	575,861				594,451			554,843			600,448
	Policy loans	176,993				210,401			174,254			227,161
	Other investments	993				993			247			247
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	115,047				115,047			152,590			152,590
	Reinsurance recoverable	2,678				2,678			5,326			5,326
	Assets held in separate accounts	693,955				693,955			618,809			618,809
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	3,360,519			$	3,371,706		$	3,226,765		$	3,352,252
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	349,761				320,195			361,273			350,187
	Advance premiums and other deposits	230,819				230,819			216,857			216,857
	Long-term debt	97,000				63,343			147,000			116,359
	Other liabilities	—				—			131			131
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	693,955				686,387			618,809			609,704
	Fair value is based on an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As not all financial instruments are actively traded, various valuation methods may be used to estimate fair value. These methods rely on observable market data and where observable market data is not available, the best information available. Significant judgment may be required to interpret the data and select the assumptions used in the valuation estimates, particularly when observable market data is not available.
	In the discussion that follows, we have ranked our financial instruments by the level of judgment used in the determination of the fair values presented above. The levels are defined as follows:
	•	Level 1 - Fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	•	Level 2 - Fair values are based on inputs, other than quoted prices from active markets, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	•	Level 3 - Fair values are based on significant unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
	In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, a financial instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. From time to time there may be movements between levels as inputs become more or less observable, which may depend on several factors including the activity of the market for the specific security, the activity of the market for similar securities, the level of risk spreads and the source of the information from which we obtain the information. Transfers in or out of any level are measured as of the beginning of the period.
	The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments:
	Fixed maturities:
	Level 1 fixed maturities consist of U.S. Treasury issues that are actively traded, allowing us to use current market prices as an estimate of their fair value.
	Level 2 fixed maturities consist of corporate, mortgage and other asset-backed, United States Government agencies and private placement securities with observable market data, and in some circumstances recent trade activity. When quoted prices of identical assets in active markets are not available, our first priority is to obtain prices from third party pricing vendors. We have regular interaction with these vendors to ensure we understand their pricing methodologies and to confirm they are utilizing observable market information. Their methodologies vary by asset class and include inputs such as estimated cash flows, benchmark yields, reported trades, credit quality, industry events and economic events. Fixed maturities with validated prices from pricing services, which includes the majority of our public fixed maturities in all asset classes, are generally reflected in Level 2.
	Also included in Level 2 are corporate bonds where quoted market prices are not available, for which an internal model using substantially all observable inputs or a matrix pricing valuation approach is used. In the matrix approach, securities are grouped into pricing categories that vary by sector, rating and average life. Each pricing category is assigned a risk spread based on studies of observable public market data. The expected cash flows of the security are then discounted back at the current Treasury curve plus the appropriate risk spread.
	Level 3 fixed maturities include private placements as well as corporate, mortgage and other asset-backed and state and municipal securities for which there is little or no current market data available. We use external pricing sources, or if prices are not available, we will estimate fair value internally. Fair values of private investments in Level 3 are determined by reference to public market, private transactions or valuations for comparable companies or assets in the relevant asset class when such amounts are available. For other securities where an exit price based on relevant observable inputs is not obtained, the fair value is determined using a matrix calculation. Fair values estimated through use of matrix pricing methods rely on an estimate of credit spreads to a risk free U.S. Treasury yield. Selecting the credit spread requires judgment based on an understanding of the security and may include a market liquidity premium. Our selection of comparable companies as well as the level of spread requires significant judgment. Increases in spreads used in our matrix models, or those used to value comparable companies, will result in a decrease in discounted cash flows used, and accordingly in the estimated fair value of the security.
	We obtain fixed maturity fair values from a variety of external independent pricing services, including brokers, with access to observable data including recent trade information, if available. In certain circumstances in which an external price is not available for a Level 3 security, we will internally estimate its fair value. Our process for evaluation and selection of the fair values includes:
	•	We follow a “pricing waterfall” policy, which establishes the pricing source preference for a particular security or security type. The order of preference is based on our evaluation of the valuation methods used, the source's knowledge of the instrument and the reliability of the prices we have received from the source in the past. Our valuation policy dictates that fair values are initially sought from third party pricing services. If our review of the prices received from our preferred source indicates an inaccurate price, we will use an alternative source within the waterfall and document the decision. In the event that fair values are not available from one of our external pricing services or upon review of the fair values provided it is determined that they may not be reflective of market conditions, those securities are submitted to brokers familiar with the security to obtain non-binding price quotes. Broker quotes tend to be used in limited circumstances such as for newly issued, private placement and other instruments that are not widely traded. For those securities for which an externally provided fair value is not available we use cash flow modeling techniques to estimate fair value.
	•	We evaluate third party pricing source estimation methodologies to assess whether they will provide a fair value which approximates a market exit price.
	•	We perform an overall analysis of portfolio fair value movement against general movements in interest rates and spreads.
	•	We compare month-to-month price trends to detect unexpected price fluctuation based on our knowledge of the market and the particular instrument. As fluctuations are noted, we will perform further research which may include discussions with the original pricing source or other external sources to ensure we are in agreement with the valuation.
	•	We compare prices between different pricing sources for unusual disparity.
	•	We meet at least quarterly with our Investment Committee, the group that oversees our valuation process, to discuss valuation practices and observations during the pricing process.
	Equity securities:
	Level 1 equity securities consist of listed common stocks and mutual funds that are actively traded, allowing us to use current market prices as an estimate of their fair value.
	Level 2 equity securities consist of common stock issued by the FHLB, with estimated fair value based on the current redemption value of the shares and non-redeemable preferred stock with estimated fair value obtained from external pricing sources using a matrix pricing approach.
	Level 3 equity securities consist of non-redeemable preferred stock for which no active market exists, and fair value estimates for these securities is based on the values of comparable securities which are actively traded. Increases in spreads used in our matrix models, or those used to value comparable companies, will result in a decrease in discounted cash flows used, and accordingly in the estimated fair value of the security.
	In the case where external pricing services are used for certain Level 1 and Level 2 equity securities, our review process is consistent with the process used to determine the fair value of fixed maturities discussed above.
	Mortgage loans:
	Mortgage loans are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Mortgage loans are a Level 3 measurement as there is no current market for the loans. The fair value of our mortgage loans is estimated internally using a matrix pricing approach. Along with specific loan terms, two key management assumptions are required including the risk rating of the loan (our current rating system A-highest quality, B-moderate quality, C-low quality and W-watch or F-foreclosure) and estimated spreads for new loans over the U.S. Treasury yield curve. Spreads are updated quarterly and loans are reviewed and rated annually with quarterly adjustments should significant changes occur. Our determination of each loan's risk rating as well as selection of the credit spread requires significant judgment. A higher risk rating, as well as an increase in spreads, would result in a decrease in discounted cash flows used, and accordingly the fair value of the loan.
	Policy loans:
	Policy loans are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Policy loans are a Level 3 measurement as there is no current market since they are specifically tied to the underlying insurance policy. The loans are relatively risk free as they cannot exceed the cash surrender value of the insurance policy. Fair values are estimated by discounting expected cash flows using a risk-free interest rate based on the U.S. Treasury curve. An increase in the risk-free interest rate would result in a decrease in discounted cash flows used, and accordingly the fair value of the loan.
	Other investments:
	Level 2 other investments include call options with fair values based on counterparty market prices adjusted for a credit component of the counterparty.
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments:
	Level 1 cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are highly liquid instruments for which historical cost approximates fair value.
	Reinsurance recoverable:
	Level 2 reinsurance recoverable includes embedded derivatives in our modified coinsurance contracts under which we cede or assume business. Fair values of these embedded derivatives are based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the underlying fixed maturities, which are valued consistent with the discussion of fixed maturities above.
	Assets held in separate accounts:
	Level 1 assets held in separate accounts consist of mutual funds that are actively traded, allowing us to use current market prices as an estimate of their fair value.
	Future policy benefits, supplemental contracts without life contingencies and advance premiums and other deposits:
	Level 3 policy related financial instruments of investment-type contracts are those not involving significant mortality or morbidity risks. No active market exists for these contracts and they are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair values for our insurance contracts, other than investment-type contracts, are not required to be disclosed. Fair values for our investment-type contracts with expected maturities, including deferred annuities, funding agreements and supplementary contracts, are determined using discounted cash flow valuation techniques based on current interest rates adjusted to reflect our credit risk and an additional provision for adverse deviation. For certain deposit liabilities with no defined maturities and no surrender charges, including pension related deposit administration funds, advance premiums and other deposits, fair value is the account value or amount payable on demand. Significant judgment is required in selecting the assumptions used to estimate the fair values of these financial instruments. For contracts with known maturities, increases in current rates will result in a decrease in discounted cash flows and a decrease in the estimated fair value of the policy obligation.
	Certain annuity contracts include embedded derivatives, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These embedded derivatives are a Level 3 measurement. The fair value of the embedded derivatives is based on the discounted excess of projected account values (including a risk margin) over projected guaranteed account values. The key unobservable inputs required in the projection of future values which require management judgment include the risk margin as well as the credit risk of our company. Should the risk margin increase or the credit risk decrease the discounted cash flows and the estimated fair value of the obligation will increase.
	Long-term debt:
Long-term debt is not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Long-term debt is a Level 3 measurement. The fair value of our outstanding debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on the market's assessment or our current incremental borrowing rate for similar types of borrowing arrangements adjusted, as needed, to reflect our credit risk. Our selection of the credit spread requires significant judgment. A decrease in the spread will increase the estimated fair value of the outstanding debt.
Other liabilities:
Level 2 other liabilities include the embedded derivatives in our modified coinsurance contracts under which we cede business. Fair values for the embedded derivatives are based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the underlying fixed maturities.
Level 3 other liabilities include an embedded derivative related to the make-whole redemption feature of our unaffiliated Senior Notes. Fair value was determined using a discounted cash flow valuation analysis based on applicable U.S. Treasury rates and make-whole spread.
Liabilities related to separate accounts:
Separate account liabilities are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Level 3 separate account liabilities' fair value is based on the cash surrender value of the underlying contract, which is the cost we would incur to extinguish the liability.
Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis by Hierarchy Levels
	December 31, 2013
	Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	—			$	3,224,785		$	81,994		$	3,306,779
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—				520,728			—			520,728
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—				332,955			71,712			404,667
Other asset-backed securities	—				370,708			85,835			456,543
United States Government and agencies	15,291				19,946			8,044			43,281
State, municipal and other governments	—				1,349,755			—			1,349,755
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—				58,655			7,795			66,450
Common stocks	3,295				21,810			—			25,105
Other investments	—				993			—			993
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	115,047				—			—			115,047
Reinsurance recoverable	—				2,678			—			2,678
Assets held in separate accounts	693,955				—			—			693,955
Total assets	$	827,588			$	5,903,013		$	255,380		$	6,985,981
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	—			$	—		$	286		$	286
Total liabilities	$	—			$	—		$	286		$	286
Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis by Hierarchy Levels
	December 31, 2012
	Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	—			$	3,195,120		$	100,463		$	3,295,583
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—				674,182			—			674,182
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—				434,538			76,281			510,819
Other asset-backed securities	—				393,957			95,756			489,713
United States Government and agencies	14,884				25,570			8,555			49,009
State, municipal and other governments	—				1,246,216			223			1,246,439
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—				53,101			7,391			60,492
Common stocks	2,773				22,988			—			25,761
Other investments	—				247			—			247
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	152,590				—			—			152,590
Reinsurance recoverable	—				5,326			—			5,326
Assets held in separate accounts	618,809				—			—			618,809
Total assets	$	789,056			$	6,051,245		$	288,669		$	7,128,970
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	—			$	—		$	307		$	307
Other liabilities	—				131			—			131
Total liabilities	$	—			$	131		$	307		$	438
Level 3 Fixed Maturity Securities on a Recurring Basis by Valuation Source
	December 31, 2013
	Third-party vendors				Priced			Total
					internally
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate securities	$	59,812			$	22,182		$	81,994
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	71,712				—			71,712
Other asset-backed securities	65,003				20,832			85,835
United States Government and agencies	8,044				—			8,044
Total	$	204,571			$	43,014		$	247,585
Percent of total	82.6		%		17.4		%	100		%
	December 31, 2012
	Third-party vendors				Priced			Total
					internally
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate securities	$	70,975			$	29,488		$	100,463
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	76,281				—			76,281
Other asset-backed securities	79,320				16,436			95,756
United States Government and agencies	8,555				—			8,555
State, municipal and other governments	223				—			223
Total	$	235,354			$	45,924		$	281,278
Percent of total	83.7		%		16.3		%	100		%
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	December 31, 2013
	Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	46,023		Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	0.91% - 17.08% (7.84%)
Commercial mortgage-backed	71,712			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.75% - 4.50% (2.95%)
Other asset-backed securities	38,305			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	0.74% - 5.06% (3.55%)
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,795			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	3.81% (3.81%)
Total Assets	$	163,835
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	286		Discounted cash flow	Credit risk	0.30% - 1.70% (1.05%)
					Risk margin	0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
	31-Dec-12
	Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	54,538		Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	0.78% - 9.21% (5.72%)
Commercial mortgage-backed	76,264			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.95% - 4.80% (3.35%)
Other asset-backed securities	43,119			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.24% - 6.07% (4.28%)
State, municipal and other governments	223			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.75% (1.75%)
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,391			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	6.00% (6.00%)
Total Assets	$	181,535
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	307		Discounted cash flow	Credit risk	1.00% - 2.50% (1.80%)
					Risk margin	0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
The table above excludes certain securities for which the fair value was based on non-binding broker quotes where we could not reasonably obtain the quantitative unobservable inputs.
Level 3 Financial Instruments Changes in Fair Value Recurring Basis
	December 31, 2013
											Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
	Balance, December 31, 2012				Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Transfers into		Transfers			Amort-ization included in net income		Balance, December 31, 2013
																	Level 3 (1)		out of
																			Level 3 (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate securities	$	100,463			$	2,157		$	(7,946	)	$	—		$	(1,945	)	$	—	$	(10,798	)	$	63	$	81,994
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	76,281				—			(660		)	—			(3,996		)	—		—			87		71,712
Other asset-backed securities	95,756				38,468			(13,583		)	—			(971		)	4,062		(39,155		)	1,258		85,835
United States Government and agencies	8,555				—			—			—			(517		)	—		—			6		8,044
State, municipal and other governments	223				—			(218		)	—			(5		)	—		—			—		—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,391				—			—			—			71			5,208		(4,875		)	—		7,795
Total	$	288,669			$	40,625		$	(22,407	)	$	—		$	(7,363	)	$	9,270	$	(54,828	)	$	1,414	$	255,380
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	307			$	—		$	(28	)	$	—		$	7		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	286
Total Liabilities	$	307			$	—		$	(28	)	$	—		$	7		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	286
	December 31, 2012
											Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
	Balance, December 31, 2011				Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Transfers		Transfers			Amort-ization included in net income		Balance, December 31, 2012
																	into		out of
																	Level 3 (2)		Level 3 (2)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate securities	$	106,412			$	—		$	(15,504	)	$	(9	)	$	3,113		$	21,654	$	(15,295	)	$	92	$	100,463
Residential mortgage-backed securities	7,711				—			—			—			—			—		(7,711		)	—		—
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	27,899				5,105			(3,101		)	—			1,251			59,096		(14,055		)	86		76,281
Other asset-backed securities	113,458				68,811			(11,351		)	(44		)	3,820			22,092		(102,192		)	1,162		95,756
Collateralized debt obligation	270				—			(27		)	(243		)	—			—		—			—		—
United States Government and agencies	12,588				—			—			—			(28		)	—		(4,010		)	5		8,555
State, municipal and other governments	12,044				—			(4,221		)	—			(316		)	—		(7,845		)	561		223
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	14,447				—			(5,105		)	105			749			—		(2,805		)	—		7,391
Total	$	294,829			$	73,916		$	(39,309	)	$	(191	)	$	8,589		$	102,842	$	(153,913	)	$	1,906	$	288,669
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	302			$	—		$	(37	)	$	—		$	42		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	307
Make-whole redemption feature on Senior Notes	33,144				—			(33,144		)	—			—			—		—			—		—
Total Liabilities	$	33,446			$	—		$	(33,181	)	$	—		$	42		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	307
-1	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. Transfers out of Level 3 include those assets that we are now able to obtain pricing from a third party pricing vendor that uses observable inputs. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2013.
-2	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. During 2012, we began using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs for a portion of our Level 3 investments for which non-binding broker quotes were previously used to estimate fair value. We believe the change in pricing sources is appropriate and consistent with our pricing waterfall policy to use higher level valuation methods when available. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2012.
Valuation of our Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Levels
	December 31, 2013
	Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Mortgage loans	$	—			$	—		$	594,451		$	594,451
Policy loans	—				—			210,401			210,401
Total assets	$	—			$	—		$	804,852		$	804,852
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$	—			$	—		$	3,371,420		$	3,371,420
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	—				—			320,195			320,195
Advance premiums and other deposits	—				—			230,819			230,819
Long-term debt	—				—			63,343			63,343
Liabilities related to separate accounts	—				—			686,387			686,387
Total liabilities	$	—			$	—		$	4,672,164		$	4,672,164
	December 31, 2012
	Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Mortgage loans	$	—			$	—		$	600,448		$	600,448
Policy loans	—				—			227,161			227,161
Total assets	$	—			$	—		$	827,609		$	827,609
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$	—			$	—		$	3,351,945		$	3,351,945
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	—				—			350,187			350,187
Advance premiums and other deposits	—				—			216,857			216,857
Long-term debt	—				—			116,359			116,359
Liabilities related to separate accounts	—				—			609,704			609,704
Total liabilities	$	—			$	—		$	4,645,052		$	4,645,052
Level 3 Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, generally mortgage loans or real estate which have been deemed to be impaired during the reporting period. During 2013, one real estate property was impaired to a fair value totaling $1.9 million which resulted in an impairment charge of $0.2 million. During 2012, one mortgage loan was impaired to a fair value totaling $1.6 million which resulted in an impairment charge of $0.3 million.

Reinsurance_and_Policy_Provisi

Reinsurance and Policy Provisions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance and Policy Provisions [Abstract]	'
Reinsurance and Policy Provisions [Text Block]	'
	Reinsurance and Policy Provisions
	Reinsurance
	In the normal course of business, we seek to limit our exposure to loss on any single insured or event and to recover a portion of benefits paid by ceding a portion of our exposure to other insurance companies. Our reinsurance coverage for life insurance varies according to the age and risk classification of the insured with retention limits ranging up to $1.5 million of coverage per individual life. New sales of certain term life products are reinsured on a first dollar quota share basis. We do not use financial or surplus relief reinsurance.
	We participate in a reinsurance pool with various unaffiliated life insurance companies to mitigate the impact of a catastrophic event on our financial position and results of operations. Members of the pool share in the eligible catastrophic losses based on their size and contribution to the pool. The maximum loss we could incur as a result of losses assumed from other pool members is $7.7 million per event. As of the date of this filing, there have been no claims on the reinsurance pool.
	In addition, Farm Bureau Life may cede certain losses under an annual 100% quota share accidental death reinsurance agreement. Coverage includes all acts of terrorism including those of a nuclear, chemical or biological origin. Coverage is subject to an annual aggregate retention of $13.0 million. A maximum occurrence limit of $50.0 million applies to policies written on agents of the Company who are participating in company-sponsored incentive trips. Additionally, a $200.0 million occurrence limit applies to employees in the home office building, net of reinsurance on group life policies. All other occurrence catastrophes are unlimited in amount.
	Life insurance in force ceded totaled $13,220.0 million (24.2% of life insurance in force) at December 31, 2013 and $11,999.3 million (23.1% of life insurance in force) at December 31, 2012. Insurance premiums and product charges have been reduced by $29.4 million in 2013, $28.9 million in 2012 and $30.8 million in 2011 and insurance benefits have been reduced by $21.7 million in 2013, $20.5 million in 2012 and $15.5 million in 2011 as a result of cession agreements.
	Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us of our obligations to policyholders. To the extent that reinsuring companies are later unable to meet obligations under reinsurance agreements, our insurance subsidiaries would be liable for these obligations, and payment of these obligations could result in losses. To limit the possibility of such losses, we evaluate the financial condition of our reinsurers and monitor concentrations of credit risk. No allowance for uncollectible amounts has been established against our asset for reinsurance recoverable since none of our receivables are deemed to be uncollectible.
	We have assumed closed blocks of certain life and annuity business through coinsurance and modified coinsurance agreements. Life insurance in force assumed totaled $613.3 million (1.5% of total life insurance in force) at December 31, 2013 and $612.9 million (1.5% of total life insurance in force) at December 31, 2012. Premiums and product charges assumed totaled $0.8 million in 2013, $0.6 million in 2012 and $0.4 million in 2011. Insurance benefits assumed totaled $1.7 million in 2013, $0.3 million in 2012 and less than $0.1 million in 2011.
	Policy Provisions
	Analysis of the Value of Insurance In Force Acquired
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Excluding impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	32,500		$	38,062		$	33,403
	Accretion of interest during the year	902			1,068			1,266
	Amortization of asset	(3,467		)	(6,630		)	3,393
	Balance prior to impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses	29,935			32,500			38,062
	Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses	(6,356		)	(15,346		)	(12,281		)
	Balance at end of year	$	23,579		$	17,154		$	25,781
	We periodically revise key assumptions used in the calculation of the value of insurance in force acquired through an “unlocking” process, which increased amortization $2.6 million in 2012. As described in Note 1, during 2011 refinements were made to the methods and assumptions used to calculate the amortization of value of insurance in force acquired, resulting in a $6.9 million reduction in amortization. Net amortization, based on expected future gross profits/margins, for the next five years is expected to be as follows: 2014 - $2.8 million; 2015 - $2.8 million; 2016 - $2.5 million; 2017 - $2.5 million; and 2018 - $2.4 million.
	Certain variable annuity and variable universal life contracts in our separate accounts and in separate accounts of reinsurance partners have minimum interest guarantees on funds deposited in our general account. In addition, we have certain variable annuity contracts that include a) guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDBs), b) an incremental death benefit (IDB) rider that pays a percentage of the gain on the contract upon death of the contract holder, and/or c) a guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB) that provides monthly income to the contract holder after the eighth policy year.
	GMDB, IDB and GMIB Net Amount at Risk by Type of Guarantee
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Separate			Net Amount			Separate			Net Amount
		Account			at Risk			Account			at Risk
		Balance						Balance
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Guaranteed minimum death benefit:
	Return of net deposits	$	195,593		$	791		$	178,443		$	1,346
	Return the greater of highest anniversary	315,176			3,150			282,973			7,177
	value or net deposits
	Incremental death benefit	283,556			57,964			252,925			35,502
	Guaranteed minimum income benefit	42,850			—			38,072			—
	Total				$	61,905					$	44,025
	The separate account assets are principally comprised of stock and bond mutual funds. The net amount at risk for these contracts is based on the amount by which GMDB, IDB or GMIB exceeds account value. The reserve for GMDBs, IDBs or GMIBs, determined using modeling techniques and industry mortality assumptions, that is included in future policy benefits, totaled $2.4 million at December 31, 2013 and $1.9 million at December 31, 2012. The weighted average age of the contract holders with GMDB, IDB or GMIB rider exposure was 63 years at December 31, 2013 and 60 years at December 31, 2012. Benefits paid for GMDBs, IDBs and GMIBs totaled $0.3 million for 2013, $0.2 million for 2012 and $0.3 million for 2011.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Income Taxes
	We file a consolidated federal income tax return with Farm Bureau Life and FBL Financial Services, Inc. and certain of their subsidiaries. The companies included in the consolidated federal income tax return each report current income tax expense as allocated under a consolidated tax allocation agreement. This allocation typically results in profitable companies recognizing a tax provision as if the individual company filed a separate return and loss companies recognizing a benefit to the extent their losses contribute to reduce consolidated taxes.
	Deferred income taxes have been established based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. The reversal of the temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the related asset or liability is recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is required if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance we considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax assets, projected future taxable income, taxable income from prior years available for recovery and tax planning strategies. Our tax planning strategies assume deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses on our investments are temporary as we have the ability to hold the investments until maturity, at which time, the existing temporary difference is expected to reverse. As such, we have determined that the establishment of a valuation allowance was not necessary at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	Income Tax Expenses (Credits)
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Taxes provided in consolidated statements of operations on:
	Income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interest and equity income (loss):
	Current	$	43,264		$	(8,717	)	$	27,637
	Deferred	6,058			48,788			(8,840		)
		49,322			40,071			18,797
	Equity income (loss) - current	(11,050		)	(6,260		)	(890		)
	Discontinued operations	—			(382		)	23,003
	Loss on sale of subsidiary	—			(1,213		)	(29,198		)
	Taxes provided in consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity:
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	(91,961		)	60,309			67,964
	Class A and Class B common stock	(1,657		)	(2,167		)	(164		)
		(93,618		)	58,142			67,800
		$	(55,346	)	$	90,358		$	79,512
	Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation to Federal Income Tax Rate
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes, noncontrolling interest and equity income (loss)	$	150,305		$	118,184		$	69,722
	Income tax at federal statutory rate (35%)	$	52,607		$	41,364		$	24,400
	Tax effect (decrease) of:
	Tax-exempt dividend and interest income	(2,802		)	(1,741		)	(2,393		)
	Impact of incentive stock options	(594		)	(341		)	(1,029		)
	Other items	111			789			(2,181		)
	Income tax expense	$	49,322		$	40,071		$	18,797
	Tax Effect of Temporary Differences Giving Rise to Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Future policy benefits	$	22,754		$	20,865
	Accrued benefit and compensation costs	12,048			11,957
	Loss carryforwards	17,041			18,259
	Other	4,478			1,632
		56,321			52,713
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Fixed maturity and equity securities	90,360			219,372
	Deferred acquisition costs	66,583			24,826
	Other	22,217			16,948
		179,160			261,146
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	122,839		$	208,433
	We recognize the benefits of uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of the FASB interpretation on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, our reserve for uncertain tax positions of less than $0.5 million. Unrecognized tax benefits included in our reserve, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate, although we do not expect these impacts to be material. We recognized interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and related penalties in other expenses. We do not expect any significant increases or decreases in the amount of our reserve for uncertain tax positions within the next twelve months. Other than 2007, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for tax years prior to 2010.
	At December 31, 2013, we had non-life net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes totaling $48.7 million which expire beginning in 2029 through 2032.
	We are continuing to invest in low income housing tax credit partnerships which generate pre-tax losses but after tax gains as the related tax credits are realized. The timing of the realization of tax credits is subject to fluctuation from period to period due to the timing of housing project completions and when tax credits are approved. These tax credits, which are reported in equity income, totaled $9.8 million in 2013, $5.7 million in 2012 and $1.0 million in 2011. In addition, in 2011 we reported $0.5 million of tax credits in tax expense.

Credit_Arrangements

Credit Arrangements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Credit Arrangements [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Credit Arrangements
	Long-term debt includes $97.0 million of our subordinated debt obligation to FBL Financial Group Capital Trust (the Trust). We issued 5% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes due June 30, 2047 (the Notes) with a principal amount of $100.0 million to support $97.0 million of 5% Preferred Securities issued by the Trust. We also have a $3.0 million equity investment in the Trust, which is netted against the Notes on the consolidated balance sheets due to a contractual right of offset. The sole assets of the Trust are and will be the Notes and any interest accrued thereon. The interest payment dates on the Notes correspond to the distribution dates on the 5% Preferred Securities. The 5% Preferred Securities, which have a liquidation value of $1,000.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid distributions, mature simultaneously with the Notes. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, 97,000 shares of 5% Preferred Securities were outstanding, all of which we unconditionally guarantee.
	On September 26, 2013, we redeemed the Senior Notes payable to affiliates that had a balance of $50.0 million at December 31, 2012. These 6.10% Senior Notes were due May 3, 2015 and prepayable anytime at par. These notes were issued to Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company (Farm Bureau Property & Casualty), an affiliate, and an investment affiliate of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), our majority stockholder.
	As described in Note 15, during the first quarter of 2012 we completed the required redemption of $175.0 million of our long term debt in accordance with the mandatory redemption provisions of the underlying notes at the make-whole redemption price of $210.9 million.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	The IFBF owns our Series B preferred stock. Each share of Series B preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $0.60 and voting rights identical to that of Class A common stock with the exception that each Series B share is entitled to two votes while each Class A share is entitled to one vote. The Series B preferred stock pays cumulative annual cash dividends of $0.03 per share, payable quarterly, and is redeemable by us, at our option, at $0.60 per share plus unpaid dividends if the stock ceases to be beneficially owned by a Farm Bureau organization.
	Reconciliation of Outstanding Common Stock
		Class A							Class B							Total
		Shares			Dollars				Shares			Dollars				Shares		Dollars
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2011	29,749,068			$	118,165			1,192,990			$	7,522			30,942,058		$	125,687
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	121,551			13,277				—			—				121,551		13,277
	Purchase of common stock	(412,975	)		(1,758		)		—			—				(412,975	)	(1,758		)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2011	29,457,644			129,684				1,192,990			7,522				30,650,634		137,206
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	353,140			10,901				—			—				353,140		10,901
	Purchase of common stock	(5,528,700	)		(24,879		)		—			—				(5,528,700	)	(24,879		)
	Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock	100			—				(100	)		—				—		$	—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012	24,282,184			$	115,706			1,192,890			$	7,522			25,475,074		$	123,228
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	666,659			20,156				—			—				666,659		20,156
	Purchase of common stock	(363,430	)		(1,862		)		(1,023,948	)		(6,457		)		(1,387,378	)	(8,319		)
	Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock	157,529			993				(157,529	)		(993		)		—		—
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	24,742,942			$	134,993			11,413			$	72			24,754,355		$	135,065
	Holders of the Class A common stock and Series B preferred stock vote together as a group in the election of Class A Directors (four to ten). The Class B common stock votes as a separate class to elect the Class B Directors (five to seven). Voting for the Directors is noncumulative. Ownership aspects of our Class B common stock are governed by a Class B Shareholder Agreement. The IFBF's ownership in the three classes of stock results in IFBF owning 71% of our voting stock as of December 31, 2013, and having the ability to control the Company. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock receive equal per-share common stock dividends.
	Share Repurchases
	On August 21, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized a tender offer to repurchase 99 percent of all Class B common shares outstanding. The tender price of $45.33 was based upon the average of the closing price of FBL’s Class A common stock for the seven consecutive business days preceding the tender closing date of September 25, 2013. All Class B shareholders participated with 1,023,948 Class B common shares repurchased for $46.4 million and 105,930 shares of Class B common stock converted to Class A common stock.
	During 2011 and 2012, the Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase up to $230.0 million of Class A common stock. These repurchase plans authorize us to make repurchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions, with the timing and terms of the purchases to be determined by management based on market conditions. In connection with the Class A repurchase plans, we repurchased 0.4 million shares of stock for $14.2 million in 2013, 5.5 million shares of stock for $181.9 million in 2012 and 0.4 million shares of stock for $13.6 million in 2011. Completion of this program is dependent on market conditions and other factors. There is no guarantee as to the exact timing of any repurchases or the number of shares, if any, that we will repurchase. The share repurchase program may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
	During February 2014, the Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase up to $50.0 million of Class A common stock. This repurchase plan will commence upon the earlier of the completion of the current repurchase plan or its expiration on March 31, 2014.
	Dividend Restrictions
	The amount of dividends we have available to pay our common shareholders is limited to a certain extent by the amount of dividends our primary operating subsidiary, Farm Bureau Life, is able to pay to its parent, FBL Financial Group, Inc. Farm Bureau Life's ability to pay dividends to FBL Financial Group, Inc. is limited by Iowa law to earned profits (statutory unassigned surplus) as of the date the dividend is paid, as determined in accordance with accounting practices prescribed by insurance regulatory authorities of the State of Iowa. Further, Farm Bureau Life’s dividends are required to be approved by the Insurance Division, Department of Commerce, State of Iowa (Insurance Division) if the dividend plus all dividend distributions for the preceding twelve months exceed the greater of ten percent of its statutory surplus or its statutory net gain from operations for the twelve-month period ended December 31st of the preceding year. At December 31, 2013, Farm Bureau Life’s statutory unassigned surplus was $359.0 million. The 2013 net gain from operations, which exceeds 10% of statutory surplus, was $93.3 million. Farm Bureau Life obtained approval from the Insurance Division prior to paying a $120.0 million extraordinary dividend during the third quarter of 2013 and will be required to obtain approval for any dividends paid prior to the fourth quarter of 2014.
	Special Dividend
	On August 21, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a special $2.00 per share cash dividend to Class A and B common shareholders of record as of September 6, 2013. The aggregate dividend totaling $51.4 million was paid on September 13, 2013.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax and Other Offsets
		Unrealized				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit Plans				Total
		Net Investment Gains
		(Losses) (1)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2011	$	67,777			$	(16,237	)		$	104			$	51,644
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	125,548				7,795				—				133,343
	Reclassification adjustments	(2,876		)		(4,261		)		(5		)		(7,142		)
	Balance at December 31, 2011	190,449				(12,703		)		99				177,845
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	125,948				10,325				—				136,273
	Reclassification adjustments	(10,230		)		(5,984		)		(8,051		)		(24,265		)
	Balance at December 31, 2012	306,167				(8,362		)		(7,952		)		289,853
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(169,627		)		9,686				—				(159,941		)
	Reclassification adjustments	(9,953		)		(2,690		)		1,798				(10,845		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	126,587			$	(1,366	)		$	(6,154	)		$	119,067
	-1	Unrealized net investment gains (losses) relate to available-for-sale securities and includes the impact of taxes, deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserves and policyholder liabilities. See Note 2 for further information.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Adjustments
		Year ended December 31, 2013
		Unrealized				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
		Net Investment Gains								Plans (2)
		(Losses) (1)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(16,121	)		$	—			$	—			$	(16,121	)
	Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	809				112				—				921
	Other than temporary impairment losses	—				(4,250		)		—				(4,250		)
	Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
	Prior service costs	—				—				(11		)		(11		)
	Net actuarial loss	—				—				2,777				2,777
	Reclassifications before income taxes	(15,312		)		(4,138		)		2,766				(16,684		)
	Income taxes	5,359				1,448				(968		)		5,839
	Reclassification adjustments	$	(9,953	)		$	(2,690	)		$	1,798			$	(10,845	)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Adjustments
		Year ended December 31, 2012
		Unrealized				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
		Net Investment Gains								Plans (2)
		(Losses) (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(16,750	)		$	—			$	—			$	(16,750	)
Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	1,012				166				—				1,178
Other than temporary impairment losses	—				(9,372		)		—				(9,372		)
Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
Prior service costs	—				—				35				35
Net actuarial loss	—				—				(12,421		)		(12,421		)
Reclassifications before income taxes	(15,738		)		(9,206		)		(12,386		)		(37,330		)
Income taxes	5,508				3,222				4,335				13,065
Reclassification adjustments	$	(10,230	)		$	(5,984	)		$	(8,051	)		$	(24,265	)
	Year ended December 31, 2011
	Unrealized				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Unfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
	Net Investment Gains								Plans (2)
	(Losses) (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(5,342	)		$	—			$	—			$	(5,342	)
Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	918				—				—				918
Other than temporary impairment losses	—				(6,555		)		—				(6,555		)
Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
Net actuarial loss	—				—				(8		)		(8		)
Reclassifications before income taxes	(4,424		)		(6,555		)		(8		)		(10,987		)
Income taxes	1,548				2,294				3				3,845
Reclassification adjustments	$	(2,876	)		$	(4,261	)		$	(5	)		$	(7,142	)
-1	See Note 2 for further information.
-2	See Note 8 discussion on Defined Benefit Plans and Other Retirement Plans for further information.

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl

Retirement and Compensation Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Retirement and Compensation Plans [Abstract]	'
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	'
	Defined Benefit Pension Plans
	We participate in various defined benefit pension plans (the Plans), including a multiemployer plan. The multiemployer plan is considered qualified under Internal Revenue Service regulations, and covers our employees and the employees of the other participating companies who have attained age 21, have one year of service, and were employed prior to January 1, 2013. We also have a plan which provides supplemental pension benefits to employees with salaries and/or pension benefits in excess of the qualified limits imposed by federal law and started prior to January 1, 2013. Benefits of these plans are based on years of service and the employee's compensation. The plans are discussed below.
	Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan
	The FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan (the Multiemployer Plan) is considered a multiemployer plan, with the participation of unaffiliated and affiliated organizations along with FBL Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Under the multiemployer plan structure, our contributions are commingled with those of the other employers to fund the plan benefit obligations. Should a participating employer be unable to provide funding, the remaining employers would be required to continue funding all future obligations. If an employer elects to discontinue participation, prior to departure they will be required to contribute their portion of the unfunded pension obligation associated with their employees. This required contribution will be based on an actuarial estimate of future benefit obligations, which as an estimate may not ultimately be sufficient to fund future actual benefits. None of the participating employers have provided notice that they would be discontinuing participation in the Multiemployer Plan or would otherwise be unable to continue providing their share of required funding as of December 31, 2013.
	Contributions are made each year, resulting in the Multiemployer Plan being partially funded for payment of projected future benefit obligations. Beginning in 2013, no new participants entered the Multiemployer Plan and those participants who had not attained age 40 and 10 years of service as of December 31, 2012 no longer accrued additional years of service in the Multiemployer Plan.
	Multiemployer Plan name		FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan
	Employer identification number		42-1411715
	Plan number		1
	FBL's contributions (in thousands)
		2013	$22,500
		2012	$15,000
		2011	$15,000
	Net periodic pension cost of the Multiemployer Plan is allocated between participating employers on a basis of time incurred by the respective employees for each employer. Such allocations are reviewed annually. This Multiemployer Plan was not subject to collective bargaining agreements, a financial improvement plan or a rehabilitation plan. No surcharges were required to be paid to the Multiemployer Plan during 2013, 2012 or 2011. We are the primary employer in the Multiemployer Plan, providing more than 5 percent of the total contributions during 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	Other Defined Benefit Plans
	The other defined benefit plans (the Other Plans) provide benefits in addition to those offered under the Multiemployer Plan to certain of our employees or those of our affiliates. These non-qualified benefit plans are unfunded, with contributions provided as necessary to fund current benefit obligations. Net periodic pension cost of the Other Plans is allocated between the subsidiaries of FBL Financial Group, Inc. and the Farm Bureau affiliated property-casualty companies on a basis of time incurred by the respective employees for each company.
	Funding Status and Net Periodic Pension Costs
		Multiemployer Plan									Other Plans
		As of and for the year ended									As of and for the year ended
		December 31,									December 31,
		2013					2012				2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Net benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$	330,320				$	283,613			$	26,664			$	26,562
	Service cost	6,472					8,117				252				442
	Interest cost	13,384					12,706				1,035				1,160
	Actuarial (gain) loss	(41,794		)			43,015				(1,305		)		1,890
	Benefits paid	(15,933		)			(17,131		)		(3,381		)		(3,390		)
	Projected benefit obligation	292,449					330,320				23,265				26,664
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year	220,000					205,054				—				—
	Actual return on plan assets	24,253			—		17,077				—				—
	Employer contributions	22,500					15,000				3,381				3,390
	Benefits paid	(15,933		)			(17,131		)		(3,381		)		(3,390		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of the year	250,820					220,000				—				—
	Underfunded status at end of the year	$	(41,629	)			$	(110,320	)		$	(23,265	)		$	(26,664	)
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	266,891				$	291,728			$	21,944			$	24,642
	For all the Plans we participate in, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets. The projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets are included above.
	Net Periodic Pension Costs Incurred by the Plans
		Multiemployer Plan												Other Plans
		As of and for the year ended												As of and for the year ended
		December 31,												December 31,
		2013				2012				2011				2013				2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	6,472			$	8,117			$	7,938			$	252			$	442		$	258
	Interest cost	13,384				12,706				12,620				1,035				1,160			1,215
	Expected return on assets	(15,666		)		(14,081		)		(13,845		)		—				—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	144				424				1,724				(11		)		(11		)	(225		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	12,468				9,467				7,003				1,267				1,108			890
	Net periodic pension cost	$	16,802			$	16,633			$	15,440			$	2,543			$	2,699		$	2,138
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. share of net periodic pension cost	$	5,363			$	5,437			$	5,758			$	1,436			$	1,533		$	1,131
	The Plans' prior service costs are amortized using a straight-line amortization method over the average remaining service period of the employees. For actuarial gains and losses, we use a corridor to determine the amounts to amortize. For the Multiemployer Plan it is expected that net periodic pension cost in 2014 will include $5.4 million for amortization of the actuarial loss and $0.1 million of prior service cost amortization. For the Other Plans it is expected that net periodic pension cost in 2014, included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2013, will include $1.1 million for amortization of the actuarial loss and less than ($0.1) million of prior service cost (credit) amortization.
	We expect contributions to be paid to the Multiemployer Plan by us and affiliates for 2014 to be approximately $15.0 million, of which $4.9 million is expected to be contributed by us. We expect contributions to be paid to the Other Plans by us and affiliates for 2014 to be approximately $3.4 million, of which $1.7 million is expected to be contributed by us. Expected benefits to be paid under the Multiemployer Plan are as follows: 2014 - $23.0 million, 2015 - $24.1 million, 2016 - $23.1 million, 2017 - $19.7 million, 2018 - $21.4 million and 2019 through 2023 - $102.5 million. Expected benefits to be paid under the Other Plans are as follows: 2014 - $3.4 million, 2015 - $3.6 million, 2016 - $3.1 million, 2017 - $2.0 million, 2018 - $2.0 million and 2019 through 2023 - $9.1 million.
	FBL's Proportionate Share of Prepaid or Accrued Pension Cost
		Multiemployer Plan								Other Plans
		As of and for the year ended								As of and for the year ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Amount recognized in FBL's statement of financial position
	Prepaid benefit cost	$	16,330			$	14,511			$	1,284			$	696
	Accrued benefit cost	—				—				(17,302		)		(19,608		)
	Net amount recognized	$	16,330			$	14,511			$	(16,018	)		$	(18,912	)
	Amount recognized in FBL's accumulated other comprehensive income, before taxes (1) (2)
Net actuarial loss									$	9,701			$	12,274
Prior service cost									(24		)		(35		)
Net amount recognized									$	9,677			$	12,239
-1	For multiemployer plans, the funded status is not required to be recognized as an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The unrecognized liability for the underfunded status of our Multiemployer Plan totaled $41.6 million at December 31, 2013 and $110.3 million at December 31, 2012.
-2	During 2012, we determined that our nonqualified employee benefit plans should apply single employer plan accounting. The change had no impact on earnings, although it resulted in an immaterial reduction of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation
	31-Dec
	2013			2012
Discount rate	4.99	%		4.18	%
Annual salary increases	3	%		3	%
We estimate the discount rate by projecting and discounting future benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligation using a commercially available "spot" yield curve constructed using techniques and a bond universe specifically selected to meet the accounting standard requirements.
Our expected long-term return on plan assets represents the rate of earnings expected in the funds invested to provide for anticipated benefit payments. We have analyzed the expected rates of return on assets and determined that a long-term return of
7.00% is reasonable based on the current and expected asset allocations and on the Multiemployer Plan's historical investment performance and best estimates for future investment performance.
Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Pension Cost
	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Discount rate	4.18	%		4.67	%		5.09	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7	%		7	%		7	%
Annual salary increases	3	%		4	%		4	%
Multiemployer Plan Assets
The Multiemployer Plan assets are primarily invested in annuity products and insurance company pooled separate accounts that invest predominately in equity securities and real estate. We have certain pension obligations that are fully funded through annuity contracts with Farm Bureau Life which are presented as funded annuity contracts below. For 2013, excluding the funded annuity contracts, we employed a long-term investment strategy of diversifying the Multiemployer Plan assets with 55% in fixed income investments, 40% in equities and 5% in alternative investments. At December 31, 2013, the Multiemployer Plan assets were invested approximately 57% in fixed income investments, 42% in diversified equities and 1% in alternative investments. The fixed income investments consist primarily of the group annuity contract and fixed income securities held in pooled separate accounts. The equity securities are in pooled separate accounts and mutual funds. The alternative investments consist of interests in limited partnerships that own various liquid and illiquid assets. Our investment strategy is to (1) achieve a long-term return sufficient to satisfy all Multiemployer Plan obligations, (2) assume a prudent level of risk and (3) maintain adequate liquidity. The expected return on Multiemployer Plan assets is set at the long-term rate expected to be earned based on the long-term investment strategy of the Multiemployer Plan. In estimating the expected rate of return for each asset class, we take into account factors such as historical rates of return, expected future risk free rates of return and anticipated returns expected given the risk profile of each asset class.
The valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value are:
•	Group and funded annuity contracts: contract value is equivalent to fair value, as the interest-crediting rates are periodically reset to market at the discretion of the issuer.
•	Pooled separate accounts: the net asset value of our separate account shares is based on the latest quoted market price of the underlying investments or in the case of a real estate separate account, estimates of the current market value of the underlying property held.
•	Mutual funds: the net asset value of our mutual funds is based on quoted market prices available in active markets.
•	Alternative investments: the carrying value of the limited partnership interests reflects the Plan’s proportionate share of the net asset value of those partnerships which is derived from the fair value of the underlying holdings.
The pension financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that are accessible to us at the measurement date.
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that are either directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3 - Inputs are unobservable and require management's judgment about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets.
Fair Values of the Multiemployer Plan Assets by Asset Category and Hierarchy Levels
	December 31, 2013
	Quoted prices in				Significant other				Significant				Total
	active markets for				observable				unobservable
	identical assets				inputs				inputs
	(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mutual funds: (1)
U.S. equity funds	$	31,325			$	—			$	—			$	31,325
International funds	30,884				—				—				30,884
Pooled separate accounts: (1)
Short-term fixed income funds	—				6,904				—				6,904
Fixed income funds	—				12,166				—				12,166
U.S. equity funds	—				24,934				—				24,934
Real estate fund	—				12,253				—				12,253
Annuities: (2)
Group annuity contract	—				—				117,226				117,226
Funded annuity contracts	—				—				12,932				12,932
Alternative investments: (3)
Limited partnerships	—				—				2,196				2,196
Total	$	62,209			$	56,257			$	132,354			$	250,820
	December 31, 2012
	Quoted prices in				Significant other				Significant				Total
	active markets for				observable				unobservable
	identical assets				inputs				inputs
	(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mutual funds: (1)
U.S. equity funds	$	30,535			$	—			$	—			$	30,535
International equity funds	20,506				—				—				20,506
Pooled separate accounts: (1)
Short-term fixed income funds	—				520				—				520
Fixed income funds	—				10,504				—				10,504
U.S. equity funds	—				25,495				—				25,495
Real estate fund	—				9,930				—				9,930
Annuities: (2)
Group annuity contract	—				—				109,275				109,275
Funded annuity contracts	—				—				13,235				13,235
Total	$	51,041			$	46,449			$	122,510			$	220,000
-1	Represents mutual funds and pooled separate account investments with Principal Life Insurance Company.
-2	Represents group annuity contracts with Farm Bureau Life.
-3	Represents interests in several limited partnerships.
Level 3 Multiemployer Plan Asset Changes in Fair Value
	December 31, 2013
									Return on assets
	December 31,				Purchases				Held at year end				Sold during year				Transfers into (out) of level 3			December 31, 2013
	2012				(disposals),
					net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Group annuity contract	$	109,275			$	2,793			$	5,158			$	—			$	—		$	117,226
Funded annuity contracts	13,235				(1,103		)		800				—				—			12,932
Limited partnerships	—				2,258				(62		)		—				—			2,196
Total	$	122,510			$	3,948			$	5,896			$	—			$	—		$	132,354
	December 31, 2012
									Return on assets
	December 31,				Purchases				Held at year end				Sold during year				Transfers into (out) of level 3			December 31, 2012
	2011				(disposals),
					net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Group annuity contract	$	101,970			$	2,838			$	4,467			$	—			$	—		$	109,275
Funded annuity contracts	14,010				(1,621		)		846				—				—			13,235
Total	$	115,980			$	1,217			$	5,313			$	—			$	—		$	122,510
Postemployment Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Other Retirement Plans
	We participate with several affiliates in a 401(k) defined contribution plan which covers substantially all employees. We contributed cash in an amount equal to 100% of an employee's contributions up to 2% or 4% of the eligible compensation contributed by the employee and an amount equal to 50% of an employee's contributions on the next 2% of the eligible compensation contributed by the employee. As shown in the table below, certain employees will also receive an annual discretionary employer contribution based on age plus years of service ranging from 2.75% to 5.75% as a percent of pay. Costs are allocated among the affiliates on a basis of time incurred by the respective employees for each company. Our expense related to the plan totaled $1.8 million in 2013 and $0.9 million in 2012 and in 2011.
	Attained age 40 and	Accruing years of service in the Multiemployer Plan	100% Employer Match	50% Employer Match	Discretionary Employer Contribution
	10 years of service at
	31-Dec-12
	Yes	Yes	first 2% of employee's contributions	employee contributions between 2% and 4%	No
	No	No	first 4% of employee's contributions	employee contributions between 4% and 6%	2.75% to 5.75%
	We have established deferred compensation plans for certain key current and former employees and have certain other benefit plans which provide for retirement and other benefits. Liabilities for these plans are accrued as the related benefits are earned.
	Certain of the assets related to these plans are on deposit with us and amounts relating to these plans are included in our financial statements. In addition, certain amounts included in the policy liabilities for interest sensitive products relate to deposit administration funds maintained by us on behalf of affiliates.
	In addition to benefits offered under the aforementioned benefit plans, we and several other affiliates sponsor a plan that provides group term life insurance benefits to retirees who have worked full-time for ten years and attained age 55 while in service. Postretirement benefit expense for this plan is allocated in a manner consistent with pension expense discussed above. We also have two single employer plans that provide health and medical benefits to a small group of retirees. Postretirement benefit expense totaled $0.1 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011. Changes in the underfunded status of these plans, reported in other comprehensive income, aggregated $0.2 million in 2013, ($0.1) million in 2012 and less than ($0.1) million in 2011.
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	'
	Share-based Compensation Plans
	We have three share-based payment arrangements under our Class A Common Stock Compensation Plan, which are described below. Compensation expense for these arrangements totaled $0.3 million for 2013, $2.1 million for 2012 and $5.0 million for 2011. The income tax benefit recognized in the statements of operations for these arrangements totaled less than $0.1 million for 2013, $0.9 million for 2012 and $1.9 million for 2011.
	In 2011, we introduced a Cash-Based Restricted Stock Unit Plan. Compensation expense for arrangements under this plan totaled $1.0 million for 2013, $0.2 million for 2012 and $0.6 million for 2011. The income tax benefit recognized in the statements of operations for this arrangement totaled $0.6 million in 2013, $0.1 million in 2012 and $0.3 million in 2011.
	Stock Option Awards
	In 2011 and prior years, we granted stock options for Class A common stock to officers and employees, which have a contractual term of 10 years and vest over a period up to five years, contingent upon continued employment with us. Prior to 2009, we also granted stock options for Class A common stock to directors, which were fully vested upon grant and had a contractual term that varied with the length of time the director remained on the Board, up to 10 years. The share price for all options is equal to the fair value of the common stock on the grant date. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model.
	Assumptions Used in our Valuation Model
		Year ended
		31-Dec-11
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	2.01	%
	Dividend yield	1.3	%
	Weighted average volatility factor of the expected market price	0.67
	Weighted average expected term	5.2 years
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. We use the historical realized volatility of our stock for the expected volatility assumption within the valuation model. The weighted average expected term for the majority of our options was calculated using average historical behavior.
	Stock Option Activity
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average				Weighted-Average			Aggregate
					Exercise Price				Remaining			Intrinsic
					per Share				Contractual			Value (1)
									Term (in
									Years)
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Shares under option at January 1, 2013	1,311,668			$	28.67
	Exercised	(652,308	)		29.73
	Forfeited or expired	(7,863	)		28.55
	Shares under option at December 31, 2013	651,497			27.61				3.95			$	11,193
	Vested at December 31, 2013 or expected to vest in the future	650,555			$	27.61			3.95			$	11,175
	Exercisable options at December 31, 2013	495,443			$	29.54			3.24			$	7,557
	-1	Represents the difference between the share price and exercise price for each option, excluding options where the exercise price is above the share price, at December 31, 2013.
	The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted per common share was $14.90 for 2011. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the year totaled $6.6 million for 2013, $5.4 million for 2012 and $3.5 million for 2011.
	Unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share-based compensation granted under the stock option arrangement totaled $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 years.
	We issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises. Beginning in 2014, conditional upon market conditions, we intend to repurchase Class A common shares on the open market for shares issued upon the exercise of stock options. Cash received from stock options exercised totaled $19.4 million for 2013, $9.7 million for 2012 and $7.5 million for 2011. The actual tax benefit realized from stock options exercised totaled $2.3 million for 2013, $1.8 million for 2012 and $1.1 million for 2011.
	Nonvested Stock Awards
	In 2011 and prior years, we granted nonvested Class A common shares to certain executives. The restrictions on these shares lapsed and the shares vested if we met or exceeded operating goals, such as earnings per share, book value and expense targets, within or during a three year period. Depending on performance, the actual amount of shares issued could range from zero to 100% of the granted amount. The value of the awards was based on the grant date fair value of the nonvested stock adjusted for expected forfeitures and an estimate of the number of shares expected to vest. The estimate for the number of shares to vest was reviewed each period and the impact of any changes in the estimate on expense was recorded in the current period. These awards were charged to expense using the straight-line method over the required service period. Dividends on the restricted stock during the restriction period were contingent upon vesting.
	Nonvested Stock Activity
		Number of Shares			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
					per Share
	Nonvested stock at January 1, 2013	142.648			$	19.96
	Released	(142.438	)		19.96
	Forfeited or canceled	(210	)		19.96
	Nonvested stock at December 31, 2013	—			—
	The expense related to the unvested share-based compensation granted under the nonvested stock arrangement has been fully recognized at December 31, 2013. The tax benefit realized from nonvested stock released to employees was $1.7 million in 2013, $1.6 million in 2012 and less than $0.1 million in 2011. We have a policy of withholding shares to cover estimated future tax payments.
	Other Stock Awards
	Directors were awarded nonrestricted Class A common shares totaling 24,806 during 2011. The value of the stock was based on the fair value on the date of the grant. The tax benefit realized from the shares awarded to directors was $0.3 million in 2011.
	Shares of Class A common stock available for grant as additional awards under the Class A Common Stock Compensation Plan totaled 3,430,142 at December 31, 2013.
	Cash-Based Restricted Stock Units
	We annually grant cash-based restricted stock units to certain executives beginning in 2012. The restricted stock units will vest and be paid out in cash over 5 years, contingent on continued employment with us. Cash-based restricted stock units were also granted to certain executives in 2012 that will vest and be paid out in cash after a two-year required service period.
	The amount payable per unit awarded is equal to the price per share of the Company's common stock at settlement of the award, and as such, we measure the value of the award each reporting period based on the current stock price. The effects of changes in the stock price during the service period are recognized as compensation cost over the service period.
	We also issued performance cash-based restricted stock units to an executive in 2013. These units will vest and be paid out in cash over 5 years, contingent upon meeting an earnings per share goal as well as continued employment with the Company.
	Restricted Stock Unit Activity
		Number of Units			Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
					per Unit
	Restricted stock units at January 1, 2013	85,559			$	34.91
	Granted	61,140			34.94
	Vested	(20,277	)		34.94
	Forfeited or canceled	(8,456	)		35.01
	Restricted stock units at December 31, 2013	117,966			34.92
	The weighted average grant-date fair value per common share of restricted stock units granted was $34.94 in 2013 and $35.10 in 2012. Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units based on the stock price at December 31, 2013 totaled $3.5 million. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.31 years. Dividends are paid on restricted stock units upon vesting. Cash payments including dividends for restricted stock units totaled $0.5 million in 2013.
	Other
	We have a Director Compensation Plan under which non-employee directors on our Board may elect to receive a portion of their compensation in the form of cash or deferred cash-based stock units. Cash-based stock units outstanding total 17,295 at December 31, 2013 and 12,073 at December 31, 2012. Prior to 2012, deferred stock units were used instead of deferred cash-based stock units. Under this plan, we have deferred stock units outstanding totaling 58,159 at December 31, 2013 and 110,971 at December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2013, there were 119,234 shares of Class A common stock available for future issuance under the Director Compensation Plan. We also have an Executive Salary and Bonus Deferred Compensation Plan under which certain officers of the Company are allowed to use their base salary and annual cash bonus to purchase deferred cash-based stock units. Cash-based stock units outstanding total 13,308 at December 31, 2013 and 3,189 at December 31, 2012. Prior to 2012, deferred stock units were used instead of deferred cash-based stock units. Under this plan, we have deferred stock units outstanding totaling 98,630 at December 31, 2013 and 97,903 at December 31, 2012. At December 31, 2013, shares of Class A common stock available for future issuance under this plan totaled 111,047. This plan was frozen to future deferrals on December 31, 2013. We also have an Executive Excess 401(k) Plan under which officers of the Company who meet salary guidelines and 401(k) contribution guidelines are allowed to purchase unregistered deferred cash-based stock units. Cash based stock units outstanding total 93 at December 31, 2013 and 44 at December 31, 2012. Prior to 2012, deferred stock units were used instead of deferred cash-based stock units. Under this plan, we have deferred stock units outstanding totaling 4,355 at December 31, 2013 and 4,122 at December 31, 2012. This plan was frozen to future deferrals on December 31, 2013.

Managment_and_Other_Agreements

Managment and Other Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Management and Other Agreements [Abstract]	'
Management and other agreements [Text Block]	'
	Management and Other Agreements
	We share certain office facilities and services with the IFBF and its affiliated companies. These expenses are allocated on the basis of cost and time studies that are updated annually and primarily consist of rent, salaries and related expenses, travel and other operating costs. We also have an expense allocation agreement with Farm Bureau Property & Casualty for the use of property and equipment. Expense relating to this agreement totaled $1.1 million in 2013 and 2012 and $1.0 million in 2011.
	We have management agreements, which include Farm Bureau Property & Casualty and other affiliates, under which we provide general business, administrative and management services. Fee income for these services totaled $1.8 million in 2013, $1.9 million in 2012 and $3.7 million in 2011. In addition, Farm Bureau Management Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the IFBF, provides certain services to us under a separate arrangement. We incurred related expenses totaling $0.9 million in 2013, and $1.0 million in 2012 and 2011.
	We have service agreements with the Farm Bureau-affiliated property-casualty companies operating within our marketing territory, including Farm Bureau Property & Casualty and another affiliate. Under the service agreements, the property-casualty companies are responsible for development and management of our agency force for a fee. We incurred expenses totaling $9.7 million in 2013, $10.0 million in 2012 and $9.7 million in 2011 relating to these arrangements.
	We are licensed by the IFBF to use the "Farm Bureau" and "FB" designations in Iowa. In connection with this license, we incurred royalty expense totaling $0.5 million in 2013, 2012 and 2011. We have similar arrangements with other state Farm Bureau organizations in our market territory. Total royalty expense to Farm Bureau organizations other than the IFBF totaled $1.8 million in 2013, $1.4 million in 2012 and $1.5 million in 2011. The royalty agreement with the IFBF provides them an option to terminate the agreement when the quarterly common stock dividend is below $0.10 per share.

Committments_and_Contingencies

Committments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Proceedings
	In the normal course of business, we may be involved in litigation where damages are alleged that are substantially in excess of contractual policy benefits or certain other agreements. In recent years, companies in the life insurance and annuity business have faced litigation, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper product design, improper sales practices and similar claims. We are not aware of any such matters threatened or pending against FBL Financial Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries.
	Other
	We self-insure our employee health and dental claims. However, claims in excess of our self-insurance limits are fully insured. We fund insurance claims through a self-insurance trust. Deposits to the trust are made at an amount equal to our best estimate of claims to be paid during the period and a liability is established at each balance sheet date for any unpaid claims. Adjustments, if any, resulting in changes in the estimate of claims incurred will be reflected in operations in the periods in which such adjustments are known.
	We lease our home office properties under a 10-year operating lease from a wholly-owned subsidiary of the IFBF. Future remaining minimum lease payments under this lease, as of December 31, 2013, are as follows: 2014 - $2.3 million, 2015 - $2.3 million, 2016 - $2.3 million, 2017 - $2.3 million, 2018 - $2.3 million and thereafter, through 2021 - $7.0 million. Rent expense for the lease totaled $4.3 million in 2013, $4.5 million in 2012 and $3.6 million in 2011. These amounts are net of $0.2 million in 2013 and 2012 and $1.4 million in 2011 in amortization of a deferred gain on the exchange of our home office properties for common stock in 1998. The remaining unamortized deferred gain totaled $1.4 million at December 31, 2013 and $1.6 million at December 31, 2012.
	From time to time, assessments are levied on our insurance subsidiaries by guaranty associations in most states in which the subsidiaries are licensed. These assessments, which are accrued for, are to cover losses of policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated companies. In some states, these assessments can be partially recovered through a reduction in future premium taxes. Recoveries (expenses) for guaranty fund assessments, net of related premium tax offsets, totaled less than ($0.1) million in 2013, less than $0.1 million in 2012 and $0.1 million in 2011.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	'
	Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	108,558	$	79,940		$	40,739
	Less: Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		(2,939		)	(11,464		)
	Less: Dividends on Series B preferred stock	150		150			150
	Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	$	108,408	$	82,729		$	52,053
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares - basic	25,508,522		27,497,146			30,726,009
	Effect of dilutive securities - stock-based compensation	265,893		341,402			489,014
	Weighted-average shares - diluted	25,774,415		27,838,548			31,215,023
	Earnings per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	4.25	$	3.01		$	1.69
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		(0.11		)	(0.37		)
	Total earnings per share	$	4.25	$	2.9		$	1.32
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
	Income from continuing operations	$	4.21	$	2.97		$	1.67
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		(0.10		)	(0.37		)
	Total earnings per share	$	4.21	$	2.87		$	1.3
	Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share	—		790,216			1,042,587

Statutory_Insurance_Informatio

Statutory Insurance Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Information [Abstract]	'
Statutory insurance information [Text Block]	'
	Statutory Insurance Information
	The statutory financial statements of Farm Bureau Life are prepared in accordance with the accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Division. The Insurance Division has adopted the accounting guidance contained in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual (the “Manual”) as the prescribed accounting practice for insurance companies domiciled in Iowa. The Insurance Division may permit accounting practices which differ from those prescribed by the Manual. None of our statutory accounting practices differed materially from those prescribed by the Manual. Several differences exist between GAAP and statutory accounting practices. Principally, under statutory accounting, deferred acquisition costs are not capitalized, fixed maturity securities are generally carried at amortized cost, insurance liabilities are presented net of reinsurance, contract holder liabilities are generally valued using more conservative assumptions and certain assets are non-admitted.
	Farm Bureau Life has a subsidiary, Greenfields, which launched in 2013 and regulated by the Colorado Division of Insurance. Greenfields' operations are immaterial and implicitly included in the financial results of Farm Bureau Life below.
	Farm Bureau Life Statutory Information
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net gain from operations (excludes impact of realized gains and losses on investments)	$	93,306	$	92,988	$	87,792
	Net income	94,583		86,589		72,653
		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Capital and surplus	$	492,450	$	547,398
	State laws specify regulatory actions if an insurer's risk-based capital (RBC) ratio, a measure of solvency, falls below certain levels. The NAIC has a standard formula for annually assessing RBC based on the various risk factors related to an insurance company's capital and surplus, including insurance, business, asset and interest rate risks. The insurance regulators monitor the level of RBC against a statutory "authorized control level" RBC at which point regulators have the option to assume control of the insurance company. The company action level RBC is 200% of the authorized control level and is the first point at which any action would be triggered. As of December 31, 2013, our total adjusted capital was $558.4 million, resulting in a RBC ratio of 499%, based on company action level capital of $111.8 million.
	Farm Bureau Life's ability to pay dividends to the parent company is restricted by the Iowa Insurance Holding Company Act to earned surplus arising from its business. In addition, prior approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner is required for a dividend distribution of cash or other property whose fair value, together with that of other dividends made within the preceding 12 months, exceeds the greater of (i) 10% of policyholders' surplus as of the preceding year end, or (ii) the statutory net gain from operations of the insurer for the preceding calendar year. At December 31, 2013, Farm Bureau Life’s statutory unassigned surplus was $359.0 million. The 2013 net gain from operations, which exceeds 10% of statutory surplus, was $93.3 million.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Segment Information
	We analyze operations by reviewing financial information regarding our primary products that are aggregated into the Annuity and Life Insurance product segments. In addition, our Corporate and Other segment includes various support operations, corporate capital and other product lines that are not currently underwritten by the Company.
	The Annuity segment primarily consists of fixed rate annuities and supplementary contracts (some of which involve life contingencies). Fixed rate annuities provide for tax-deferred savings and supplementary contracts provide for the systematic repayment of funds that accumulate interest. Fixed rate annuities primarily consist of flexible premium deferred annuities, but also include single premium deferred and immediate contracts. With fixed rate annuities, we bear the underlying investment risk and credit interest to the contracts at rates we determine, subject to interest rate guarantees.
	The Life Insurance segment consists of whole life, term life and universal life policies. These policies provide benefits upon the death of the insured and may also allow the customer to build cash value on a tax-deferred basis.
	The Corporate and Other segment consists of the following corporate items and products/services that do not meet the quantitative threshold for separate segment reporting:
	•	investments and related investment income not specifically allocated to our product segments,
	•	interest expense,
	•	closed blocks of variable annuity, variable universal life insurance and accident and health insurance products,
	•	advisory services for the management of investments and other companies,
	•	marketing and distribution services for the sale of mutual funds and insurance products not issued by us, and
	•	leasing services with affiliates.
	We analyze our segment results based on pre-tax operating income. Accordingly, income taxes are not allocated to the segments. In addition, operating results are reported net of transactions between the segments. Operating income for the three years ended December 31, 2013 represents net income excluding, as applicable, the impact of:
	•	realized gains and losses on investments,
	•	changes in net unrealized gains and losses on derivatives,
	•	discontinued operations and
	•	loss on debt redemption associated with disposed operations.
	We use operating income, in addition to net income, to measure our performance since realized gains and losses on investments and the change in net unrealized gains and losses on derivatives can fluctuate greatly from year to year. Also, the discontinued operations and related loss on debt redemption are nonrecurring items. A view of our operating performance without the impact of these items enhances the analysis of our results. We use operating income for goal setting, determining short-term incentive compensation and evaluating performance on a basis comparable to that used by many in the investment community.
	Financial Information Concerning our Operating Segments
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues:
	Annuity	$	197,539			$	192,001			$	182,640
	Life Insurance	385,325				367,853				352,956
	Corporate and Other	96,775				93,443				90,580
		679,639				653,297				626,176
	Realized gains (losses) on investments (1)	13,597				465				(8,286		)
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(2,005		)		1,778				447
	Consolidated revenues	$	691,231			$	655,540			$	618,337
	Net investment income:
	Annuity	$	196,303			191,211				181,974
	Life Insurance	140,510				138,076				134,999
	Corporate and Other	35,843				30,259				25,890
		372,656				359,546				342,863
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(2,005		)		1,778				447
	Consolidated net investment income	$	370,651			$	361,324			$	343,310
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Annuity	$	7,186			$	8,271			$	8,469
	Life Insurance	19,430				25,727				14,981
	Corporate and Other	2,157				5,225				8,668
		28,773				39,223				32,118
	Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	973				1,200				919
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(1,324		)		709				(987		)
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	28,422			$	41,132			$	32,050
	Pre-tax operating income:
	Annuity	$	63,592			$	55,910			$	58,263
	Life Insurance	48,814				43,741				50,502
	Corporate and Other	22,172				16,856				2,293
		134,578				116,507				111,058
	Income taxes on operating income	(33,985		)		(33,748		)		(32,240		)
	Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	8,206				(477		)		(5,983		)
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(241		)		619				932
	Loss on debt redemption (1)	—				(22		)		(21,564		)
	Loss from discontinued operations	—				(2,939		)		(11,464		)
	Consolidated net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	108,558			$	79,940			$	40,739
	Financial Information Concerning our Operating Segments - continued
		December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Annuity	$	3,778,018			$	3,627,891
	Life Insurance	2,789,145				2,609,255
	Corporate and Other	1,701,368				1,735,996
	8,268,531				7,973,142
Unrealized gains in accumulated other comprehensive income (2)	192,792				444,584
Consolidated assets	$	8,461,323			$	8,417,726
-1	Amounts are net of adjustments, as applicable, to amortization of unearned revenue reserves, deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired and income taxes attributable to these items.
-2	Amounts are net adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs and value of insurance in force acquired and deferred income taxes attributable to these items.
Depreciation and amortization related to property and equipment are allocated to the product segments while the related property, equipment and capitalized software are allocated to the Corporate and Other segment. Depreciation and amortization for the Corporate and Other segment include $2.2 million for 2013, $2.4 million for 2012 and $1.8 million for 2011 relating to leases with affiliates. In the consolidated statements of operations, we record these depreciation amounts net of related lease income from affiliates.
Our investment in equity method investees, the related equity income and interest expense are attributable to the Corporate and Other segment. Expenditures for long-lived assets were not significant during the periods presented above. Goodwill at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was allocated among the segments as follows: Annuity ($3.9 million) and Life Insurance ($6.1 million).
Premiums collected, which is not a measure used in financial statements prepared according to GAAP, include premiums received on life insurance policies and deposits on annuities and universal life-type products. Net premiums collected totaled $635.6 million in 2013, $646.3 million in 2012 and $678.9 million in 2011.
Under GAAP, premiums on whole life and term life policies are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period and reported in the Life Insurance segment. The following chart provides a reconciliation of life insurance premiums collected to those reported in the GAAP financial statements.
Reconciliation of Traditional Life Insurance Premiums, Net of Reinsurance
	Year ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Traditional and universal life insurance premiums collected	$	307,474			$	255,709			$	229,468
Premiums collected on interest sensitive products	(127,271		)		(81,212		)		(60,702		)
Traditional life insurance premiums collected	180,203				174,497				168,766
Change in due premiums and other	741				589				(247		)
Traditional life insurance premiums	$	180,944			$	175,086			$	168,519
There is no comparable GAAP financial measure for premiums collected on annuities and universal life-type products. GAAP revenues for those interest sensitive and variable products consist of various policy charges and fees assessed on those contracts, as summarized in the chart below.
Interest Sensitive Product Charges by Segment
	Year ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
	(Dollars in thousands)
Annuity
Surrender charges and other	$	1,236			$	775			$	664
Life Insurance
Administration charges	$	19,602			$	11,726			$	9,922
Cost of insurance charges	42,697				39,886				37,334
Surrender charges	484				943				578
Amortization of policy initiation fees	1,462				2,354				1,313
Total	$	64,245			$	54,909			$	49,147
Corporate and Other
Administration charges	$	6,138			$	5,975			$	6,317
Cost of insurance charges	29,567				29,638				29,794
Surrender charges	525				780				1,151
Separate account charges	8,742				8,372				8,748
Amortization of policy initiation fees	1,122				961				1,282
Total	$	46,094			$	45,726			$	47,292
Consolidated interest sensitive product charges	$	111,575			$	101,410			$	97,103
Premium Concentration by State
	Year ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Life and annuity collected premiums:
Iowa	27.6	%		28.7	%		26.5	%
Kansas	20			21.9			20.9
Oklahoma	7.7			7.3			9.2

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	'
	Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
	Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations
		2013
	Quarter ended	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Premiums and product charges	$	70,238		$	72,853		$	76,153	$	73,275
	Net investment income	90,810			92,898			93,382		93,561
	Realized gains (losses) on investments	3,286			7,236			693		2,340
	Total revenues	168,048			176,683			173,516		172,984
	Net income from continuing operations	24,938			29,553			26,985		26,917
	Net income (loss) attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	24,966			29,587			27,053		26,952
	Earnings per common share	$	0.97		$	1.14		$	1.05	$	1.08
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.96		$	1.13		$	1.04	$	1.07
		2012
	Quarter ended	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Premiums and product charges	$	68,355		$	70,098		$	67,524	$	70,519
	Net investment income	86,888			89,423			93,482		91,531
	Realized gains (losses) on investments	(643		)	732			1,462		(1,099		)
	Total revenues	159,605			165,982			165,359		164,594
	Net income from continuing operations	19,499			20,277			20,487		22,533
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(2,932		)	(84		)	55		22
	Net income (loss) attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	16,587			20,291			20,476		22,586
	Earnings (loss) per common share:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.64		$	0.74		$	0.77	0.87
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.10		)	—			—		—
	Earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.54		$	0.74		$	0.77	$	0.87
	Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.63		$	0.73		$	0.76	$	0.86
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.10		)	—			—		—
	Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.53		$	0.73		$	0.76	$	0.86

Sale_of_EquiTrust_Life_Busines

Sale of EquiTrust Life Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
EquiTrust Sale [Abstract]	'
EquiTrust Sale [Text Block]	'
	Sale of EquiTrust Life Business
	On December 30, 2011, we sold our wholly-owned subsidiary EquiTrust Life in an all cash transaction for $462.1 million. The sales price reflected adjustments to the initial closing price subsequent to the closing date based on a final statutory net worth reconciliation. The transaction resulted in an after-tax loss on the sale of $56.4 million, or $1.84 per basic and $1.81 per diluted common share. The loss consists of the sales price less the net book value of the assets and one-time transaction costs and termination benefits totaling $12.5 million, before tax.
	The sale allowed us to exit the annuity business sold through the independent distribution channel, which represented a majority of EquiTrust Life's operations, focus on our core Farm Bureau Life operations and undertake certain capital management initiatives. While EquiTrust Life was sold in its entirety, Farm Bureau Life assumed a limited portion of the EquiTrust Life business related to variable universal life and variable annuity products distributed through various unaffiliated third parties, as well as a small amount of fixed life and annuity products. The business component sold is described herein as “the EquiTrust Life Business.”
	EquiTrust Life retains all of its contingent liabilities after the sale. The Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the parties, as well as post-closing indemnification obligations. The post-closing indemnification obligations may be triggered by, among other things, breaches of representations, warranties or covenants provided by the Company. Certain of these obligations are subject to various time limitations and monetary thresholds and caps.
	A summary of income (losses) from discontinued operations is as follows:
	Condensed Statements of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
		Year ended December 31,
		2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—		$	436,391
	Benefits and expenses	(214		)	(358,753		)
	Interest expense allocation	(855		)	(13,818		)
	Equity income	—			1,862
	Income taxes	382			(23,003		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(687	)	$	42,679
	Expenses are reduced for estimated corporate overhead absorbed by the Company after the sale. In addition, as described below, the sale of EquiTrust Life required us to redeem a majority of our senior notes; therefore the related interest expense is allocated to the EquiTrust Life Business.
	Notes Redemptions
	In connection with the EquiTrust Life Sale, we redeemed $225.0 million of our long-term debt in accordance with the mandatory redemption provisions of the underlying notes. This includes $50.0 million Senior Notes with our affiliate, Farm Bureau Property & Casualty, which was extinguished on December 30, 2011. The remaining $175.0 million of unaffiliated debt was extinguished on January 30, 2012, at the make-whole redemption price of $210.9 million. On December 30, 2011, we exercised the provisions of the trust indentures and deposited $211.6 million into two irrevocable defeasance trusts for the principal, accrued interest and estimated make-whole premium. The trust funds were not withdrawable by us, and consisted of $126.4 million in cash and $85.2 million in short-term investments at December 31, 2011. The note holders were paid from assets in the trusts on January 30, 2012.
	The make-whole redemption premium was based on U.S. Treasury yields and considered an embedded derivative with a fair value of $33.1 million at December 31, 2011. The change in fair value during 2012 was offset by the write off of deferred debt issuance costs and reported with the loss on debt redemption in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 6 for additional details on our debt.

Sch_I_Schedule_of_Investments

Sch I. Schedule of Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Investments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties [Text Block]	'
	Schedule I - Summary of Investments - Other
	Than Investments in Related Parties
	FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
	31-Dec-13
	Column A		Column B		Column C		Column D
	Type of Investment		Cost (1)		Value		Amount at which
							shown in the balance
							sheet
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities, available for sale:
	Bonds:
	Corporate		$	3,142,476	$	3,306,779	$	3,306,779
	Mortgage and asset-backed		1,328,882		1,381,938		1,381,938
	United States Government and agencies		39,261		43,281		43,281
	State, municipal and other governments		1,317,920		1,349,755		1,349,755
	Total		5,828,539		$	6,081,753	6,081,753
	Equity securities, available for sale:
	Common stocks:
	Banks, trusts and insurance companies		21,810		$	21,810	21,810
	Industrial, miscellaneous and all other		2,569		3,295		3,295
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks		65,692		66,450		66,450
	Total		90,071		$	91,555	91,555
	Mortgage loans		576,880				575,861
	Investment real estate (2)		4,101				4,084
	Policy loans		176,993				176,993
	Short-term investments		108,677				108,677
	Other investments		662				1,079
	Total investments		$	6,785,923			$	7,040,002
	-1	On the basis of cost adjusted for repayments and amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts for fixed maturities and short-term investments; original cost for equity securities, real estate and other investments; and unpaid principal balance for mortgage loans and policy loans.
	-2	Amount shown on balance sheet differs from cost due to depreciation and allowance for possible losses deducted from cost.

Sch_II_Condensed_Financial_Inf

Sch II - Condensed Financial Information on Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule II. Condensed Financial Information of Registrant [Abstract]	'
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant
	FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)
	Condensed Balance Sheets
	(Dollars in thousands)
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets
	Investments in subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	$	1,021,684		$	1,219,355
	Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2013 - $69,240; 2012 - $51,606)	71,507			52,480
	Short-term investments	31,078			24,502
	Cash and cash equivalents	—			47,994
	Amounts receivable from affiliates	3,145			3,931
	Amounts receivable from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	597			576
	Accrued investment income	276			447
	Current income taxes recoverable	—			173
	Deferred income tax assets	21,879			24,822
	Other assets	9,489			7,309
	Total assets	$	1,159,655		$	1,381,589
	Liabilities and stockholders' equity
	Liabilities:
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	17,028		$	20,740
	Amounts payable to affiliates	408			1,658
	Current income taxes	478			—
	Long-term debt payable to affiliates	—			50,000
	Long-term debt payable to non-affiliates	97,000			97,000
	Total liabilities	114,914			169,398
	Stockholders' equity:
	Preferred stock	3,000			3,000
	Class A common stock	134,993			115,706
	Class B common stock	72			7,522
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	119,067			289,853
	Retained earnings	787,609			796,110
	Total stockholders' equity	1,044,741			1,212,191
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,159,655		$	1,381,589
	See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
	Schedule II -Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Continued)
	FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)
	Condensed Statements of Operations
	(Dollars in thousands)
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Revenues:
	Net investment income	$	2,120		$	557		$	396
	Realized gains (losses) on investments	33			(25		)	—
	Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	140,000			45,000			29,139
	Management fee income from affiliates	1,760			1,907			3,701
	Management fee income from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation) (1)	2,072			2,255			2,278
	Other income	22			3,804			1,791
	Total revenues	146,007			53,498			37,305
	Expenses:
	Interest expense (1)	6,967			7,935			8,532
	Loss on debt redemption	—			33			33,176
	General and administrative expenses	9,582			12,902			9,185
	Total expenses	16,549			20,870			50,893
		129,458			32,628			(13,588		)
	Income tax benefit	5,316			4,010			16,945
	Income before equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries	134,774			36,638			3,357
	Equity in undistributed income (dividends in excess of equity income) of subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	(26,216		)	46,241			64,415
	Net income from continuing operations	108,558			82,879			67,772
	Discontinued operations:
	Loss on sale of subsidiary, net of tax benefit	—			(2,252		)	(54,143		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(687		)	27,110
	Total income (loss) from discontinued operations	—			(2,939		)	(27,033		)
Net income	$	108,558		$	79,940		$	40,739
(1) Excludes items classified as discontinued operations on a consolidated basis.
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Continued)
FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
	Year ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(5,750	)	$	(3,984	)	$	(14,446	)
Investing activities
Sales of fixed maturities - available for sale	45,808			793			—
Acquisitions of fixed maturities - available for sale	(15,192		)	(4,866		)	(2,094		)
Short-term investments, net change	(6,577		)	11,045			(13,283		)
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	92,135			5,089			29,139
Proceeds received from sale of subsidiary	—			(9,315		)	471,431
Net cash provided by investing activities	116,174			2,746			485,193
Financing activities
Transfer from (to) restricted debt defeasance trusts	—			211,627			(211,627		)
Repayments of debt	(50,000		)	(174,258		)	(50,000		)
Excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation	1,964			2,393			656
Issuance (repurchase) of common stock, net	(43,707		)	(173,253		)	(5,869		)
Capital contribution to subsidiary	(1,900		)	(2,000		)	—
Dividends paid	(64,775		)	(11,082		)	(8,917		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(158,418		)	(146,573		)	(275,757		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(47,994		)	(147,811		)	194,990
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	47,994			195,805			815
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	—		$	47,994		$	195,805
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash received (paid) during the year for:
Income taxes	$	9,182		$	54,237		$	3,856
Interest	(7,104		)	(11,383		)	(22,298		)
Non-cash operating activity:
Net assets of subsidiary sold	—			—			(543,990		)
Non-cash investing activity:
Dividend from subsidiary in the form of securities	47,865			39,911			—
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant (Continued)
FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. (PARENT COMPANY)
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements
31-Dec-13
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of FBL Financial Group, Inc.
In the parent company only financial statements, our investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries since the date of acquisition. In addition, the carrying value includes net unrealized gains/losses on the subsidiaries' investments classified as "available for sale."
2. Sale of EquiTrust Life Business
As further discussed in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, we sold our subsidiary, EquiTrust Life Insurance Company on December 30, 2011.
3. Dividends from Subsidiaries
The parent company received dividends totaling $140.0 million in 2013 and $45.0 million in 2012 in the form of cash ($92.1 million in 2013 and $5.1 million in 2012) and securities ($47.9 million in 2013 and $39.9 million in 2012). The parent company received cash dividends of $29.1 million in 2011, which includes $4.5 million from discontinued operations.
4. Debt
See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 for a description of the parent company's debt, including items paid off. The company's debt matures in 2047.

Sch_III_Supplementary_Insuranc

Sch III Supplementary Insurance Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule III. Supplementary Insurance Information [Abstract]	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, for Insurance Companies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information
	FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
	Column A	Column B			Column C			Column D			Column E
		Deferred acquisition costs			Future policy			Unearned			Other
					benefits, losses,			revenues			policyholder
					claims and loss						funds
					expenses
		(Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2013:
	Annuity	$	82,404		$	3,172,598		$	—		$	376,879
	Life Insurance	216,743			2,254,194			8,884			191,478
	Corporate and Other	91,917			389,746			13,951			21,845
	Impact of unrealized gains/losses	(55,550		)	2,957			(2,790		)	—
	Total	$	335,514		$	5,819,495		$	20,045		$	590,202
	December 31, 2012:
	Annuity	$	82,396		$	3,047,762		$	—		$	384,375
	Life Insurance	199,266			2,104,973			13,585			182,597
	Corporate and Other	94,984			379,708			14,519			20,786
	Impact of unrealized gains/losses	(172,320		)	—			(13,554		)	—
	Total	$	204,326		$	5,532,443		$	14,550		$	587,758
	December 31, 2011:
	Annuity	$	78,102		$	2,811,631		$	—		$	379,354
	Life Insurance	187,113			2,010,818			12,218			174,561
	Corporate and Other	99,916			346,025			14,960			17,321
	Impact of unrealized gains/losses	(104,875		)	—			(8,312		)	—
	Total	$	260,256		$	5,168,474		$	18,866		$	571,236
	Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information (Continued)
	FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
	Column A	Column F			Column G			Column H			Column I			Column J
		Premium			Net			Benefits,			Amortization			Other
		revenue			investment			claims, losses			of deferred			operating
					income			and			acquisition			expenses
								settlement			costs
								expenses
		(Dollars in thousands)
	December 31, 2013:
	Annuity	$	1,236		$	196,303		$	102,308		$	9,422		$	22,217
	Life Insurance	245,148			140,510			231,861			15,760			75,571
	Corporate and Other	46,093			35,843			30,183			5,170			10,499
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives	—			(2,005		)	(310		)	(1,324		)	—
	Impact of realized gains/losses	42			—			28			880			65
	Total	$	292,519		$	370,651		$	364,070		$	29,908		$	108,352
	December 31, 2012:
	Annuity	$	775		$	191,211		$	102,961		$	9,327		$	23,803
	Life Insurance	229,986			138,076			218,856			21,216			69,765
	Corporate and Other	45,722			30,259			30,721			5,326			10,582
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives	—			1,778			117			709			—
	Impact of realized gains/losses	13			—			22			1,073			105
	Total	$	276,496		$	361,324		$	352,677		$	37,651		$	104,255
	December 31, 2011:
	Annuity	$	664		$	181,974		$	100,487		$	8,916		$	14,974
	Life Insurance	217,665			134,999			211,330			18,042			56,052
	Corporate and Other	47,283			25,890			29,229			7,967			22,294
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives	—			447			2			(987		)	—
	Impact of realized gains/losses	10			—			(7		)	881			45
	Total	$	265,622		$	343,310		$	341,041		$	34,819		$	93,365

Sch_IV_Reinsurance

Sch IV Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule IV. Reinsurance [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies [Text Block]	'
	Schedule IV - Reinsurance
	FBL FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
	Column A	Column B		Column C		Column D		Column E		Column F
		Gross		Ceded to		Assumed		Net amount		Percent of
		amount		other		from other				amount
				companies		companies				assumed to net
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Year ended December 31, 2013:
	Life insurance in force, at end of year	$	54,603,479	$	13,220,004	$	613,281	$	41,996,756	1.5	%
	Insurance premiums and other considerations:
	Interest sensitive product charges	$	112,229	$	1,026	$	372	$	111,575	0.3	%
	Traditional life insurance premiums	200,729		20,199		414		180,944		0.2
	Accident and health premiums	8,540		8,135		—		405		—
		$	321,498	$	29,360	$	786	$	292,924	0.3
	Year ended December 31, 2012:
	Life insurance in force, at end of year	$	51,955,217	$	11,999,297	$	612,850	$	40,568,770	1.5	%
	Insurance premiums and other considerations:
	Interest sensitive product charges	$	102,027	$	1,010	$	393	$	101,410	0.4	%
	Traditional life insurance premiums	194,090		19,249		245		175,086		0.1
	Accident and health premiums	9,012		8,604		—		408		—
		$	305,129	$	28,863	$	638	$	276,904	0.2
	Year ended December 31, 2011:
	Life insurance in force, at end of year	$	49,778,838	$	11,031,493	$	588,791	$	39,336,136	1.5	%
	Insurance premiums and other considerations:
	Interest sensitive product charges	$	97,725	$	1,061	$	439	$	97,103	0.5	%
	Traditional life insurance premiums	189,159		20,640		—		168,519		—
	Accident and health premiums	9,468		9,065		—		403		—
		$	296,352	$	30,766	$	439	$	266,025	0.2

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy	'
	Consolidation
	Our consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Reinsurance Accounting Policy	'
	Reinsurance Recoverable
	We use reinsurance to manage certain risks associated with our insurance operations. These reinsurance arrangements provide for greater diversification of business, allow management to control exposure to potential risks arising from large claims and provide additional capacity for growth. For business ceded to other companies, reinsurance recoverable includes the reinsurers' share of policyholder liabilities, claims and expenses, net of amounts due the reinsurers for premiums. For business assumed from other companies, reinsurance recoverable includes premium receivable, net of our share of benefits and expenses we owe to the ceding company.
	Fair values for the embedded derivatives in our modified coinsurance contracts are based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the underlying investments. See Note 2 for more information regarding derivatives and Note 4 for additional details on our reinsurance agreements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of our consolidated statements of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Marketable Securities, Policy	'
	Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities
	Fixed maturities, comprised of bonds, redeemable preferred stock and certain non-redeemable preferred stock, which may be sold, are designated as "available for sale." Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value and unrealized gains and losses on these securities, with the exception of unrealized gains and losses relating to synthetic collateralized debt obligations, are included directly in stockholders' equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Unrealized gains and losses relating to synthetic collateralized debt obligations are recorded as a component of net investment income in the consolidated statements of operations. The unrealized gains and losses are reduced by a provision for deferred income taxes and adjustments to deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired and unearned revenue reserve that would have been required as a charge or credit to income had such amounts been realized.
	Premiums and discounts are amortized/accrued using methods which result in a constant yield over the securities' expected lives. Amortization/accrual of premiums and discounts on mortgage and asset-backed securities incorporates prepayment assumptions to estimate the securities' expected lives.
	Equity securities, comprised of mutual funds and common and non-redeemable preferred stocks, are designated as "available for sale" and are reported at fair value. The change in unrealized gains and losses of equity securities is included directly in stockholders' equity, net of any related deferred income taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Investment, Policy	'
	Mortgage Loans
	Mortgage loans are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts. If we determine that the value of any mortgage loan is impaired (i.e., when it is probable we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement), the carrying value of the mortgage loan is reduced to its fair value, which may be based upon the present value of expected future cash flows from the loan, or the fair value of the underlying collateral. The carrying value of impaired loans is reduced by the establishment of a valuation allowance, changes to which are recognized as realized gains or losses on investments. Interest income is accrued on impaired loans to the extent it is deemed collectible (generally delinquent less than 90 days) and the loan continues to perform under its original or restructured contractual terms. Interest income on non-performing loans is generally recognized on a cash basis. Once mortgage loans are classified as nonaccrual loans, the resumption of the interest accrual would commence only after all past due interest has been collected or the mortgage loan has been restructured to where the collection of interest is considered likely.
	Real Estate
	Real estate is reported at cost less allowances for depreciation, as applicable. The carrying value of these assets is subject to regular review. For properties not held for sale, if indicators of impairment are present and a property's expected undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the property's carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized and the property's cost basis is reduced to fair value. If the fair value, less estimated sales costs, of real estate held for sale decreases to an amount lower than its carrying value, the carrying value of the real estate is reduced by the establishment of a valuation allowance recognized as a realized loss on investments. There was one property held for investment with a valuation allowance of less than $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. There were no properties held for sale as of December 31, 2013 and no properties held for sale with a valuation allowance as of 2012.
	Other Investments
	Policy loans are reported at unpaid principal balance. Short-term investments, which include investments with remaining maturities of one year or less, but greater than three months at the time of acquisition, are reported at cost adjusted for amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts. Other investments include call options, which are carried at fair value, and our ownership interest in aircraft acquired in a troubled debt restructuring with a bond issuer that filed for bankruptcy. The ownership interest in the aircraft is reported at cost, less accumulated depreciation.
	We have embedded derivatives associated with modified coinsurance contracts, which are included within reinsurance recoverable. These instruments are carried at fair value with changes reflected in net investment income. See Note 2 for more information regarding our derivative instruments.
	Securities and indebtedness of related parties include investments in corporations and partnerships over which we may exercise significant influence and those investments for which we are required to use the equity method of accounting. These corporations and partnerships operate predominately in the investment company, insurance, broker/dealer and real estate industries and include low income housing tax credit generating partnerships. Such investments are accounted for using the equity method. In applying the equity method, we record our share of income or loss reported by the equity investees. For partnerships operating in the investment company industry, this income or loss includes changes in unrealized gains and losses in the partnerships' investment portfolios.
	Accrued Investment Income
	We discontinue the accrual of investment income on invested assets when it is determined that it is probable that we will not collect the income.
	Realized Gains and Losses on Investments
	Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification. The carrying values of all our investments are reviewed on an ongoing basis for credit deterioration. When our review indicates a decline in fair value for a fixed maturity security is other-than-temporary and we do not intend to sell or believe we will be required to sell the security before recovery of our amortized cost, a specific write down is charged to earnings for the credit loss and a specific charge is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income for the non-credit loss component. If we intend to sell or believe we will be required to sell a fixed maturity security before its recovery, the full amount of the impairment write down to fair value is charged to earnings. For all equity securities, the full amount of an other-than-temporary impairment write down is recognized as a realized loss on investments in the consolidated statements of operations and the new cost basis for the security is equal to its fair value.
	We monitor the financial condition and operations of the issuers of fixed maturities and equity securities that could potentially have a credit impairment that is other-than-temporary. In determining whether or not an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary, we review factors such as:
	•	historical operating trends;
	•	business prospects;
	•	status of the industry in which the company operates;
	•	analyst ratings on the issuer and sector;
	•	quality of management;
	•	size of unrealized loss;
	•	level of current market interest rates compared to market interest rates when the security was purchased; and
	•	length of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position.
	In order to determine the credit and non-credit impairment loss for fixed maturities, every quarter we estimate the future cash flows we expect to receive over the remaining life of the instrument as well as review our plans to hold or sell the instrument. Significant assumptions regarding the present value of expected cash flows for each security are used when an other-than-temporary impairment occurs and there is a non-credit portion of the unrealized loss that won't be recognized in earnings. Our assumptions for residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities include collateral pledged, guarantees, vintage, anticipated principal and interest payments, prepayments, default levels, severity assumptions, delinquency rates and the level of nonperforming assets for the remainder of the investments' expected term. We use a single best estimate of cash flows approach and use the effective yield prior to the date of impairment to calculate the present value of cash flows. Our assumptions for corporate and other fixed maturities include anticipated principal and interest payments and an estimated recovery value, generally based on a percentage return of the current fair value.
	After an other-than-temporary write down of all equity securities and any fixed maturities with a credit-only impairment, the cost basis is not adjusted for subsequent recoveries in fair value. For fixed maturities for which we can reasonably estimate future cash flows after a write down, the discount or reduced premium recorded, based on the new cost basis, is amortized over the remaining life of the security. Amortization in this instance is computed using the prospective method and the current estimate of the amount and timing of future cash flows.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy	'
	Fair Values
	Fair values of fixed maturities are based on quoted market prices in active markets when available. Fair values of fixed maturities that are not actively traded are estimated using valuation methods that vary by asset class. Fair values of redeemable preferred stocks, equity securities and derivative investments are based on the latest quoted market prices, or for those items not readily marketable, generally at values which are representative of the fair values of comparable issues. Fair values for all securities are reviewed for reasonableness by considering overall market conditions and values for similar securities. See Note 3 for more information on our fair value policies, including assumptions and the amount of securities priced using the valuation models.
Capitalization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Policy	'
	Deferred Acquisition Costs and Value of Insurance In Force Acquired
	Deferred acquisition costs include certain costs of successfully acquiring new insurance business, including commissions and other expenses related to the production of new business, to the extent recoverable from future policy revenues and gross profits. Also included are premium bonuses and bonus interest credited to contracts during the first contract year only. The value of insurance in force acquired represents the cost assigned to insurance contracts when an insurance company is acquired. The initial value is determined by an actuarial study using expected future gross profits as a measurement of the net present value of the insurance acquired. Interest accrued on the unamortized balance at a weighted average rate of 4.56% in 2013, 4.70% in 2012 and 4.72% in 2011.
	For participating traditional life insurance and interest sensitive products, these costs are being amortized generally in proportion to expected gross margins or gross profits. That amortization is adjusted retrospectively through an unlocking process when estimates of current or future gross profits/margins (including the impact of investment gains and losses) to be realized from a group of products are revised. For nonparticipating traditional life products, these costs are amortized over the premium paying period of the related policies, in proportion to the ratio of annual premium revenues to total anticipated premium revenues. Such anticipated premium revenues are estimated using the same assumptions used for computing liabilities for future policy benefits.
	All insurance and investment contract modifications and replacements are reviewed to determine if the internal replacement results in a substantially changed contract. If so, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue associated with the new contract are deferred and amortized over the lifetime of the new contract. In addition, the existing deferred policy acquisition costs, sales inducement costs and unearned revenue balances associated with the replaced contract are written off. If an internal replacement results in a substantially unchanged contract, the acquisition costs, sales inducements and unearned revenue associated with the new contract are immediately recognized in the period incurred. In addition, the existing deferred policy acquisition costs, sales inducement costs or unearned revenue balance associated with the replaced contract is not written off, but instead is carried over to the new contract.
	Effective January 1, 2012, we retroactively adopted guidance issued by the FASB that narrowed the definition of deferrable acquisition costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts. In addition, during 2011, refinements were made to the methods and assumptions used to calculate the amortization of value of insurance in force and deferred acquisition costs, which increased net income from continuing operations $4.8 million ($0.15 per basic and diluted common share).
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization, Policy	'
	Other Assets
	Other assets include property and equipment, primarily comprised of capitalized software costs and furniture and equipment, which are reported at cost less allowances for depreciation and amortization. We expense costs incurred in the preliminary stages of developing internal-use software as well as costs incurred post-implementation for maintenance. Capitalization of internal-use software costs occurs after management has authorized the project and it is probable that the software will be used as intended. Amortization of software costs begins after the software has been placed in production. Depreciation and amortization expense is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to twenty years. Property and equipment had a carrying value of $25.8 million at December 31, 2013 and $18.6 million at December 31, 2012, and accumulated depreciation and amortization of $50.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $65.9 million at December 31, 2012. Depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment was $4.6 million in 2013, $4.8 million in 2012 and $3.5 million in 2011.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy	'
	Other assets at December 31, 2013 and 2012, also includes goodwill of $9.9 million related to the excess of the amounts paid to acquire companies over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment testing. We evaluate our goodwill balance by comparing the fair value of our reporting units to the carrying value of the goodwill. We conduct our impairment review at least annually as well as when circumstances suggest an impairment may have occurred. Such circumstances include changes in the competitive or overall economic environment or other business condition changes that may negatively impact the value of the underlying business. On a periodic basis, as well as in the event circumstances indicate the value of the business may have declined significantly, we will estimate the value of the business using discounted cash flow techniques. In the event that we were to dispose of a reporting unit, a discounted cash flow approach would be used to estimate the fair value of that reporting unit. We believe this approach better approximates the fair value of our goodwill than a market capitalization approach. A number of significant assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the discounted cash flow model to forecast operating cash flows, including future premiums, product lapses, investment yields and discount rate. Underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and our best estimates given information available at the time of testing. As a result of our impairment review, we have determined our goodwill was not impaired as of December 31, 2013 or 2012.
Future Policy Benefits Liability, Policy	'
	Future Policy Benefits
	Future policy benefit reserves for interest sensitive products are computed under a retrospective deposit method and represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits and claims that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the period in excess of related policy account balances. Interest crediting rates for our interest sensitive products ranged from 1.00% to 5.50% in 2013, 2012 and 2011.
	The liability for future policy benefits for direct participating traditional life insurance is based on net level premium reserves, including assumptions as to interest, mortality and other factors underlying the guaranteed policy cash values. Reserve interest assumptions are level and range from 2.00% to 6.00%. The average rate of assumed investment yields used in estimating gross margins was 5.84% in 2013 and 2012 and 6.04% in 2011. The liability for future policy benefits for non-participating traditional life insurance is computed using a net level method, including assumptions as to mortality, persistency and interest and includes provisions for possible unfavorable deviations.
	The liabilities for future policy benefits for accident and health insurance are computed using a net level (or an equivalent) method, including assumptions as to morbidity, mortality and interest and include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations. Policy benefit claims are charged to expense in the period that the claims are incurred.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue, Policy	'
	Other Policy Claims and Benefits
	We have unearned revenue reserves that reflect the unamortized balance of charges assessed to interest sensitive contract holders to compensate us for services to be performed over future periods (policy initiation fees). These charges have been deferred and are being recognized in income over the period benefited using the same assumptions and factors used to amortize deferred acquisition costs.
Policyholders' Dividend, Policy	'
	We have accrued dividends for participating business that are established for anticipated amounts earned to date that have not been paid. The declaration of future dividends for participating business is at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Farm Bureau Life. Participating business accounted for 30% of receipts from policyholders during 2013 (2012 - 35% and 2011 - 38%) and represented 11% of life insurance in force at December 31, 2013, and 12% in 2012 and 2011.
Income Tax, Policy	'
	Deferred Income Taxes
	Deferred income tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rate. Deferred income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the asset or liability from period to period. A valuation allowance against deferred income tax assets is established if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized.
Policyholder Accounts, Policy	'
	Separate Accounts
	The separate account assets and liabilities reported in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets represent funds that are separately administered for the benefit of certain policyholders that bear the underlying investment risk. The separate account assets are carried at fair value and separate account liabilities represent policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities, to the extent of benefits paid or provided to the separate account policyholders, are excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Revenue Recognition, Premiums Earned, Policy	'
	Recognition of Premium Revenues and Costs
	Revenues for interest sensitive and variable products consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, asset charges, administration charges, amortization of policy initiation fees and surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances. The timing of revenue recognition as it relates to these charges and fees is determined based on the nature of such charges and fees. Policy charges for the cost of insurance, asset charges and policy administration charges are assessed on a daily or monthly basis and are recognized as revenue when assessed and earned. Certain policy initiation fees that represent compensation for services to be provided in the future are reported as unearned revenue and recognized in income over the periods benefited. Surrender charges are determined based upon contractual terms and are recognized upon surrender of a contract. Policy benefits and claims charged to expense include interest amounts credited to policyholder account balances and benefit claims incurred in excess of policyholder account balances during the period. Amortization of deferred acquisition costs is recognized as expense over the life of the policy.
	Traditional life insurance premiums are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period. Future policy benefits and policy acquisition costs are recognized as expenses over the life of the policy by means of the provision for future policy benefits and amortization of deferred acquisition costs.
	All insurance-related revenues, benefits and expenses are reported net of reinsurance ceded. The cost of reinsurance ceded is recognized over the contract periods of the reinsurance agreements. Policies and contracts assumed are accounted for in a manner similar to that followed for direct business.
	Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses:
	Commission expense, net of deferrals	$	27,410	$	23,712	$	23,950
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	29,908		37,651		34,819
	Amortization of value of insurance in force acquired	2,565		5,562		(4,658		)
	Other underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals	78,377		74,981		74,073
	Total	$	138,260	$	141,906	$	128,184
Discontinued Operations, Policy	'
	Discontinued Operations
	Upon the sale of EquiTrust Life our independent distribution business segment was discontinued. Discontinued operations are those in which we no longer have any significant continuing involvement in the operations after the disposal transaction. The results of discontinued operations are segregated from our continuing operations and reported as income (loss) from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for current and prior periods. The loss recognized on the disposal is also reported as a component of discontinued operations. Components of the income (loss) from discontinued operations are separately disclosed in Note 15.
	Debt required to be redeemed due to selling a significant component of our business remains a liability until we have been legally released from the entire obligation and all conditions for extinguishment have been met. In addition, any gain or loss on the extinguishment is recognized when we are relieved of the entire obligation. Changes in fair value of embedded derivatives related to make-whole redemption provisions are reported as loss on debt redemption in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	If the debt is not specific to the disposed component, the liability is not classified as held for sale and any related gain or loss is reported as part of continuing operations. However, interest on any debt required to be redeemed as a result of the disposal transaction is reported in income from discontinued operations for current and prior periods commencing in the period in which the business is either disposed of or accounted for as a disposal group.
	Significant accounting policies related to the results from discontinued operations which are not discussed above include:
	•	Derivative instruments, which include call options used to fund index credits on index annuities, are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value reflected in our results of discontinued operations.
	•	Deferred sales inducements represent premium bonuses and bonus interest credited to contracts during the first contract year only. These costs are amortized similar to other deferred acquisition costs discussed above.
	•	Future policy benefit reserves for index annuities are equal to the sum of the fair value of the embedded index options, accumulated index credits and the host contract reserve computed using a method similar to that used for interest sensitive products. Fair value of the index options are calculated using discounted cash flow valuation techniques based on current interest rates adjusted to reflect our credit risk and an additional provision for adverse deviation.
	•	Changes in reserves for the embedded derivatives in the index annuities and amortization of deferred sales inducements are recognized as expenses over the life of the policy.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy	'
	Retirement and Compensation Plans
	We participate with several affiliates in several defined benefit pension plans, including a multiemployer plan. We employ a long-term investment strategy of maintaining diversified plan assets. The expected return on plan assets is set at the long-term rate expected to be earned based on the long-term investment strategy of the plans for assets at the end of the reporting period.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy	'
	We have a Cash-Based Restricted Stock Unit Plan. Performance and non-performance units are awarded under this plan. In addition to meeting the performance goals, the performance units are subject to a five-year vesting schedule. The non-performance units awarded under this plan vest over five years. The amount payable per unit awarded is equal to the price per share of the Company's common stock at settlement of the award, and as such, we measure the value of the award each reporting period based on the current stock price. The expense related to the performance units is based on the number of units expected to vest and is recognized over the required service period. The expense related to the non-performance units is recognized over the five-year vesting schedule. The impact of forfeitures is estimated and compensation expense is recognized only for those units expected to vest.
	We also have share-based payment arrangements under our Class A Common Stock Compensation Plan, although no new awards have been made since 2011. We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payments granted, modified or settled. The stock option non-performance related stock-based expense is recognized over the shorter of our five-year vesting schedule or the period ending when the employee becomes eligible for retirement using the straight-line method. The performance related stock-based expense is based on the number of shares expected to vest and is recognized over the required service period. The impact of forfeitures is estimated and compensation expense is recognized only for those stock-based instruments expected to vest. We report tax deductions related to stock-based instruments in excess of recognized compensation expense as a financing cash flow.
	See Note 8 for additional details on these plans.
Comprehensive Income, Policy	'
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income includes net income, as well as other comprehensive income items not recognized through net income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on our available-for-sale securities and certain interest rate swaps held in prior years, as well as the unfunded obligation for postretirement benefit plans. These items are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax and other offsets, in stockholders' equity. The changes in unrealized gains and losses reported in our Statement of Comprehensive Income, excludes net investment gains and losses included in net income which represent transfers from unrealized to realized gains and losses. These transfers are further discussed in Note 7. The components of the unfunded obligation for postretirement benefit plans are provided in Note 8.
Use of Estimates, Policy	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. For example, significant estimates and assumptions are utilized in the valuation of investments, determination of other-than-temporary impairments of investments, amortization of deferred acquisition costs, calculation of policyholder liabilities and accruals and determination of pension expense. It is reasonably possible that actual experience could differ from the estimates and assumptions utilized which could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies Insurance costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Recognition of underwriting, acquisition and insurance costs	'
	Underwriting, Acquisition and Insurance Expenses
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses:
	Commission expense, net of deferrals	$	27,410	$	23,712	$	23,950
	Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	29,908		37,651		34,819
	Amortization of value of insurance in force acquired	2,565		5,562		(4,658		)
	Other underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses, net of deferrals	78,377		74,981		74,073
	Total	$	138,260	$	141,906	$	128,184

Investment_Operations_Tables

Investment Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Operations [Abstract]	'
Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category	'
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category
		December 31, 2013
		Amortized				Gross				Gross				Fair				Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments (1)
		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Value
						Gains				Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate (2)	$	3,142,476			$	229,151			$	(64,848	)		$	3,306,779			$	329
	Residential mortgage-backed	492,990				35,676				(7,938		)		520,728				(4,155		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	391,845				20,014				(7,192		)		404,667				—
	Other asset-backed	444,047				19,169				(6,673		)		456,543				1,725
	United States Government and agencies	39,261				4,218				(198		)		43,281				—
	State, municipal and other governments	1,317,920				60,869				(29,034		)		1,349,755				—
	Total fixed maturities	$	5,828,539			$	369,097			$	(115,883	)		$	6,081,753			$	(2,101	)
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	$	65,692			$	3,141			$	(2,383	)		$	66,450			$	—
	Common stocks	24,379				726				—				25,105				—
	Total equity securities	$	90,071			$	3,867			$	(2,383	)		$	91,555			$	—
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category
		December 31, 2012
		Amortized				Gross				Gross				Fair				Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments (1)
		Cost				Unrealized				Unrealized				Value
						Gains				Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate (2)	$	2,906,622			$	399,144			$	(10,183	)		$	3,295,583			$	(2,913	)
	Residential mortgage-backed	632,955				47,459				(6,232		)		674,182				(5,164		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	463,504				49,173				(1,858		)		510,819				—
	Other asset-backed	485,796				16,981				(13,064		)		489,713				(4,788		)
	United States Government and agencies	42,079				6,930				—				49,009				—
	State, municipal and other governments	1,106,652				142,704				(2,917		)		1,246,439				—
	Total fixed maturities	$	5,637,608			$	662,391			$	(34,254	)		$	6,265,745			$	(12,865	)
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	$	56,909			$	4,251			$	(668	)		$	60,492			$	—
	Common stocks	25,231				530				—				25,761				—
	Total equity securities	$	82,140			$	4,781			$	(668	)		$	86,253			$	—
	-1	Non-credit losses subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date on other-than-temporary impairments are included in the gross unrealized gains and losses column above. The non-credit loss component of OTTI losses for corporate and other asset-backed securities were in an unrealized gain position at December 31, 2013 due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of non-credit losses on such securities.
	-2	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $76.3 million at December 31, 2013 and $99.6 million at December 31, 2012. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $17.1 million at December 31, 2013 and $5.6 million at December 31, 2012.
	Short-term investments have been excluded from the above schedules as amortized cost approximates fair value for these securities.
Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date	'
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date
		December 31, 2013
		Amortized				Fair Value
		Cost
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	75,383			$	76,935
	Due after one year through five years	691,894				764,826
	Due after five years through ten years	1,014,618				1,085,568
	Due after ten years	2,717,762				2,772,486
		4,499,657				4,699,815
	Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed	1,328,882				1,381,938
	Total fixed maturities	$	5,828,539			$	6,081,753
	Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Fixed maturities not due at a single maturity date have been included in the above table in the year of final contractual maturity.
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net unrealized appreciation on:
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	253,214			$	628,137
	Equity securities - available for sale	1,484				4,113
		254,698				632,250
	Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization pattern of:
	Deferred acquisition costs	(55,550		)		(172,320		)
	Value of insurance in force acquired	(6,356		)		(15,346		)
	Unearned revenue reserve	2,790				13,554
	Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities	(2,957		)		—
	Provision for deferred income taxes	(67,404		)		(160,333		)
	Net unrealized investment gains	$	125,221			$	297,805
	Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation of Investments - Recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	(374,923	)		$	247,581			$	278,142
	Equity securities - available for sale	(2,629		)		2,378				161
	Interest rate swaps	—				—				121
	Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments	$	(377,552	)		$	249,959			$	278,424
	The changes in net unrealized investment gains and losses are recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities. Subsequent changes in fair value of securities for which a previous non-credit other-than-temporary impairment loss was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income are reported along with changes in fair value for which no other-than-temporary impairment losses were previously recognized.
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities with Unrealized Losses by Length of Time	'
	Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities with Unrealized Losses by Length of Time
			December 31, 2013
			Less than one year								One year or more								Total
	Description of Securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate		$	802,161			$	(60,138	)		$	43,500			$	(4,710	)		$	845,661	$	(64,848	)	56	%
	Residential mortgage-backed		92,020				(3,548		)		20,948				(4,390		)		112,968		(7,938		)	6.8
	Commercial mortgage-backed		53,647				(4,454		)		28,054				(2,738		)		81,701		(7,192		)	6.2
	Other asset-backed		101,961				(1,109		)		33,170				(5,564		)		135,131		(6,673		)	5.8
	United States Government and agencies		4,407				(198		)		—				—				4,407		(198		)	0.2
	State, municipal and other governments		353,120				(25,700		)		19,165				(3,334		)		372,285		(29,034		)	25
	Total fixed maturities		$	1,407,316			$	(95,147	)		$	144,837			$	(20,736	)		$	1,552,153	$	(115,883	)	100	%
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks		$	31,639			$	(1,756	)		$	4,373			$	(627	)		$	36,012	$	(2,383	)
	Total equity securities		$	31,639			$	(1,756	)		$	4,373			$	(627	)		$	36,012	$	(2,383	)
			December 31, 2012
			Less than one year								One year or more								Total
	Description of Securities		Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value				Unrealized Losses				Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate		$	123,610			$	(2,120	)		$	87,176			$	(8,063	)		$	210,786	$	(10,183	)	29.7	%
	Residential mortgage-backed		10,560				(85		)		32,884				(6,147		)		43,444		(6,232		)	18.2
	Commercial mortgage-backed		27,073				(380		)		32,697				(1,478		)		59,770		(1,858		)	5.4
	Other asset-backed		31,749				(512		)		50,468				(12,552		)		82,217		(13,064		)	38.1
	State, municipal and other governments		33,228				(542		)		15,932				(2,375		)		49,160		(2,917		)	8.6
	Total fixed maturities		$	226,220			$	(3,639	)		$	219,157			$	(30,615	)		$	445,377	$	(34,254	)	100	%
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks		$	3,858			$	(32	)		$	7,364			$	(636	)		$	11,222	$	(668	)
	Total equity securities		$	3,858			$	(32	)		$	7,364			$	(636	)		$	11,222	$	(668	)
	Included in fixed maturities in the above table are 440 securities from 366 issuers at December 31, 2013 and 140 securities from 116 issuers at December 31, 2012. The unrealized losses in fixed maturities are generally due to an increase in risk free rates relative to the risk free rates when the securities were purchased. We do not intend to sell or believe we will be required to sell any of our impaired fixed maturities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The following summarizes the more significant unrealized losses of fixed maturities and equity securities by investment category as of December 31, 2013.
	Corporate securities: The largest unrealized losses are in the utilities sector ($206.2 million carrying value and $20.0 million unrealized loss). The largest unrealized losses in the utilities sector were in the electric ($141.6 million carrying value and $14.2 million unrealized loss) and the gas-pipeline ($50.4 million carrying value and $4.5 million unrealized loss) sub-sectors. The majority of losses in the sector are primarily attributable to general changes in market interest rates for corporate securities.
	Residential mortgage-backed securities: The unrealized losses on residential mortgage-backed securities were primarily due to continued uncertainty regarding mortgage defaults on Alt-A loans. We purchased most of these investments at a discount to their face amount and the contractual cash flows of these investments are based on mortgages and other assets backing the securities.
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities: The unrealized losses on commercial mortgage-backed securities were primarily due to spread widening and concerns regarding the potential for future defaults. The contractual cash flows of these investments are based on mortgages backing the securities. Unrealized losses on military housing bonds were mainly attributable to spread widening relative to spreads at which we acquired the bonds. Insured military housing bonds have also been impacted by the removal of their ratings following downgrades of the insurance providers.
	Other asset-backed securities: The unrealized losses on other asset-backed securities were primarily due to market concerns regarding defaults on subprime mortgages and home equity loans. We purchased most of these investments at a discount to their face amount and the contractual cash flows of these investments are based on mortgages and other assets backing the securities.
	State, municipal and other governments: The unrealized losses on state, municipal and other governments were primarily due to general spread widening relative to spreads at which we acquired the bonds.
	Equity securities: Our gross unrealized losses were on investment grade non-redeemable perpetual preferred securities within the finance sector. These securities provide periodic cash flows, contain call features and are similarly rated and priced like other long-term callable bonds and are evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment similar to fixed maturities. The decline in fair value is primarily due to market concerns regarding the sector. We have evaluated the near-term prospects of our equity securities in relation to the severity and duration of their impairment and based on that evaluation have the intent and ability to hold these investments until recovery of fair value.
Mortgage Loans by Collateral Type	'
	Mortgage Loans by Collateral Type
			December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
	Collateral Type		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Office		$	241,951			42	%		$	218,837			39.4	%
	Retail		194,053				33.7			184,135				33.2
	Industrial		126,151				21.9			133,149				24
	Other		13,706				2.4			18,722				3.4
	Total		$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
	Mortgage Loans by Geographic Location within the United States
			December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
	Region of the United States		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	South Atlantic		$	170,529			29.6	%		$	164,294			29.6	%
	Pacific		92,538				16.1			81,333				14.7
	West North Central		85,629				14.9			77,798				14
	East North Central		79,128				13.7			81,015				14.6
	Mountain		53,460				9.3			48,881				8.8
	West South Central		39,780				6.9			42,141				7.6
	Other		54,797				9.5			59,381				10.7
	Total		$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Mortgage Loans by Geographic Location within the United States	'
	Mortgage Loans by Geographic Location within the United States
			December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
	Region of the United States		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	South Atlantic		$	170,529			29.6	%		$	164,294			29.6	%
	Pacific		92,538				16.1			81,333				14.7
	West North Central		85,629				14.9			77,798				14
	East North Central		79,128				13.7			81,015				14.6
	Mountain		53,460				9.3			48,881				8.8
	West South Central		39,780				6.9			42,141				7.6
	Other		54,797				9.5			59,381				10.7
	Total		$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio	'
	Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	0% - 50%	$	149,719			26	%		$	173,040			31.2	%
	50% - 60%	202,025				35.1			156,633				28.2
	60% - 70%	204,460				35.5			186,738				33.7
	70% - 80%	15,559				2.7			36,857				6.6
	80% - 90%	4,098				0.7			1,575				0.3
	Total	$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
	The loan-to-value ratio is determined using the most recent appraised value. Appraisals are updated periodically including when there is indication of a possible significant collateral decline or loan modification and refinance requests.
	Mortgage Loans by Year of Origination
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	2013	$	84,478			14.7	%		—				—	%
	2012	72,792				12.6			75,173				13.6
	2011	48,190				8.4			47,405				8.5
	2010	26,173				4.5			27,422				4.9
	2008	68,323				11.9			70,346				12.7
	2007 and prior	275,905				47.9			334,497				60.3
	Total	$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Mortgage Loans by Year of Origination	'
	Mortgage Loans by Year of Origination
		December 31, 2013							December 31, 2012
		Carrying Value				Percent of Total			Carrying Value				Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	2013	$	84,478			14.7	%		—				—	%
	2012	72,792				12.6			75,173				13.6
	2011	48,190				8.4			47,405				8.5
	2010	26,173				4.5			27,422				4.9
	2008	68,323				11.9			70,346				12.7
	2007 and prior	275,905				47.9			334,497				60.3
	Total	$	575,861			100	%		$	554,843			100	%
Impaired Mortgage Loans	'
	Impaired Mortgage Loans
		December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Unpaid principal balance	$	22,100			$	10,046
	Less:
	Related allowance	888				1,694
	Discount	429				—
	Carrying value of impaired mortgage loans	$	20,783			$	8,352
Allowance on Mortgage Loans	'
	Allowance on Mortgage Loans
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	1,694			$	1,759
	Allowances established	804				335
	Charge offs	(1,610		)		(400		)
	Balance at end of period	$	888			$	1,694
Components of Net Investment Income	'
	Components of Net Investment Income
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	328,979			$	318,364			$	302,272
	Equity securities - available for sale	4,295				3,508				3,368
	Mortgage loans	32,447				32,369				34,619
	Real estate	331				—				367
	Policy loans	8,502				8,997				9,235
	Short-term investments, cash and cash equivalents	102				215				50
	Prepayment fee income and other	5,098				6,737				2,238
		379,754				370,190				352,149
	Less investment expenses	(9,103		)		(8,866		)		(8,839		)
	Net investment income	$	370,651			$	361,324			$	343,310
Realized Gains (Losses) - Recorded in Income	'
	Realized Gains (Losses) - Recorded in Income
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
	Fixed maturities:
	Gross gains	$	18,495			$	16,982			$	5,715
	Gross losses	(2,374		)		(541		)		(368		)
	Equity securities	—				309				(5		)
	Mortgage loans	—				767				—
	Real estate	12				(25		)		—
	Other	(166		)		(13		)		13
	Impairment losses recognized in earnings:
	Credit-related portion of fixed maturity losses (1)	(618		)		(5,264		)		(1,454		)
	Other credit-related (2)	(1,794		)		(11,763		)		(12,197		)
	Realized gains (losses) on investments recorded in income	$	13,555			$	452			$	(8,296	)
	-1	Amount represents the credit-related losses recognized for fixed maturities which were not written down to fair value. As discussed above the non-credit portion of the losses have been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).
	-2	Amount represents credit-related losses for mortgage loans, real estate and fixed maturities written down to fair value.
	Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities were $138.4 million in 2013, $156.3 million in 2012 and $70.7 million in 2011.
	Included in the net impairment loss recognized in earnings in 2011 is an other than temporary impairment of $4.7 million related to an equity method investment held as Securities and Indebtedness of related parties, which was undergoing financial difficulties as a result of class action litigation.
	Realized losses on sales were on securities that we did not intend to sell at the prior balance sheet date or on securities that were impaired in a prior period, but decreased in value during the year. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification.
Credit Loss Component of Other-than-temporary Impairments on Fixed Maturities	'
	Credit Loss Component of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Fixed Maturities
	The following table sets forth the amount of credit loss impairments on fixed maturities held by the Company as of the dates indicated for which a portion of the other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and corresponding changes in such amounts.
			Year ended December 31,
			2013				2012
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period		$	(27,712	)		$	(22,746	)
	Increases for which an impairment was not previously recognized		—				(3,815		)
	Increases to previously impaired investments		(618		)		(1,449		)
	Reductions due to investments sold		5,944				215
	Reductions due to change of intent to not hold investments		794				83
	Balance at end of period		$	(21,592	)		$	(27,712	)
Variable Interest Entities	'
	Variable Interest Entities
	We evaluate our variable interest entity (VIE) investees to determine whether the level of our direct ownership interest, our rights to manage operations or our obligation to provide ongoing financial support are such that we are the primary beneficiary of the entity, and are then required to consolidate it for financial reporting purposes. None of our VIE investees were required to be consolidated during 2013, 2012 or 2011. Our VIE investments are as follows:
		December 31, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Carrying Value				Maximum Exposure to Loss				Carrying Value				Maximum Exposure to Loss
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Real estate limited partnerships	$	17,646			$	17,646			$	16,914			$	16,914
	The real estate limited partnerships had revenues totaling $4.3 million for 2013, $4.1 million for 2012 and $4.9 million for 2011. We may make commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. We did not have any other commitments to investees designated as VIE's during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 or 2011.

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	'
	Fair Values and Carrying Values
		December 31,
		2013							2012
		Carrying Value				Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	6,081,753			$	6,081,753		$	6,265,745		$	6,265,745
	Equity securities - available for sale	91,555				91,555			86,253			86,253
	Mortgage loans	575,861				594,451			554,843			600,448
	Policy loans	176,993				210,401			174,254			227,161
	Other investments	993				993			247			247
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	115,047				115,047			152,590			152,590
	Reinsurance recoverable	2,678				2,678			5,326			5,326
	Assets held in separate accounts	693,955				693,955			618,809			618,809
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	3,360,519			$	3,371,706		$	3,226,765		$	3,352,252
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	349,761				320,195			361,273			350,187
	Advance premiums and other deposits	230,819				230,819			216,857			216,857
	Long-term debt	97,000				63,343			147,000			116,359
	Other liabilities	—				—			131			131
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	693,955				686,387			618,809			609,704
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	'
	Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis by Hierarchy Levels
		December 31, 2013
		Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	—			$	3,224,785		$	81,994		$	3,306,779
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—				520,728			—			520,728
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—				332,955			71,712			404,667
	Other asset-backed securities	—				370,708			85,835			456,543
	United States Government and agencies	15,291				19,946			8,044			43,281
	State, municipal and other governments	—				1,349,755			—			1,349,755
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—				58,655			7,795			66,450
	Common stocks	3,295				21,810			—			25,105
	Other investments	—				993			—			993
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	115,047				—			—			115,047
	Reinsurance recoverable	—				2,678			—			2,678
	Assets held in separate accounts	693,955				—			—			693,955
	Total assets	$	827,588			$	5,903,013		$	255,380		$	6,985,981
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	—			$	—		$	286		$	286
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	—		$	286		$	286
	Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis by Hierarchy Levels
		December 31, 2012
		Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	—			$	3,195,120		$	100,463		$	3,295,583
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—				674,182			—			674,182
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—				434,538			76,281			510,819
	Other asset-backed securities	—				393,957			95,756			489,713
	United States Government and agencies	14,884				25,570			8,555			49,009
	State, municipal and other governments	—				1,246,216			223			1,246,439
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—				53,101			7,391			60,492
	Common stocks	2,773				22,988			—			25,761
	Other investments	—				247			—			247
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	152,590				—			—			152,590
	Reinsurance recoverable	—				5,326			—			5,326
	Assets held in separate accounts	618,809				—			—			618,809
	Total assets	$	789,056			$	6,051,245		$	288,669		$	7,128,970
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	—			$	—		$	307		$	307
	Other liabilities	—				131			—			131
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	131		$	307		$	438
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block]	'
	Level 3 Fixed Maturity Securities on a Recurring Basis by Valuation Source
		December 31, 2013
		Third-party vendors				Priced			Total
						internally
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	59,812			$	22,182		$	81,994
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	71,712				—			71,712
	Other asset-backed securities	65,003				20,832			85,835
	United States Government and agencies	8,044				—			8,044
	Total	$	204,571			$	43,014		$	247,585
	Percent of total	82.6		%		17.4		%	100		%
		December 31, 2012
		Third-party vendors				Priced			Total
						internally
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	70,975			$	29,488		$	100,463
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	76,281				—			76,281
	Other asset-backed securities	79,320				16,436			95,756
	United States Government and agencies	8,555				—			8,555
	State, municipal and other governments	223				—			223
	Total	$	235,354			$	45,924		$	281,278
	Percent of total	83.7		%		16.3		%	100		%
Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		December 31, 2013
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	46,023		Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	0.91% - 17.08% (7.84%)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	71,712			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.75% - 4.50% (2.95%)
	Other asset-backed securities	38,305			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	0.74% - 5.06% (3.55%)
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,795			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	3.81% (3.81%)
	Total Assets	$	163,835
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	286		Discounted cash flow	Credit risk	0.30% - 1.70% (1.05%)
						Risk margin	0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
		31-Dec-12
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	54,538		Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	0.78% - 9.21% (5.72%)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	76,264			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.95% - 4.80% (3.35%)
	Other asset-backed securities	43,119			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.24% - 6.07% (4.28%)
	State, municipal and other governments	223			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	1.75% (1.75%)
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,391			Discounted cash flow	Credit spread	6.00% (6.00%)
	Total Assets	$	181,535
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	307		Discounted cash flow	Credit risk	1.00% - 2.50% (1.80%)
						Risk margin	0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
	The table above excludes certain securities for which the fair value was based on non-binding broker quotes where we could not reasonably obtain the quantitative unobservable inputs.
Level 3 Financial Instruments Changes in Fair Value [Table Text Block]	'
	Level 3 Financial Instruments Changes in Fair Value Recurring Basis
		December 31, 2013
												Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
		Balance, December 31, 2012				Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Transfers into		Transfers			Amort-ization included in net income		Balance, December 31, 2013
																		Level 3 (1)		out of
																				Level 3 (1)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	100,463			$	2,157		$	(7,946	)	$	—		$	(1,945	)	$	—	$	(10,798	)	$	63	$	81,994
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	76,281				—			(660		)	—			(3,996		)	—		—			87		71,712
	Other asset-backed securities	95,756				38,468			(13,583		)	—			(971		)	4,062		(39,155		)	1,258		85,835
	United States Government and agencies	8,555				—			—			—			(517		)	—		—			6		8,044
	State, municipal and other governments	223				—			(218		)	—			(5		)	—		—			—		—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,391				—			—			—			71			5,208		(4,875		)	—		7,795
	Total	$	288,669			$	40,625		$	(22,407	)	$	—		$	(7,363	)	$	9,270	$	(54,828	)	$	1,414	$	255,380
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	307			$	—		$	(28	)	$	—		$	7		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	286
	Total Liabilities	$	307			$	—		$	(28	)	$	—		$	7		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	286
		December 31, 2012
												Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
		Balance, December 31, 2011				Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Transfers		Transfers			Amort-ization included in net income		Balance, December 31, 2012
																		into		out of
																		Level 3 (2)		Level 3 (2)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	106,412			$	—		$	(15,504	)	$	(9	)	$	3,113		$	21,654	$	(15,295	)	$	92	$	100,463
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	7,711				—			—			—			—			—		(7,711		)	—		—
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	27,899				5,105			(3,101		)	—			1,251			59,096		(14,055		)	86		76,281
	Other asset-backed securities	113,458				68,811			(11,351		)	(44		)	3,820			22,092		(102,192		)	1,162		95,756
	Collateralized debt obligation	270				—			(27		)	(243		)	—			—		—			—		—
	United States Government and agencies	12,588				—			—			—			(28		)	—		(4,010		)	5		8,555
	State, municipal and other governments	12,044				—			(4,221		)	—			(316		)	—		(7,845		)	561		223
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	14,447				—			(5,105		)	105			749			—		(2,805		)	—		7,391
	Total	$	294,829			$	73,916		$	(39,309	)	$	(191	)	$	8,589		$	102,842	$	(153,913	)	$	1,906	$	288,669
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	302			$	—		$	(37	)	$	—		$	42		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	307
	Make-whole redemption feature on Senior Notes	33,144				—			(33,144		)	—			—			—		—			—		—
	Total Liabilities	$	33,446			$	—		$	(33,181	)	$	—		$	42		$	—	$	—		$	—	$	307
	-1	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. Transfers out of Level 3 include those assets that we are now able to obtain pricing from a third party pricing vendor that uses observable inputs. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2013.
	-2	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. During 2012, we began using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs for a portion of our Level 3 investments for which non-binding broker quotes were previously used to estimate fair value. We believe the change in pricing sources is appropriate and consistent with our pricing waterfall policy to use higher level valuation methods when available. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2012.
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Value [Table Text Block]	'
	Valuation of our Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Levels
		December 31, 2013
		Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Mortgage loans	$	—			$	—		$	594,451		$	594,451
	Policy loans	—				—			210,401			210,401
	Total assets	$	—			$	—		$	804,852		$	804,852
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	—			$	—		$	3,371,420		$	3,371,420
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	—				—			320,195			320,195
	Advance premiums and other deposits	—				—			230,819			230,819
	Long-term debt	—				—			63,343			63,343
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	—				—			686,387			686,387
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	—		$	4,672,164		$	4,672,164
		December 31, 2012
		Quoted prices in active markets				Significant other observable			Significant unobservable			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)				inputs (Level 2)			inputs (Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Mortgage loans	$	—			$	—		$	600,448		$	600,448
	Policy loans	—				—			227,161			227,161
	Total assets	$	—			$	—		$	827,609		$	827,609
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	—			$	—		$	3,351,945		$	3,351,945
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	—				—			350,187			350,187
	Advance premiums and other deposits	—				—			216,857			216,857
	Long-term debt	—				—			116,359			116,359
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	—				—			609,704			609,704
	Total liabilities	$	—			$	—		$	4,645,052		$	4,645,052

Reinsurance_and_Policy_Provisi1

Reinsurance and Policy Provisions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Reinsurance and Policy Provisions [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Analysis of the Value of Insurance In Force Acquired
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Excluding impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses:
	Balance at beginning of year	$	32,500		$	38,062		$	33,403
	Accretion of interest during the year	902			1,068			1,266
	Amortization of asset	(3,467		)	(6,630		)	3,393
	Balance prior to impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses	29,935			32,500			38,062
	Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses	(6,356		)	(15,346		)	(12,281		)
	Balance at end of year	$	23,579		$	17,154		$	25,781
	We periodically revise key assumptions used in the calculation of the value of insurance in force acquired through an “unlocking” process, which increased amortization $2.6 million in 2012. As described in Note 1, during 2011 refinements were made to the methods and assumptions used to calculate the amortization of value of insurance in force acquired, resulting in a $6.9 million reduction in amortization. Net amortization, based on expected future gross profits/margins, for the next five years is expected to be as follows: 2014 - $2.8 million; 2015 - $2.8 million; 2016 - $2.5 million; 2017 - $2.5 million; and 2018 - $2.4 million.
Schedule of Minimum Guaranteed Benefit Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Certain variable annuity and variable universal life contracts in our separate accounts and in separate accounts of reinsurance partners have minimum interest guarantees on funds deposited in our general account. In addition, we have certain variable annuity contracts that include a) guaranteed minimum death benefits (GMDBs), b) an incremental death benefit (IDB) rider that pays a percentage of the gain on the contract upon death of the contract holder, and/or c) a guaranteed minimum income benefit (GMIB) that provides monthly income to the contract holder after the eighth policy year.
	GMDB, IDB and GMIB Net Amount at Risk by Type of Guarantee
		December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012
		Separate			Net Amount			Separate			Net Amount
		Account			at Risk			Account			at Risk
		Balance						Balance
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Guaranteed minimum death benefit:
	Return of net deposits	$	195,593		$	791		$	178,443		$	1,346
	Return the greater of highest anniversary	315,176			3,150			282,973			7,177
	value or net deposits
	Incremental death benefit	283,556			57,964			252,925			35,502
	Guaranteed minimum income benefit	42,850			—			38,072			—
	Total				$	61,905					$	44,025
	The separate account assets are principally comprised of stock and bond mutual funds. The net amount at risk for these contracts is based on the amount by which GMDB, IDB or GMIB exceeds account value. The reserve for GMDBs, IDBs or GMIBs, determined using modeling techniques and industry mortality assumptions, that is included in future policy benefits, totaled $2.4 million at December 31, 2013 and $1.9 million at December 31, 2012. The weighted average age of the contract holders with GMDB, IDB or GMIB rider exposure was 63 years at December 31, 2013 and 60 years at December 31, 2012. Benefits paid for GMDBs, IDBs and GMIBs totaled $0.3 million for 2013, $0.2 million for 2012 and $0.3 million for 2011.

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	'
	Income Tax Expenses (Credits)
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Taxes provided in consolidated statements of operations on:
	Income from continuing operations before noncontrolling interest and equity income (loss):
	Current	$	43,264		$	(8,717	)	$	27,637
	Deferred	6,058			48,788			(8,840		)
		49,322			40,071			18,797
	Equity income (loss) - current	(11,050		)	(6,260		)	(890		)
	Discontinued operations	—			(382		)	23,003
	Loss on sale of subsidiary	—			(1,213		)	(29,198		)
	Taxes provided in consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity:
	Accumulated other comprehensive income	(91,961		)	60,309			67,964
	Class A and Class B common stock	(1,657		)	(2,167		)	(164		)
		(93,618		)	58,142			67,800
		$	(55,346	)	$	90,358		$	79,512
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation to Federal Income Tax Rate
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes, noncontrolling interest and equity income (loss)	$	150,305		$	118,184		$	69,722
	Income tax at federal statutory rate (35%)	$	52,607		$	41,364		$	24,400
	Tax effect (decrease) of:
	Tax-exempt dividend and interest income	(2,802		)	(1,741		)	(2,393		)
	Impact of incentive stock options	(594		)	(341		)	(1,029		)
	Other items	111			789			(2,181		)
	Income tax expense	$	49,322		$	40,071		$	18,797
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Tax Effect of Temporary Differences Giving Rise to Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
		December 31,
		2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Future policy benefits	$	22,754		$	20,865
	Accrued benefit and compensation costs	12,048			11,957
	Loss carryforwards	17,041			18,259
	Other	4,478			1,632
		56,321			52,713
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Fixed maturity and equity securities	90,360			219,372
	Deferred acquisition costs	66,583			24,826
	Other	22,217			16,948
		179,160			261,146
	Net deferred income tax liability	$	122,839		$	208,433

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl1

Retirement and Compensation Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Funding Status and Net Periodic Pension Costs
		Multiemployer Plan									Other Plans
		As of and for the year ended									As of and for the year ended
		December 31,									December 31,
		2013					2012				2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Change in projected benefit obligation:
	Net benefit obligation at beginning of the year	$	330,320				$	283,613			$	26,664			$	26,562
	Service cost	6,472					8,117				252				442
	Interest cost	13,384					12,706				1,035				1,160
	Actuarial (gain) loss	(41,794		)			43,015				(1,305		)		1,890
	Benefits paid	(15,933		)			(17,131		)		(3,381		)		(3,390		)
	Projected benefit obligation	292,449					330,320				23,265				26,664
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year	220,000					205,054				—				—
	Actual return on plan assets	24,253			—		17,077				—				—
	Employer contributions	22,500					15,000				3,381				3,390
	Benefits paid	(15,933		)			(17,131		)		(3,381		)		(3,390		)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of the year	250,820					220,000				—				—
	Underfunded status at end of the year	$	(41,629	)			$	(110,320	)		$	(23,265	)		$	(26,664	)
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	266,891				$	291,728			$	21,944			$	24,642
	For all the Plans we participate in, the accumulated benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets. The projected benefit obligations, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets are included above.
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Net Periodic Pension Costs Incurred by the Plans
		Multiemployer Plan												Other Plans
		As of and for the year ended												As of and for the year ended
		December 31,												December 31,
		2013				2012				2011				2013				2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	6,472			$	8,117			$	7,938			$	252			$	442		$	258
	Interest cost	13,384				12,706				12,620				1,035				1,160			1,215
	Expected return on assets	(15,666		)		(14,081		)		(13,845		)		—				—			—
	Amortization of prior service cost	144				424				1,724				(11		)		(11		)	(225		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	12,468				9,467				7,003				1,267				1,108			890
	Net periodic pension cost	$	16,802			$	16,633			$	15,440			$	2,543			$	2,699		$	2,138
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. share of net periodic pension cost	$	5,363			$	5,437			$	5,758			$	1,436			$	1,533		$	1,131
	The Plans' prior service costs are amortized using a straight-line amortization method over the average remaining service period of the employees. For actuarial gains and losses, we use a corridor to determine the amounts to amortize. For the Multiemployer Plan it is expected that net periodic pension cost in 2014 will include $5.4 million for amortization of the actuarial loss and $0.1 million of prior service cost amortization. For the Other Plans it is expected that net periodic pension cost in 2014, included in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2013, will include $1.1 million for amortization of the actuarial loss and less than ($0.1) million of prior service cost (credit) amortization.
Schedule of Multiemployer Plans [Table Text Block]	'
	FBL's Proportionate Share of Prepaid or Accrued Pension Cost
		Multiemployer Plan								Other Plans
		As of and for the year ended								As of and for the year ended
		December 31,								December 31,
		2013				2012				2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Amount recognized in FBL's statement of financial position
	Prepaid benefit cost	$	16,330			$	14,511			$	1,284			$	696
	Accrued benefit cost	—				—				(17,302		)		(19,608		)
	Net amount recognized	$	16,330			$	14,511			$	(16,018	)		$	(18,912	)
	Amount recognized in FBL's accumulated other comprehensive income, before taxes (1) (2)
	Net actuarial loss									$	9,701			$	12,274
	Prior service cost									(24		)		(35		)
	Net amount recognized									$	9,677			$	12,239
	-1	For multiemployer plans, the funded status is not required to be recognized as an asset or liability in the consolidated balance sheets. The unrecognized liability for the underfunded status of our Multiemployer Plan totaled $41.6 million at December 31, 2013 and $110.3 million at December 31, 2012.
	-2	During 2012, we determined that our nonqualified employee benefit plans should apply single employer plan accounting. The change had no impact on earnings, although it resulted in an immaterial reduction of accumulated other comprehensive income.
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
	Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligation
		31-Dec
		2013			2012
	Discount rate	4.99	%		4.18	%
	Annual salary increases	3	%		3	%
	We estimate the discount rate by projecting and discounting future benefit payments inherent in the projected benefit obligation using a commercially available "spot" yield curve constructed using techniques and a bond universe specifically selected to meet the accounting standard requirements.
	Our expected long-term return on plan assets represents the rate of earnings expected in the funds invested to provide for anticipated benefit payments. We have analyzed the expected rates of return on assets and determined that a long-term return of
	7.00% is reasonable based on the current and expected asset allocations and on the Multiemployer Plan's historical investment performance and best estimates for future investment performance.
	Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Pension Cost
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate	4.18	%		4.67	%		5.09	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets	7	%		7	%		7	%
	Annual salary increases	3	%		4	%		4	%
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Fair Values of the Multiemployer Plan Assets by Asset Category and Hierarchy Levels
		December 31, 2013
		Quoted prices in				Significant other				Significant				Total
		active markets for				observable				unobservable
		identical assets				inputs				inputs
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Mutual funds: (1)
	U.S. equity funds	$	31,325			$	—			$	—			$	31,325
	International funds	30,884				—				—				30,884
	Pooled separate accounts: (1)
	Short-term fixed income funds	—				6,904				—				6,904
	Fixed income funds	—				12,166				—				12,166
	U.S. equity funds	—				24,934				—				24,934
	Real estate fund	—				12,253				—				12,253
	Annuities: (2)
	Group annuity contract	—				—				117,226				117,226
	Funded annuity contracts	—				—				12,932				12,932
	Alternative investments: (3)
	Limited partnerships	—				—				2,196				2,196
	Total	$	62,209			$	56,257			$	132,354			$	250,820
		December 31, 2012
		Quoted prices in				Significant other				Significant				Total
		active markets for				observable				unobservable
		identical assets				inputs				inputs
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)				(Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Mutual funds: (1)
	U.S. equity funds	$	30,535			$	—			$	—			$	30,535
	International equity funds	20,506				—				—				20,506
	Pooled separate accounts: (1)
	Short-term fixed income funds	—				520				—				520
	Fixed income funds	—				10,504				—				10,504
	U.S. equity funds	—				25,495				—				25,495
	Real estate fund	—				9,930				—				9,930
	Annuities: (2)
	Group annuity contract	—				—				109,275				109,275
	Funded annuity contracts	—				—				13,235				13,235
	Total	$	51,041			$	46,449			$	122,510			$	220,000
	-1	Represents mutual funds and pooled separate account investments with Principal Life Insurance Company.
	-2	Represents group annuity contracts with Farm Bureau Life.
	-3	Represents interests in several limited partnerships.
	Level 3 Multiemployer Plan Asset Changes in Fair Value
		December 31, 2013
										Return on assets
		December 31,				Purchases				Held at year end				Sold during year				Transfers into (out) of level 3			December 31, 2013
		2012				(disposals),
						net
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Group annuity contract	$	109,275			$	2,793			$	5,158			$	—			$	—		$	117,226
	Funded annuity contracts	13,235				(1,103		)		800				—				—			12,932
	Limited partnerships	—				2,258				(62		)		—				—			2,196
	Total	$	122,510			$	3,948			$	5,896			$	—			$	—		$	132,354
Schedule of Level Three Defined Benefit Plan Assets Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	'
	Level 3 Multiemployer Plan Asset Changes in Fair Value
		December 31, 2013
										Return on assets
		December 31,				Purchases				Held at year end				Sold during year				Transfers into (out) of level 3			December 31, 2013
		2012				(disposals),
						net
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Group annuity contract	$	109,275			$	2,793			$	5,158			$	—			$	—		$	117,226
	Funded annuity contracts	13,235				(1,103		)		800				—				—			12,932
	Limited partnerships	—				2,258				(62		)		—				—			2,196
	Total	$	122,510			$	3,948			$	5,896			$	—			$	—		$	132,354
		December 31, 2012
										Return on assets
		December 31,				Purchases				Held at year end				Sold during year				Transfers into (out) of level 3			December 31, 2012
		2011				(disposals),
						net
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Group annuity contract	$	101,970			$	2,838			$	4,467			$	—			$	—		$	109,275
	Funded annuity contracts	14,010				(1,621		)		846				—				—			13,235
	Total	$	115,980			$	1,217			$	5,313			$	—			$	—		$	122,510
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]	'
	Multiemployer Plan name		FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan
	Employer identification number		42-1411715
	Plan number		1
	FBL's contributions (in thousands)
		2013	$22,500
		2012	$15,000
		2011	$15,000

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl2

Retirement and Compensation Plans Stock based compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	Assumptions Used in our Valuation Model
		Year ended
		31-Dec-11
	Weighted average risk-free interest rate	2.01	%
	Dividend yield	1.3	%
	Weighted average volatility factor of the expected market price	0.67
	Weighted average expected term	5.2 years
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Stock Option Activity
		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average		Weighted-Average	Aggregate
				Exercise Price		Remaining	Intrinsic
				per Share		Contractual	Value (1)
						Term (in
						Years)
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Shares under option at January 1, 2013	1,311,668		$	28.67
	Exercised	(652,308	)	29.73
	Forfeited or expired	(7,863	)	28.55
	Shares under option at December 31, 2013	651,497		27.61		3.95	$	11,193
	Vested at December 31, 2013 or expected to vest in the future	650,555		$	27.61	3.95	$	11,175
	Exercisable options at December 31, 2013	495,443		$	29.54	3.24	$	7,557
	-1	Represents the difference between the share price and exercise price for each option, excluding options where the exercise price is above the share price, at December 31, 2013.
	The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted per common share was $14.90 for 2011. The intrinsic value of options exercised during the year totaled $6.6 million for 2013, $5.4 million for 2012 and $3.5 million for 2011.
	Unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share-based compensation granted under the stock option arrangement totaled $0.1 million as of December 31, 2013. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.0 years.
	We issue new shares to satisfy stock option exercises. Beginning in 2014, conditional upon market conditions, we intend to repurchase Class A common shares on the open market for shares issued upon the exercise of stock options. Cash received from stock options exercised totaled $19.4 million for 2013, $9.7 million for 2012 and $7.5 million for 2011. The actual tax benefit realized from stock options exercised totaled $2.3 million for 2013, $1.8 million for 2012 and $1.1 million for 2011.
Schedule of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Nonvested Stock Activity
		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
				per Share
	Nonvested stock at January 1, 2013	142.648		$	19.96
	Released	(142.438	)	19.96
	Forfeited or canceled	(210	)	19.96
	Nonvested stock at December 31, 2013	—		—
	The expense related to the unvested share-based compensation granted under the nonvested stock arrangement has been fully recognized at December 31, 2013. The tax benefit realized from nonvested stock released to employees was $1.7 million in 2013, $1.6 million in 2012 and less than $0.1 million in 2011. We have a policy of withholding shares to cover estimated future tax payments.
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	Restricted Stock Unit Activity
		Number of Units		Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
				per Unit
	Restricted stock units at January 1, 2013	85,559		$	34.91
	Granted	61,140		34.94
	Vested	(20,277	)	34.94
	Forfeited or canceled	(8,456	)	35.01
	Restricted stock units at December 31, 2013	117,966		34.92
	The weighted average grant-date fair value per common share of restricted stock units granted was $34.94 in 2013 and $35.10 in 2012. Unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units based on the stock price at December 31, 2013 totaled $3.5 million. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.31 years. Dividends are paid on restricted stock units upon vesting.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	108,558	$	79,940		$	40,739
	Less: Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		(2,939		)	(11,464		)
	Less: Dividends on Series B preferred stock	150		150			150
	Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	$	108,408	$	82,729		$	52,053
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares - basic	25,508,522		27,497,146			30,726,009
	Effect of dilutive securities - stock-based compensation	265,893		341,402			489,014
	Weighted-average shares - diluted	25,774,415		27,838,548			31,215,023
	Earnings per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	4.25	$	3.01		$	1.69
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		(0.11		)	(0.37		)
	Total earnings per share	$	4.25	$	2.9		$	1.32
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
	Income from continuing operations	$	4.21	$	2.97		$	1.67
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	—		(0.10		)	(0.37		)
	Total earnings per share	$	4.21	$	2.87		$	1.3
	Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share	—		790,216			1,042,587

Statutory_Insurance_Informatio1

Statutory Insurance Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Statutory Insurance Information [Abstract]	'
Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Farm Bureau Life Statutory Information
		Year ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net gain from operations (excludes impact of realized gains and losses on investments)	$	93,306	$	92,988	$	87,792
	Net income	94,583		86,589		72,653
		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Capital and surplus	$	492,450	$	547,398

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Financial Information Concerning our Operating Segments
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues:
	Annuity	$	197,539			$	192,001			$	182,640
	Life Insurance	385,325				367,853				352,956
	Corporate and Other	96,775				93,443				90,580
		679,639				653,297				626,176
	Realized gains (losses) on investments (1)	13,597				465				(8,286		)
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(2,005		)		1,778				447
	Consolidated revenues	$	691,231			$	655,540			$	618,337
	Net investment income:
	Annuity	$	196,303			191,211				181,974
	Life Insurance	140,510				138,076				134,999
	Corporate and Other	35,843				30,259				25,890
		372,656				359,546				342,863
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(2,005		)		1,778				447
	Consolidated net investment income	$	370,651			$	361,324			$	343,310
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Annuity	$	7,186			$	8,271			$	8,469
	Life Insurance	19,430				25,727				14,981
	Corporate and Other	2,157				5,225				8,668
		28,773				39,223				32,118
	Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	973				1,200				919
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(1,324		)		709				(987		)
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization	$	28,422			$	41,132			$	32,050
	Pre-tax operating income:
	Annuity	$	63,592			$	55,910			$	58,263
	Life Insurance	48,814				43,741				50,502
	Corporate and Other	22,172				16,856				2,293
		134,578				116,507				111,058
	Income taxes on operating income	(33,985		)		(33,748		)		(32,240		)
	Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	8,206				(477		)		(5,983		)
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	(241		)		619				932
	Loss on debt redemption (1)	—				(22		)		(21,564		)
	Loss from discontinued operations	—				(2,939		)		(11,464		)
	Consolidated net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	108,558			$	79,940			$	40,739
	Financial Information Concerning our Operating Segments - continued
		December 31,
		2013				2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Annuity	$	3,778,018			$	3,627,891
	Life Insurance	2,789,145				2,609,255
	Corporate and Other	1,701,368				1,735,996
		8,268,531				7,973,142
	Unrealized gains in accumulated other comprehensive income (2)	192,792				444,584
	Consolidated assets	$	8,461,323			$	8,417,726
	-1
Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures [table text block] [Table Text Block]	'
	Reconciliation of Traditional Life Insurance Premiums, Net of Reinsurance
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Traditional and universal life insurance premiums collected	$	307,474			$	255,709			$	229,468
	Premiums collected on interest sensitive products	(127,271		)		(81,212		)		(60,702		)
	Traditional life insurance premiums collected	180,203				174,497				168,766
	Change in due premiums and other	741				589				(247		)
	Traditional life insurance premiums	$	180,944			$	175,086			$	168,519
	There is no comparable GAAP financial measure for premiums collected on annuities and universal life-type products. GAAP revenues for those interest sensitive and variable products consist of various policy charges and fees assessed on those contracts, as summarized in the chart below.
	Interest Sensitive Product Charges by Segment
		Year ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Annuity
	Surrender charges and other	$	1,236			$	775			$	664
	Life Insurance
	Administration charges	$	19,602			$	11,726			$	9,922
	Cost of insurance charges	42,697				39,886				37,334
	Surrender charges	484				943				578
	Amortization of policy initiation fees	1,462				2,354				1,313
	Total	$	64,245			$	54,909			$	49,147
	Corporate and Other
	Administration charges	$	6,138			$	5,975			$	6,317
	Cost of insurance charges	29,567				29,638				29,794
	Surrender charges	525				780				1,151
	Separate account charges	8,742				8,372				8,748
	Amortization of policy initiation fees	1,122				961				1,282
	Total	$	46,094			$	45,726			$	47,292
	Consolidated interest sensitive product charges	$	111,575			$	101,410			$	97,103
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Premium Concentration by State
		Year ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Life and annuity collected premiums:
	Iowa	27.6	%		28.7	%		26.5	%
	Kansas	20			21.9			20.9
	Oklahoma	7.7			7.3			9.2

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	'
	Unaudited Quarterly Results of Operations
		2013
	Quarter ended	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Premiums and product charges	$	70,238		$	72,853		$	76,153	$	73,275
	Net investment income	90,810			92,898			93,382		93,561
	Realized gains (losses) on investments	3,286			7,236			693		2,340
	Total revenues	168,048			176,683			173,516		172,984
	Net income from continuing operations	24,938			29,553			26,985		26,917
	Net income (loss) attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	24,966			29,587			27,053		26,952
	Earnings per common share	$	0.97		$	1.14		$	1.05	$	1.08
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.96		$	1.13		$	1.04	$	1.07
		2012
	Quarter ended	March 31,			June 30,			September 30,		December 31,
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Premiums and product charges	$	68,355		$	70,098		$	67,524	$	70,519
	Net investment income	86,888			89,423			93,482		91,531
	Realized gains (losses) on investments	(643		)	732			1,462		(1,099		)
	Total revenues	159,605			165,982			165,359		164,594
	Net income from continuing operations	19,499			20,277			20,487		22,533
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(2,932		)	(84		)	55		22
	Net income (loss) attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	16,587			20,291			20,476		22,586
	Earnings (loss) per common share:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.64		$	0.74		$	0.77	0.87
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.10		)	—			—		—
	Earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.54		$	0.74		$	0.77	$	0.87
	Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution:
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	0.63		$	0.73		$	0.76	$	0.86
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.10		)	—			—		—
	Earnings (loss) per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.53		$	0.73		$	0.76	$	0.86

Sale_of_EquiTrust_Life_Busines1

Sale of EquiTrust Life Business (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	A summary of income (losses) from discontinued operations is as follows:
	Condensed Statements of Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
		Year ended December 31,
		2012			2011
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	—		$	436,391
	Benefits and expenses	(214		)	(358,753		)
	Interest expense allocation	(855		)	(13,818		)
	Equity income	—			1,862
	Income taxes	382			(23,003		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	(687	)	$	42,679
	Expenses are reduced for estimated corporate overhead absorbed by the Company after the sale. In addition, as described below, the sale of EquiTrust Life required us to redeem a majority of our senior notes; therefore the related interest expense is allocated to the EquiTrust Life Business.

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and Equipment, Net	$25.80	$18.60	'
Accumulated Depreciation	50.3	65.9	'
Depreciation expense	4.6	4.8	3.5
Goodwill	$9.90	$9.90	'

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies Recognition of costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Recognition of underwriting, acquisition and insurance costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Commission expense, net of deferrals	$27,410	$23,712	$23,950
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	29,908	37,651	34,819
Amortization of value of insurance in force acquired	2,565	5,562	-4,658
Other underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	78,377	74,981	74,073
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	$138,260	$141,906	$128,184

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies Other income other expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other income and other expense [Line Items]	'	'	'
Real Estate Owned, Valuation Allowance	$0.10	$0.10	'
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired [Abstract]	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, assumptions, interest accrual rate	4.56%	4.70%	4.72%
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit	'	4.8	'
Future policy benefits:	'	'	'
Interest Sensitive Life, Interest Rate Assumptions, Low End	1.00%	1.00%	1.00%
Interest Sensitive Life, Interest Rate Assumptions, High End	5.50%	5.50%	5.50%
Traditional Life, Interest Rate, Low End	2.00%	'	'
Traditional Life, Interest Rate, High End	6.00%	'	'
Future policy benefits, assumptions, average rate in investment yields in gross margin estimation	5.84%	5.84%	6.04%
Other Policyholder Claims and Benefits	'	'	'
Premiums from policies subject to participation in dividends	30.00%	35.00%	38.00%
Contracts in force subject to participation in dividends	11.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty insurance company [Member]	'	'	'
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Lease income	2.2	2.4	1.8
Investment Advisory Fees	1.7	1.5	1.2
Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Non-insurance Income (Expense) of Life Ins subsidiary	3	3.3	3.2
Former subsidiary [Member]	'	'	'
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'	'	'
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	'	$3.50	'

Investment_Operations_Availabl

Investment Operations Available for Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$90,071		$82,140
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,828,539		5,637,608
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	3,867		4,781
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	2,383		668
Available-for-sale Securities	91,555		86,253
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	0	[1]	0
Corporate	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,142,476	[2]	2,906,622
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	229,151	[2]	399,144	[2]
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	64,848	[2]	10,183	[2]
Available-for-sale Securities	3,306,779	[2]	3,295,583	[2]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	329	[1],[2]	-2,913	[1],[2]
Residential mortgage-backed	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	492,990		632,955
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	35,676		47,459
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	7,938		6,232
Available-for-sale Securities	520,728		674,182
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	-4,155	[1]	-5,164	[1]
Commercial mortgage-backed	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	391,845		463,504
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	20,014		49,173
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	7,192		1,858
Available-for-sale Securities	404,667		510,819
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	0	[1]	0	[1]
Other asset-backed	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	444,047		485,796
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	19,169		16,981
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	6,673		13,064
Available-for-sale Securities	456,543		489,713
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	1,725	[1]	-4,788	[1]
Other Debt Obligations [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	76,300		99,600
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	17,100		5,600
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	39,261		42,079
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	4,218		6,930
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	198		0
Available-for-sale Securities	43,281		49,009
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	0	[1]	0	[1]
State, municipal and other governments	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1,317,920		1,106,652
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	60,869		142,704
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	29,034		2,917
Available-for-sale Securities	1,349,755		1,246,439
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	0	[1]	0	[1]
Debt Securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	369,097		662,391
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	115,883		34,254
Available-for-sale Securities	6,081,753		6,265,745
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	-2,101	[1]	-12,865	[1]
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	65,692		56,909
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	3,141		4,251
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	2,383		668
Available-for-sale Securities	66,450		60,492
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
Common stocks	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	24,379		25,231
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain-temp	726		530
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	0		0
Available-for-sale Securities	25,105		25,761
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments Portion in Other Comprehensive Income, Before Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Available-for-sale Securities	$0		$0
[1]	Non-credit losses subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date on other-than-temporary impairments are included in the gross unrealized gains and losses column above. The non-credit loss component of OTTI losses for corporate and other asset-backed securities were in an unrealized gain position at December 31, 2013 due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of non-credit losses on such securities.
[2]	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $76.3 million at DecemberB 31, 2013 and $99.6 million at DecemberB 31, 2012. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $17.1 million at DecemberB 31, 2013 and $5.6 million at DecemberB 31, 2012.

Investment_Operations_Availabl1

Investment Operations Available-for-sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Amortized Cost Basis	$75,383	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Next Twelve Months, Fair Value	76,935	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Amortized Cost Basis	691,894	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Two Through Five, Fair Value	764,826	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Amortized Cost Basis	1,014,618	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Year Six Through Ten, Fair Value	1,085,568	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Amortized Cost Basis	2,717,762	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	2,772,486	'
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities with Maturity Date, Amortized Cost	4,499,657	'
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities with Maturity Date, Fair Value	4,699,815	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, without Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis	1,328,882	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, without Single Maturity Date, Fair Value	1,381,938	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	5,828,539	5,637,608
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$6,081,753	$6,265,745

Investment_Operations_Net_Unre

Investment Operations Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net Unrealized Gains Losses [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Unrealized appreciation, fixed maturities, Available-for-sale	$253,214	$628,137	'
Net Unrealized appreciation, Equity Securities, Available for sale	1,484	4,113	'
Net Unrealized Gains Losses on Investments	254,698	632,250	'
Assumed changes in amortization of DAC	-55,550	-172,320	'
Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses	-6,356	-15,346	-12,281
Assumed changes in amortization patter of URR	2,790	13,554	'
Assumed change in policyholder liability	-2,957	0	'
Provision for deferred income taxes	-67,404	-160,333	'
Net Unrealized gains losses on investments in Accumulated other comprehensive Income	$125,221	$297,805	'

Investment_Operations_Change_i

Investment Operations Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments in AOCI (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments	($377,552)	$249,959	$278,424
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments	-374,923	247,581	278,142
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments	-2,629	2,378	161
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments	$0	$0	$121

Investment_Operations_Fixed_Ma

Investment Operations Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities with Unrealized Losses by Length of Time (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	securities	issuers
	issuers	securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	440	140
Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Issuers	366	116
Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	802,161,000	123,610,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-60,138,000	-2,120,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	43,500,000	87,176,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	845,661,000	210,786,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-64,848,000	-10,183,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-4,710,000	-8,063,000
percent of total	56.00%	29.70%
Available for sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Maximum Loss by issuer	1,800,000	'
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	1,407,316,000	226,220,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-95,147,000	-3,639,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	144,837,000	219,157,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	1,552,153,000	445,377,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-115,883,000	-34,254,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-20,736,000	-30,615,000
percent of total	100.00%	100.00%
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	31,639,000	3,858,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-1,756,000	-32,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,373,000	7,364,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	36,012,000	11,222,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-2,383,000	-668,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-627,000	-636,000
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	31,639,000	3,858,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-1,756,000	-32,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,373,000	7,364,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	36,012,000	11,222,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-2,383,000	-668,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-627,000	-636,000
Residential mortgage-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	92,020,000	10,560,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-3,548,000	-85,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	20,948,000	32,884,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	112,968,000	43,444,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-7,938,000	-6,232,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-4,390,000	-6,147,000
percent of total	6.80%	18.20%
Commercial mortgage-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	53,647,000	27,073,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-4,454,000	-380,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	28,054,000	32,697,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	81,701,000	59,770,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-7,192,000	-1,858,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-2,738,000	-1,478,000
percent of total	6.20%	5.40%
Other asset-backed	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	101,961,000	31,749,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-1,109,000	-512,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	33,170,000	50,468,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	135,131,000	82,217,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-6,673,000	-13,064,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-5,564,000	-12,552,000
percent of total	5.80%	38.10%
United States Government and agencies	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	4,407,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-198,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	0	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	4,407,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-198,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	0	'
percent of total	0.20%	'
State, municipal and other governments	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	353,120,000	33,228,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-25,700,000	-542,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	19,165,000	15,932,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	372,285,000	49,160,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-29,034,000	-2,917,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Loss-TEMP	-3,334,000	-2,375,000
percent of total	25.00%	8.60%
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by Private Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available for sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Maximum Loss by issuer	4,000,000	'
finance sector [Member] | Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	206,200,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-20,000,000	'
Finance subsector Banking [Member] | Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	141,600,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-14,200,000	'
Finance Subsector - REIT [Member] | Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	50,400,000	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss-temp	-4,500,000	'

Investment_Operations_Mortgage

Investment Operations Mortgage Loans (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	$575,861,000	$554,843,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	100.00%	100.00%
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due	'	16,400,000
Financing receivable non accrual status, number of loans	'	2
0% to 50% loan to value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	149,719,000	173,040,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	26.00%	31.20%
51% to 60% loan-to-value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	202,025,000	156,633,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	35.10%	28.20%
61% to 70% loan-to-value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	204,460,000	186,738,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	35.50%	33.70%
71% to 80% loan-to-value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	15,559,000	36,857,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	2.70%	6.60%
81% to 90% loan to value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	4,098,000	1,575,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	0.70%	0.30%
Year of origination 2013 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	84,478,000	0
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	14.70%	0.00%
Year of origination 2012 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	72,792,000	75,173,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	12.60%	13.60%
Year of Origination 2011 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	48,190,000	47,405,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	8.40%	8.50%
Year of origination 2010 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	26,173,000	27,422,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	4.50%	4.90%
Year of Origination 2008 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	68,323,000	70,346,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	11.90%	12.70%
Year of origination prior [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	275,905,000	334,497,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	47.90%	60.30%
Office Building [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	241,951,000	218,837,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	42.00%	39.40%
Retail Site [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	194,053,000	184,135,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	33.70%	33.20%
Industrial Property [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	126,151,000	133,149,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	21.90%	24.00%
Other Property [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	13,706,000	18,722,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	2.40%	3.40%
South Atlantic [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	170,529,000	164,294,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	29.60%	29.60%
Pacific [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	92,538,000	81,333,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	16.10%	14.70%
West North Central [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	85,629,000	77,798,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	14.90%	14.00%
East North Central [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	79,128,000	81,015,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	13.70%	14.60%
Mountain [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	53,460,000	48,881,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	9.30%	8.80%
West South Central [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	39,780,000	42,141,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	6.90%	7.60%
Other geographical locations [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	$54,797,000	$59,381,000
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	9.50%	10.70%

Investment_Operations_Impaired

Investment Operations Impaired Mortgage Loans (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'	'
Impaired mortgage loans, Recorded Investment	$22,100	$10,046
Impaired mortgage loans, Unpaid Principal Balance	888	1,694
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	429	0
Impaired mortgage loans, Related Allowance	$20,783	$8,352

Investment_Operations_Allowanc

Investment Operations Allowance on Mortgage Loans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]	'	'
Allowance on mortgage loans	$1,694	$1,759
Allowances established	804	335
Charge offs	1,610	400
Allowance on mortgage loans	$888	$1,694

Investment_Operations_Componen

Investment Operations Components of Net Investment Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$379,754	$370,190	$352,149
Prepayment fee income and other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,098	6,737	2,238
Less investment expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9,103	-8,866	-8,839
Net investment income	93,561	93,382	92,898	90,810	91,531	93,482	89,423	86,888	370,651	361,324	343,310
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	328,979	318,364	302,272
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	4,295	3,508	3,368
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32,447	32,369	34,619
Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	331	0	367
Policy Loans [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,502	8,997	9,235
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Investment Income, Operating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$102	$215	$50

Investment_Operations_Realized

Investment Operations Realized gains losses on investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities, Debt	$138,400,000		$156,300,000		$70,700,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-2,412,000		-17,027,000		-13,651,000
Gain (Loss) on Investments	13,555,000		452,000		-8,296,000
Categories of Investments, Cost-method Investments [Member]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) Mortgage Loans	0		767,000		0
Gains (Losses) on Real Estate	12,000		-25,000		0
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Other Assets	-166,000		'		'
Gain (Loss) Equity Investments	'		-13,000		13,000
Equity Securities [Member] | Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Realized gains/losses available for sale	0		309,000		-5,000
Debt Securities [Member] | Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross gains - Available-for-sale Securities	18,495,000		16,982,000		5,715,000
Gross losses - Available-for-sale Securities	-2,374,000		-541,000		-368,000
Credit related portion of fixed maturity losses [Member]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-618,000	[1]	-5,264,000	[1]	-1,454,000	[1]
Other credit related impairments [Member]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-1,794,000	[2]	-11,763,000	[2]	-12,197,000	[2]
Other credit related impairments [Member] | Categories of Investments, Cost-method Investments [Member]	'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	'		'		$4,700,000	[2]
[1]	Amount represents the credit-related losses recognized for fixed maturities which were not written down to fair value. As discussed above the non-credit portion of the losses have been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).
[2]	Amount represents credit-related losses for mortgage loans, real estate and fixed maturities written down to fair value.

Investment_Operations_Credit_l

Investment Operations Credit loss component of other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	($27,712)	($22,746)
Increases for which an impairment was not previously recognized	0	3,815
Increases to previously impaired investments	618	1,449
Reduction due to investment sold	5,944	215
Reductions due to change of intent to not hold investments	794	83
Balance at end of period	($21,592)	($27,712)

Investment_Operations_Variable

Investment Operations Variable interest entities (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity, Revenues	$4,300,000	$4,100,000	$4,900,000
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	17,646,000	16,914,000	'
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$17,646,000	$16,914,000	'

Investment_Operations_Derivati

Investment Operations Derivative instruments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Assets	$3.70	$5.60	'
Derivative Liability	-0.3	-0.5	'
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	($1.50)	$1.60	($0.50)

Investment_Operations_Other_De

Investment Operations Other (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'
Deposit Assets	$6,480.90
Investment, Non-Income Producing Flag	3.8
Available-for-sale Securities Pledged as Collateral	356
Other Commitment	$38.30

Fair_Value_Details

Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	$6,081,753,000	$6,265,745,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	91,555,000	86,253,000
Available-for-sale Securities	91,555,000	86,253,000
Mortgage loans	575,861,000	554,843,000
Policy loans	176,993,000	174,254,000
Derivative Assets	3,700,000	5,600,000
Restricted debt defeasance trust assets	'	211,600,000
Assets held in separate accounts	693,955,000	618,809,000
Liabilities related to separate accounts	693,955,000	618,809,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans, fair value disclosure	575,861,000	554,843,000
Policy Loans, Fair Value Disclosure	176,993,000	174,254,000
Derivative Assets	993,000	247,000
Cash and short-term investments, fair value disclosure	115,047,000	152,590,000
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure	2,678,000	5,326,000
Assets held in separate accounts	693,955,000	618,809,000
Future Policy Benefits, Fair Value Disclosure	3,360,519,000	3,226,765,000
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies, fair value disclosure	349,761,000	361,273,000
Advance premiums and other deposits, fair value disclosure	230,819,000	216,857,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	97,000,000	147,000,000
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	131,000
Liabilities related to separate accounts	693,955,000	618,809,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans, fair value disclosure	594,451,000	600,448,000
Policy Loans, Fair Value Disclosure	210,401,000	227,161,000
Derivative Assets	993,000	247,000
Cash and short-term investments, fair value disclosure	115,047,000	152,590,000
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure	2,678,000	5,326,000
Assets held in separate accounts	693,955,000	618,809,000
Future Policy Benefits, Fair Value Disclosure	3,371,706,000	3,352,252,000
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies, fair value disclosure	320,195,000	350,187,000
Advance premiums and other deposits, fair value disclosure	230,819,000	216,857,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	63,343,000	116,359,000
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	131,000
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,387,000	609,704,000
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	6,081,753,000	6,265,745,000
Debt Securities [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	6,081,753,000	6,265,745,000
Debt Securities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	6,081,753,000	6,265,745,000
Equity Securities [Member] | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	91,555,000	86,253,000
Equity Securities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	$91,555,000	$86,253,000

Fair_Value_Valuation_of_our_Fi

Fair Value Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis by Hierarchy Levels (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	$91,555		$86,253
Derivative Assets	3,700		5,600
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Derivative Assets	0		0
Cash and short-term investments, fair value disclosure	115,047		152,590
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets	693,955		618,809
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	827,588		789,056
Future Policy Benefits, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	'		0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	370,708		393,957
Derivative Assets	993		247
Cash and short-term investments, fair value disclosure	0		0
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure	2,678		5,326
Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets	0		0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	5,903,013		6,051,245
Future Policy Benefits, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	'		131
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0		131
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	247,585		281,278
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	85,835		95,756
Derivative Assets	0		0
Cash and short-term investments, fair value disclosure	0		0
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets	0		0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	255,380		288,669
Future Policy Benefits, Fair Value Disclosure	'		307
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	'		0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	286		307
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	66,450		60,492
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	456,543		489,713
Derivative Assets	993		247
Cash and short-term investments, fair value disclosure	115,047		152,590
Reinsurance Recoverable Fair Value Disclosure	2,678		5,326
Fair Value Measured on Recurring Basis Separate Account Assets	693,955		618,809
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	6,985,981		7,128,970
Future Policy Benefits, Fair Value Disclosure	286		307
Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	'		131
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	286		438
Corporate	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	3,306,779	[1]	3,295,583	[1]
Corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
Corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	3,224,785		3,195,120
Corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	81,994		100,463
Corporate | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	3,306,779		3,295,583
Residential mortgage-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	520,728		674,182
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	520,728		674,182
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	520,728		674,182
Commercial mortgage-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	404,667		510,819
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	0		0
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	332,955		434,538
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	71,712		76,281
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	71,712		76,281
Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed Securities Available-for-sale, Fair Value Disclosure	404,667		510,819
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	43,281		49,009
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	15,291		14,884
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	19,946		25,570
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	8,044		8,555
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	43,281		49,009
State, municipal and other governments	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	1,349,755		1,246,439
State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	1,349,755		1,246,216
State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		223
State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	1,349,755		1,246,439
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	66,450		60,492
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	58,655		53,101
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	7,795		7,391
Common stocks	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	25,105		25,761
Common stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	3,295		2,773
Common stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	21,810		22,988
Common stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
Common stocks | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	$25,105		$25,761
[1]	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $76.3 million at DecemberB 31, 2013 and $99.6 million at DecemberB 31, 2012. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $17.1 million at DecemberB 31, 2013 and $5.6 million at DecemberB 31, 2012.

Fair_Value_Level_3_Fixed_Matur

Fair Value Level 3 Fixed Maturity Securities on a recurring basis by valuation source (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	$91,555		$86,253
Commercial mortgage-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	404,667		510,819
percent of total	6.20%		5.40%
Other asset-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	456,543		489,713
percent of total	5.80%		38.10%
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	43,281		49,009
percent of total	0.20%		'
State, municipal and other governments	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	1,349,755		1,246,439
percent of total	25.00%		8.60%
Corporate	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	3,306,779	[1]	3,295,583	[1]
percent of total	56.00%		29.70%
Residential mortgage-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	520,728		674,182
percent of total	6.80%		18.20%
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	247,585		281,278
percent of total	100.00%		100.00%
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Third-party Vendor [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	204,571		235,354
percent of total	82.60%		83.70%
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Internally priced [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	43,014		45,924
percent of total	17.40%		16.30%
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	71,712		76,281
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Third-party Vendor [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	71,712		76,281
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Internally priced [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other asset-backed | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	85,835		95,756
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other asset-backed | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Third-party Vendor [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	65,003		79,320
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other asset-backed | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Internally priced [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	20,832		16,436
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	8,044		8,555
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Third-party Vendor [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	8,044		8,555
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Internally priced [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	0		223
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Third-party Vendor [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	'		223
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | State, municipal and other governments | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Internally priced [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	'		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	81,994		100,463
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Third-party Vendor [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	59,812		70,975
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Internally priced [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities	$22,182		$29,488
[1]	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $76.3 million at DecemberB 31, 2013 and $99.6 million at DecemberB 31, 2012. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $17.1 million at DecemberB 31, 2013 and $5.6 million at DecemberB 31, 2012.

Fair_Value_Quantitative_Inform

Fair Value Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	$255,380	$288,669
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	286	307
Corporate | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	46,023	54,538
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Credit spread	'Credit spread
Input range and weighted average	'0.91% - 17.08% (7.84%)	'0.78% - 9.21% (5.72%)
Mortgage-backed Securities, Issued by Private Enterprises [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	71,712	76,264
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Credit spread	'Credit spread
Input range and weighted average	'1.75% - 4.50% (2.95%)	'1.95% - 4.80% (3.35%)
Other asset-backed | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	38,305	43,119
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Credit spread	'Credit spread
Input range and weighted average	'0.74% - 5.06% (3.55%)	'1.24% - 6.07% (4.28%)
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	'	223
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'	'Credit spread
Input range and weighted average	'	'1.75% (1.75%)
Non-redeemable preferred stocks | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	7,795	7,391
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Credit spread	'Credit spread
Input range and weighted average	'3.81% (3.81%)	'6.00% (6.00%)
Asset fair value by technique [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	163,835	181,535
Index Annuity Embedded Derivatives [Member] | Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Discounted cash flow	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Credit risk Risk margin	'Credit risk Risk margin
Input range and weighted average	'0.30% - 1.70% (1.05%) 0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)	'1.00% - 2.50% (1.80%) 0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$286	$307

Fair_Value_Level_3_Financial_I

Fair Value Level 3 Financial Instruments changes in Fair Value recurring basis (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	$288,669		$294,829
Asset Purchases	40,625		73,916
Asset Sales	-22,407		-39,309
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		-191
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-7,363		8,589
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	9,270	[1]	102,842	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	-54,828	[1]	-153,913	[2]
Asset, Amortization	1,414		1,906
Asset Balance at end of period	255,380		288,669
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Liability Value beginning of period	307		33,446
Liability, Purchases	0		0
Liability, Settlements	-28		-33,181
Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		0
Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	7		42
Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0		0
Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Liability Value end of period	286		307
Residential mortgage-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	'		7,711
Asset Purchases	'		0
Asset Sales	'		0
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	'		0
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'		0
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	'		0	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'		-7,711	[2]
Asset, Amortization	'		0
Asset Balance at end of period	'		0
Commercial mortgage-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	76,281		27,899
Asset Purchases	0		5,105
Asset Sales	-660		-3,101
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		0
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-3,996		-1,251
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	59,096	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	-14,055	[2]
Asset, Amortization	87		86
Asset Balance at end of period	71,712		76,281
Other asset-backed	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	95,756		113,458
Asset Purchases	38,468		68,811
Asset Sales	-13,583		-11,351
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		44
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-971		-3,820
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	4,062	[1]	22,092	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	-39,155	[1]	-102,192	[2]
Asset, Amortization	1,258		1,162
Asset Balance at end of period	85,835		95,756
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	'		270
Asset Purchases	'		0
Asset Sales	'		-27
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	'		243
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'		0
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	'		0	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	'		0	[2]
Asset, Amortization	'		0
Asset Balance at end of period	'		0
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	8,555		12,588
Asset Purchases	0		0
Asset Sales	0		0
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		0
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-517		28
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	0	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	-4,010	[2]
Asset, Amortization	6		5
Asset Balance at end of period	8,044		8,555
State, municipal and other governments	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	223		12,044
Asset Purchases	0		0
Asset Sales	-218		-4,221
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		0
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-5		316
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	0	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	-7,845	[2]
Asset, Amortization	0		561
Asset Balance at end of period	0		223
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	7,391		14,447
Asset Purchases	0		0
Asset Sales	0		-5,105
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		105
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	71		749
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	5,208	[1]	0	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	-4,875	[1]	-2,805	[2]
Asset, Amortization	0		0
Asset Balance at end of period	7,795		7,391
Corporate	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance at beginning of period	100,463		106,412
Asset Purchases	2,157		0
Asset Sales	-7,946		-15,504
Asset, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		9
Gain/Loss in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-1,945		-3,113
Asset Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	21,654	[2]
Asset, Transfers out of Level 3	-10,798	[1]	-15,295	[2]
Asset, Amortization	63		92
Asset Balance at end of period	81,994		100,463
Index Annuity Embedded Derivatives [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Liability Value beginning of period	307		302
Liability, Purchases	0		0
Liability, Settlements	-28		-37
Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	0		0
Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	7		42
Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	0		0
Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	0		0
Liability Value end of period	286		307
Borrowings [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Liability Value beginning of period	'		33,144
Liability, Purchases	'		0
Liability, Settlements	'		-33,144
Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Earnings	'		0
Liability, Gain (Loss) Included in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'		0
Liability, Transfers Into Level 3	'		0
Liability, Transfers out of Level 3	'		0
Liability Value end of period	'		$0
[1]	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. Transfers out of Level 3 include those assets that we are now able to obtain pricing from a third party pricing vendor that uses observable inputs. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2013.
[2]	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. During 2012, we began using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs for a portion of our Level 3 investments for which non-binding broker quotes were previously used to estimate fair value. We believe the change in pricing sources is appropriate and consistent with our pricing waterfall policy to use higher level valuation methods when available. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2012.

Fair_Value_Valuation_of_Financ

Fair Value Valuation of Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Level (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	$575,861	$554,843
Policy loans	176,993	174,254
Liabilities related to separate accounts	693,955	618,809
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	594,451	600,448
Policy loans	210,401	227,161
Assets not measured at fair value	804,852	827,609
Future policy benefits not reported at fair value	3,371,420	3,351,945
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies, fair value disclosure	320,195	350,187
Advance premiums and other deposits, fair value disclosure	230,819	216,857
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	63,343	116,359
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,387	609,704
Liabilities not measured at fair value	4,672,164	4,645,052
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	0	0
Policy loans	0	0
Assets not measured at fair value	0	0
Future policy benefits not reported at fair value	0	0
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies, fair value disclosure	0	0
Advance premiums and other deposits, fair value disclosure	0	0
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	0	0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0	0
Liabilities not measured at fair value	0	0
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	0	0
Policy loans	0	0
Assets not measured at fair value	0	0
Future policy benefits not reported at fair value	0	0
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies, fair value disclosure	0	0
Advance premiums and other deposits, fair value disclosure	0	0
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	0	0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0	0
Liabilities not measured at fair value	0	0
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	594,451	600,448
Policy loans	210,401	227,161
Assets not measured at fair value	804,852	827,609
Future policy benefits not reported at fair value	3,371,420	3,351,945
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies, fair value disclosure	320,195	350,187
Advance premiums and other deposits, fair value disclosure	230,819	216,857
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	63,343	116,359
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,387	609,704
Liabilities not measured at fair value	$4,672,164	$4,645,052

Fair_Value_Level_3_Financial_I1

Fair Value Level 3 Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, current year impairment	$1.90	$1.60
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Period Increase (Decrease)	$0.20	$0.30

Reinsurance_and_Policy_Provisi2

Reinsurance and Policy Provisions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reinsurance retention limit	$1,500,000	'	'
Ceded Premiums Earned	29,360,000	28,863,000	30,766,000
Reinsurance Effect on Claims and Benefits Incurred, Amount Ceded	21,700,000	20,500,000	15,500,000
Assumed Premiums, Life Insurance in Force	613,281,000	612,850,000	588,791,000
Reinsurance effect on in force ceded, percentage	24.20%	23.10%	'
Ceded Premiums, Life Insurance in Force	13,220,004,000	11,999,297,000	11,031,493,000
Assumed Premiums Earned	786,000	638,000	439,000
Reinsurance Effect on Claims and Benefits Incurred, Amount Assumed	1,700,000	300,000	'
Contracts in Force Subject to Participation Through Reinsurance, Percentage	1.50%	1.50%	'
Catastropic loss reinsurance pool [Member]	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	7,700,000	'	'
100% Quota Share Accidental Death [Member]	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reinsurance retention limit	13,000,000	'	'
Company sponsored agent trip [Member] | 100% Quota Share Accidental Death [Member]	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	50,000,000	'	'
Home office [Member] | 100% Quota Share Accidental Death [Member]	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	$200,000,000	'	'

Reinsurance_and_Policy_Provisi3

Reinsurance and Policy Provisions Value of insurance in force acquired (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
				Scenario, Actual [Member]	Scenario, Actual [Member]	Scenario, Actual [Member]	Scenario, Actual [Member]
Movement in Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Value of insurance in force acquired	$17,154,000	$25,781,000	'	$29,935,000	$32,500,000	$38,062,000	$33,403,000
Accretion of interest during the year	902,000	1,068,000	1,266,000	'	'	'	'
Amortization of asset	-3,467,000	-6,630,000	3,393,000	'	'	'	'
Value of insurance in force acquired	23,579,000	17,154,000	25,781,000	29,935,000	32,500,000	38,062,000	33,403,000
Impact of net unrealized investment gains and losses	-6,356,000	-15,346,000	-12,281,000	'	'	'	'
Present Value of Future Insurance Profits, Amortization Expense	-2,600,000	6,900,000	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	2,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, Amortization Expense, Year Two	2,800,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, Amortization Expense, Year Three	2,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, Amortization Expense, Year Four	2,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible Assets Arising from Insurance Contracts Acquired in Business Combination, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$2,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Reinsurance_and_Policy_Provisi4

Reinsurance and Policy Provisions GMDB, IDB, GMIB (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, General Account Value	$2,400,000	$1,900,000	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	61,905,000	44,025,000	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Weighted Average Attained Age	'63 years	'60 years	'
Net amount at risk by product and guarantee, benefits paid	300,000	200,000	300,000
GMDB return of net deposits [Member]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Separate Account Value	195,593,000	178,443,000	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	791,000	1,346,000	'
Guaranteed Minimum Death Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Separate Account Value	315,176,000	282,973,000	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	3,150,000	7,177,000	'
Incremental Death Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Separate Account Value	283,556,000	252,925,000	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	57,964,000	35,502,000	'
Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit [Member]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Separate Account Value	42,850,000	38,072,000	'
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee, Net Amount at Risk	$0	$0	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$48,700,000	'	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]	'	'	'
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)	43,264,000	-8,717,000	27,637,000
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	6,058,000	48,788,000	-8,840,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	49,322,000	40,071,000	18,797,000
Tax impact of Income from Equity Method Investments	-11,050,000	-6,260,000	-890,000
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect	0	-382,000	23,003,000
Loss on sale of subsidiary, Tax Effect	0	-1,213,000	-29,198,000
Income Tax Effects Allocated Directly to Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses - deferred, Tax	-91,961,000	60,309,000	67,964,000
Issuance of shares under stock option plan, current	-1,657,000	-2,167,000	-164,000
Income Tax Effects Allocated Directly to Equity	-93,618,000	58,142,000	67,800,000
Total tax from all sources provided in our financial statements	($55,346,000)	$90,358,000	$79,512,000

Income_Taxes_Effective_tax_rat

Income Taxes Effective tax rate reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$150,305	$118,184	$69,722
Income Tax Reconciliation, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	52,607	41,364	24,400
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Exempt Income	-2,802	-1,741	-2,393
Income Tax Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Share-based Compensation Cost	-594	-341	-1,029
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	111	789	-2,181
Management fee income from affiliates	$49,322	$40,071	$18,797

Income_Taxes_Components_of_def

Income Taxes Components of deferred tax assets and liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Policyholder Liabilities	$22,754,000	$20,865,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits	12,048,000	11,957,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards	17,041,000	18,259,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Other	4,478,000	1,632,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	56,321,000	52,713,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other Comprehensive Income	90,360,000	219,372,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense, Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost	66,583,000	24,826,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other	22,217,000	16,948,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	179,160,000	261,146,000
Deferred income taxes	122,839,000	208,433,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$48,700,000	'

Income_Taxes_Other_tax_disclos

Income Taxes Other tax disclosures (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'
Liability for Uncertain Tax Positions, Noncurrent	$0.50	$0.50

Credit_Arrangements_Details

Credit Arrangements (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				Trust Preferred Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]	Senior Notes, affiliated [Member]	Senior Notes, unaffiliated [Member]	Capital trust equity [Member]	5% Subordinated Deferrable Interest Notes, due June 30, 2047 [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]	Trust Preferred Securities Subject to Mandatory Redemption [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt payable non-affiliates	'	$97,000,000	$97,000,000	'	'	$97,000,000	($3,000,000)	$100,000,000	'	$97,000,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	'	'	'	1,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'	'	97,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt payable to affiliates	'	0	50,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	225,000,000	'	'	'	50,000,000	175,000,000	'	'	'	'
Redemption amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$210,900,000	'

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	666,659	353,140	121,551	'
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	$20,156,000	$10,901,000	$13,277,000	'
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share	$0.60	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	$0.03	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share	$0.60	'	'	'
Shares of common stock repurchased	-1,387,378	-5,528,700	-412,975	'
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares	0	0	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-60,603,000	-181,890,000	-13,619,000	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	24,754,355	25,475,074	30,650,634	30,942,058
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	492,450,000	547,398,000	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments	93,300,000	'	'	'
Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	666,659	353,140	121,551	'
Board of directors members	'four to ten	'	'	'
Shares of common stock repurchased	-363,430	-5,528,700	-412,975	'
Purchase of shares of common stock	14,200,000	181,900,000	13,600,000	'
Common stock, without par value	134,993,000	115,706,000	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	24,742,942	24,282,184	29,457,644	29,749,068
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	157,529	100	'	'
Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	0	0	0	'
Board of directors members	'five to seven	'	'	'
Shares of common stock repurchased	-1,023,948	0	0	'
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares	-157,529	-100	'	'
Common stock, without par value	72,000	7,522,000	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	11,413	1,192,890	1,192,990	1,192,990
Class B tender offer [Member] | Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	105,930	'	'	'
Class B tender offer [Member] | Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share	$45.33	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-46,400,000	'	'	'
repurchase authorization [Member] | Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	230,000,000	'	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership after Transaction	71.00%	'	'	'
Common stocks	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	20,156,000	10,901,000	13,277,000	'
Purchase of common stock	-8,319,000	-24,879,000	-1,758,000	'
Common stock, without par value	135,065,000	123,228,000	137,206,000	125,687,000
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value	0	0	'	'
Common stocks | Common Class A	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	20,156,000	10,901,000	13,277,000	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	993,000	0	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-1,862,000	-24,879,000	-1,758,000	'
Common stock, without par value	134,993,000	115,706,000	129,684,000	118,165,000
Common stocks | Common Class B	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	0	0	0	'
Purchase of common stock	-6,457,000	0	0	'
Common stock, without par value	72,000	7,522,000	7,522,000	7,522,000
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value	($993,000)	$0	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_AOCI_table

Stockholders' Equity AOCI table (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$119,067		$289,853		$177,845		$51,644
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	-159,941		136,273		133,343		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	-10,845		-24,265		-7,142		'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-1,798	[1]	8,051	[1]	5	[1]	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	126,587		306,167		190,449		67,777
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	-169,627		125,948		125,548		'
Accumulated Other-than-Temporary Impairment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-1,366		-8,362		-12,703		-16,237
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	9,686		10,325		7,795		'
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-6,154		-7,952		99		104
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	0		0		0		'
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	-9,953		-10,230		-2,876		'
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Other-than-Temporary Impairment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, Net of Tax	-2,690		-5,984		-4,261		'
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	$1,798		($8,051)		($5)		'
[1]	Other comprehensive income is recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities.

Stockholders_Equity_AOCI_Recla

Stockholders' Equity AOCI Reclassifications (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	$15,967		$17,479		$5,355
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	2,412		17,027		13,651
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	-10,845		-24,265		-7,142
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	-1,798	[1]	8,051	[1]	5	[1]
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	-16,121		-16,750		-5,342
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	921		1,178		918
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-4,250		-9,372		-6,555
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax	-11		35		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	2,777		-12,421		-8
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax	-16,684		-37,330		-10,987
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax	5,839		13,065		3,845
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax	-10,845		-24,265		-7,142
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	-16,121		-16,750		-5,342
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	809		1,012		918
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax	0		0		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	0		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax	-15,312		-15,738		-4,424
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	5,359		5,508		1,548
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	-9,953		-10,230		-2,876
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Other-than-Temporary Impairment [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	0		0		0
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	112		166		0
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net	-4,250		-9,372		-6,555
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax	0		0		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	0		0		0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, before Tax	-4,138		-9,206		-6,555
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, Tax	1,448		3,222		2,294
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Write-down of Securities, Net of Tax	-2,690		-5,984		-4,261
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	0		0		0
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	0		0		0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax	-11		35		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax	2,777		-12,421		-8
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax	2,766		-12,386		-8
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax	-968		4,335		3
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	$1,798		($8,051)		($5)
[1]	Other comprehensive income is recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities.

Stockholders_Equity_Dividend_d

Stockholders' Equity Dividend disclosures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Common Stock Special Dividends Per Share Cash Paid	'	$2	'	'
Payment Of Special Cash Dividend	'	$51,400,000	'	'
Dividend Payments Restrictions Schedule, Statutory Capital and Surplus	'	359,000,000	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments	'	93,300,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	$120,000,000	$140,000,000	$45,000,000	$29,139,000

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl3

Retirement and Compensation Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Tax Identification Number	'421411715	'	'
Multiemployer Plan Number	'001	'	'
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	$22,500	$15,000	$15,000

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl4

Retirement and Compensation Plans Funding Status and Net Periodic Pension Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	$250,820,000	$220,000,000	'
FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	330,320,000	283,613,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	6,472,000	8,117,000	7,938,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	13,384,000	12,706,000	12,620,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	-41,794,000	43,015,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-15,933,000	-17,131,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	292,449,000	330,320,000	283,613,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets beginning of period	220,000,000	205,054,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	24,253,000	17,077,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	22,500,000	15,000,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	15,933,000	17,131,000	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	250,820,000	220,000,000	205,054,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-41,629,000	-110,320,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	266,891,000	291,728,000	'
FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	26,664,000	26,562,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	252,000	442,000	258,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,035,000	1,160,000	1,215,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Gain (Loss)	-1,305,000	1,890,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	-3,381,000	-3,390,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation	23,265,000	26,664,000	26,562,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets beginning of period	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets	0	0	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	3,381,000	3,390,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid	3,381,000	3,390,000	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-23,265,000	-26,664,000	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation	$21,944,000	$24,642,000	'

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl5

Retirement and Compensation Plans Net periodic pension costs incurred by the plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	$6,472,000	$8,117,000	$7,938,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	13,384,000	12,706,000	12,620,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	-15,666,000	-14,081,000	-13,845,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	144,000	424,000	1,724,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	12,468,000	9,467,000	7,003,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	16,802,000	16,633,000	15,440,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)	100,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)	5,400,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	15,000,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	23,000,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	24,100,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	23,100,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	19,700,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	21,400,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	102,500,000	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year	4,900,000	'	'
FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost	252,000	442,000	258,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost	1,035,000	1,160,000	1,215,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-11,000	-11,000	-225,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)	1,267,000	1,108,000	890,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	2,543,000	2,699,000	2,138,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)	-100,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Future Amortization of Gain (Loss)	1,100,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year, Description	'3.4	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	3,400,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Two	3,600,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Three	3,100,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Four	2,000,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Year Five	2,000,000	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter	9,100,000	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc participant in other plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Next Fiscal Year, Description	'1.7	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member] | FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	5,363,000	5,437,000	5,758,000
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member] | FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$1,436,000	$1,533,000	$1,131,000

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl6

Retirement and Compensation Plans FBL's share of prepaid or accrued pension costs (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Multiemployer unrecognized liability for underfunded status	$41,600,000		$110,300,000
FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits	16,330,000		14,511,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities	0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	16,330,000		14,511,000
FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits	1,284,000		696,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities	-17,302,000		-19,608,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	-16,018,000		-18,912,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax	9,701,000	[1]	12,274,000	[1]
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Net Prior Service Cost Credit, after Tax	-24,000	[1]	-35,000	[1]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	$9,677,000	[1]	$12,239,000	[1]
[1]	During 2012, we determined that our nonqualified employee benefit plans should apply single employer plan accounting. The change had no impact on earnings, although it resulted in an immaterial reduction of accumulated other comprehensive income.

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl7

Retirement and Compensation Plans Weighted average assumptions (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate	4.99%	4.18%	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase	3.00%	3.00%	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate	4.18%	4.67%	5.09%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets	7.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase	3.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	'0.55	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	57.00%	'	'
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	'0.40	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	42.00%	'	'
Alternative investments [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage	'0.05	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations	1.00%	'	'

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl8

Retirement and Compensation Plans Fair Values of plan assets by category and hierarchy (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$250,820,000	$220,000,000		'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	62,209,000	51,041,000		'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	56,257,000	46,449,000		'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	132,354,000	122,510,000		115,980,000
Equity Funds [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	31,325,000	30,535,000	[1]	'
Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	31,325,000	30,535,000	[1]	'
Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	24,934,000	25,495,000	[1]	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	24,934,000	25,495,000	[1]	'
U.S. Equity Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Private Equity Funds, Foreign [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	30,884,000	20,506,000	[1]	'
Private Equity Funds, Foreign [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	30,884,000	20,506,000	[1]	'
Private Equity Funds, Foreign [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Private Equity Funds, Foreign [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,904,000	520,000	[1]	'
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,904,000	520,000	[1]	'
Money Market Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Fixed Income Funds [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	12,166,000	10,504,000	[1]	'
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	12,166,000	10,504,000	[1]	'
Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Real Estate Funds [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	12,253,000	9,930,000	[1]	'
Real Estate Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Real Estate Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	12,253,000	9,930,000	[1]	'
Real Estate Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[1]	'
Group annuity contract [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	117,226,000	109,275,000	[2]	'
Group annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[2]	'
Group annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[2]	'
Group annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	117,226,000	109,275,000	[2]	101,970,000
Funded annuity contract [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	12,932,000	13,235,000	[2]	'
Funded annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[2]	'
Funded annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0	[2]	'
Funded annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	12,932,000	13,235,000	[2]	14,010,000
Limited partnership [Member]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,196,000	'		'
Limited partnership [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	'		'
Limited partnership [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	'		'
Limited partnership [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets	$2,196,000	$0		'
[1]	Represents mutual funds and pooled separate account investments with Principal Life Insurance Company.
[2]	Represents group annuity contracts with Farm Bureau Life

Retirement_and_Compensation_Pl9

Retirement and Compensation Plans Level 3 plan assets changes in fair value (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	$250,820,000		$220,000,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets beginning of period	122,510,000		115,980,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	3,948,000		1,217,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	5,896,000		5,313,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Transfers Between Measurement Levels	0	[1]	0	[2]
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	132,354,000		122,510,000
Funded annuity contract [Member]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	12,932,000		13,235,000	[3]
Funded annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets beginning of period	13,235,000	[3]	14,010,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	-1,103,000		-1,621,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	800,000		846,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Transfers Between Measurement Levels	0	[1]	0	[2]
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	12,932,000		13,235,000	[3]
Real Estate Funds [Member]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	12,253,000		9,930,000	[4]
Real Estate Funds [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	0		0	[4]
Limited partnership [Member]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	2,196,000		'
Limited partnership [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets beginning of period	0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	2,258,000		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	-62,000		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Transfers Between Measurement Levels	0	[1]	'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	2,196,000		'
Group annuity contract [Member]	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	117,226,000		109,275,000	[3]
Group annuity contract [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3	'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]	'		'
Fair Value of Plan Assets beginning of period	109,275,000	[3]	101,970,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements	2,793,000		2,838,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Still Held	5,158,000		4,467,000
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets Sold During Period	0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Transfers Between Measurement Levels	0	[1]	0	[2]
Fair Value of Plan Assets, End of period	$117,226,000		$109,275,000	[3]
[1]	{F|ahBzfndlYmZpbGluZ3MtaHJkcmoLEgZYTUxEb2MiXlhCUkxEb2NHZW5JbmZvOmQ1NzVhOGIyMmVjMzRlMzI5YWUwYTVjMzFmOTZmMWNkfFRleHRTZWxlY3Rpb246REQzNDVCMDY3MzZBNkEzNzcxNDEyNDBBRTc4NTk5ODgM}
[2]	Transfers into Level 3 represent assets previously priced using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs no longer available and therefore, were priced using non-binding broker quotes. During 2012, we began using an external pricing service with access to observable inputs for a portion of our Level 3 investments for which non-binding broker quotes were previously used to estimate fair value. We believe the change in pricing sources is appropriate and consistent with our pricing waterfall policy to use higher level valuation methods when available. There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during 2012.
[3]	Represents group annuity contracts with Farm Bureau Life
[4]	Represents mutual funds and pooled separate account investments with Principal Life Insurance Company.

Recovered_Sheet1

Retirement and Compensation Plans Other retirement plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	($1,798,000)	[1]	$8,051,000	[1]	$5,000	[1]
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	1,800,000		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'		900,000		900,000
Health and medical post retirement plans [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	100,000		100,000		100,000
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	$200,000		($100,000)		$0
Minimum [Member] | 100% employer match [Member] | Defined Contribution Pension [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined contribution plan, employer discretionary percentage	2.75%		'		'
Maximum [Member] | 100% employer match [Member] | Defined Contribution Pension [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent	4.00%		'		'
Defined contribution plan, employer discretionary percentage	5.75%		'		'
Maximum [Member] | 100% employer match [Member] | Defined Contribution Plan Grandfathered Choice Participant [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent	2.00%		'		'
Maximum [Member] | 50% employer match [Member] | Defined Contribution Pension [Member]	'		'		'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]	'		'		'
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent	2.00%		'		'
[1]	Other comprehensive income is recorded net of deferred income taxes and other adjustments for assumed changes in deferred acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities.

Recovered_Sheet2

Retirement and Compensation Plans Share based compensation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'		'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	2.01%		'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	1.30%		'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate	67.00%		'	'
Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'		'	'5 years 2 months
Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Number	651,497		1,311,668	'
Options, Exercises in Period	-652,308		'	'
Options, Forfeitures in Period	-7,863		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Number	651,497		1,311,668	'
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number	650,555		'	'
Options, Exercisable, Number	495,443		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$28.67		'	'
Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$29.73		'	'
Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$28.55		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$27.61		$28.67	'
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$27.61		'	'
Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$29.54		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 11 months 12 days		'	'
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 11 months 12 days		'	'
Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 2 months 26 days		'	'
Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value	$11,193,000	[1]	'	'
Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value	7,557,000	[1]	'	'
Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	11,175,000	[1]	'	'
Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'		'	$14.90
Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value	6,600,000		5,400,000	3,500,000
Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	100,000		'	'
Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'1 year 0 months		'	'
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	19,400,000		9,700,000	7,500,000
Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	2,300,000		1,800,000	1,100,000
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units beginning	142,648		'	'
Stock units, Forfeited in Period	-210		'	'
Stock units, Vested in Period	-142,438		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	0		142,648	'
Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$0		$19.96	'
Stock units, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$19.96		'	'
Stock units, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$19.96		'	'
Nonvested stock released to employees, tax benefit	1,700,000		1,600,000	100,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	666,659		353,140	121,551
Number of Shares Available for Grant	3,430,142		'	'
Class A common stock compensation plans [Member]	'		'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'		'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	300,000		2,100,000	5,000,000
Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	100,000		900,000	1,900,000
Cash-based restricted stock unit plan [Member]	'		'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'		'	'
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	1,000,000		200,000	600,000
Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	600,000		100,000	300,000
Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	3,500,000		'	'
Nonvested Awards, Total Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	'2 years 3 months 22 days		'	'
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units beginning	85,559		'	'
Stock units, Grants in Period	61,140		'	'
Stock units, Forfeited in Period	-8,456		'	'
Stock units, Vested in Period	-20,277		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	117,966		85,559	'
Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$34.92		$34.91	'
Stock units, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$34.94		$35.10	'
Stock units, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$35.01		'	'
Stock units, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$34.94		'	'
Directors stock grants-cash based units [Member]	'		'	'
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	17,295		12,073	'
Directors nonrestricted Class A stock grants [Member]	'		'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'		'	'
Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	'		300,000	0
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	58,159		110,971	'
Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	'		'	24,806
Number of Shares Available for Grant	119,234		'	'
Executive Salary and Bonus Deferred Compensation Plan-cash based units [Member]	'		'	'
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	13,308		3,189	'
Executive Salary and Bonus Deferred Compensation Plan [Member]	'		'	'
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	98,630		97,903	'
Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of Shares Available for Grant	111,047		'	'
Executive excess 401(k) plan-cash based units [Member]	'		'	'
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	93		44	'
Executive excess 401(k) plan [Member]	'		'	'
Nonvested & restricted Stock Units, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'		'	'
Number of shares or units end of period	4,355		4,122	'
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]	'		'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'		'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'		900,000	900,000
Health and medical post retirement plans [Member]	'		'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'		'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost	$100,000		$100,000	$100,000
[1]	Represents the difference between the share price and exercise price for each option, excluding options where the exercise price is above the share price, at December 31, 2013.

Managment_and_Other_Agreements1

Managment and Other Agreements (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty insurance company [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equipment Expense	$1,100,000	$1,100,000	$1,000,000
Management Fees Revenue	1,800,000	1,900,000	3,700,000
Professional and Contract Services Expense	9,700,000	10,000,000	9,700,000
Subsidiary of Common Parent [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Professional and Contract Services Expense	900,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Majority Shareholder [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Royalty Expense	500,000	500,000	500,000
Royalty agreement restriction	$0.10	'	'
Other Farm Bureau organizations [Member]	'	'	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'
Royalty Expense	$1,800,000	$1,400,000	$1,500,000

Committments_and_Contingencies1

Committments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Change in state insurance guaranty fund	($0.10)	$0.10	$0.10
Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent	1.4	1.6	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months	2.3	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	2.3	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	2.3	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	2.3	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	2.3	'	'
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	$7	'	'

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	'	$26,952,000	$27,053,000	$29,587,000	$24,966,000	$22,586,000	$20,476,000	$20,291,000	$16,587,000	$108,558,000	$79,940,000	$40,739,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	22,000	55,000	-84,000	-2,932,000	0	-2,939,000	-11,464,000
Dividends on preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	150,000	150,000	150,000
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	108,408,000	82,729,000	52,053,000
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,508,522	27,497,146	30,726,009
Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	265,893	341,402	489,014
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,774,415	27,838,548	31,215,023
Income from continuing operations	'	$1.08	$1.05	$1.14	$0.97	$0.87	$0.77	$0.74	$0.64	$4.25	$3.01	$1.69
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1.84	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0	($0.10)	$0	($0.11)	($0.37)
Earnings per common share	'	'	'	'	'	$0.87	$0.77	$0.74	$0.54	$4.25	$2.90	$1.32
Income from continuing operations	'	$1.07	$1.04	$1.13	$0.96	$0.86	$0.76	$0.73	$0.63	$4.21	$2.97	$1.67
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1.81	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0	($0.10)	$0	($0.10)	($0.37)
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	'	'	'	'	'	$0.86	$0.76	$0.73	$0.53	$4.21	$2.87	$1.30
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	790,216	1,042,587
Dividend Payments Restrictions Schedule, Statutory Capital and Surplus	'	$359,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$359,000,000	'	'

Statutory_Insurance_Informatio2

Statutory Insurance Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Statutory accounting practices, net gain from operations	'	$93,306,000	$92,988,000	$87,792,000
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Net Income Amount	'	94,583,000	86,589,000	72,653,000
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus, Balance	'	492,450,000	547,398,000	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required	'	111,800,000	'	'
Statutory RBC Total adjusted capital	'	558,400,000	'	'
Statutory RBC Ratio	'	499.00%	'	'
Dividend Payments Restrictions Schedule, Statutory Capital and Surplus	'	359,000,000	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments	'	93,300,000	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	$120,000,000	$140,000,000	$45,000,000	$29,139,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income pre-tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$134,578	$116,507	$111,058
Income tax on operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-33,985	-33,748	-32,240
Realized gains losses on investments net of offsets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,206	-477	-5,983
Derivatives unrealized gain net of offsets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-241	619	932
Loss on debt redemption net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	-22	-21,564
Revenues	172,984	173,516	176,683	168,048	164,594	165,359	165,982	159,605	691,231	655,540	618,337
Realized gains on investments related to revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,597	465	-8,286
Derivative unrealized related to revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,005	1,778	447
Net investment income	93,561	93,382	92,898	90,810	91,531	93,482	89,423	86,888	370,651	361,324	343,310
Investment Income, Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	372,656	359,546	342,863
Investment Income, Nonoperating	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,005	1,778	447
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	28,422	41,132	32,050
Other Depreciation and Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	28,773	39,223	32,118
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Net Investment Gains (Losses)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	973	1,200	919
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,324	709	-987
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	'	22	55	-84	-2,932	0	-2,939	-11,464
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	26,952	27,053	29,587	24,966	22,586	20,476	20,291	16,587	108,558	79,940	40,739
Annuity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income pre-tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	63,592	55,910	58,263
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	197,539	192,001	182,640
Net investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	196,303	191,211	181,974
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,186	8,271	8,469
Life Insurance	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income pre-tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	48,814	43,741	50,502
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	385,325	367,853	352,956
Net investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	140,510	138,076	134,999
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	19,430	25,727	14,981
Corporate and Other	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating income pre-tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,172	16,856	2,293
Revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	96,775	93,443	90,580
Net investment income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	35,843	30,259	25,890
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,157	$5,225	$8,668

Segment_Information_Segment_as

Segment Information Segment assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$9,900,000	$9,900,000	'
Proceeds from Insurance Premiums Collected	635,600,000	646,300,000	678,900,000
Assets	8,461,323,000	8,417,726,000	'
Segment assets	8,268,531,000	7,973,142,000	'
Unrealized Gains on assets in AOCI	192,792,000	444,584,000	'
Annuity	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	3,900,000	3,900,000	'
Assets	3,778,018,000	3,627,891,000	'
Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Assets	1,701,368,000	1,735,996,000	'
Life Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	6,100,000	6,100,000	'
Proceeds from Insurance Premiums Collected	307,474,000	255,709,000	229,468,000
Assets	2,789,145,000	2,609,255,000	'
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty insurance company [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Lease income	$2,200,000	$2,400,000	$1,800,000

Segment_Information_Reconcilia

Segment Information Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	$111,575	$101,410	$97,103
Proceeds from Insurance Premiums Collected	635,600	646,300	678,900
Increase (Decrease) in Premiums Receivable	741	589	-247
Traditional life insurance premiums	180,944	175,086	168,519
Annuity	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	1,236	775	664
Traditional life insurance premiums	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds from Insurance Premiums Collected	180,203	174,497	168,766
Life Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	64,245	54,909	49,147
Proceeds from Insurance Premiums Collected	307,474	255,709	229,468
Life insurance - interest sensitive [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Proceeds from Insurance Premiums Collected	127,271	81,212	60,702
Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	46,094	45,726	47,292
Admiin charges [Member] | Life Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	19,602	11,726	9,922
Admiin charges [Member] | Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	6,138	5,975	6,317
Cost of insurance charges [Member] | Life Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	42,697	39,886	37,334
Cost of insurance charges [Member] | Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	29,567	29,638	29,794
Surrender charges [Member] | Life Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	484	943	578
Surrender charges [Member] | Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	525	780	1,151
Separate account charges [Member] | Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	8,742	8,372	8,748
Amortization of policy initiation fees [Member] | Life Insurance	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	1,462	2,354	1,313
Amortization of policy initiation fees [Member] | Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	$1,122	$961	$1,282

Segment_Information_Premium_co

Segment Information Premium concentration (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
IOWA	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	27.60%	28.70%	26.50%
KANSAS	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	20.00%	21.90%	20.90%
OKLAHOMA	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk, Percentage	7.70%	7.30%	9.20%

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Premiums and product charges	'	$73,275,000	$76,153,000	$72,853,000	$70,238,000	$70,519,000	$67,524,000	$70,098,000	$68,355,000	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	93,561,000	93,382,000	92,898,000	90,810,000	91,531,000	93,482,000	89,423,000	86,888,000	370,651,000	361,324,000	343,310,000
Realized gains (losses) on investments	'	2,340,000	693,000	7,236,000	3,286,000	-1,099,000	1,462,000	732,000	-643,000	13,555,000	452,000	30,096,000	[1]
Revenues	'	172,984,000	173,516,000	176,683,000	168,048,000	164,594,000	165,359,000	165,982,000	159,605,000	691,231,000	655,540,000	618,337,000
Net income from continuing operations	'	26,917,000	26,985,000	29,553,000	24,938,000	22,533,000	20,487,000	20,277,000	19,499,000	108,393,000	82,796,000	52,209,000
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	22,000	55,000	-84,000	-2,932,000	0	-2,939,000	-11,464,000
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	'	26,952,000	27,053,000	29,587,000	24,966,000	22,586,000	20,476,000	20,291,000	16,587,000	108,558,000	79,940,000	40,739,000
Income from continuing operations	'	$1.08	$1.05	$1.14	$0.97	$0.87	$0.77	$0.74	$0.64	$4.25	$3.01	$1.69
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1.84	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0	($0.10)	$0	($0.11)	($0.37)
Earnings per common share	'	'	'	'	'	$0.87	$0.77	$0.74	$0.54	$4.25	$2.90	$1.32
Income from continuing operations	'	$1.07	$1.04	$1.13	$0.96	$0.86	$0.76	$0.73	$0.63	$4.21	$2.97	$1.67
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1.81	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0	($0.10)	$0	($0.10)	($0.37)
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	'	'	'	'	'	$0.86	$0.76	$0.73	$0.53	$4.21	$2.87	$1.30
Loss on debt redemption net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	22,000	21,564,000
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Effect of Adjustments to Estimated Gross Profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$4,800,000	'
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.

Sale_of_EquiTrust_Life_Busines2

Sale of EquiTrust Life Business (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds received from sale of subsidiary	$462,100,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on sale of subsidiary, net of tax	56,400,000	'	'	'	'	0	2,252,000	54,143,000	[1]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1.84	$0	$0	$0	($0.10)	$0	($0.11)	($0.37)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$1.81	$0	$0	$0	($0.10)	$0	($0.10)	($0.37)
Transaction costs on sale of subsidiary	'	'	'	'	'	12,500,000	'	'
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	'	'	'	'	0	-687,000	42,679,000
Revenue from discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	436,391,000
Operating expense of discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	-214,000	-358,753,000
Interest expense related to discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	-855,000	-13,818,000
Equity income of discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	1,862,000
Tax related to discontinued operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	$382,000	($23,003,000)
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.

Sale_of_EquiTrust_Life_Busines3

Sale of EquiTrust Life Business Notes redemption (Details) (USD $)	2 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
			Senior Notes, affiliated [Member]	Senior Notes, unaffiliated [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]	Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	Short-term Investments [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$225	'	$50	$175	'	'	'
Redemption amount	'	'	'	'	210.9	'	'
Restricted debt defeasance trust assets	'	211.6	'	'	'	126.4	85.2
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative Liability	'	$33.10	'	'	'	'	'

Sch_I_Schedule_of_Investments_

Sch I. Schedule of Investments (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	$6,785,923	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	7,040,002
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	5,828,539	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	6,081,753
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	6,081,753
All Other Corporate Bonds [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	3,142,476	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	3,306,779
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	3,306,779
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	1,328,882	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	1,381,938
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	1,381,938
US Government and Government Agencies and Authorities [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	39,261	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	43,281
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	43,281
State, municipal and other governments	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	1,317,920	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	1,349,755
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	1,349,755
Equity Securities, Investment Summary [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	90,071	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	91,555
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	91,555
Banks, Trust and Insurance, Equities [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	21,810	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	21,810
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	21,810
Industrial, Miscellaneous, and All Others [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	2,569	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	3,295
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	3,295
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	65,692	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Fair Value	66,450
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	66,450
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	576,880	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	575,861
Real Estate Investment [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	4,101	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	4,084	[2]
Policy Loans [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	176,993	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	176,993
Short-term Investments [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	108,677	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	108,677
Other Long-term Investments [Member]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Reportable Data [Line Items]	'
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Cost	662	[1]
Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in Related Parties, Carrying Amount	$1,079
[1]	On the basis of cost adjusted for repayments and amortization of premiums and accrual of discounts for fixed maturities and short-term investments; original cost for equity securities, real estate and other investments; and unpaid principal balance for mortgage loans and policy loans.
[2]	Amount shown on balance sheet differs from cost due to depreciation and allowance for possible losses deducted from cost.

Sch_II_Condensed_Financial_Inf1

Sch II - Condensed Financial Information on Registrant (Details) (USD $)

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities

'

$6,081,753

'

'

'

$6,265,745

'

'

'

$6,081,753

$6,265,745

'

'

Short-term investments

'

108,677

'

'

'

74,516

'

'

'

108,677

74,516

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

'

6,370

'

'

'

78,074

'

'

'

6,370

78,074

296,339

[1]

4,794

[1]

Amounts receivable from affiliates

'

3,145

'

'

'

3,931

'

'

'

3,145

3,931

'

'

Accrued investment income

'

75,186

'

'

'

69,965

'

'

'

75,186

69,965

'

'

Current income taxes recoverable

'

0

'

'

'

6,735

'

'

'

0

6,735

'

'

Other assets

'

67,266

'

'

'

59,238

'

'

'

67,266

59,238

'

'

Assets

'

8,461,323

'

'

'

8,417,726

'

'

'

8,461,323

8,417,726

'

'

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts payable to affiliates

'

408

'

'

'

1,658

'

'

'

408

1,658

'

'

Current income taxes

'

1,499

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

1,499

0

'

'

Long-term debt payable to affiliates

'

0

'

'

'

50,000

'

'

'

0

50,000

'

'

Long-term debt payable non-affiliates

'

97,000

'

'

'

97,000

'

'

'

97,000

97,000

'

'

Liabilities

'

7,416,532

'

'

'

7,205,479

'

'

'

7,416,532

7,205,479

'

'

Preferred stock

'

3,000

'

'

'

3,000

'

'

'

3,000

3,000

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive income

'

119,067

'

'

'

289,853

'

'

'

119,067

289,853

177,845

51,644

Retained earnings

'

787,609

'

'

'

796,110

'

'

'

787,609

796,110

'

'

Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

'

1,044,741

'

'

'

1,212,191

'

'

'

1,044,741

1,212,191

'

'

Liabilities and Equity

'

8,461,323

'

'

'

8,417,726

'

'

'

8,461,323

8,417,726

'

'

Revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net investment income

'

93,561

93,382

92,898

90,810

91,531

93,482

89,423

86,888

370,651

361,324

343,310

'

Realized gains (losses) on investments

'

2,340

693

7,236

3,286

-1,099

1,462

732

-643

13,555

452

30,096

[1]

'

Management fee income from affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49,322

40,071

18,797

'

Other income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,506

17,268

17,701

'

Revenues

'

172,984

173,516

176,683

168,048

164,594

165,359

165,982

159,605

691,231

655,540

618,337

'

Costs and Expenses [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,863

7,952

8,532

'

Loss on debt redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

33

33,176

'

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,305

118,184

69,722

'

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-687

42,679

'

Loss on sale of subsidiary

-56,400

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-2,252

-54,143

[1]

'

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

22

55

-84

-2,932

0

-2,939

-11,464

'

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.

'

26,952

27,053

29,587

24,966

22,586

20,476

20,291

16,587

108,558

79,940

40,739

'

Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Investments in subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)

'

1,021,684

'

'

'

1,219,355

'

'

'

1,021,684

1,219,355

'

'

Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities

'

71,507

'

'

'

52,480

'

'

'

71,507

52,480

'

'

Short-term investments

'

31,078

'

'

'

24,502

'

'

'

31,078

24,502

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

'

0

'

'

'

47,994

'

'

'

0

47,994

195,805

815

Accrued investment income

'

276

'

'

'

447

'

'

'

276

447

'

'

Current income taxes recoverable

'

0

'

'

'

173

'

'

'

0

173

'

'

Deferred income tax assets

'

21,879

'

'

'

24,822

'

'

'

21,879

24,822

'

'

Other assets

'

9,489

'

'

'

7,309

'

'

'

9,489

7,309

'

'

Assets

'

1,159,655

'

'

'

1,381,589

'

'

'

1,159,655

1,381,589

'

'

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

'

17,028

'

'

'

20,740

'

'

'

17,028

20,740

'

'

Amounts payable to affiliates

'

408

'

'

'

1,658

'

'

'

408

1,658

'

'

Current income taxes

'

478

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

478

0

'

'

Long-term debt payable to affiliates

'

0

'

'

'

50,000

'

'

'

0

50,000

'

'

Long-term debt payable non-affiliates

'

97,000

'

'

'

97,000

'

'

'

97,000

97,000

'

'

Liabilities

'

114,914

'

'

'

169,398

'

'

'

114,914

169,398

'

'

Preferred stock

'

3,000

'

'

'

3,000

'

'

'

3,000

3,000

'

'

Accumulated other comprehensive income

'

119,067

'

'

'

289,853

'

'

'

119,067

289,853

'

'

Retained earnings

'

787,609

'

'

'

796,110

'

'

'

787,609

796,110

'

'

Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity

'

1,044,741

'

'

'

1,212,191

'

'

'

1,044,741

1,212,191

'

'

Liabilities and Equity

'

1,159,655

'

'

'

1,381,589

'

'

'

1,159,655

1,381,589

'

'

Revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net investment income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,120

557

396

'

Realized gains (losses) on investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33

-25

0

'

Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)

'

'

120,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

140,000

45,000

29,139

'

Management fee income from affiliates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,316

4,010

16,945

'

Other income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22

3,804

1,791

'

Revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

146,007

53,498

37,305

'

Costs and Expenses [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,967

7,935

8,532

'

Loss on debt redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

33

33,176

'

General and administrative expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9,582

12,902

9,185

'

Total expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,549

20,870

50,893

'

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

129,458

32,628

-13,588

'

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

134,774

36,638

3,357

'

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-687

27,110

'

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-26,216

46,241

64,415

'

Net income from continuing operations, parent plus equity income in subsidiaries

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

108,558

82,879

67,772

'

Loss on sale of subsidiary

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-2,252

-54,143

'

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-2,939

-27,033

'

Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

108,558

79,940

40,739

'

Common Class A

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, without par value

'

134,993

'

'

'

115,706

'

'

'

134,993

115,706

'

'

Common Class A | Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, without par value

'

134,993

'

'

'

115,706

'

'

'

134,993

115,706

'

'

Common Class B

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, without par value

'

72

'

'

'

7,522

'

'

'

72

7,522

'

'

Common Class B | Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, without par value

'

72

'

'

'

7,522

'

'

'

72

7,522

'

'

Affiliated Entity [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts receivable from affiliates

'

3,145

'

'

'

3,931

'

'

'

3,145

3,931

'

'

Revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management Fees Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,760

1,907

3,701

'

Subsidiaries [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets [Abstract]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts receivable from affiliates

'

597

'

'

'

576

'

'

'

597

576

'

'

Subsidiaries [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Management Fees Revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,072

2,255

2,278

'

Dividends in form of cash [Member] | Parent Company [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$92,135

$5,089

$29,139

'

[1]

Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.

Sch_II_Condensed_Financial_Inf2

Sch II - Condensed Financial Information on Registrant Cash Flow (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	'	$182,275	$206,479		$359,426	[1]
Short-term investments, net change	'	-34,161	-32,760		306,839	[1]
Proceeds received from sale of subsidiary	'	0	9,315		-471,431	[1]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	'	-277,961	-548,706		272,128	[1]
Transfer from (to) restricted debt defeasance trusts	'	0	211,627		-211,627	[1]
Repayments of debt	'	-50,000	-174,258		-50,000	[1]
Excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation	'	1,964	2,393		656	[1]
Repurchase of common stock, net	'	-43,707	-173,253		-5,869	[1]
Dividends paid	'	-64,775	-11,082		-8,917	[1]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	'	23,982	123,962		-340,009	[1]
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	'	-71,704	-218,265		291,545	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	6,370	78,074		296,339	[1]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	'	78,074	296,339	[1]	4,794	[1]
Income Taxes Paid, Net	'	-21,001	27,957		-52,852	[1]
Cash paid during the period for interest	'	7,104	11,383		22,298	[1]
Net assets of subsidiary sold	'	0	0	[1]	543,990	[1]
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'		'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	'	-5,750	-3,984		-14,446
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Available-for-sale Securities	'	45,808	793		0
Payments to Acquire Available-for-sale Securities	'	-15,192	-4,866		-2,094
Short-term investments, net change	'	-6,577	11,045		-13,283
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	120,000	140,000	45,000		29,139
Proceeds received from sale of subsidiary	'	0	-9,315		471,431
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities	'	116,174	2,746		485,193
Transfer from (to) restricted debt defeasance trusts	'	0	211,627		-211,627
Repayments of debt	'	-50,000	-174,258		-50,000
Excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation	'	1,964	2,393		656
Repurchase of common stock, net	'	-43,707	-173,253		-5,869
Capital contribution by parent to subsidiary	'	-1,900	-2,000		0
Dividends paid	'	-64,775	-11,082		-8,917
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	'	-158,418	-146,573		-275,757
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	'	-47,994	-147,811		194,990
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	'	0	47,994		195,805
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	'	47,994	195,805		815
Income Taxes Paid, Net	'	-9,182	-54,237		3,856
Cash paid during the period for interest	'	7,104	11,383		22,298
Net assets of subsidiary sold	'	0	0		-543,990
Noncash dividends from subsidiaries	'	47,865	39,911		0
Dividends in form of cash [Member] | Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'		'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	'	$92,135	$5,089		$29,139
[1]	Our consolidated statements of cash flows combine the cash flows from discontinued operations with the cash flows from continuing operations within each major category (operating, investing and financing) of the statements and supplemental disclosures.

Sch_II_Condensed_Financial_Inf3

Sch II - Condensed Financial Information on Registrant Notes - Dividends and debt (Details) (Parent Company [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividend income from subsidiaries	'	'	$45,000	$29,139
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	120,000	140,000	45,000	29,139
Noncash dividends from subsidiaries	'	47,865	39,911	0
Former subsidiary [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	'	'	4,500	'
Dividends in form of cash [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	'	92,135	5,089	29,139
Dividends in form of securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Dividends from subsidiaries (eliminated in consolidation)	'	$47,865	$39,911	'

Sch_III_Supplementary_Insuranc1

Sch III Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	$335,514	$204,326	$260,256
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	5,819,495	5,532,443	5,168,474
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	20,045	14,550	18,866
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	590,202	587,758	571,236
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	292,519	276,496	265,622
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	370,651	361,324	343,310
Investment Income, Nonoperating	-2,005	1,778	447
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	364,070	352,677	341,041
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	29,908	37,651	34,819
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Net Investment Gains (Losses)	973	1,200	919
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)	-1,324	709	-987
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	108,352	104,255	93,365
Scenario, Actual [Member] | Annuity	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	82,404	82,396	78,102
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	3,172,598	3,047,762	2,811,631
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	376,879	384,375	379,354
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	1,236	775	664
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	196,303	191,211	181,974
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	102,308	102,961	100,487
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	9,422	9,327	8,916
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	22,217	23,803	14,974
Scenario, Actual [Member] | Life Insurance	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	216,743	199,266	187,113
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	2,254,194	2,104,973	2,010,818
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	8,884	13,585	12,218
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	191,478	182,597	174,561
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	245,148	229,986	217,665
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	140,510	138,076	134,999
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	231,861	218,856	211,330
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	15,760	21,216	18,042
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	75,571	69,765	56,052
Scenario, Actual [Member] | Corporate and Other	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	91,917	94,984	99,916
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	389,746	379,708	346,025
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	13,951	14,519	14,960
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	21,845	20,786	17,321
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	46,093	45,722	47,283
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	35,843	30,259	25,890
Supplementary Insurance Information, Benefits, Claims, Losses and Settlement Expense	30,183	30,721	29,229
Supplementary Insurance Information, Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	5,170	5,326	7,967
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	10,499	10,582	22,294
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Supplementary Insurance Information, Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	-55,550	-172,320	-104,875
Supplementary Insurance Information, Liability for Future Policy Benefits, Losses, Claims and Loss Expense Reserves	2,957	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Unearned Premiums	-2,790	-13,554	-8,312
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Policy Claims and Benefits Payable	0	0	0
Supplementary Insurance Information, Premium Revenue	0	0	0
Unearned revenue reserve, amortization due to realized gains	42	13	10
Supplementary Insurance Information, Net Investment Income	0	0	0
Investment Income, Nonoperating	-2,005	1,778	447
Deferred sales inducements, amortization due to realized gains losses	28	22	-7
Deferred sales inducements, amortization due to unrealized gains losses	-310	117	2
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Net Investment Gains (Losses)	880	1,073	881
Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost, Amortization Expense, Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)	-1,324	709	-987
Supplementary Insurance Information, Other Operating Expense	0	0	0
Present Value of Future Profits, amortization due to realized gains losses	$65	$105	$45

Sch_IV_Reinsurance_Details

Sch IV Reinsurance (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Direct Premiums, Life Insurance in Force	$54,603,479	$51,955,217	$49,778,838
Ceded Premiums, Life Insurance in Force	13,220,004	11,999,297	11,031,493
Assumed Premiums, Life Insurance in Force	613,281	612,850	588,791
Premiums, Net, Life Insurance in Force	41,996,756	40,568,770	39,336,136
Life Insurance in Force Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	1.50%	1.50%	1.50%
Direct Premiums Earned	321,498	305,129	296,352
Ceded Premiums Earned	29,360	28,863	30,766
Assumed Premiums Earned	786	638	439
Premiums Earned, Net	292,924	276,904	266,025
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.30%	0.20%	0.20%
Interest sensitive product charges	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Direct Premiums Earned	112,229	102,027	97,725
Ceded Premiums Earned	1,026	1,010	1,061
Assumed Premiums Earned	372	393	439
Premiums Earned, Net	111,575	101,410	97,103
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.30%	0.40%	0.50%
Traditional life insurance premiums	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Direct Premiums Earned	200,729	194,090	189,159
Ceded Premiums Earned	20,199	19,249	20,640
Assumed Premiums Earned	414	245	0
Premiums Earned, Net	180,944	175,086	168,519
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.20%	0.10%	0.00%
Accident and health premiums	'	'	'
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Direct Premiums Earned	8,540	9,012	9,468
Ceded Premiums Earned	8,135	8,604	9,065
Assumed Premiums Earned	0	0	0
Premiums Earned, Net	$405	$408	$403
Premiums, Percentage Assumed to Net	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%