FBL Financial (FFG) 10-Q 6 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_entity_informatio

Document and entity information Document (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 05, 2014	Nov. 05, 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-Q	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	24,641,276	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_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments:	'	'
Fixed maturities - available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014 - $6,056,578; 2013 - $5,828,539)	$6,575,225	$6,081,753
Equity securities - available for sale, at fair value (cost: 2014 - $105,736; 2013 - $90,071)	111,054	91,555
Mortgage loans	629,560	575,861
Real estate	4,057	4,084
Policy loans	181,345	176,993
Short-term investments	44,188	108,677
Other investments	2,928	1,079
Total investments	7,548,357	7,040,002
Cash and cash equivalents	43,198	6,370
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	125,849	116,305
Accrued investment income	81,489	75,186
Amounts receivable from affiliates	7,077	3,145
Reinsurance recoverable	99,861	100,001
Deferred acquisition costs	249,556	335,514
Value of insurance in force acquired	22,939	23,579
Other assets	76,677	67,266
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Total assets	8,941,221	8,461,323
Future policy benefits:	'	'
Interest sensitive products	4,466,926	4,278,871
Traditional life insurance and accident and health products	1,562,992	1,515,139
Other policy claims and benefits	35,874	45,530
Supplementary contracts without life contingencies	343,248	349,761
Advance premiums and other deposits	252,046	240,441
Amounts payable to affiliates	453	408
Long-term debt payable to non-affiliates	97,000	97,000
Deferred income taxes	185,618	122,839
Current income taxes	13,613	1,499
Other liabilities	88,771	71,089
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Total liabilities	7,732,759	7,416,532
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	234,361	119,067
Retained earnings	828,601	787,609
Total FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,208,386	1,044,741
Noncontrolling interest	76	50
Total stockholders' equity	1,208,462	1,044,791
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	8,941,221	8,461,323
Class A common stock, without par value - authorized 88,500,000 shares, issued and outstanding 24,661,399 shares in 2014 and 24,742,942 shares in 2013	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, without par value	142,352	134,993
Class B common stock, without par value - authorized 1,500,000 shares, issued and outstanding 11,413 shares in 2014 and 2013	'	'
FBL Financial Group, Inc. stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, without par value	$72	$72

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical disclosure (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	$6,056,578	$5,828,539
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$105,736	$90,071
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	24,672,812	24,754,355
Preferred Stock	'	'
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 Class A	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	88,500,000	88,500,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	24,661,399	24,742,942
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	24,661,399	24,742,942
Common Class B	'	'
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	1,500,000	1,500,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	11,413	11,413
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	11,413	11,413

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	$27,633	$32,270	$82,085	$84,369
Traditional life insurance premiums	45,020	43,883	137,956	134,875
Net investment income	95,744	93,382	283,590	277,090
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	1,273	1,458	3,539	12,825
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	-273	-5,015	-273	-5,860
Non-credit portion in other comprehensive income	0	4,250	0	4,250
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	-273	-765	-273	-1,610
Other income	4,023	3,288	10,895	10,698
Total revenues	173,420	173,516	517,792	518,247
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product benefits	53,002	53,488	158,145	150,411
Traditional life insurance benefits	38,375	39,726	121,863	119,795
Policyholder dividends	2,834	3,244	9,086	9,997
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses	34,829	33,070	103,547	105,429
Interest expense	1,197	1,833	3,495	5,646
Other expenses	3,488	5,037	11,999	14,239
Total benefits and expenses	133,725	136,398	408,135	405,517
Income before equity method investments, income taxes and noncontrolling interest	39,695	37,118	109,657	112,730
Income taxes	12,535	11,962	35,102	36,923
Equity income, net of related income taxes	2,992	1,829	7,171	5,669
Net income	30,152	26,985	81,726	81,476
Net loss (gain) attributable to noncontrolling interest	-7	-68	-67	-130
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$30,159	$27,053	$81,793	$81,606
Earnings per common share	$1.21	$1.05	$3.28	$3.17
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$1.21	$1.04	$3.26	$3.14
Cash dividends per common share	$0.35	$2.15	$1.05	$2.37
Regular quarterly cash dividend [Member]	'	'	'	'
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends per common share	$0.35	$0.15	$1.05	$0.37
Special cash dividend [Member]	'	'	'	'
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends per common share	$0	$2	$0	$2

Consolidated_Statement_of_Comp

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Net income	$30,152		$26,985		$81,726		$81,476
Change in net unrealized investment gains/losses	-8,154	[1]	-27,023	[1]	114,758	[1]	-152,521	[1]
Non-credit impairment losses	0	[1]	-2,652	[1]	0	[1]	-2,687	[1]
Change in underfunded status of other postretirement benefit plans	181	[1]	203	[1]	536	[1]	671	[1]
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	-7,973	[1]	-29,472	[1]	115,294	[1]	-154,537	[1]
Comprehensive income	22,179		-2,487		197,020		-73,061
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	-7		-68		-67		-130
Comprehensive income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$22,186		($2,419)		$197,087		($72,931)
[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.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity (USD $)	Total		Common Class A	Common Class B	Common Stock	Common Stock	Common Stock	Preferred Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interest
In Thousands						Common Class A	Common Class B
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$1,212,247		'	'	$123,228	'	'	$3,000	$796,110	$289,853	$56
Net income	81,476		'	'	'	'	'	'	81,606	'	-130
Other comprehensive income	-154,537	[1]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-154,537	'
Issurance of common stock under compensation plans	18,954		'	'	18,954	18,954	0	'	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-60,603		-14,188	-46,400	-8,319	-1,862	-6,457	'	-52,284	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock	-112		'	'	'	'	'	'	-112	'	'
Dividends on common stock	-60,927		'	'	'	'	'	'	-60,927	'	'
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest	100		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	1,036,598		'	'	133,863	'	'	3,000	764,393	135,316	26
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	1,044,791		'	'	135,065	'	'	3,000	787,609	119,067	50
Net income	81,726		'	'	'	'	'	'	81,793	'	-67
Other comprehensive income	115,294	[1]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	115,294	'
Issurance of common stock under compensation plans	9,560		'	'	9,560	9,560	0	'	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-16,942		'	'	-2,201	-2,201	0	'	-14,741	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock	-112		'	'	'	'	'	'	-112	'	'
Dividends on common stock	-25,948		'	'	'	'	'	'	-25,948	'	'
Receipts related to noncontrolling interest	93		'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	93
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$1,208,462		'	'	$142,424	'	'	$3,000	$828,601	$234,361	$76
[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.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$81,726	$81,476
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Interest credited to account balances	111,324	107,888
Charges for mortality, surrenders and administration	-78,708	-75,113
Net realized losses on investments	-3,266	-11,215
Change in fair value of derivatives	-777	-646
Increase in traditional life and accident and health benefit accruals	47,853	43,943
Deferral of policy acquisition costs	-30,223	-31,804
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs and value of insurance in force	25,546	25,482
Change in reinsurance recoverable	140	1,769
Provision for deferred income taxes	692	-1,862
Other	-7,869	-11,639
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	146,438	128,279
Sales, maturities or repayments:	'	'
Fixed maturities - available for sale	373,020	568,600
Equity securities - available for sale	1,360	10,970
Mortgage loans	34,733	47,613
Derivative instruments	696	319
Policy loans	24,802	26,617
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	2,972	2,290
Other long-term investments	0	30
Real estate	0	1,957
Acquisitions:	'	'
Fixed maturity securities - available for sale	-570,403	-762,920
Equity securities - available for sale	-17,025	-20,630
Mortgage loans	-88,023	-68,243
Derivative instruments	-1,584	-344
Policy loans	-29,154	-27,898
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	-15,886	-25,612
Short-term investments, net change	64,489	19,450
Purchases and disposals of property and equipment, net	7,434	9,319
Net cash used in investing activities	-227,437	-237,120
Financing activities	'	'
Contract holder account deposits	457,913	453,750
Contract holder account withdrawals	-306,882	-288,109
Proceeds from Short-term Debt	0	25,000
Repayments of debt	0	50,000
Receipts related to noncontrolling interests, net	93	100
Excess tax deductions on stock-based compensation	828	1,904
Proceeds from (Repurchase of) Equity	-8,065	-44,784
Dividends paid	-26,060	-61,039
Net cash provided by financing activities	117,827	36,822
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	36,828	-72,019
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	6,370	78,074
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	43,198	6,055
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information	'	'
Cash paid during the period for interest	3,638	5,891
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$10,701	$8,501

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of FBL Financial Group, Inc. (we or the Company) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Our financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and results of operations.
	Operating results for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. We encourage you to refer to our consolidated financial statements and notes for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete description of our material accounting policies. Also included in the Form 10-K is a description of areas of judgments and estimates and other information necessary to understand our financial position and results of operations.
	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. Our low income housing tax credit investments totaled $83.8 million at September 30, 2014 and $76.2 million at December 31, 2013. Presently, we account for these investments under the equity method and include related tax benefits as a component of equity income. The new guidance allows 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, would be recognized as a component of income taxes. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014 and must be applied retrospectively, for companies that elect to adopt. We do not plan to change our accounting practice for investments in low income housing tax credit limited partnerships.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, which supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. Although insurance contracts are specifically excluded from the scope of this guidance, almost all entities will be affected to some extent by the significant increase in required disclosures. The new guidance is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard, which becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Investment_Operations

Investment Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment Operations [Abstract]	'
Investment Operations	'
	Investment Operations
	Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category
		September 30, 2014
		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)	$	3,284,539		$	323,056			$	(16,828	)	$	3,590,767			$	421
	Residential mortgage-backed	467,969			40,571				(4,953		)	503,587				(3,823		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	478,909			31,284				(1,955		)	508,238				—
	Other asset-backed	486,659			18,424				(4,579		)	500,504				4,757
	United States Government and agencies	38,331			3,788				(24		)	42,095				—
	State, municipal and other governments	1,300,171			131,085				(1,222		)	1,430,034				—
	Total fixed maturities	$	6,056,578		$	548,208			$	(29,561	)	$	6,575,225			$	1,355
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	$	80,566		$	5,132			$	(633	)	$	85,065			$	—
	Common stocks	25,170			819				—			25,989				—
	Total equity securities	$	105,736		$	5,951			$	(633	)	$	111,054			$	—
		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			$	—
	-1	Non-credit losses, subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date, on other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses are included in the gross unrealized gains and losses columns above. The non-credit loss component of OTTI losses for corporate and other asset-backed securities were in an unrealized gain position at September 30, 2014 and 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 $80.7 million at September 30, 2014 and $76.3 million at December 31, 2013. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $29.4 million at September 30, 2014 and $17.1 million at December 31, 2013.
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date
		September 30, 2014
		Amortized			Estimated
		Cost			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	96,701		$	98,818
	Due after one year through five years	774,473			868,053
	Due after five years through ten years	887,737			963,169
	Due after ten years	2,864,130			3,132,856
		4,623,041			5,062,896
	Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed	1,433,537			1,512,329
	Total fixed maturities	$	6,056,578		$	6,575,225
	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
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net unrealized appreciation on:
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	518,647		$	253,214
	Equity securities - available for sale	5,318			1,484
		523,965			254,698
	Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization pattern of:
	Deferred acquisition costs	(148,900		)	(55,550		)
	Value of insurance in force acquired	(5,283		)	(6,356		)
Unearned revenue reserve	8,544			2,790
Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities	(9,150		)	(2,957		)
Provision for deferred income taxes	(129,197		)	(67,404		)
Net unrealized investment gains	$	239,979		$	125,221
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 OTTI loss was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, are reported along with changes in fair value for which no OTTI losses were previously recognized.
Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities with Unrealized Losses by Length of Time
		September 30, 2014
		Less than one year							One year or more							Total
Description of Securities		Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
		Fair Value							Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed maturities:
Corporate		$	287,243		$	(5,795	)		$	203,296		$	(11,033	)		$	490,539	$	(16,828	)	56.9	%
Residential mortgage-backed		45,668			(343		)		27,618			(4,610		)		73,286		(4,953		)	16.8
Commercial mortgage-backed		20,590			(120		)		29,652			(1,835		)		50,242		(1,955		)	6.6
Other asset-backed		94,032			(2,186		)		49,327			(2,393		)		143,359		(4,579		)	15.5
United States Government and agencies		3,482			(18		)		468			(6		)		3,950		(24		)	0.1
State, municipal and other governments		9,503			(74		)		45,102			(1,148		)		54,605		(1,222		)	4.1
Total fixed maturities		$	460,518		$	(8,536	)		$	355,463		$	(21,025	)		$	815,981	$	(29,561	)	100	%
Equity securities:
Non-redeemable preferred stocks		$	17,605		$	(233	)		$	4,600		$	(400	)		$	22,205	$	(633	)
Total equity securities		$	17,605		$	(233	)		$	4,600		$	(400	)		$	22,205	$	(633	)
		December 31, 2013
		Less than one year							One year or more							Total
Description of Securities		Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
		Fair Value							Fair Value
		(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	)
Fixed maturities in the above tables include 235 securities from 203 issuers at September 30, 2014 and 440 securities from 366 issuers at December 31, 2013. 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 September 30, 2014.
Corporate securities: The largest unrealized losses were in the utilities sector ($133.3 million carrying value and $4.6 million unrealized loss). The largest unrealized losses in the utilities sector were in the electric ($86.4 million carrying value and $2.5 million unrealized loss) and the gas pipeline ($32.0 million carrying value and $1.5 million unrealized loss) sub-sectors. The majority of losses in the sector were 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 continue to be impacted by the removal of their ratings following downgrades of the insurance providers after we purchased the bonds.
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 OTTIs 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 as well as our intent and ability to hold these investments until recovery of fair value, and have concluded they are not other than temporarily impaired.
Excluding mortgage and asset-backed securities, no securities from the same issuer had an aggregate unrealized loss in excess of $1.2 million at September 30, 2014, with the largest unrealized loss from a food and drug retailer. With respect to mortgage and asset-backed securities not backed by the United States Government, our largest aggregate unrealized loss from the same issuer at September 30, 2014 was $4.0 million, consisting of two different securities 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 $2.4 million.
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 an OTTI 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 OTTI 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 an OTTI. In determining whether or not an unrealized loss is an OTTI, 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 OTTI 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 OTTI 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.
Credit Loss Component of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Fixed Maturities
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	(21,592	)	$	(27,712	)
Increases to previously impaired investments	—			(618		)
Reductions due to investments sold	4,468			5,840
Balance at end of period	$	(17,124	)	$	(22,490	)
The table above 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 OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and corresponding changes in such amounts.
Realized Gains (Losses) - Recorded in Income
	Three months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013				2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
Fixed maturities:
Gross gains	$	1,437		$	1,467			$	4,345		$	15,193
Gross losses	(164		)	(9		)		(806		)	(2,374		)
Real estate	—			—				—			12
Other	—			—				—			(6		)
	1,273			1,458				3,539			12,825
Impairment losses recognized in earnings:
Credit-related portion of fixed maturity losses (1)	—			(618		)		—			(618		)
Other credit-related (1)	(273		)	(147		)		(273		)	(992		)
Net realized gains on investments recorded in income	$	1,000		$	693			$	3,266		$	11,215
-1	Amount represents credit-related losses for mortgage loans, real estate and fixed maturities written down to fair value through income.
Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities totaled $47.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $123.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification.
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 estimated loss, if any, for each impaired loan identified. An estimated loss is established for loans in 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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no non-performing loans over 90 days past due on contractual payments. 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 such that the collection of interest is considered likely.
Mortgage Loans by Collateral Type
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
Collateral Type		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Office		$	273,442		43.4	%		$	241,951		42	%
Retail		210,936			33.5			194,053			33.7
Industrial		127,187			20.2			126,151			21.9
Other		17,995			2.9			13,706			2.4
Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		100	%
Mortgage Loans by Geographic Location within the United States
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
Region of the United States		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
South Atlantic		$	193,133		30.7	%		$	170,529		29.6	%
Pacific		95,975			15.2			92,538			16.1
West North Central		86,598			13.8			85,629			14.9
East North Central		82,312			13.1			79,128			13.7
Mountain		63,362			10.1			53,460			9.3
West South Central		50,674			8			39,780			6.9
Other		57,506			9.1			54,797			9.5
Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		100	%
Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
Loan-to-Value Ratio		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
0% - 50%		$	164,998		26.2	%		$	149,719		26	%
51% - 60%		203,083			32.3			202,025			35.1
61% - 70%		183,363			29.1			204,460			35.5
71% - 80%		70,707			11.2			15,559			2.7
81% - 90%		7,409			1.2			4,098			0.7
Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		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
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
Year of Origination		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
2014		$	78,101		12.4	%		$	—		—	%
2013		82,508			13.1			84,478			14.7
2012		70,914			11.3			72,792			12.6
2011		47,164			7.5			48,190			8.4
2010		25,148			4			26,173			4.5
2009 and prior		325,725			51.7			344,228			59.8
Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		100	%
Impaired Mortgage Loans
	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unpaid principal balance	$	22,179		$	22,100
Less:
Related allowance	864			888
Discount	309			429
Carrying value of impaired mortgage loans	$	21,006		$	20,783
Allowance on Mortgage Loans
	Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	888		$	1,694
Allowances established	—			475
Charge offs	—			(1,610		)
Recoveries of amounts previously charged off	(24		)	—
Balance at end of period	$	864		$	559
Mortgage Loan Modifications
Our commercial mortgage loan portfolio includes loans that have been modified. We assess loan modifications on a loan-by-loan basis to evaluate whether a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) has occurred. Generally, the types of concessions include: reduction of the contractual interest rate to a below-market rate, extension of the maturity date, and/or a reduction of accrued interest. The amount, timing and extent of the concession granted is considered in determining if an impairment loss is needed for the restructuring.
There were no loan modifications during the first three quarters of 2014. During the first three quarters of 2013, we modified one commercial mortgage loan that met the criteria of a TDR with a carrying value after the restructuring of $14.4 million and recognized an impairment loss of $0.5 million.
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 for any reporting periods presented in this Form 10-Q. Our VIE investments are as follows:
	September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value			Maximum Exposure to Loss				Carrying Value			Maximum Exposure to Loss
	(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate limited partnerships	$	16,508		$	16,508			$	17,646		$	17,646
We make commitments to fund partnership investments in the normal course of business. We did not have any other commitments to investees designated as VIEs as of September 30, 2014 or December 31, 2013.
Other
At September 30, 2014, we had committed to provide $52.5 million of additional funds for our limited partnerships and our limited liability companies.
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 $6.6 million at September 30, 2014 and $3.7 million at December 31, 2013. Securities collateral received of $1.1 million is held in a separate custodial account and not recorded on the balance sheet. Our derivative assets consist of derivatives embedded within our modified coinsurance agreements and call options which provide an economic hedge for our index annuity contracts. Derivative liabilities totaled $5.7 million at September 30, 2014 and $0.3 million at December 31, 2013 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 is included in net investment income and interest sensitive benefits and, for the nine-month period ended September 30, totaled $1.6 million for 2014 and ($2.0) million for 2013.

Fair_Values

Fair Values	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Values [Abstract]	'
Fair Value	'
	Fair Values
	The carrying and estimated fair values of our financial instruments are as follows:
	Fair Values and Carrying Values
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	6,575,225		$	6,575,225		$	6,081,753		$	6,081,753
	Equity securities - available for sale	111,054			111,054			91,555			91,555
	Mortgage loans	629,560			661,917			575,861			594,451
	Policy loans	181,345			221,876			176,993			210,401
	Other investments	2,842			2,842			993			993
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	87,386			87,386			115,047			115,047
	Reinsurance recoverable	3,742			3,742			2,678			2,678
	Assets held in separate accounts	686,218			686,218			693,955			693,955
	Fair Values and Carrying Values (continued)
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	3,500,939		$	3,574,717		$	3,360,519		$	3,371,706
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	343,248			315,714			349,761			320,195
	Advance premiums and other deposits	243,056			243,056			230,819			230,819
	Long-term debt	97,000			70,713			97,000			63,343
	Other liabilities	197			197			—			—
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218			679,857			693,955			686,387
	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 the 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 the 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 Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (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 is A-highest quality, B-moderate quality, C-low quality, 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 for the loans 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 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 and 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 and 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.
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
	September 30, 2014
	Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	—		$	3,523,273		$	67,494		$	3,590,767
Residential mortgage-backed securities	—			503,587			—			503,587
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			434,244			73,994			508,238
Other asset-backed securities	—			396,176			104,328			500,504
United States Government and agencies	15,310			18,615			8,170			42,095
State, municipal and other governments	—			1,430,034			—			1,430,034
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—			76,918			8,147			85,065
Common stocks	3,642			22,347			—			25,989
Other investments	—			2,842			—			2,842
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	87,386			—			—			87,386
Reinsurance recoverable	—			3,742			—			3,742
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218			—			—			686,218
Total assets	$	792,556		$	6,411,778		$	262,133		$	7,466,467
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	—		$	—		$	5,656		$	5,656
Other liabilities	—			197			—			197
Total liabilities	$	—		$	197		$	5,656		$	5,853
	December 31, 2013
	Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(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
Level 3 Fixed Maturities on a Recurring Basis by Valuation Source
	September 30, 2014
	Third-party vendors			Priced			Total
				internally
	(Dollars in thousands)
Corporate securities	$	42,796		$	24,698		$	67,494
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	73,994			—			73,994
Other asset-backed securities	83,670			20,658			104,328
United States Government and agencies	8,170			—			8,170
Total	$	208,630		$	45,356		$	253,986
Percent of total	82.1		%	17.9		%	100		%
	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		%
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis
	September 30, 2014
	Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	42,375		Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	0.67% - 7.15% (5.23%)
Commercial mortgage-backed	73,994			Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	1.90% - 4.00% (2.91%)
Other asset-backed securities	31,476			Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	0.90% - 5.41% (3.71%)
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	8,147			Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	3.42% (3.42%)
Total Assets	$	155,992
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	5,656		Discounted cash flow		Credit risk	0.75% - 1.55% (1.05%)
						Risk margin	0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis
	31-Dec-13
	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%)
State, municipal and other governments	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%)
The tables above exclude 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
	September 30, 2014
										Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
	Balance, December 31, 2013			Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Transfers into		Transfers			Amort-ization included in net income			Balance,
																Level 3 (1)		out of						30-Sep-14
																		Level 3 (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	81,994		$	262		$	(12,957	)	$	(273	)	$	(171	)	$	13,624	$	(14,960	)	$	(25	)	$	67,494
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	71,712			2,920			(558		)	—			4,669			—		(4,820		)	71			73,994
Other asset-backed securities	85,835			44,671			(13,730		)	—			(32		)	1,974		(15,477		)	1,087			104,328
United States Government and agencies	8,044			—			—			—			121			—		—			5			8,170
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,795			—			—			—			352			—		—			—			8,147
Total Assets	$	255,380		$	47,853		$	(27,245	)	$	(273	)	$	4,939		$	15,598	$	(35,257	)	$	1,138		$	262,133
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	286		$	6,000		$	(344	)	$	(286	)	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	5,656
Total Liabilities	$	286		$	6,000		$	(344	)	$	(286	)	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	5,656
Level 3 Financial Instruments Changes in Fair Value Recurring Basis
	September 30, 2013
										Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
	Balance, December 31, 2012			Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Net transfers into		Net transfers			Amort-ization included in net income			Balance,
																Level 3 (1)		out of						30-Sep-13
																		Level 3 (1)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Corporate securities	$	100,463		$	2,129		$	(5,387	)	$	—		$	(1,810	)	$	—	$	(10,798	)	$	(14	)	$	84,583
Commercial mortgage-backed securities	76,281			—			(491		)	—			(3,996		)	—		—			63			71,857
Other asset-backed securities	95,756			37,411			(10,408		)	—			(1,439		)	4,062		(38,405		)	1,043			88,020
United States Government and agencies	8,555			—			—			—			(468		)	—		—			5			8,092
State, municipal and other governments	223			—			(218		)	—			(5		)	—		—			—			—
Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,391			—			—			—			71			5,208		—			—			12,670
Total Assets	$	288,669		$	39,540		$	(16,504	)	$	—		$	(7,647	)	$	9,270	$	(49,203	)	$	1,097		$	265,222
Liabilities
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	307		$	—		$	(26	)	$	6		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	287
Total Liabilities	$	307		$	—		$	(26	)	$	6		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	287
-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 the periods presented above.
Valuation of our Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Levels
	September 30, 2014
	Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Mortgage loans	$	—		$	—		$	661,917		$	661,917
Policy loans	—			—			221,876			221,876
Total assets	$	—		$	—		$	883,793		$	883,793
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	$	—		$	—		$	3,569,061		$	3,569,061
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	—			—			315,714			315,714
Advance premiums and other deposits	—			—			243,056			243,056
Long-term debt	—			—			70,713			70,713
Liabilities related to separate accounts	—			—			679,857			679,857
Total liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	4,878,401		$	4,878,401
Valuation of our Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Levels
	December 31, 2013
	Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
	for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(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
Level 3 Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring 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. There were no mortgage loans or real estate impaired to fair value during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 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.

Defined_Benefit_Plan

Defined Benefit Plan	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]	'
Defined Benefit Plan	'
	Defined Benefit Plan
	We participate with several affiliates and an unaffiliated organization in various defined benefit plans, including a multiemployer plan. Our share of net periodic pension cost for the plans is recorded as expense in our consolidated statements of operations.
	Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost for FBL and Affiliates Combined - Multiemployer Plan
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	1,319		$	1,618		$	3,959		$	4,854
	Interest cost	3,505			3,346			10,515			10,038
	Expected return on assets	(4,385		)	(3,916		)	(13,155		)	(11,748		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	36			36			108			108
	Amortization of actuarial loss	2,702			3,117			10,024			9,351
	Net periodic pension cost	$	3,177		$	4,201		$	11,451		$	12,603
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. share of net periodic pension costs	$	1,018		$	1,341		$	3,672		$	4,023
	Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost for FBL and Affiliates Combined - Other Plans
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	68		$	63		$	202		$	189
	Interest cost	269			258			807			774
	Amortization of prior service cost	(3		)	(3		)	(9		)	(9		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	283			317			849			951
	Net periodic pension cost	$	617		$	635		$	1,849		$	1,905
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. share of net periodic pension costs	$	343		$	359		$	1,029		$	1,077

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	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. We are not aware of any significant threatened or pending litigation or claims against FBL Financial Group, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity Note	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	Share Repurchases
	During 2012 and 2014, our Board of Directors approved plans to repurchase our 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. Under these programs, we repurchased 395,816 shares for $16.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 363,430 shares for $14.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2014, $44.2 million remains available for repurchase under the 2014 plan. Completion of the 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 that we will repurchase. The share repurchase program may be modified or terminated at any time without prior notice.
	On August 21, 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of our Class B common shares through a tender offer for 99 percent of all Class B shares outstanding. The tender offer was conditioned upon all the Class B shareholders either tendering their shares or converting their shares to Class A common shares. The tender price of $45.33 per share 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 offer closing date of September 25, 2013. All Class B shareholders participated in the tender offer, resulting in 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.
	Reconciliation of Outstanding Common Stock
		Class A							Class B							Total
		Shares			Dollars				Shares			Dollars				Shares		Dollars
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	24,282,184			$	115,706			1,192,890			$	7,522			25,475,074		$	123,228
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	629,516			18,954				—			—				629,516		18,954
	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 (1)	157,529			993				(157,529	)		(993		)		—		$	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	24,705,799			$	133,791			11,413			$	72			24,717,212		$	133,863
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	24,742,942			$	134,993			11,413			$	72			24,754,355		$	135,065
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	314,273			9,560				—			—				314,273		9,560
	Purchase of common stock	(395,816	)		(2,201		)		—			—				(395,816	)	(2,201		)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	24,661,399			$	142,352			11,413			$	72			24,672,812		$	142,424
	-1	There is no established market for our Class B common stock, although it is convertible upon demand of the holder into Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax and Other Offsets
		Unrealized Net Investment Gains (Losses) on Available For Sale Securities (1)				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit Plans				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	306,167			$	(8,362	)		$	(7,952	)		$	289,853
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(151,182		)		6,499				—				(144,683		)
	Reclassification adjustments	(7,838		)		(2,687		)		671				(9,854		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	147,147			$	(4,550	)		$	(7,281	)		$	135,316
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	126,587			$	(1,366	)		$	(6,154	)		$	119,067
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	114,698				2,247				—				116,945
	Reclassification adjustments	(2,187		)		$	—			536				(1,651		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	239,098			$	881			$	(5,618	)		$	234,361
	-1	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
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Unrealized Net Investment Gains (Losses) on Available For Sale Securities (1)				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
										Plans
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(3,539	)		$	—			$	—			$	(3,539	)
	Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	175				—				—				175
	Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
	Prior service costs	—				—				(9		)		(9		)
	Net actuarial loss	—				—				834				834
	Reclassifications before income taxes	(3,364		)		—				825				(2,539		)
	Income taxes	1,177				—				(289		)		888
	Reclassification adjustments	$	(2,187	)		$	—			$	536			$	(1,651	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Unrealized Net Investment Gains (Losses) on Available For Sale Securities (1)				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Unfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
										Plans
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(12,819	)		$	—			$	—			$	(12,819	)
	Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	760				116				—				876
	Other than temporary impairment losses	—				(4,250		)		—				(4,250		)
	Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
	Prior service costs	—				—				(9		)		(9		)
	Net actuarial loss	—				—				1,041				1,041
	Reclassifications before income taxes	(12,059		)		(4,134		)		1,032				(15,161		)
	Income taxes	4,221				1,447				(361		)		5,307
	Reclassification adjustments	$	(7,838	)		$	(2,687	)		$	671			$	(9,854	)
	-1	See Note 2 for further information.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
		Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	30,159	$	27,053	$	81,793	$	81,606
	Less: Dividends on Series B preferred stock	37		37		112		112
	Income available to common stockholders	$	30,122	$	27,016	$	81,681	$	81,494
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares - basic	24,858,021		25,770,499		24,877,424		25,721,995
	Effect of dilutive securities - stock-based compensation	130,966		259,059		152,660		258,127
	Weighted average shares - diluted	24,988,987		26,029,558		25,030,084		25,980,122
	Earnings per common share	$	1.21	$	1.05	$	3.28	$	3.17
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:	$	1.21	$	1.04	$	3.26	$	3.14
	Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share	—		—		—		293

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	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.
	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 represents net income excluding the impact of realized gains and losses on investments and changes in net unrealized gains and losses on derivatives.
	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 quarter to quarter. 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
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues:
	Annuity	$	51,070		$	50,435		$	150,145		$	147,775
	Life Insurance	97,935			99,851			292,589			288,742
	Corporate and Other	23,046			23,511			69,670			72,803
		172,051			173,797			512,404			509,320
	Realized gains on investments (1)	1,000			786			3,266			11,267
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	369			(1,067		)	2,122			(2,340		)
	Consolidated revenues	$	173,420		$	173,516		$	517,792		$	518,247
	Pre-tax operating income:
	Annuity	$	16,971		$	16,427		$	47,067		$	48,181
	Life Insurance	14,623			14,263			36,596			35,198
	Corporate and Other	6,789			4,409			18,348			17,548
		38,383			35,099			102,011			100,927
	Income taxes on operating income	(8,920		)	(8,540		)	(23,317		)	(25,597		)
	Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	597			406			2,006			6,714
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	99			88			1,093			(438		)
	Consolidated net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	30,159		$	27,053		$	81,793		$	81,606
	-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.
	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 September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 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, includes premiums received on life insurance policies and deposits on annuities and universal life-type products. Net premiums collected totaled $149.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 and $150.2 million for the 2013 period. Net premiums collected totaled $504.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $491.2 million for the 2013 period.
	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
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Traditional and universal life insurance premiums collected	$	67,657		$	76,946		$	214,081		$	238,062
	Premiums collected on interest sensitive products	(22,743		)	(32,718		)	(76,165		)	(103,538		)
	Traditional life insurance premiums collected	44,914			44,228			137,916			134,524
	Change in due premiums and other	106			(345		)	40			351
	Traditional life insurance premiums	$	45,020		$	43,883		$	137,956		$	134,875
	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
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Annuity
	Surrender charges and other	$	327		$	279		$	1,392		$	936
	Life Insurance
	Administration charges	$	3,394		$	9,865		$	10,433		$	15,800
	Cost of insurance charges	11,625			10,834			33,901			31,799
	Surrender charges	209			101			615			361
	Amortization of policy initiation fees	425			124			799			1,160
	Total	$	15,653		$	20,924		$	45,748		$	49,120
	Corporate and Other
	Administration charges	$	1,484		$	1,532		$	4,759		$	4,628
	Cost of insurance charges	7,391			7,416			22,188			22,179
	Surrender charges	123			144			364			413
	Separate account charges	2,252			2,158			6,813			6,376
	Amortization of policy initiation fees	403			(183		)	821			717
	Total	$	11,653		$	11,067		$	34,945		$	34,313
	Consolidated interest sensitive product charges	$	27,633		$	32,270		$	82,085		$	84,369

Investment_Operations_Tables

Investment Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investment Operations [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]	'
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities by Investment Category
		September 30, 2014
		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)	$	3,284,539		$	323,056			$	(16,828	)	$	3,590,767			$	421
	Residential mortgage-backed	467,969			40,571				(4,953		)	503,587				(3,823		)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	478,909			31,284				(1,955		)	508,238				—
	Other asset-backed	486,659			18,424				(4,579		)	500,504				4,757
	United States Government and agencies	38,331			3,788				(24		)	42,095				—
	State, municipal and other governments	1,300,171			131,085				(1,222		)	1,430,034				—
	Total fixed maturities	$	6,056,578		$	548,208			$	(29,561	)	$	6,575,225			$	1,355
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	$	80,566		$	5,132			$	(633	)	$	85,065			$	—
	Common stocks	25,170			819				—			25,989				—
	Total equity securities	$	105,736		$	5,951			$	(633	)	$	111,054			$	—
		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			$	—
	-1	Non-credit losses, subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date, on other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses are included in the gross unrealized gains and losses columns above. The non-credit loss component of OTTI losses for corporate and other asset-backed securities were in an unrealized gain position at September 30, 2014 and 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 $80.7 million at September 30, 2014 and $76.3 million at December 31, 2013. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $29.4 million at September 30, 2014 and $17.1 million at December 31, 2013.
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date
		September 30, 2014
		Amortized			Estimated
		Cost			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	96,701		$	98,818
	Due after one year through five years	774,473			868,053
	Due after five years through ten years	887,737			963,169
	Due after ten years	2,864,130			3,132,856
		4,623,041			5,062,896
	Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed	1,433,537			1,512,329
	Total fixed maturities	$	6,056,578		$	6,575,225
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	'
	Available-For-Sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date
		September 30, 2014
		Amortized			Estimated
		Cost			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Due in one year or less	$	96,701		$	98,818
	Due after one year through five years	774,473			868,053
	Due after five years through ten years	887,737			963,169
	Due after ten years	2,864,130			3,132,856
		4,623,041			5,062,896
	Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed	1,433,537			1,512,329
	Total fixed maturities	$	6,056,578		$	6,575,225
	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.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Net unrealized appreciation on:
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	518,647		$	253,214
	Equity securities - available for sale	5,318			1,484
		523,965			254,698
	Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization pattern of:
	Deferred acquisition costs	(148,900		)	(55,550		)
	Value of insurance in force acquired	(5,283		)	(6,356		)
	Unearned revenue reserve	8,544			2,790
	Adjustments for assumed changes in policyholder liabilities	(9,150		)	(2,957		)
	Provision for deferred income taxes	(129,197		)	(67,404		)
	Net unrealized investment gains	$	239,979		$	125,221
	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 OTTI loss was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, are reported along with changes in fair value for which no OTTI losses were previously recognized.
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities with Unrealized Losses by Length of Time
			September 30, 2014
			Less than one year							One year or more							Total
	Description of Securities		Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
			Fair Value							Fair Value
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed maturities:
	Corporate		$	287,243		$	(5,795	)		$	203,296		$	(11,033	)		$	490,539	$	(16,828	)	56.9	%
	Residential mortgage-backed		45,668			(343		)		27,618			(4,610		)		73,286		(4,953		)	16.8
	Commercial mortgage-backed		20,590			(120		)		29,652			(1,835		)		50,242		(1,955		)	6.6
	Other asset-backed		94,032			(2,186		)		49,327			(2,393		)		143,359		(4,579		)	15.5
	United States Government and agencies		3,482			(18		)		468			(6		)		3,950		(24		)	0.1
	State, municipal and other governments		9,503			(74		)		45,102			(1,148		)		54,605		(1,222		)	4.1
	Total fixed maturities		$	460,518		$	(8,536	)		$	355,463		$	(21,025	)		$	815,981	$	(29,561	)	100	%
	Equity securities:
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks		$	17,605		$	(233	)		$	4,600		$	(400	)		$	22,205	$	(633	)
	Total equity securities		$	17,605		$	(233	)		$	4,600		$	(400	)		$	22,205	$	(633	)
			December 31, 2013
			Less than one year							One year or more							Total
	Description of Securities		Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated			Unrealized Losses				Estimated Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Percent of Total
			Fair Value							Fair Value
			(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	)
	Fixed maturities in the above tables include 235 securities from 203 issuers at September 30, 2014 and 440 securities from 366 issuers at December 31, 2013. 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 September 30, 2014.
	Corporate securities: The largest unrealized losses were in the utilities sector ($133.3 million carrying value and $4.6 million unrealized loss). The largest unrealized losses in the utilities sector were in the electric ($86.4 million carrying value and $2.5 million unrealized loss) and the gas pipeline ($32.0 million carrying value and $1.5 million unrealized loss) sub-sectors. The majority of losses in the sector were 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 continue to be impacted by the removal of their ratings following downgrades of the insurance providers after we purchased the bonds.
	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.
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Table Text Block]	'
	Credit Loss Component of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments on Fixed Maturities
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	(21,592	)	$	(27,712	)
	Increases to previously impaired investments	—			(618		)
	Reductions due to investments sold	4,468			5,840
	Balance at end of period	$	(17,124	)	$	(22,490	)
	The table above 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 OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) and corresponding changes in such amounts.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	'
	Realized Gains (Losses) - Recorded in Income
		Three months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013				2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized gains (losses) on sales of investments
	Fixed maturities:
	Gross gains	$	1,437		$	1,467			$	4,345		$	15,193
	Gross losses	(164		)	(9		)		(806		)	(2,374		)
	Real estate	—			—				—			12
	Other	—			—				—			(6		)
		1,273			1,458				3,539			12,825
	Impairment losses recognized in earnings:
	Credit-related portion of fixed maturity losses (1)	—			(618		)		—			(618		)
	Other credit-related (1)	(273		)	(147		)		(273		)	(992		)
	Net realized gains on investments recorded in income	$	1,000		$	693			$	3,266		$	11,215
	-1	Amount represents credit-related losses for mortgage loans, real estate and fixed maturities written down to fair value through income.
	Proceeds from sales of fixed maturities totaled $47.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $123.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of specific identification.
Mortgage Loans by Colateral Type [Table Text Block]	'
	Mortgage Loans by Collateral Type
			September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Collateral Type		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Office		$	273,442		43.4	%		$	241,951		42	%
	Retail		210,936			33.5			194,053			33.7
	Industrial		127,187			20.2			126,151			21.9
	Other		17,995			2.9			13,706			2.4
	Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		100	%
Mortgage Loans by Geograpic Location [Table Text Block]	'
	Mortgage Loans by Geographic Location within the United States
			September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Region of the United States		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	South Atlantic		$	193,133		30.7	%		$	170,529		29.6	%
	Pacific		95,975			15.2			92,538			16.1
	West North Central		86,598			13.8			85,629			14.9
	East North Central		82,312			13.1			79,128			13.7
	Mountain		63,362			10.1			53,460			9.3
	West South Central		50,674			8			39,780			6.9
	Other		57,506			9.1			54,797			9.5
	Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		100	%
Mortgage Loans by loan to value ratio [Table Text Block]	'
	Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio
			September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Loan-to-Value Ratio		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	0% - 50%		$	164,998		26.2	%		$	149,719		26	%
	51% - 60%		203,083			32.3			202,025			35.1
	61% - 70%		183,363			29.1			204,460			35.5
	71% - 80%		70,707			11.2			15,559			2.7
	81% - 90%		7,409			1.2			4,098			0.7
	Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		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 [Table Text Block]	'
	Mortgage Loans by Year of Origination
			September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Year of Origination		Carrying Value			Percent of Total			Carrying Value			Percent of Total
			(Dollars in thousands)
	2014		$	78,101		12.4	%		$	—		—	%
	2013		82,508			13.1			84,478			14.7
	2012		70,914			11.3			72,792			12.6
	2011		47,164			7.5			48,190			8.4
	2010		25,148			4			26,173			4.5
	2009 and prior		325,725			51.7			344,228			59.8
	Total		$	629,560		100	%		$	575,861		100	%
Impaired Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	'
	Impaired Mortgage Loans
		September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Unpaid principal balance	$	22,179		$	22,100
	Less:
	Related allowance	864			888
	Discount	309			429
	Carrying value of impaired mortgage loans	$	21,006		$	20,783
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	'
	Allowance on Mortgage Loans
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	888		$	1,694
	Allowances established	—			475
	Charge offs	—			(1,610		)
	Recoveries of amounts previously charged off	(24		)	—
	Balance at end of period	$	864		$	559
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	'
		September 30, 2014							December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Maximum Exposure to Loss				Carrying Value			Maximum Exposure to Loss
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Real estate limited partnerships	$	16,508		$	16,508			$	17,646		$	17,646

Fair_Values_Tables

Fair Values (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Values [Abstract]	'
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	'
	Fair Values and Carrying Values
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Fixed maturities - available for sale	$	6,575,225		$	6,575,225		$	6,081,753		$	6,081,753
	Equity securities - available for sale	111,054			111,054			91,555			91,555
	Mortgage loans	629,560			661,917			575,861			594,451
	Policy loans	181,345			221,876			176,993			210,401
	Other investments	2,842			2,842			993			993
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	87,386			87,386			115,047			115,047
	Reinsurance recoverable	3,742			3,742			2,678			2,678
	Assets held in separate accounts	686,218			686,218			693,955			693,955
	Fair Values and Carrying Values (continued)
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Carrying Value			Fair Value			Carrying Value			Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	3,500,939		$	3,574,717		$	3,360,519		$	3,371,706
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	343,248			315,714			349,761			320,195
	Advance premiums and other deposits	243,056			243,056			230,819			230,819
	Long-term debt	97,000			70,713			97,000			63,343
	Other liabilities	197			197			—			—
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218			679,857			693,955			686,387
Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on Recurring Basis by hierarchy levels [Table Text Block]	'
	Valuation of our Financial Instruments Measured on a Recurring Basis by Hierarchy Levels
		September 30, 2014
		Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	—		$	3,523,273		$	67,494		$	3,590,767
	Residential mortgage-backed securities	—			503,587			—			503,587
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	—			434,244			73,994			508,238
	Other asset-backed securities	—			396,176			104,328			500,504
	United States Government and agencies	15,310			18,615			8,170			42,095
	State, municipal and other governments	—			1,430,034			—			1,430,034
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	—			76,918			8,147			85,065
	Common stocks	3,642			22,347			—			25,989
	Other investments	—			2,842			—			2,842
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	87,386			—			—			87,386
	Reinsurance recoverable	—			3,742			—			3,742
	Assets held in separate accounts	686,218			—			—			686,218
	Total assets	$	792,556		$	6,411,778		$	262,133		$	7,466,467
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	—		$	—		$	5,656		$	5,656
	Other liabilities	—			197			—			197
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	197		$	5,656		$	5,853
		December 31, 2013
		Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(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
Level 3 fixed maturities on Measurement on Recurring Basis by Valuation Technique [Table Text Block]	'
	Level 3 Fixed Maturities on a Recurring Basis by Valuation Source
		September 30, 2014
		Third-party vendors			Priced			Total
					internally
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Corporate securities	$	42,796		$	24,698		$	67,494
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	73,994			—			73,994
	Other asset-backed securities	83,670			20,658			104,328
	United States Government and agencies	8,170			—			8,170
	Total	$	208,630		$	45,356		$	253,986
	Percent of total	82.1		%	17.9		%	100		%
		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		%
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurement Inputs [Text Block]	'
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis
		September 30, 2014
		Fair Value			Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	42,375		Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	0.67% - 7.15% (5.23%)
	Commercial mortgage-backed	73,994			Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	1.90% - 4.00% (2.91%)
	Other asset-backed securities	31,476			Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	0.90% - 5.41% (3.71%)
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	8,147			Discounted cash flow		Credit spread	3.42% (3.42%)
	Total Assets	$	155,992
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	5,656		Discounted cash flow		Credit risk	0.75% - 1.55% (1.05%)
							Risk margin	0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis
		31-Dec-13
		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%)
	State, municipal and other governments	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%)
	The tables above exclude 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
		September 30, 2014
											Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
		Balance, December 31, 2013			Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Transfers into		Transfers			Amort-ization included in net income			Balance,
																	Level 3 (1)		out of						30-Sep-14
																			Level 3 (1)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	81,994		$	262		$	(12,957	)	$	(273	)	$	(171	)	$	13,624	$	(14,960	)	$	(25	)	$	67,494
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	71,712			2,920			(558		)	—			4,669			—		(4,820		)	71			73,994
	Other asset-backed securities	85,835			44,671			(13,730		)	—			(32		)	1,974		(15,477		)	1,087			104,328
	United States Government and agencies	8,044			—			—			—			121			—		—			5			8,170
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,795			—			—			—			352			—		—			—			8,147
	Total Assets	$	255,380		$	47,853		$	(27,245	)	$	(273	)	$	4,939		$	15,598	$	(35,257	)	$	1,138		$	262,133
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	286		$	6,000		$	(344	)	$	(286	)	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	5,656
	Total Liabilities	$	286		$	6,000		$	(344	)	$	(286	)	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	5,656
	Level 3 Financial Instruments Changes in Fair Value Recurring Basis
		September 30, 2013
											Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net
		Balance, December 31, 2012			Purchases			Disposals			Included in net income			Included in other compre-hensive income			Net transfers into		Net transfers			Amort-ization included in net income			Balance,
																	Level 3 (1)		out of						30-Sep-13
																			Level 3 (1)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Corporate securities	$	100,463		$	2,129		$	(5,387	)	$	—		$	(1,810	)	$	—	$	(10,798	)	$	(14	)	$	84,583
	Commercial mortgage-backed securities	76,281			—			(491		)	—			(3,996		)	—		—			63			71,857
	Other asset-backed securities	95,756			37,411			(10,408		)	—			(1,439		)	4,062		(38,405		)	1,043			88,020
	United States Government and agencies	8,555			—			—			—			(468		)	—		—			5			8,092
	State, municipal and other governments	223			—			(218		)	—			(5		)	—		—			—			—
	Non-redeemable preferred stocks	7,391			—			—			—			71			5,208		—			—			12,670
	Total Assets	$	288,669		$	39,540		$	(16,504	)	$	—		$	(7,647	)	$	9,270	$	(49,203	)	$	1,097		$	265,222
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	$	307		$	—		$	(26	)	$	6		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	287
	Total Liabilities	$	307		$	—		$	(26	)	$	6		$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—		$	287
	-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 the periods presented above.
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Value [Table Text Block]	'
	Valuation of our Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Levels
		September 30, 2014
		Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets
	Mortgage loans	$	—		$	—		$	661,917		$	661,917
	Policy loans	—			—			221,876			221,876
	Total assets	$	—		$	—		$	883,793		$	883,793
	Liabilities
	Future policy benefits	$	—		$	—		$	3,569,061		$	3,569,061
	Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	—			—			315,714			315,714
	Advance premiums and other deposits	—			—			243,056			243,056
	Long-term debt	—			—			70,713			70,713
	Liabilities related to separate accounts	—			—			679,857			679,857
	Total liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	4,878,401		$	4,878,401
	Valuation of our Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value by Hierarchy Levels
		December 31, 2013
		Quoted prices in active markets			Significant other observable inputs			Significant unobservable inputs			Total
		for identical assets (Level 1)			(Level 2)			(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

Defined_Benefit_Plan_Tables

Defined Benefit Plan (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost for FBL and Affiliates Combined - Multiemployer Plan
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	1,319		$	1,618		$	3,959		$	4,854
	Interest cost	3,505			3,346			10,515			10,038
	Expected return on assets	(4,385		)	(3,916		)	(13,155		)	(11,748		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	36			36			108			108
	Amortization of actuarial loss	2,702			3,117			10,024			9,351
	Net periodic pension cost	$	3,177		$	4,201		$	11,451		$	12,603
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. share of net periodic pension costs	$	1,018		$	1,341		$	3,672		$	4,023
	Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost for FBL and Affiliates Combined - Other Plans
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	68		$	63		$	202		$	189
	Interest cost	269			258			807			774
	Amortization of prior service cost	(3		)	(3		)	(9		)	(9		)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	283			317			849			951
	Net periodic pension cost	$	617		$	635		$	1,849		$	1,905
	FBL Financial Group, Inc. share of net periodic pension costs	$	343		$	359		$	1,029		$	1,077

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Stock by Class [Table Text Block]	'
	Reconciliation of Outstanding Common Stock
		Class A							Class B							Total
		Shares			Dollars				Shares			Dollars				Shares		Dollars
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013	24,282,184			$	115,706			1,192,890			$	7,522			25,475,074		$	123,228
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	629,516			18,954				—			—				629,516		18,954
	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 (1)	157,529			993				(157,529	)		(993		)		—		$	—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013	24,705,799			$	133,791			11,413			$	72			24,717,212		$	133,863
	Outstanding at January 1, 2014	24,742,942			$	134,993			11,413			$	72			24,754,355		$	135,065
	Issuance of common stock under compensation plans	314,273			9,560				—			—				314,273		9,560
	Purchase of common stock	(395,816	)		(2,201		)		—			—				(395,816	)	(2,201		)
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014	24,661,399			$	142,352			11,413			$	72			24,672,812		$	142,424
	-1	There is no established market for our Class B common stock, although it is convertible upon demand of the holder into Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax and Other Offsets
		Unrealized Net Investment Gains (Losses) on Available For Sale Securities (1)				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit Plans				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	306,167			$	(8,362	)		$	(7,952	)		$	289,853
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(151,182		)		6,499				—				(144,683		)
	Reclassification adjustments	(7,838		)		(2,687		)		671				(9,854		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	147,147			$	(4,550	)		$	(7,281	)		$	135,316
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	126,587			$	(1,366	)		$	(6,154	)		$	119,067
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	114,698				2,247				—				116,945
	Reclassification adjustments	(2,187		)		$	—			536				(1,651		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	239,098			$	881			$	(5,618	)		$	234,361
	-1	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.
Disclosure of Reclassification Amount [Text Block]	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Adjustments
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Unrealized Net Investment Gains (Losses) on Available For Sale Securities (1)				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Underfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
										Plans
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(3,539	)		$	—			$	—			$	(3,539	)
	Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	175				—				—				175
	Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
	Prior service costs	—				—				(9		)		(9		)
	Net actuarial loss	—				—				834				834
	Reclassifications before income taxes	(3,364		)		—				825				(2,539		)
	Income taxes	1,177				—				(289		)		888
	Reclassification adjustments	$	(2,187	)		$	—			$	536			$	(1,651	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Unrealized Net Investment Gains (Losses) on Available For Sale Securities (1)				Accumulated Non-Credit Impairment Losses (1)				Unfunded Status of Postretirement Benefit				Total
										Plans
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Realized capital gains on sales of investments	$	(12,819	)		$	—			$	—			$	(12,819	)
	Adjustments for assumed changes in deferred policy acquisition costs, value of insurance in force acquired, unearned revenue reserve and policyholder liabilities	760				116				—				876
	Other than temporary impairment losses	—				(4,250		)		—				(4,250		)
	Other expenses: Amortization of unrecognized postretirement items:
	Prior service costs	—				—				(9		)		(9		)
	Net actuarial loss	—				—				1,041				1,041
	Reclassifications before income taxes	(12,059		)		(4,134		)		1,032				(15,161		)
	Income taxes	4,221				1,447				(361		)		5,307
	Reclassification adjustments	$	(7,838	)		$	(2,687	)		$	671			$	(9,854	)
	-1	See Note 2 for further information.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	Computation of Earnings Per Common Share
		Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
		(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	30,159	$	27,053	$	81,793	$	81,606
	Less: Dividends on Series B preferred stock	37		37		112		112
	Income available to common stockholders	$	30,122	$	27,016	$	81,681	$	81,494
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares - basic	24,858,021		25,770,499		24,877,424		25,721,995
	Effect of dilutive securities - stock-based compensation	130,966		259,059		152,660		258,127
	Weighted average shares - diluted	24,988,987		26,029,558		25,030,084		25,980,122
	Earnings per common share	$	1.21	$	1.05	$	3.28	$	3.17
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:	$	1.21	$	1.04	$	3.26	$	3.14
	Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share	—		—		—		293

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	'
	Financial Information Concerning our Operating Segments
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Operating revenues:
	Annuity	$	51,070		$	50,435		$	150,145		$	147,775
	Life Insurance	97,935			99,851			292,589			288,742
	Corporate and Other	23,046			23,511			69,670			72,803
		172,051			173,797			512,404			509,320
	Realized gains on investments (1)	1,000			786			3,266			11,267
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	369			(1,067		)	2,122			(2,340		)
	Consolidated revenues	$	173,420		$	173,516		$	517,792		$	518,247
	Pre-tax operating income:
	Annuity	$	16,971		$	16,427		$	47,067		$	48,181
	Life Insurance	14,623			14,263			36,596			35,198
	Corporate and Other	6,789			4,409			18,348			17,548
		38,383			35,099			102,011			100,927
	Income taxes on operating income	(8,920		)	(8,540		)	(23,317		)	(25,597		)
	Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	597			406			2,006			6,714
	Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	99			88			1,093			(438		)
	Consolidated net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$	30,159		$	27,053		$	81,793		$	81,606
	-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.
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]	'
	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
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Traditional and universal life insurance premiums collected	$	67,657		$	76,946		$	214,081		$	238,062
	Premiums collected on interest sensitive products	(22,743		)	(32,718		)	(76,165		)	(103,538		)
	Traditional life insurance premiums collected	44,914			44,228			137,916			134,524
	Change in due premiums and other	106			(345		)	40			351
	Traditional life insurance premiums	$	45,020		$	43,883		$	137,956		$	134,875
	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
		Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Annuity
	Surrender charges and other	$	327		$	279		$	1,392		$	936
	Life Insurance
	Administration charges	$	3,394		$	9,865		$	10,433		$	15,800
	Cost of insurance charges	11,625			10,834			33,901			31,799
	Surrender charges	209			101			615			361
	Amortization of policy initiation fees	425			124			799			1,160
	Total	$	15,653		$	20,924		$	45,748		$	49,120
	Corporate and Other
	Administration charges	$	1,484		$	1,532		$	4,759		$	4,628
	Cost of insurance charges	7,391			7,416			22,188			22,179
	Surrender charges	123			144			364			413
	Separate account charges	2,252			2,158			6,813			6,376
	Amortization of policy initiation fees	403			(183		)	821			717
	Total	$	11,653		$	11,067		$	34,945		$	34,313
	Consolidated interest sensitive product charges	$	27,633		$	32,270		$	82,085		$	84,369

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies Recent accounting pronouncements (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'	'
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	$125,849	$116,305
Low income housing tax credits [Member]	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]	'	'
Securities and indebtedness of related parties	$83,800	$76,200

Investment_Operations_Availabl

Investment Operations Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$105,736		$90,071
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	6,056,578		5,828,539
Debt Securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	815,981		1,552,153
Available-for-sale securities	6,575,225		6,081,753
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	1,355	[1]	-2,101	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	548,208		369,097
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-29,561		-115,883
Corporate	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	490,539		845,661
Amortized Cost	3,284,539	[2]	3,142,476	[2]
Available-for-sale securities	3,590,767	[2]	3,306,779	[2]
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	421	[1],[2]	329	[1],[2]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	323,056	[2]	229,151	[2]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-16,828	[2]	-64,848	[2]
Hybrid preferred securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	80,700		76,300
Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	29,400		17,100
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	73,286		112,968
Amortized Cost	467,969		492,990
Available-for-sale securities	503,587		520,728
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	-3,823	[1]	-4,155	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	40,571		35,676
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-4,953		-7,938
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	50,242		81,701
Amortized Cost	478,909		391,845
Available-for-sale securities	508,238		404,667
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	31,284		20,014
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-1,955		-7,192
Other asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	143,359		135,131
Amortized Cost	486,659		444,047
Available-for-sale securities	500,504		456,543
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	4,757	[1]	1,725	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	18,424		19,169
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-4,579		-6,673
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,950		4,407
Amortized Cost	38,331		39,261
Available-for-sale securities	42,095		43,281
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	3,788		4,218
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-24		-198
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	54,605		372,285
Amortized Cost	1,300,171		1,317,920
Available-for-sale securities	1,430,034		1,349,755
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	131,085		60,869
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	-1,222		-29,034
Equity Securities [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	22,205		36,012
Available-for-sale securities	111,054		91,555
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5,951		3,867
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	633		2,383
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	22,205		36,012
Amortized Cost	80,566		65,692
Available-for-sale securities	85,065		66,450
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	5,132		3,141
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	633		2,383
Common Stock	'		'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'		'
Amortized Cost	25,170		24,379
Available-for-sale securities	25,989		25,105
Non-credit losses on other-than-temporary impairments	0	[1]	0	[1]
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	819		726
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Loss, before Tax	$0		$0
[1]	Non-credit losses, subsequent to the initial impairment measurement date, on other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) losses are included in the gross unrealized gains and losses columns above. The non-credit loss component of OTTI losses for corporate and other asset-backed securities were in an unrealized gain position at September 30, 2014 and 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 $80.7 million at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and $76.3 million at DecemberB 31, 2013. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $29.4 million at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and $17.1 million at DecemberB 31, 2013.

Investment_Operations_Availabl1

Investment Operations Available-for-sale Fixed Maturities by Maturity Date (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$105,736	$90,071
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Due in one year or less, amortized cost basis	96,701	'
Due after one year through five years, amortized cost basis	774,473	'
Due after five years through ten years, amortized cost basis	887,737	'
Due after ten years, amortized cost basis	2,864,130	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Single Maturity Date, Amortized Cost Basis	4,623,041	'
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed, amortized cost basis	1,433,537	'
Total fixed maturities, amortized cost basis	6,056,578	5,828,539
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'
Due in one year or less, fair value	98,818	'
Due after one year through five years, fair value	868,053	'
Due after five years through ten years, fair value	963,169	'
Due after ten years, fair value	3,132,856	'
Total fixed maturities with maturity date, fair value	5,062,896	'
Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed, fair value	1,512,329	'
Total fixed maturities, fair value	6,575,225	6,081,753
Corporate	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	203,296	43,500
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	27,618	20,948
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	29,652	28,054
Other asset backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	49,327	33,170
United States Government and agencies	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	468	0
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	45,102	19,165
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	355,463	144,837
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,600	4,373
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	$4,600	$4,373

Investment_Operations_Net_Unre

Investment Operations Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments in AOCI (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Net Unrealized Gains Losses [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Assumed changes in amortization of DAC	($148,900)		($55,550)		'	'
Assumed changes in amortization pattern of VIIF	-5,283		-6,356		'	'
Assumed changes in amortization pattern of URR	8,544		2,790		'	'
Assumed change in policyholder liability	-9,150		-2,957		'	'
Provision for deferred income taxes	-129,197		-67,404		'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	234,361		119,067		135,316	289,853
Debt Securities [Member]	'		'		'	'
Net Unrealized Gains Losses [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Unrealized appreciation on fixed maturities available for sale	518,647		253,214		'	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'		'		'	'
Net Unrealized Gains Losses [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Unrealized appreciation on fixed maturities available for sale	5,318		1,484		'	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'		'		'	'
Net Unrealized Gains Losses [Line Items]	'		'		'	'
Unrealized appreciation on fixed maturities available for sale	523,965		254,698		'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$239,979	[1]	$125,221	[1]	'	'
[1]	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.

Investment_Operations_Unrealiz

Investment Operations Unrealized Losses by Length of Time (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	issuers		securities
	securities		issuers
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$1,600,000	($2,000,000)	'
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	235	'	440
Available For Sale Securities In Unrealized Loss Positions Qualitative Disclosure Number Of Issuers	203	'	366
Corporate	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	287,243,000	'	802,161,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	5,795,000	'	60,138,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	203,296,000	'	43,500,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	11,033,000	'	4,710,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	490,539,000	'	845,661,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-16,828,000	'	-64,848,000
percent of total	56.90%	'	56.00%
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	45,668,000	'	92,020,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	343,000	'	3,548,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	27,618,000	'	20,948,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	4,610,000	'	4,390,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	73,286,000	'	112,968,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-4,953,000	'	-7,938,000
percent of total	16.80%	'	6.80%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	20,590,000	'	53,647,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	120,000	'	4,454,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	29,652,000	'	28,054,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1,835,000	'	2,738,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	50,242,000	'	81,701,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-1,955,000	'	-7,192,000
percent of total	6.60%	'	6.20%
Other asset backed securities [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	94,032,000	'	101,961,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	2,186,000	'	1,109,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	49,327,000	'	33,170,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	2,393,000	'	5,564,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	143,359,000	'	135,131,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-4,579,000	'	-6,673,000
percent of total	15.50%	'	5.80%
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	3,482,000	'	4,407,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	18,000	'	198,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	468,000	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	6,000	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	3,950,000	'	4,407,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-24,000	'	-198,000
percent of total	0.10%	'	0.20%
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	9,503,000	'	353,120,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	74,000	'	25,700,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	45,102,000	'	19,165,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	1,148,000	'	3,334,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	54,605,000	'	372,285,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-1,222,000	'	-29,034,000
percent of total	4.10%	'	25.00%
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	460,518,000	'	1,407,316,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	8,536,000	'	95,147,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	355,463,000	'	144,837,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	21,025,000	'	20,736,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	815,981,000	'	1,552,153,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-29,561,000	'	-115,883,000
percent of total	100.00%	'	100.00%
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value	17,605,000	'	31,639,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	233,000	'	1,756,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,600,000	'	4,373,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	400,000	'	627,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	22,205,000	'	36,012,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-633,000	'	-2,383,000
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	17,605,000	'	31,639,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than 12 Months, Accumulated Loss	233,000	'	1,756,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	4,600,000	'	4,373,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Accumulated Loss	400,000	'	627,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	22,205,000	'	36,012,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	-633,000	'	-2,383,000
Maximum [Member] | Corporate	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available for sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Maximum Loss by issuer	1,200,000	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available for sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Maximum Loss by issuer	4,000,000	'	'
Available for sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Maximum Loss by security	2,400,000	'	'
Utilities sector [Member] | Corporate	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'	133,300,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	'	'	-4,600,000
Electric sector [Member] | Corporate	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'	86,400,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	'	'	-2,500,000
Gas pipeline sector [Member] | Corporate	'	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value	'	'	32,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss	'	'	-1,500,000

Investment_Operations_Credit_l

Investment Operations Credit loss component of Other-than-temporary Impairments on Fixed Maturities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	($21,592)	($27,712)
Increases to previously impaired assets	0	-618
Reductions due to securities sold	-4,468	-5,840
Balance at end of period	($17,124)	($22,490)

Investment_Operations_Realized

Investment Operations Realized Gains (Losses) - Recorded in Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Real Estate	$0		$0		'		'
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	-273,000		-765,000		-273,000		-1,610,000
Realized gains (losses) on investments recorded in income	1,000,000		693,000		3,266,000		11,215,000
Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-sale Securities	'		'		47,500,000		123,200,000
Categories of Investments, Cost-method Investments [Member]	'		'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Real Estate	'		'		0		12,000
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Other Assets	0		0		0		-6,000
Debt Securities [Member] | Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities [Member]	'		'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Gross gains - fixed maturities - available for sale	1,437,000		1,467,000		4,345,000		15,193,000
Gross losses - fixed maturities - available for sale	-164,000		-9,000		-806,000		-2,374,000
Credit related [Member]	'		'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	0	[1]	618,000	[1]	0	[1]	-618,000	[1]
Other credit-related [Member]	'		'		'		'
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	$273,000	[1]	$147,000	[1]	($273,000)	[1]	($992,000)	[1]
[1]	Amount represents credit-related losses for mortgage loans, real estate and fixed maturities written down to fair value through income.

Investment_Operations_Mortgage

Investment Operations Mortgage Loans (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	$629,560	$575,861
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	100.00%	100.00%
Year of origination 2014 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	78,101	0
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	12.40%	0.00%
Year of origination 2013 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	82,508	84,478
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	13.10%	14.70%
Year of origination 2012 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	70,914	72,792
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	11.30%	12.60%
Year of Origination 2011 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	47,164	48,190
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	7.50%	8.40%
Year of origination 2010 [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	25,148	26,173
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	4.00%	4.50%
Year of origination prior [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	325,725	344,228
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	51.70%	59.80%
0% to 50% loan to value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	164,998	149,719
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	26.20%	26.00%
51% to 60% loan-to-value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	203,083	202,025
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	32.30%	35.10%
61% to 70% loan-to-value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	183,363	204,460
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	29.10%	35.50%
71% to 80% loan-to-value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	70,707	15,559
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	11.20%	2.70%
81% to 90% loan to value [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	7,409	4,098
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	1.20%	0.70%
South Atlantic [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	193,133	170,529
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	30.70%	29.60%
Pacific [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	95,975	92,538
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	15.20%	16.10%
East North Central [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	82,312	79,128
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	13.10%	13.70%
West North Central [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	86,598	85,629
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	13.80%	14.90%
West South Central [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	50,674	39,780
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	8.00%	6.90%
Mountain [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	63,362	53,460
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	10.10%	9.30%
Other geographical locations [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	57,506	54,797
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	9.10%	9.50%
Office [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	273,442	241,951
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	43.40%	42.00%
Retail [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	210,936	194,053
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	33.50%	33.70%
Industrial [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	127,187	126,151
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	20.20%	21.90%
Other property type [Member]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Carrying Amount of Mortgages	$17,995	$13,706
Percentage of Mortgage Loans	2.90%	2.40%

Investment_Operations_Allowanc

Investment Operations Allowance on Mortgage Loans (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Line Items]	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$888	$1,694
Allowances established	0	475
Charge offs	0	-1,610
Balance at end of period	864	559
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery	($24)	$0

Investment_Operations_Impaired

Investment Operations Impaired mortgage loans (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financing Receivable, Impaired [Line Items]	'	'
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	$22,179	$22,100
Impaired Financing Receivable, Related Allowance	864	888
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	309	429
Impaired Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment	$21,006	$20,783

Investment_Operations_Delinque

Investment Operations Delinquent Mortgage Loans (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	$14.40
Financing Receivables, Impaired, Troubled Debt Restructuring, Write-down	$0.50

Investment_Operations_Variable

Investment Operations Variable Interest Entities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]	'	'
Variable Interest Entity, Nonconsolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	$16,508	$17,646
Variable Interest Entity, Reporting Entity Involvement, Maximum Loss Exposure, Amount	$16,508	$17,646

Investment_Operations_Commitme

Investment Operations Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]	'
Other Commitment	$52.50

Investment_Operations_Derivati

Investment Operations Derivative instruments (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative assets (incl in other investments)	$6.60	'	$3.70
Derivative Liabilities	5.7	'	0.3
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$1.60	($2)	'

Investment_Operations_Mortgage1

Investment Operations Mortgage loan modification TDR (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve [Line Items]	'
Financing Receivable, Modifications, Recorded Investment	$14.40
Financing Receivables, Impaired, Troubled Debt Restructuring, Write-down	$0.50

Fair_Values_Fair_Value_by_Bala

Fair Values Fair Value by Balance Sheet Grouping (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Policy loans	$181,345	$176,993
Other investments	6,600	3,700
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	6,575,225	6,081,753
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	111,054	91,555
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	629,560	575,861
Policy loans	181,345	176,993
Other investments	2,842	993
Cash and short-term investments	87,386	115,047
Reinsurance recoverable	3,742	2,678
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Future policy benefits	3,500,939	3,360,519
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	343,248	349,761
Advance premiums and other deposits	243,056	230,819
Long-term debt	97,000	97,000
Other liabilities	197	0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	6,575,225	6,081,753
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	111,054	91,555
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	661,917	594,451
Policy loans	221,876	210,401
Other investments	2,842	993
Cash and short-term investments	87,386	115,047
Reinsurance recoverable	3,742	2,678
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Future policy benefits	3,574,717	3,371,706
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	315,714	320,195
Advance premiums and other deposits	243,056	230,819
Long-term debt	70,713	63,343
Other liabilities	197	0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	679,857	686,387
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	6,575,225	6,081,753
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	$111,054	$91,555

Fair_Values_Valuation_of_Finan

Fair Values Valuation of Financial Instruments by Hierarchy Levels (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Other investments	$6,600		$3,700
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218		693,955
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total assets	792,556		827,588
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	0		0
Other investments	0		0
Cash and short-term investments	87,386		115,047
Reinsurance recoverable	0		0
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218		693,955
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	0		0
Total liabilities	0		0
Other liabilities	0		'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total assets	6,411,778		5,903,013
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	396,176		370,708
Other investments	2,842		993
Cash and short-term investments	0		0
Reinsurance recoverable	3,742		2,678
Assets held in separate accounts	0		0
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	0		0
Total liabilities	197		0
Other liabilities	197		'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Total assets	262,133		255,380
Available-for-sale securities	253,986		247,585
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	104,328		85,835
Other investments	0		0
Cash and short-term investments	0		0
Reinsurance recoverable	0		0
Assets held in separate accounts	0		0
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	5,656		286
Total liabilities	5,656		286
Other liabilities	0		'
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]	'		'
Total assets	7,466,467		6,985,981
Available-for-sale securities	85,065		66,450
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	500,504		456,543
Other investments	2,842		993
Cash and short-term investments	87,386		115,047
Reinsurance recoverable	3,742		2,678
Assets held in separate accounts	686,218		693,955
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	5,656		286
Total liabilities	5,853		286
Other liabilities	197		'
Corporate securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	3,590,767	[1]	3,306,779	[1]
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	3,523,273		3,224,785
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	67,494		81,994
Corporate securities | 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	3,590,767		3,306,779
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	85,065		66,450
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	76,918		58,655
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	8,147		7,795
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	503,587		520,728
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	503,587		520,728
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	0		0
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member] | 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	503,587		520,728
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	508,238		404,667
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	0		0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	434,244		332,955
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	73,994		71,712
Mortgage-backed securities available-for-sale	73,994		71,712
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | 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	508,238		404,667
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	42,095		43,281
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	15,310		15,291
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	18,615		19,946
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	8,170		8,044
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	42,095		43,281
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	1,430,034		1,349,755
State, municipal and other government [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
State, municipal and other government [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	1,430,034		1,349,755
State, municipal and other government [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
State, municipal and other government [Member] | 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	1,430,034		1,349,755
Common Stock	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	25,989		25,105
Common Stock | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	3,642		3,295
Common Stock | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	22,347		21,810
Common Stock | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
Common Stock | 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	$25,989		$25,105
[1]	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $80.7 million at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and $76.3 million at DecemberB 31, 2013. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $29.4 million at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and $17.1 million at DecemberB 31, 2013.

Fair_Values_Level_3_Fixed_Matu

Fair Values Level 3 Fixed Maturitiies on a Recurring Basis by Valuation Source (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	$253,986		$247,585
percent of total	100.00%		100.00%
Corporate securities	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	3,590,767	[1]	3,306,779	[1]
percent of total	56.90%		56.00%
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	67,494		81,994
Residential mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	503,587		520,728
percent of total	16.80%		6.80%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	508,238		404,667
percent of total	6.60%		6.20%
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	73,994		71,712
Other asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	500,504		456,543
percent of total	15.50%		5.80%
Other asset backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	104,328		85,835
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	42,095		43,281
percent of total	0.10%		0.20%
United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	8,170		8,044
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	1,430,034		1,349,755
percent of total	4.10%		25.00%
State, municipal and other government [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
Third-party vendors [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	208,630		204,571
percent of total	82.10%		82.60%
Third-party vendors [Member] | Corporate securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	42,796		59,812
Third-party vendors [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	73,994		71,712
Third-party vendors [Member] | Other asset backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	83,670		65,003
Third-party vendors [Member] | United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	8,170		8,044
Priced internally [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	45,356		43,014
percent of total	17.90%		17.40%
Priced internally [Member] | Corporate securities | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	24,698		22,182
Priced internally [Member] | Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	0		0
Priced internally [Member] | Other asset backed securities [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	20,658		20,832
Priced internally [Member] | United States Government and agencies | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'		'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'		'
Available-for-sale securities	$0		$0
[1]	Corporate securities include hybrid preferred securities with a carrying value of $80.7 million at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and $76.3 million at DecemberB 31, 2013. Corporate securities also include redeemable preferred stock with a carrying value of $29.4 million at SeptemberB 30, 2014 and $17.1 million at DecemberB 31, 2013.

Fair_Values_Quantitative_Infor

Fair Values Quantitative Information about Unobservable Measurement Inputs (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$262,133	$255,380
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	5,656	286
Index Annuity Embedded Derivatives [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits - index annuity embedded derivatives	5,656	286
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	'0.75% - 1.55% (1.05%) 0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)	'0.30% - 1.70% (1.05%) 0.15% - 0.40% (0.25%)
Asset fair value by technique [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	155,992	163,835
Corporate securities	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	42,375	46,023
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	'0.67% - 7.15% (5.23%)	'0.91% - 17.08% (7.84%)
Commercial mortgage-backed	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	73,994	71,712
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	'1.90% - 4.00% (2.91%)	'1.75% - 4.50% (2.95%)
Other asset backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	31,476	38,305
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	'0.90% - 5.41% (3.71%)	'0.74% - 5.06% (3.55%)
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	'	7,795
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'	'Discounted cash flow
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'	'Credit spread
Input range and weighted average	'	'3.81% (3.81%)
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$8,147	'
Fair Value Measurements, Valuation Techniques	'Discounted cash flow	'
Fair Value Measurements, Significant Assumptions	'Credit spread	'
Input range and weighted average	'3.42% (3.42%)	'

Fair_Values_Level_3_Financial_

Fair Values Level 3 Financial Instruments Changes in Fair Value (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	$255,380		$288,669
Purchases	47,853		39,540
Disposals	-27,245		-16,504
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	-273		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	4,939		7,647
Transfers Into Level 3	15,598	[1]	9,270	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	-35,257	[1]	-49,203	[1]
Amortization included in net income	1,138		1,097
Asset Balance, beginning of period	262,133		265,222
Liability balance, beginning of period	286		307
Purchases	6,000		0
Settlements	-344		-26
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	-286		-6
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	0		0
Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Liability balance, end of period	5,656		287
Corporate securities	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	81,994		100,463
Purchases	262		2,129
Disposals	-12,957		-5,387
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	-273		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	-171		1,810
Transfers Into Level 3	13,624	[1]	0	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	-14,960	[1]	-10,798	[1]
Amortization included in net income	-25		-14
Asset Balance, beginning of period	67,494		84,583
Commercial mortgage-backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	71,712		76,281
Purchases	2,920		0
Disposals	-558		-491
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	0		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	4,669		3,996
Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	-4,820	[1]	0	[1]
Amortization included in net income	71		63
Asset Balance, beginning of period	73,994		71,857
Other asset backed securities [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	85,835		95,756
Purchases	44,671		37,411
Disposals	-13,730		-10,408
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	0		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	-32		1,439
Transfers Into Level 3	1,974	[1]	4,062	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	-15,477	[1]	-38,405	[1]
Amortization included in net income	1,087		1,043
Asset Balance, beginning of period	104,328		88,020
United States Government and agencies	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	8,044		8,555
Purchases	0		0
Disposals	0		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	0		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	121		468
Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Amortization included in net income	5		5
Asset Balance, beginning of period	8,170		8,092
State, municipal and other government [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	'		223
Purchases	'		0
Disposals	'		-218
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	'		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	'		5
Transfers Into Level 3	'		0	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	'		0	[1]
Amortization included in net income	'		0
Asset Balance, beginning of period	'		0
Non-redeemable preferred stock [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Asset Balance, beginning of period	7,795		7,391
Purchases	0		0
Disposals	0		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	0		0
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	352		71
Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	5,208	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Amortization included in net income	0		0
Asset Balance, beginning of period	8,147		12,670
Index Annuity Embedded Derivatives [Member]	'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'		'
Liability balance, beginning of period	286		307
Purchases	6,000		0
Settlements	-344		-26
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in net income	-286		6
Realized and unrealized gains (losses), net, included in other comprehensive income	0		'
Transfers Into Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Transfers out of Level 3	0	[1]	0	[1]
Liability balance, end of period	$5,656		$287
[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

Fair_Values_Valuation_of_Finan1

Fair Values Valuation of Financial Instruments not reported at fair value (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	$629,560	$575,861
Policy loans	181,345	176,993
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218	693,955
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits	0	0
Other liabilities	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits	0	0
Other liabilities	197	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits	5,656	286
Other liabilities	0	'
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	661,917	594,451
Policy loans	221,876	210,401
Total assets	883,793	804,852
Future policy benefits	3,569,061	3,371,420
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	315,714	320,195
Long-term debt	70,713	63,343
Advance premiums and other deposits	243,056	230,819
Liabilities related to separate accounts	679,857	686,387
Total liabilities	4,878,401	4,672,164
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	0	0
Policy loans	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Future policy benefits	0	0
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Advance premiums and other deposits	0	0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	0	0
Policy loans	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Future policy benefits	0	0
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Advance premiums and other deposits	0	0
Liabilities related to separate accounts	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Portion at Other than Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Financial Instruments Not Reported at Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	661,917	594,451
Policy loans	221,876	210,401
Total assets	883,793	804,852
Future policy benefits	3,569,061	3,371,420
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies	315,714	320,195
Long-term debt	70,713	63,343
Advance premiums and other deposits	243,056	230,819
Liabilities related to separate accounts	679,857	686,387
Total liabilities	$4,878,401	$4,672,164

Fair_Values_Level_3_Financial_1

Fair Values Level 3 Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a nonrecurring basis (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	$629,560,000	$575,861,000
Policy loans	181,345,000	176,993,000
Liabilities related to separate accounts	686,218,000	693,955,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Mortgage loans	1,900,000	'
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Write-down or Reserve, Amount	200,000	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Future policy benefits	$5,656,000	$286,000

Defined_Benefit_Plan_Details

Defined Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$68	$63	$202	$189
Interest cost	269	258	807	774
Amortization of prior service cost	-3	-3	-9	-9
Amortization of actuarial loss	283	317	849	951
Net periodic pension cost	617	635	1,849	1,905
FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	1,319	1,618	3,959	4,854
Interest cost	3,505	3,346	10,515	10,038
Expected return on assets	-4,385	-3,916	-13,155	-11,748
Amortization of prior service cost	36	36	108	108
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,702	3,117	10,024	9,351
Net periodic pension cost	3,177	4,201	11,451	12,603
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member] | FBL Financial Group Other plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net periodic pension cost	343	359	1,029	1,077
FBL Financial Group, Inc., participant [Member] | FBL Financial Group Retirement Plan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net periodic pension cost	$1,018	$1,341	$3,672	$4,023

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders Equity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 25, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares	'	0	[1]	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	314,273	629,516		'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	24,672,812	24,717,212		24,754,355	'	25,475,074
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	($16,942,000)	($60,603,000)		'	'	'
Issurance of common stock under compensation plans	9,560,000	18,954,000		'	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	'	44,200,000		'	'	'
Sale of Stock, Price Per Share	'	'		'	$45.33	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	-395,816	-1,387,378		'	'	'
Common Class B	'	'		'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Shares	'	-157,529	[1]	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	0	0		'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	11,413	11,413		11,413	'	1,192,890
Common stock, without par value	72,000	'		72,000	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	'	-46,400,000		'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	0	-1,023,948		'	'	'
Common Class A	'	'		'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	157,529	[1]	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures	314,273	629,516		'	'	'
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	24,661,399	24,705,799		24,742,942	'	24,282,184
Common stock, without par value	142,352,000	'		134,993,000	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	'	-14,188,000		'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	-395,816	-363,430		'	'	'
Conversion of Stock, Shares Issued	'	105,930		'	'	'
Common Stock	'	'		'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Common stock, without par value	142,424,000	133,863,000		135,065,000	'	123,228,000
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value	'	0	[1]	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	-2,201,000	-8,319,000		'	'	'
Issurance of common stock under compensation plans	9,560,000	18,954,000		'	'	'
Common Stock | Common Class B	'	'		'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Common stock, without par value	72,000	72,000		72,000	'	7,522,000
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value	'	-993,000	[1]	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	0	-6,457,000		'	'	'
Issurance of common stock under compensation plans	0	0		'	'	'
Common Stock | Common Class A	'	'		'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'		'	'	'
Common stock, without par value	142,352,000	133,791,000		134,993,000	'	115,706,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	993,000	[1]	'	'	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value	-2,201,000	-1,862,000		'	'	'
Issurance of common stock under compensation plans	$9,560,000	$18,954,000		'	'	'
[1]	There is no established market for our Class B common stock, although it is convertible upon demand of the holder into Class A common stock on a share-for-share basis.

Stockholders_Equity_Accumulate

Stockholders Equity Accumulated other comprehensive income (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated other comprehensive income	$234,361		$135,316		$119,067		$289,853
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	116,945		-144,683		'		'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	-1,651		-9,854		'		'
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-5,618		-7,281		-6,154		-7,952
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	0		0		'		'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	239,098	[1]	147,147	[1]	126,587	[1]	306,167	[1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	114,698	[1]	-151,182	[1]	'		'
Accumulated Other-than-Temporary Impairment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	881		-4,550		-1,366		-8,362
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments, Net of Tax	$2,247		$6,499		'		'
[1]	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.

Stockholders_Equity_AOC_I_Recl

Stockholders Equity AOC I Reclassification Adjustments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	$1,273	$1,458	$3,539		$12,825
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	-273	-765	-273		-1,610
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	30,122	27,016	81,681		81,494
Income taxes	12,535	11,962	35,102		36,923
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	'	'	-1,651		-9,854
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member]	'	'	'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	'	'	-3,539		-12,819
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	'	'	175		876
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	'	'	'		-4,250
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Costs Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	-9		-9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	834		1,041
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	'	'	-2,539		-15,161
Income taxes	'	'	888		5,307
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	'	'	-1,651		-9,854
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	'	'	-3,539	[1]	-12,819	[2]
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	'	'	175	[1]	760	[2]
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	'	'	'		0	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Costs Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	0	[1]	0	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	0	[1]	0	[2]
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	'	'	-3,364	[1]	-12,059	[2]
Income taxes	'	'	1,177	[1]	4,221	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	'	'	-2,187	[1]	-7,838	[1],[2]
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Other-than-Temporary Impairment [Member]	'	'	'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	'	'	0	[2]	0	[2]
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	'	'	0	[2]	116	[2]
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	'	'	'		4,250	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Costs Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	0	[2]	0	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	0	[2]	0	[2]
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	'	'	0	[2]	-4,134	[2]
Income taxes	'	'	0	[2]	1,447	[2]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax	'	'	0	[2]	-2,687	[2]
reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] | Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'		'
Net realized capital gains on sales of investments	'	'	0		0
Change in offsets to unrealized on investments	'	'	0		0
Net impairment loss recognized in earnings	'	'	'		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Costs Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	-9		-9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax	'	'	834		1,041
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	'	'	825		1,032
Income taxes	'	'	-289		-361
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Net of Tax	'	'	$536		$671
[1]	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.
[2]	See Note 2 for further information.

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	$30,159	$27,053	$81,793	$81,606
Less: Dividends Series B preferred stock	-37	-37	-112	-112
Income available to common stockholders from continuing operations	$30,122	$27,016	$81,681	$81,494
Denominator [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares - diluted	24,988,987	26,029,558	25,030,084	25,980,122
Weighted average shares - basic	24,858,021	25,770,499	24,877,424	25,721,995
Effect of dilutive securities - stock-based compensation	130,966	259,059	152,660	258,127
Earnings per common share	$1.21	$1.05	$3.28	$3.17
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$1.21	$1.04	$3.26	$3.14
Antidilutive stock options excluded from diluted earnings per share	0	0	0	293

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Realized gains (losses) on investments (1)	$1,000	[1]	$786	[1]	$3,266	[1]	$11,267	[1]
Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives (1)	369	[1]	-1,067	[1]	2,122	[1]	-2,340	[1]
Operating revenues	173,420		173,516		517,792		518,247
Operating Income (Loss)	38,383		35,099		102,011		100,927
Income tax on operating income	-8,920		-8,540		-23,317		-25,597
Realized gains/losses on investments (1)	597	[1]	406	[1]	2,006	[1]	6,714	[1]
Change in net unrealized gains/losses on derivatives	99	[1]	88	[1]	1,093	[1]	-438	[1]
Net income attributable to FBL Financial Group, Inc.	30,159		27,053		81,793		81,606
Annuity Segment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating revenues	51,070		50,435		150,145		147,775
Operating Income (Loss)	16,971		16,427		47,067		48,181
Corporate and Other [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating revenues	23,046		23,511		69,670		72,803
Operating Income (Loss)	6,789		4,409		18,348		17,548
Life Insurance Segment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Operating revenues	97,935		99,851		292,589		288,742
Operating Income (Loss)	$14,623		$14,263		$36,596		$35,198
[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.

Segment_Information_Reconcilia

Segment Information Reconciliation of non-GAAP measures Revenues (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Premiums collected	$149,400	'	$150,200	$504,400	$491,200
Change in due premiums and other	106	'	-345	40	351
Traditional life insurance premiums	45,020	43,883	43,883	137,956	134,875
Interest sensitive product charges	27,633	32,270	'	82,085	84,369
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	11,653	11,067	'	34,945	34,313
Corporate and Other [Member] | Admiin charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	1,484	1,532	'	4,759	4,628
Corporate and Other [Member] | Cost of insurance charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	7,391	7,416	'	22,188	22,179
Corporate and Other [Member] | Surrender charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	123	144	'	364	413
Corporate and Other [Member] | Separate account charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	2,252	2,158	'	6,813	6,376
Corporate and Other [Member] | Amortization of policy initiation fees [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	403	-183	'	821	717
Life Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Premiums collected	67,657	'	76,946	214,081	238,062
Interest sensitive product charges	15,653	20,924	'	45,748	49,120
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Admiin charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	3,394	9,865	'	10,433	15,800
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Cost of insurance charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	11,625	10,834	'	33,901	31,799
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Surrender charges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	209	101	'	615	361
Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Amortization of policy initiation fees [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	425	124	'	799	1,160
Annuity Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Interest sensitive product charges	327	279	'	1,392	936
Life insurance - interest sensitive [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Premiums collected	22,743	'	32,718	76,165	103,538
Life insurance - traditional [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Premiums collected	$44,914	'	$44,228	$137,916	$134,524

Segment_Information_Goodwill_b

Segment Information Goodwill by segment (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Annuity Segment [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$3.90	$3.90
Life Insurance Segment [Member]	'	'
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$6.10	$6.10