Primerica (PRI) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Primerica, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1475922
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,352,164

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,696,412 in 2015 and $1,667,500 in 2014)	$1,789,937	[1]	$1,759,120	[1]
Fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $259,761 in 2015 and $228,809 in 2014)	238,000		220,000
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $42,347 in 2015 and $43,738 in 2014)	51,807		53,390
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $7,344 in 2015 and $7,710 in 2014)	7,345		7,711
Policy loans	27,679		28,095
Total investments	2,114,768		2,068,316
Cash and cash equivalents	180,207		192,516
Accrued investment income	18,442		17,401
Due from reinsurers	4,094,456		4,115,533
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	1,377,022		1,351,180
Premiums and other receivables	180,642		181,660
Intangible assets, net (accumulated amortization: $69,277 in 2015 and $68,426 in 2014)	60,870		61,720
Deferred income taxes	32,335		36,082
Other assets	279,207		273,403
Separate account assets	2,386,265		2,440,303
Total assets	10,724,214		10,738,114
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	5,289,016		5,264,608
Unearned premiums	821		912
Policy claims and other benefits payable	259,148		264,832
Other policyholders’ funds	342,322		344,313
Notes payable	374,545		374,532
Surplus note	238,000		220,000
Income taxes	157,685		140,467
Other liabilities	381,369		392,810
Payable under securities lending	55,622		50,211
Separate account liabilities	2,386,265		2,440,303
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Commitments and Contingent Liabilities note)
Total liabilities	9,484,793		9,492,988
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2015 and 2014; issued and outstanding 51,555 shares in 2015 and 52,169 shares in 2014)	516		522
Paid-in capital	323,996		353,337
Retained earnings	830,624		795,740
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)	1,345		21,681
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):
Net unrealized investment gains not other-than-temporarily impaired	83,402		74,308
Net unrealized investment losses other-than-temporarily impaired	-462		-462
Total stockholders’ equity	1,239,421		1,245,126
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$10,724,214		$10,738,114
[1]	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities available for sale, amortized cost	$1,696,412	[1]	$1,667,500	[1]
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity, fair value	259,761		228,809
Equity securities available for sale, cost	42,347		43,738
Trading securities, cost	7,344		7,710
Intangible assets, net
Accumulated amortization on definite-lived intangible assets	$69,277		$68,426
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value	$0.01		$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000		500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	51,555,000		52,169,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	51,555,000		52,169,000
[1]	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Direct premiums	$577,458	$568,205
Ceded premiums	-397,540	-402,715
Net premiums	179,918	165,490
Commissions and fees	132,835	126,933
Net investment income	21,173	21,599
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses	1,284	263
Other, net	9,929	10,043
Total revenues	345,139	324,328
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and claims	82,500	75,191
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	36,213	35,193
Sales commissions	68,457	65,121
Insurance expenses	34,641	28,502
Insurance commissions	3,190	4,083
Interest expense	8,676	8,606
Other operating expenses	44,653	40,800
Total benefits and expenses	278,330	257,496
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	66,809	66,832
Income taxes	23,408	23,347
Income from continuing operations	43,401	43,485
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		1,595
Net income	43,401	45,080
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$0.82	$0.78
Discontinued operations		$0.03
Basic earnings per share	$0.82	$0.81
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations	$0.82	$0.78
Discontinued operations		$0.03
Diluted earnings per share	$0.82	$0.81
Weighted-average shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	52,643	55,211
Diluted	52,691	55,233
Supplemental disclosures:
Total impairment losses	-237	-149
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	-237	-149
Other net realized investment gains (losses)	1,521	412
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	$1,284	$263
Dividends declared per share	$0.16	$0.12

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$43,401	$45,080
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Change in unrealized holding gains/(losses) on investment securities	15,661	17,930
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income	-1,670	-188
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)	-20,566	-8,677
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes	-6,575	9,065
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)	4,667	6,104
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	-11,242	2,961
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$32,159	$48,041

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
In Thousands
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2013		$548	$472,633	$640,840	$108,006
Repurchases of common stock		-4	-19,183
Net issuance of common stock		2	-2
Share-based compensation			9,699
Adjustments to paid-in capital, other			-309
Net income	45,080			45,080
Dividends				-6,738
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	2,961					-8,571	11,532
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2014	1,253,533	546	462,838	679,182	110,967
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014	1,245,126	522	353,337	795,740	95,527
Repurchases of common stock		-9	-44,781
Net issuance of common stock		3	-3
Share-based compensation			15,307
Adjustments to paid-in capital, other			136
Net income	43,401			43,401
Dividends				-8,517
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes	-11,242					-20,336	9,094
Balance, end of period at Mar. 31, 2015	$1,239,421	$516	$323,996	$830,624	$84,285

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - Parenthetical (Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, income tax expense (benefit)	($230)	($106)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than-temporarily impaired, income tax expense (benefit)	4,897	6,210
Change in net unrealized investment (losses) gains other-than-temporarily impaired, income tax expense (benefit)	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$43,401	$45,080
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Change in future policy benefits and other policy liabilities	53,674	54,542
Deferral of policy acquisition costs	-75,434	-73,045
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	36,213	35,193
Change in income taxes	18,576	14,905
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	-1,284	-263
Gain from sale of business, net		-1,595
Accretion and amortization of investments	-438	-597
Depreciation and amortization	2,633	2,884
Change in due from reinsurers	-6,956	-32,759
Change in premiums and other receivables	456	-4,173
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net	365	2,036
Share-based compensation	8,943	2,848
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net	-13,747	-7,316
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	66,402	37,740
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed-maturity securities — sold	23,278	21,094
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called	72,979	91,596
Equity securities	1,659	188
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities	-122,264	-113,508
Equity securities	-625	-5,106
Purchases of property and equipment and other investing activities, net	-1,635	-1,491
Proceeds from sale of business		3,000
Cash collateral received (returned) on loaned securities, net	5,411	19,242
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments using securities lending collateral, net	-5,411	-19,242
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-26,608	-4,227
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	-8,517	-6,738
Common stock repurchased	-38,749	-13,065
Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation	3,456	2,954
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation	-6,041	-6,122
Cash proceeds from stock options exercised	136
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-49,715	-22,971
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	-2,388	-1,293
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-12,309	9,249
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	192,516	149,189
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$180,207	$158,438

Description_of_Business_Basis_

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	(1) Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Description of Business. Primerica, Inc. (the "Parent Company"), together with its subsidiaries (collectively, "we", "us" or the "Company"), is a leading distributor of financial products to middle income households in the United States and Canada. We assist our clients in meeting their needs for term life insurance, which we underwrite, and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products, which we distribute primarily on behalf of third parties. Our primary subsidiaries include the following entities: Primerica Financial Services, Inc. ("PFS"), a general agency and marketing company; Primerica Life Insurance Company ("Primerica Life"), our principal life insurance company; Primerica Financial Services (Canada) Ltd., a holding company for our Canadian operations, which includes Primerica Life Insurance Company of Canada ("Primerica Life Canada") and PFSL Investments Canada Ltd. ("PFSL Investments Canada"); and PFS Investments, Inc. ("PFS Investments"), an investment products company and broker-dealer. Primerica Life, domiciled in Massachusetts, owns National Benefit Life Insurance Company ("NBLIC"), a New York insurance company.
	We have established Peach Re, Inc. ("Peach Re") and Vidalia Re, Inc. (“Vidalia Re”) as special purpose financial captive insurance companies and wholly owned subsidiaries of Primerica Life. Peach Re and Vidalia Re have each entered into separate coinsurance agreements with Primerica Life whereby Primerica Life has ceded certain level premium term life insurance policies to Peach Re and Vidalia Re (respectively, the “Peach Re Coinsurance Agreement” and the “Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement”).
	Basis of Presentation. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect financial statement balances, revenues and expenses and cash flows, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management considers available facts and knowledge of existing circumstances when establishing the estimates included in our financial statements.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, generally consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year or of the results to be expected in future periods.
	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are sufficient to make the information not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Annual Report").
	Use of Estimates. The most significant items that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to change in the future are the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC"), liabilities for future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims, and income taxes. Estimates for these and other items are subject to change and are reassessed by management in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany profits, transactions, and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.
	Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period amounts to conform to current-period reporting classifications. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or total stockholders' equity.
	Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements dated as of March 31, 2015.
	Significant Accounting Policies. All significant accounting policies remain unchanged from the 2014 Annual Report.
	New Accounting Principles. In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) – Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are currently presented as a deferred charge, or asset, within the balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 requires the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are effective retrospectively for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company intends to adopt the amendments in ASU 2015-03 beginning in the first quarter of 2016. At March 31, 2015, the Company had debt issuance costs related to recognized liabilities of approximately $3.1 million within Other assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets that would be reclassified and presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liabilities under ASU 2015-03.
	Future Application of Accounting Standards. Recent accounting guidance not discussed is not applicable, is immaterial to our financial statements, or did not or will not have an impact on our business.

Segment_and_Geographical_Infor

Segment and Geographical Information (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Geographical Information	(2) Segment and Geographical Information
	Segments. We have two primary operating segments — Term Life Insurance and Investment and Savings Products. We also have a Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment.
	Results of continuing operations by segment were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	Term life insurance segment	$	198,365		$	182,980
	Investment and savings products segment		129,074			123,270
	Corporate and other distributed products segment		17,700			18,078
	Total revenues	$	345,139		$	324,328
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before
	income taxes:
	Term life insurance segment	$	47,820		$	47,204
	Investment and savings products segment		35,044			34,028
	Corporate and other distributed products segment		(16,055	)		(14,400	)
	Total income from continuing operations	$	66,809		$	66,832
	before income taxes
	Total assets by segment were as follows:
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Term life insurance segment	$	7,255,680		$	7,165,373
	Investment and savings products segment		2,586,578			2,642,753
	Corporate and other distributed products segment		881,956			929,988
	Total assets	$	10,724,214		$	10,738,114
	The Investment and Savings Products segment includes assets held in separate accounts. Excluding separate accounts, the Investment and Savings Products segment assets were approximately $200.7 million and $202.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	See “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this report for more information regarding our operating segments.
	Geographical Information. Results of continuing operations by country and long-lived assets — primarily tangible assets reported in Other assets in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets —were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenues by country:
	United States	$	286,141		$	262,204
	Canada		58,998			62,124
	Total revenues	$	345,139		$	324,328
	Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes by country:
	United States	$	48,856		$	48,912
	Canada		17,953			17,920
	Total income from continuing operations before	$	66,809		$	66,832
	income taxes
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
		(In thousands)
	Long-lived assets by country:
	United States	$	28,223		$	25,897
	Canada		592			566
	Total long-lived assets	$	28,815		$	26,463

Investments_Notes

Investments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	(3) Investments
	Available-for-sale Securities. The period-end cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of available-for-sale fixed-maturity and equity securities follow:
			31-Mar-15
			Cost or amortized cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	13,925		$	629		$	(69	)	$	14,485
	Foreign government			122,919			4,142			(7,856	)		119,205
	States and political subdivisions			37,892			3,089			(292	)		40,689
	Corporates			1,265,977			90,503			(10,044	)		1,346,436
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			255,699			13,633			(210	)		269,122
	Total fixed-maturity securities(1)			1,696,412			111,996			(18,471	)		1,789,937
	Equity securities			42,347			10,473			(1,013	)		51,807
	Total fixed-maturity and equity securities		$	1,738,759		$	122,469		$	(19,484	)	$	1,841,744
	-1	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
			31-Dec-14
			Cost or amortized cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	15,145		$	557		$	(55	)	$	15,647
	Foreign government			120,910			5,388			(3,801	)		122,497
	States and political subdivisions			38,163			2,719			(188	)		40,694
	Corporates			1,241,526			82,167			(7,825	)		1,315,868
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			251,756			13,050			(392	)		264,414
	Total fixed-maturity securities(1)			1,667,500			103,881			(12,261	)		1,759,120
	Equity securities			43,738			10,711			(1,059	)		53,390
	Total fixed-maturity and equity securities		$	1,711,238		$	114,592		$	(13,320	)	$	1,812,510
	-1	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
	All of our available-for-sale mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent variable interests in variable interest entities ("VIEs"). We are not the primary beneficiary of these VIEs because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance. The maximum exposure to loss as a result of our involvement in these VIEs equals the carrying value of the securities.
	The scheduled contractual maturity distribution of the available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2015 follows:
			Amortized cost			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less		$	115,705		$	117,276
	Due after one year through five years			580,952			624,827
	Due after five years through 10 years			695,841			727,136
	Due after 10 years			48,215			51,576
				1,440,713			1,520,815
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			255,699			269,122
	Total fixed-maturity securities		$	1,696,412		$	1,789,937
	Expected maturities may differ from scheduled contractual maturities because issuers of securities may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
	Unrealized Gains and Losses on Investments. The net effect on stockholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses on investments was as follows:
			31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
			(In thousands)
	Net unrealized investment gains including foreign currency translation
	adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments:
	Fixed-maturity and equity securities		$	102,985		$	101,272
	Currency swaps			10			23
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			24,605			12,314
	Other-than-temporary impairments			710			710
	Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation			128,310			114,319
	adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments
	Deferred income taxes			(44,908	)		(40,011	)
	Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation		$	83,402		$	74,308
	adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments, net of tax
	Trading Securities. We maintain a portfolio of fixed-maturity securities that are classified as trading securities. The carrying values of the fixed-maturity securities classified as trading securities were approximately $7.3 million and $7.7 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Held-to-maturity Security. Concurrent with the execution of the Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement, Vidalia Re entered into a Surplus Note Purchase Agreement (the "Surplus Note Purchase Agreement") with Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “Hannover Re”) and a newly formed limited liability company (the "LLC") owned by a third party service provider. Under the Surplus Note Purchase Agreement, Vidalia Re issued a surplus note (the “Surplus Note”) to the LLC in exchange for a credit enhanced note from the LLC with an equal principal amount (the “LLC Note”). The principal amount of both the LLC Note and the Surplus Note will fluctuate over time to coincide with the amount of reserves contractually supported under the Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement. Both the LLC Note and the Surplus Note mature on December 31, 2029 and bear interest at an annual interest rate of 4.50%. The LLC Note is guaranteed by Hannover Re through a credit enhancement feature in exchange for a fee.
	The LLC is a variable interest entity as its owner does not have an equity investment at risk that is sufficient to permit the LLC to finance its activities without Vidalia Re or Hannover Re. The Parent Company, Primerica Life, and Vidalia Re share the power to direct the activities of the LLC with Hannover Re, but do not have the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive any residual returns related to the LLC’s primary risks or sources of variability. Through the credit enhancement feature, Hannover Re is the ultimate risk taker in this transaction and bears the obligation to absorb the LLC’s losses in the event of a Surplus Note default in exchange for the fee. Accordingly, the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the LLC and does not consolidate the LLC within its consolidated financial statements.
	The LLC Note is classified as a held-to-maturity debt security in the Company’s invested asset portfolio as we have the positive intent and ability to hold the security until maturity. As of March 31, 2015, the LLC Note, which was rated AA- by Fitch Ratings, had an estimated unrealized holding gain of $21.8 million based on its amortized cost and estimated fair value, which is derived using the valuation techniques described in Note 4 (Fair Value of Financial Instruments).
	See Note 6 (Debt) for more information on the Surplus Note.
	Investments on Deposit with Governmental Authorities. As required by law, we have investments on deposit with governmental authorities and banks for the protection of policyholders. The fair values of investments on deposit were approximately $19.7 million and $19.9 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Securities Lending Transactions. We participate in securities lending transactions with broker-dealers and other financial institutions to increase investment income with minimal risk. We require minimum collateral on securities loaned equal to 102% of the fair value of the loaned securities. We accept collateral in the form of securities, which we are not able to sell or encumber, and to the extent the collateral declines in value below 100%, we require additional collateral from the borrower. Any securities collateral received is not reflected on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. We also accept collateral in the form of cash, all of which we reinvest. For loans involving unrestricted cash collateral, the collateral is reported as an asset with a corresponding liability representing our obligation to return the collateral. We continue to carry the loaned securities as invested assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets during the terms of the loans, and we do not report them as sales. Cash collateral received and reinvested was approximately $55.6 million and $50.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale)		$	19,795		$	21,032
Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity)			2,475			-
Equity securities			516			385
Policy loans and other invested assets			359			388
Cash and cash equivalents			43			53
Market return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement			1,672			953
Gross investment income			24,860			22,811
Investment expenses			(1,212	)		(1,212	)
Interest expense on Surplus Note			(2,475	)		-
Net investment income		$	21,173		$	21,599
The components of net realized investment gains (losses) as well as details on gross realized investment gains and losses and proceeds from sales or other redemptions were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Gross gains from sales		$	1,934		$	343
Gross losses from sales			(27	)		(6	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses			(237	)		(149	)
Gains (losses) from bifurcated options			(386	)		75
Net realized investment gains (losses)		$	1,284		$	263
Supplemental information:
Gross realized investment gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated		$	1,670		$	188
other comprehensive income into earnings
Tax expense (benefit) associated with realized investment gains (losses)		$	585		$	66
reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings
Proceeds from sales or other redemptions		$	97,916		$	112,878
Other-Than-Temporary Impairment. We conduct a review each quarter to identify and evaluate impaired investments that have indications of possible other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"). An investment in a debt or equity security is impaired if its fair value falls below its cost. Factors considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is temporary include the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects for the issue, and our ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery, which may be maturity for fixed-maturity securities or within a reasonable period of time for equity securities. For additional information, see Note 4 (Investments) to the consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Annual Report.
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity and equity securities with a cost basis in excess of their fair values were approximately $282.0 million and $340.8 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
The following tables summarize, for all available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, the aggregate fair value and the gross unrealized loss by length of time such securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
		31-Mar-15
		Less than 12 months									12 months or longer
		Fair value			Unrealized losses			Number of securities			Fair value		Unrealized losses			Number of securities
		(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed-maturity securities:
U.S. government and agencies		$	683		$	(12	)		1		$	197	$	(57	)		1
Foreign government			49,697			(4,249	)		48			19,090		(3,607	)		37
States and political subdivisions			1,994			(4	)		2			1,612		(288	)		3
Corporates			106,770			(5,031	)		110			31,239		(5,013	)		55
Mortgage-and asset-backed securities			33,624			(84	)		29			11,291		(126	)		14
Total fixed-maturity securities			192,768			(9,380	)					63,429		(9,091	)
Equity securities			6,367			(1,013	)		17			-		-		-
Total fixed-maturity and equity		$	199,135		$	(10,393	)				$	63,429	$	(9,091	)
securities
		31-Dec-14
		Less than 12 months									12 months or longer
		Fair value			Unrealized losses			Number of securities			Fair value		Unrealized losses			Number of securities
		(Dollars in thousands)
Fixed-maturity securities:
U.S. government and agencies		$	7,201		$	(1	)		2		$	896	$	(54	)		2
Foreign government			28,038			(1,317	)		35			23,330		(2,484	)		40
States and political subdivisions			1,694			(4	)		3			2,720		(184	)		4
Corporates			144,262			(3,818	)		153			43,736		(4,007	)		78
Mortgage-and asset-backed securities			49,591			(109	)		43			16,847		(283	)		20
Total fixed-maturity securities			230,786			(5,249	)					87,529		(7,012	)
Equity securities			6,849			(862	)		15			2,303		(197	)		1
Total fixed-maturity and equity		$	237,635		$	(6,111	)				$	89,832	$	(7,209	)
securities
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows:
		31-Mar-15						31-Dec-14
		Amortized cost			Fair value			Amortized cost			Fair value
		(In thousands)
Fixed-maturity securities in default		$	130		$	491		$	144		$	611
Impairment charges recognized in earnings on available-for-sale securities were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Impairments on fixed-maturity securities not in default		$	161		$	149
Impairments on equity securities			76			-
Total impairment charges		$	237		$	149
The securities noted above were considered to be other-than-temporarily impaired due to our intent to sell them; adverse credit events, such as news of an impending filing for bankruptcy; analyses of the issuer’s most recent financial statements or other information in which liquidity deficiencies, significant losses and large declines in capitalization were evident; or analyses of rating agency information for issuances with severe ratings downgrades that indicated a significant increase in the possibility of default.
As of March 31, 2015, the unrealized losses on our available-for-sale invested asset portfolio were largely caused by interest rate sensitivity, foreign currency exchange rates on our Canadian dollar-denominated investments, and changes in credit spreads. We believe that fluctuations caused by interest rate movement have little bearing on the recoverability of our investments. Because we have the ability to hold these investments until a market price recovery or maturity and we have no present intention to dispose of them, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings for available-for-sale securities were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Total impairment losses related to securities which the Company does not intend to
sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell:
Total OTTI losses recognized		$	93		$	-
Less portion of OTTI loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive			-			-
income (loss)
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings for securities which the Company			93			-
does not intend to sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell before
recovery
OTTI losses recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to			144			149
sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		$	237		$	149
The rollforward of the credit-related losses recognized in income for all available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities still held follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, beginning of period		$	9,550		$	7,970
Additions for OTTI securities where no credit losses were recognized prior to the			21			149
beginning of the period
Additions for OTTI securities where credit losses have been recognized prior to the			140			-
beginning of the period
Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows			(956	)		(42	)
expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities
Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired			(1,277	)		-
Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, end of period		$	7,478		$	8,077
As of March 31, 2015, no impairment losses have been recognized on the LLC Note held-to-maturity security.
Derivatives. Embedded conversion options associated with fixed-maturity securities are bifurcated from the fixed-maturity security host contracts and separately recognized as equity securities. The change in fair value of these bifurcated conversion options is reflected in realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI losses. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of these bifurcated options was approximately $5.6 million and $5.8 million, respectively.
We have a deferred loss related to closed forward contracts, which were settled several years ago, that were used to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency exchange rates that resulted from the net investment in our Canadian operations. The amount of deferred loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income was approximately $26.4 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. While we have no current intention to do so, these deferred losses will not be recognized until such time as we sell or substantially liquidate our Canadian operations.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	(4) Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	Fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our view of market assumptions in the absence of observable market information. We classify and disclose all invested assets carried at fair value in one of the following three categories:
	·	Level 1. Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments whose value is based on quoted market prices in active markets, such as exchange-traded common stocks and actively traded mutual fund investments;
	·	Level 2. Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using industry-standard pricing methodologies, models or other valuation methodologies. Various inputs are considered in deriving the fair value of the underlying financial instrument, including interest rate, credit spread, and foreign exchange rates. All significant inputs are observable, or derived from observable information in the marketplace or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Financial instruments in this category primarily include: certain public and private corporate fixed-maturity and equity securities; government or agency securities; certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities and bifurcated conversion options; and
	·	Level 3. Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Level 3 consists of financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on industry-standard pricing methodologies and models using significant inputs not based on, nor corroborated by, readily available market information. Valuations for this category primarily consist of non-binding broker quotes. Financial instruments in this category primarily include less liquid fixed-maturity corporate securities.
	As of each reporting period, all assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input (Level 3 being the lowest) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Significant levels of estimation and judgment are required to determine the fair value of certain of our investments. The factors influencing these estimations and judgments are subject to change in subsequent reporting periods.
	The estimated fair value and hierarchy classifications for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
			31-Mar-15
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
			(In thousands)
	Fair value assets:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	-		$	14,485		$	-	$	14,485
	Foreign government			-			119,205			-		119,205
	States and political subdivisions			-			40,689			-		40,689
	Corporates			2,177			1,344,029			230		1,346,436
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			-			268,266			856		269,122
	Total fixed-maturity securities			2,177			1,786,674			1,086		1,789,937
	Equity securities			45,774			5,985			48		51,807
	Trading securities			-			7,345			-		7,345
	Separate accounts			-			2,386,265			-		2,386,265
	Total fair value assets		$	47,951		$	4,186,269		$	1,134	$	4,235,354
	Fair value liabilities:
	Separate accounts		$	-		$	2,386,265		$	-	$	2,386,265
	Total fair value liabilities		$	-		$	2,386,265		$	-	$	2,386,265
			31-Dec-14
			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
			(In thousands)
	Fair value assets:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	-		$	15,647		$	-	$	15,647
	Foreign government			-			122,497			-		122,497
	States and political subdivisions			-			40,694			-		40,694
	Corporates			2,104			1,313,534			230		1,315,868
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			-			263,527			887		264,414
	Total fixed-maturity securities			2,104			1,755,899			1,117		1,759,120
	Equity securities			47,169			6,173			48		53,390
	Trading securities			-			7,711			-		7,711
	Separate accounts			-			2,440,303			-		2,440,303
	Total fair value assets		$	49,273		$	4,210,086		$	1,165	$	4,260,524
	Fair value liabilities:
	Separate accounts		$	-		$	2,440,303		$	-	$	2,440,303
	Total fair value liabilities		$	-		$	2,440,303		$	-	$	2,440,303
	In assessing fair value of our investments, we use a third-party pricing service for approximately 95% of our securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The remaining securities are primarily thinly traded securities valued using models based on observable inputs on public corporate spreads having similar characteristics (e.g., sector, average life and quality rating) and liquidity and yield based on quality rating, average life and treasury yields. All observable data inputs are corroborated by independent third-party data. In the absence of sufficient observable inputs, we utilize non-binding broker quotes, which are reflected in our Level 3 classification as we are unable to evaluate the valuation technique(s) or significant inputs used to develop the quotes. Therefore, we do not internally develop the quantitative unobservable inputs used in measuring the fair value of Level 3 investments. However, we do corroborate pricing information provided by our third-party pricing servicing by performing a review of selected securities. Our review activities include obtaining detailed information about the assumptions, inputs and methodologies used in pricing the security; documenting this information; and corroborating it by comparison to independently obtained prices and or independently developed pricing methodologies.
	Furthermore, we perform internal reasonableness assessments on fair value determinations within our portfolio throughout the quarter and at quarter-end, including pricing variance analyses and comparisons to alternative pricing sources and benchmark returns. If a fair value appears unusual relative to these assessments, we will re-examine the inputs and may challenge a fair value assessment made by the pricing service. If there is a known pricing error, we will request a reassessment by the pricing service. If the pricing service is unable to perform the reassessment on a timely basis, we will determine the appropriate price by requesting a reassessment from an alternative pricing service or other qualified source as necessary. We do not adjust quotes or prices except in a rare circumstance to resolve a known error.
	Because many fixed-maturity securities do not trade on a daily basis, fair value is determined using industry-standard methodologies by applying available market information through processes such as U.S. Treasury curves, benchmarking of similar securities, sector groupings, quotes from market participants and matrix pricing. Observable information is compiled and integrates relevant credit information, perceived market movements and sector news. Additionally, security prices are periodically back-tested to validate and/or refine models as conditions warrant. Market indicators and industry and economic events are also monitored as triggers to obtain additional data. For certain structured securities with limited trading activity, industry-standard pricing methodologies use adjusted market information, such as index prices or discounting expected future cash flows, to estimate fair value. If these measures are not deemed observable for a particular security, the security will be classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Where specific market information is unavailable for certain securities, pricing models produce estimates of fair value primarily using Level 2 inputs along with certain Level 3 inputs. These models include matrix pricing. The pricing matrix uses current treasury rates and credit spreads received from third-party sources to estimate fair value. The credit spreads incorporate the issuer’s industry- or issuer-specific credit characteristics and the security’s time to maturity, if warranted. Remaining unpriced securities are valued using an estimate of fair value based on indicative market prices that include significant unobservable inputs not based on, nor corroborated by, market information, including the utilization of non-binding broker quotes.
	The roll-forward of the Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(In thousands)
	Level 3 assets, beginning of period		$	1,165		$	2,288
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income			6			120
	Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI			-			-
	Purchases			-			-
	Sales			-			-
	Settlements			(37	)		(52	)
	Transfers into Level 3			-			-
	Transfers out of Level 3			-			-
	Level 3 assets, end of period		$	1,134		$	2,356
	We obtain independent pricing quotes based on observable inputs as of the end of the reporting period for all securities in Level 2. Those inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, market bids/offers, quoted prices for similar instruments in markets that are not active, and other relevant data. We monitor these inputs for market indicators, industry and economic events. We recognize transfers into new levels and out of previous levels as of the end of the reporting period, including interim reporting periods, as applicable. There were no transfers between Level 1, 2, and 3 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The table below is a summary of the estimated fair value for financial instruments.
			31-Mar-15						31-Dec-14
			Carrying value			Estimated fair value			Carrying value		Estimated fair value
		(In thousands)
Assets:
Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale)		$	1,789,937		$	1,789,937		$	1,759,120	$	1,759,120
Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity)			238,000			259,761			220,000		228,809
Equity securities			51,807			51,807			53,390		53,390
Trading securities			7,345			7,345			7,711		7,711
Policy loans			27,679			27,679			28,095		28,095
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement			163,086			163,086			157,256		157,256
Separate accounts			2,386,265			2,386,265			2,440,303		2,440,303
Liabilities:
Notes payable		$	374,545		$	415,429		$	374,532	$	411,916
Surplus note			238,000			255,253			220,000		227,127
Separate accounts			2,386,265			2,386,265			2,440,303		2,440,303
The fair values of financial instruments presented above are estimates of the fair values at a specific point in time using various sources and methods, including market quotations and a complex matrix system that takes into account issuer sector, quality, and spreads in the current marketplace.
Recurring fair value measurements. Estimated fair values of investments in available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities are principally a function of current spreads and interest rates that are corroborated by independent third-party data. Therefore, the fair values presented are indicative of amounts we could realize or settle at the respective balance sheet date. We do not necessarily intend to dispose of or liquidate such instruments prior to maturity. Trading securities, which primarily consist of fixed-maturity securities, are carried at fair value. Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are carried at fair value. Segregated funds in separate accounts are carried at the underlying value of the variable insurance contracts, which is fair value.
Nonrecurring fair value measurements. The estimated fair value of the held-to-maturity fixed-maturity security, which is classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement, is derived using the credit spread on similarly rated debt securities and the hypothetical spread of the security’s credit enhancement feature. Policy loans, which are categorized as Level 3 fair value measurements, are carried at the unpaid principal balances. The fair value of policy loans approximate the unpaid principal balances as the timing of repayment is uncertain and the loans are collateralized by the amount of the policy. The deposit asset underlying the 10% coinsurance agreement with Prime Reinsurance Company, Inc. ("Prime Re"), an affiliate of Citigroup Inc. ("Citigroup"), represents the value of the assets necessary to back the economic reserves held in support of the reinsurance agreement. The carrying value of this deposit asset approximates fair value, which is categorized as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable represent our publicly-traded senior notes and are valued as a Level 2 fair value measurement using the quoted market price for our notes. The estimated fair value of the Surplus Note is derived by using an assumed credit spread we would expect if Vidalia Re was a credit-rated entity and the hypothetical spread of the Surplus Note’s subordinated structure. The Surplus Note is classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement.
The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accrued investment income, accounts payable, cash collateral and payables for security transactions approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Consequently, such financial instruments are not included in the above table.

Reinsurance_Notes

Reinsurance (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Reinsurance	(5) Reinsurance
	We use reinsurance extensively, which has a significant effect on our results of operations. Reinsurance arrangements do not relieve us of our primary obligation to the policyholder. We monitor the concentration of credit risk we have with any reinsurer, as well as the financial condition of the reinsurers.
	Details on in-force life insurance follow:
			31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Direct life insurance in force		$	682,544,727		$	685,998,013
	Amounts ceded to other companies			(604,605,806	)		(607,218,906	)
	Net life insurance in force		$	77,938,921		$	78,779,107
	Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force			89	%		89	%
	Due from reinsurers includes ceded reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. Reinsurance receivable and financial strength ratings by reinsurer were as follows:
			31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
			Reinsurance receivable			A.M. Best rating		Reinsurance receivable		A.M. Best rating
			(In thousands)
	Prime Reinsurance Company(1)		$	2,671,924		NR		$	2,645,011	NR
	SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies(2)			363,097		A			373,947	A
	Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd.(1)			295,634		NR			320,718	NR
	Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.(3)			250,662		A+			260,734	A+
	American Health and Life Insurance Company(1)			177,253		A- u			175,755	A-
	Munich American Reassurance Company			99,221		A+			100,846	A+
	Korean Reinsurance Company			88,300		A			89,300	A
	RGA Reinsurance Company			78,217		A+			78,143	A+
	TOA Reinsurance Company			18,951		A+			20,139	A+
	Hannover Life Reassurance Company			18,458		A+			18,694	A+
	All other reinsurers			32,739		-			32,246	-
	Due from reinsurers		$	4,094,456				$	4,115,533
	NR – not rated
	u – under review
	-1	Reinsurers are affiliates of Citigroup. Amounts shown are net of their share of the reinsurance receivable from other reinsurers.
	-2	Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies.
	-3	Includes amounts ceded to Lincoln National Life Insurance and 100% retroceded to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.

Debt_Notes

Debt (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	(6) Debt
	Notes Payable. At March 31, 2015, the Company had $375.0 million of publicly-traded, senior unsecured notes with an annual interest rate of 4.75% that are scheduled to mature on July 15, 2022 (the "Senior Notes"). As of March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Notes. No events of default occurred on the Senior Notes during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Further discussion on the Company’s notes payable is included in Note 10 (Debt) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2014 Annual Report.
	Surplus Note. At March 31, 2015, the principal amount outstanding on the Surplus Note issued by Vidalia Re was $238.0 million, equal to the principal amount of the LLC Note invested asset. The principal amount of the Surplus Note and the LLC Note will fluctuate over time to coincide with the amount of reserves being contractually supported. Both the LLC Note and the Surplus Note mature on December 31, 2029 and bear interest at an annual interest rate of 4.50%. Based on the estimated reserves for ceded policies issued in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, the maximum principal amounts of the Surplus Note and the LLC Note are expected to be approximately $915.0 million each.
	Further discussion on the Company’s Surplus Note and LLC Note are included in Note 10 (Debt) and Note 4 (Investments) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2014 Annual Report.

Stockholders_Equity_Notes

Stockholders' Equity (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(7) Stockholders’ Equity
	A reconciliation of the number of shares of our common stock follows.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Common stock, beginning of period		52,169			54,834
	Shares issued for stock options exercised		89			4
	Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of restricted stock units ("RSUs")		208			159
	Common stock retired		(911	)		(428	)
	Common stock, end of period		51,555			54,569
	The above reconciliation excludes RSUs, which do not have voting rights. As the RSUs lapse, we issue common shares with voting rights. As of March 31, 2015, we had a total of approximately 1.2 million RSUs outstanding.
	Our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $150.0 million of our outstanding common stock during 2015 (the "share repurchase program"). Under the share repurchase program, we repurchased 740,393 shares of our common stock in open market transactions for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $38.7 million during the first three months of 2015. As of March 31, 2015, there is approximately $111.3 million remaining for repurchases of our outstanding common stock under the share repurchase program.

Earnings_Per_Share_Notes

Earnings Per Share (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(8) Earnings Per Share
	The Company has outstanding common stock and equity awards that consist of restricted stock, RSUs and stock options. The restricted stock and RSUs maintain non-forfeitable dividend rights that result in dividend payment obligations on a one-to-one ratio with common shares for any future dividend declarations.
	Unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs are deemed participating securities for purposes of calculating earnings per share ("EPS") as they maintain dividend rights. We calculate EPS using the two-class method. Under the two-class method, we allocate earnings to common shares (excluding unvested restricted stock) and vested RSUs outstanding for the period. Earnings attributable to unvested participating securities, along with the corresponding share counts, are excluded from EPS as reflected in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income.
	In calculating basic EPS, we deduct any dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock and unvested RSUs from net income and then divide the result by the weighted-average number of common shares and vested RSUs outstanding for the period.
	We determine the potential dilutive effect of stock options outstanding on EPS using the treasury-stock method. Under this method, we determine the proceeds that would be received from the exercise of the stock options outstanding, which includes cash received for the exercise price, the remaining unrecognized stock option compensation expense and the resulting effect on the income tax deduction from the exercise of stock options. We then use the average market price of our common shares during the period the stock options were outstanding to determine how many shares we could repurchase with the proceeds raised from the exercise of the stock options outstanding. The net incremental share count issued represents the potential dilutive securities. We then reallocate earnings to common shares and vested RSUs by incorporating the increased fully diluted share count to determine diluted EPS.
	The calculation of basic and diluted EPS follows.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per-share amounts)
	Basic EPS
	Numerator (continuing operations):
	Income from continuing operations	$	43,401		$	43,485
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		(444	)		(557	)
	Income from continuing operations used in calculating basic EPS	$	42,957		$	42,928
	Numerator (discontinued operations):
	Income from discontinued operations	$	-		$	1,595
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		-			(20	)
	Income from discontinued operations used in calculating basic EPS	$	-		$	1,575
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average vested shares		52,643			55,211
	Basic EPS from continuing operations	$	0.82		$	0.78
	Basic EPS from discontinued operations	$	-		$	0.03
	Diluted EPS
	Numerator (continuing operations):
	Income from continuing operations	$	43,401		$	43,485
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		(444	)		(557	)
	Income from continuing operations used in calculating diluted EPS	$	42,957		$	42,928
	Numerator (discontinued operations):
	Income from discontinued operations	$	-		$	1,595
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		-			(20	)
	Income from discontinued operations used in calculating diluted EPS	$	-		$	1,575
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average vested shares		52,643			55,211
	Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for equity awards		48			22
	Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS		52,691			55,233
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$	0.82		$	0.78
	Diluted EPS from discontinued operations	$	-		$	0.03

ShareBased_Transactions_Notes

Share-Based Transactions (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Transactions	(9) Share-Based Transactions
	The Company has outstanding equity awards under its Omnibus Incentive Plan ("OIP"). The OIP provides for the issuance of equity awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, RSUs, unrestricted stock, as well as cash-based awards. In addition to time-based vesting requirements, awards granted under the OIP also may be subject to specified performance criteria. Since 2010, the Company has issued equity awards to our management (officers and other key employees), non-employee directors, and sales force leaders under the OIP. For more information on equity awards granted under the OIP, see Note 14 (Share-Based Transactions) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2014 Annual Report.
	In connection with our granting of equity awards to our management and members of the Board of Directors, we recognize expense over the requisite service period of the equity award. Additionally, to the extent that equity awards to members of our sales force are an incremental direct cost of successful acquisitions or renewals of life insurance policies that result directly from and are essential to the policy acquisition(s) and would not have been incurred had the policy acquisition(s) not occurred, we defer and amortize the fair value of these awards in the same manner as other deferred policy acquisition costs.
	The impacts of equity awards granted are as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Total equity awards expense recognized		$	8,943	$	2,848
	Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred			2,908		3,787
	On February 23, 2015, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors granted equity awards to management (the “2015 management awards”) in connection with the annual approval of management incentive compensation. The 2015 management awards have time-based vesting requirements with equal and annual graded vesting over approximately three years subsequent to the grant date and include a provision for such awards to vest upon the voluntary termination of employment by any employee who is “retirement eligible” as of his or her termination date. In order to be retirement eligible, an employee must be at least 55 years old and his or her age plus years of service with the Company must equal at least 75. We recognize the expense associated with equity awards granted to retirement eligible employees immediately on the grant date, which is also the date the award is authorized. For equity awards granted to employees who are not retirement eligible on the grant date, the expense associated with these awards is recognized over the period from the grant date to the earlier of the date the employee becomes retirement eligible or the originally scheduled vesting date in the award agreement. Equity awards issued to management prior to 2015 do not contain a retirement eligibility provision, with the exception of equity awards issued to management in 2014 that were modified to include such a provision during the third quarter of 2014.

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	(10) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
	Letter of Credit. Peach Re maintains a credit facility agreement with Deutsche Bank (the "Credit Facility Agreement") to support certain obligations for a portion of the Regulation XXX reserves related to the Peach Re Coinsurance Agreement. Under the Credit Facility Agreement, Deutsche Bank issued a letter of credit for the benefit of Primerica Life with a term ending on January 15, 2026. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility Agreement. At March 31, 2015, the amount of the LOC outstanding was approximately $500.8 million. This amount will decline over the remaining term of the LOC to correspond with declines in the Regulation XXX reserves.
	Further discussion on the Company’s letter of credit is included in Note 16 (Commitments and Contingent Liabilities) to our consolidated financial statements within our 2014 Annual Report.
	Contingent Liabilities. The Company is involved from time to time in legal disputes, regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings in the normal course of business. These disputes are subject to uncertainties, including the large and/or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation. As such, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result from these matters.
	The Company is currently undergoing targeted multi-state treasurer audits by 30 jurisdictions with respect to unclaimed property laws, and Primerica Life and NBLIC are currently subject to a targeted multi-state market conduct examination with respect to their claims-paying practices. The Treasurer of the State of West Virginia brought a suit against Primerica Life and other insurance companies alleging violations of the West Virginia unclaimed property act. The suit was dismissed, and the Treasurer has appealed. Other jurisdictions may pursue similar audits, examinations and litigation. The audits, examinations and litigation are expected to take significant time to complete, and it is unclear whether the Company will be required to compare the Social Security Administration’s Death Master File to its records for periods prior to 2011, including with respect to policies which have lapsed, to determine whether benefits are owed in instances where an insured appears to have died but no claim for death benefits has been made. The potential outcome of such actions is difficult to predict but could subject the Company to adverse consequences, including, but not limited to, settlement payments, additional payments to beneficiaries and additional escheatment of funds deemed abandoned under state laws. At this time, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the likelihood or the impact of additional costs or liabilities that could result from the resolution of these matters. These actions may also result in changes to the Company's procedures for the identification and escheatment of abandoned property and other financial liability.

Description_of_Business_Basis_1

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). These principles are established primarily by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect financial statement balances, revenues and expenses and cash flows, as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management considers available facts and knowledge of existing circumstances when establishing the estimates included in our financial statements.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, generally consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to fairly present the balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the statements of income, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year or of the results to be expected in future periods.
	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures made are sufficient to make the information not misleading. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Annual Report").
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The most significant items that involve a greater degree of accounting estimates and actuarial determinations subject to change in the future are the valuation of investments, deferred policy acquisition costs ("DAC"), liabilities for future policy benefits and unpaid policy claims, and income taxes. Estimates for these and other items are subject to change and are reassessed by management in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation	Consolidation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities required to be consolidated under applicable accounting standards. All material intercompany profits, transactions, and balances among the consolidated entities have been eliminated.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-period amounts to conform to current-period reporting classifications. These reclassifications had no impact on net income or total stockholders' equity.
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure for occurrences and transactions after the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements dated as of March 31, 2015.
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies. All significant accounting policies remain unchanged from the 2014 Annual Report.
New Accounting Principles	New Accounting Principles. In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) – Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are currently presented as a deferred charge, or asset, within the balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 requires the presentation of debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are effective retrospectively for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company intends to adopt the amendments in ASU 2015-03 beginning in the first quarter of 2016. At March 31, 2015, the Company had debt issuance costs related to recognized liabilities of approximately $3.1 million within Other assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets that would be reclassified and presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liabilities under ASU 2015-03.
	Future Application of Accounting Standards. Recent accounting guidance not discussed is not applicable, is immaterial to our financial statements, or did not or will not have an impact on our business.

Segment_and_Geographical_Infor1

Segment and Geographical Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Continuing Operations by Segment	Results of continuing operations by segment were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenues:
	Term life insurance segment	$	198,365		$	182,980
	Investment and savings products segment		129,074			123,270
	Corporate and other distributed products segment		17,700			18,078
	Total revenues	$	345,139		$	324,328
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before
	income taxes:
	Term life insurance segment	$	47,820		$	47,204
	Investment and savings products segment		35,044			34,028
	Corporate and other distributed products segment		(16,055	)		(14,400	)
	Total income from continuing operations	$	66,809		$	66,832
	before income taxes
Assets by Segment	Total assets by segment were as follows:
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Term life insurance segment	$	7,255,680		$	7,165,373
	Investment and savings products segment		2,586,578			2,642,753
	Corporate and other distributed products segment		881,956			929,988
	Total assets	$	10,724,214		$	10,738,114
Long Lived Assets and Continuing Operations by Country	Geographical Information. Results of continuing operations by country and long-lived assets — primarily tangible assets reported in Other assets in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets —were as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Revenues by country:
	United States	$	286,141		$	262,204
	Canada		58,998			62,124
	Total revenues	$	345,139		$	324,328
	Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes by country:
	United States	$	48,856		$	48,912
	Canada		17,953			17,920
	Total income from continuing operations before	$	66,809		$	66,832
	income taxes
		31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
		(In thousands)
	Long-lived assets by country:
	United States	$	28,223		$	25,897
	Canada		592			566
	Total long-lived assets	$	28,815		$	26,463

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation	The period-end cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of available-for-sale fixed-maturity and equity securities follow:
			31-Mar-15
			Cost or amortized cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	13,925		$	629		$	(69	)	$	14,485
	Foreign government			122,919			4,142			(7,856	)		119,205
	States and political subdivisions			37,892			3,089			(292	)		40,689
	Corporates			1,265,977			90,503			(10,044	)		1,346,436
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			255,699			13,633			(210	)		269,122
	Total fixed-maturity securities(1)			1,696,412			111,996			(18,471	)		1,789,937
	Equity securities			42,347			10,473			(1,013	)		51,807
	Total fixed-maturity and equity securities		$	1,738,759		$	122,469		$	(19,484	)	$	1,841,744
	-1	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
			31-Dec-14
			Cost or amortized cost			Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Securities available-for-sale, carried at fair value:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	15,145		$	557		$	(55	)	$	15,647
	Foreign government			120,910			5,388			(3,801	)		122,497
	States and political subdivisions			38,163			2,719			(188	)		40,694
	Corporates			1,241,526			82,167			(7,825	)		1,315,868
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			251,756			13,050			(392	)		264,414
	Total fixed-maturity securities(1)			1,667,500			103,881			(12,261	)		1,759,120
	Equity securities			43,738			10,711			(1,059	)		53,390
	Total fixed-maturity and equity securities		$	1,711,238		$	114,592		$	(13,320	)	$	1,812,510
	-1	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Fixed-maturity Securities Classified by Contractual Maturity Date	The scheduled contractual maturity distribution of the available-for-sale fixed-maturity portfolio at March 31, 2015 follows:
			Amortized cost			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Due in one year or less		$	115,705		$	117,276
	Due after one year through five years			580,952			624,827
	Due after five years through 10 years			695,841			727,136
	Due after 10 years			48,215			51,576
				1,440,713			1,520,815
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities			255,699			269,122
	Total fixed-maturity securities		$	1,696,412		$	1,789,937
Net Effect on Stockholders' Equity of Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-sale Securities	The net effect on stockholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses on investments was as follows:
			31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
			(In thousands)
	Net unrealized investment gains including foreign currency translation
	adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments:
	Fixed-maturity and equity securities		$	102,985		$	101,272
	Currency swaps			10			23
	Foreign currency translation adjustment			24,605			12,314
	Other-than-temporary impairments			710			710
	Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation			128,310			114,319
	adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments
	Deferred income taxes			(44,908	)		(40,011	)
	Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation		$	83,402		$	74,308
	adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments, net of tax
Net Investment Income	Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(In thousands)
	Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale)		$	19,795		$	21,032
	Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity)			2,475			-
	Equity securities			516			385
	Policy loans and other invested assets			359			388
	Cash and cash equivalents			43			53
	Market return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement			1,672			953
	Gross investment income			24,860			22,811
	Investment expenses			(1,212	)		(1,212	)
	Interest expense on Surplus Note			(2,475	)		-
	Net investment income		$	21,173		$	21,599
Schedule of Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses	The components of net realized investment gains (losses) as well as details on gross realized investment gains and losses and proceeds from sales or other redemptions were as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(In thousands)
	Net realized investment gains (losses):
	Gross gains from sales		$	1,934		$	343
	Gross losses from sales			(27	)		(6	)
	Other-than-temporary impairment losses			(237	)		(149	)
	Gains (losses) from bifurcated options			(386	)		75
	Net realized investment gains (losses)		$	1,284		$	263
	Supplemental information:
	Gross realized investment gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated		$	1,670		$	188
	other comprehensive income into earnings
	Tax expense (benefit) associated with realized investment gains (losses)		$	585		$	66
	reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings
	Proceeds from sales or other redemptions		$	97,916		$	112,878
Schedule of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position	The following tables summarize, for all available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position, the aggregate fair value and the gross unrealized loss by length of time such securities have continuously been in an unrealized loss position:
			31-Mar-15
			Less than 12 months									12 months or longer
			Fair value			Unrealized losses			Number of securities			Fair value		Unrealized losses			Number of securities
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	683		$	(12	)		1		$	197	$	(57	)		1
	Foreign government			49,697			(4,249	)		48			19,090		(3,607	)		37
	States and political subdivisions			1,994			(4	)		2			1,612		(288	)		3
	Corporates			106,770			(5,031	)		110			31,239		(5,013	)		55
	Mortgage-and asset-backed securities			33,624			(84	)		29			11,291		(126	)		14
	Total fixed-maturity securities			192,768			(9,380	)					63,429		(9,091	)
	Equity securities			6,367			(1,013	)		17			-		-		-
	Total fixed-maturity and equity		$	199,135		$	(10,393	)				$	63,429	$	(9,091	)
	securities
			31-Dec-14
			Less than 12 months									12 months or longer
			Fair value			Unrealized losses			Number of securities			Fair value		Unrealized losses			Number of securities
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies		$	7,201		$	(1	)		2		$	896	$	(54	)		2
	Foreign government			28,038			(1,317	)		35			23,330		(2,484	)		40
	States and political subdivisions			1,694			(4	)		3			2,720		(184	)		4
	Corporates			144,262			(3,818	)		153			43,736		(4,007	)		78
	Mortgage-and asset-backed securities			49,591			(109	)		43			16,847		(283	)		20
	Total fixed-maturity securities			230,786			(5,249	)					87,529		(7,012	)
	Equity securities			6,849			(862	)		15			2,303		(197	)		1
	Total fixed-maturity and equity		$	237,635		$	(6,111	)				$	89,832	$	(7,209	)
	securities
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-sale Fixed-maturity Securities in Default	The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows:
			31-Mar-15						31-Dec-14
			Amortized cost			Fair value			Amortized cost			Fair value
			(In thousands)
	Fixed-maturity securities in default		$	130		$	491		$	144		$	611
Impairment Charges in Earnings on Available-for-sale Securities	Impairment charges recognized in earnings on available-for-sale securities were as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(In thousands)
	Impairments on fixed-maturity securities not in default		$	161		$	149
	Impairments on equity securities			76			-
	Total impairment charges		$	237		$	149
Schedule of Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings for Available-for-sale Securities	Net impairment losses recognized in earnings for available-for-sale securities were as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(In thousands)
	Total impairment losses related to securities which the Company does not intend to
	sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell:
	Total OTTI losses recognized		$	93		$	-
	Less portion of OTTI loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive			-			-
	income (loss)
	Net impairment losses recognized in earnings for securities which the Company			93			-
	does not intend to sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell before
	recovery
	OTTI losses recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to			144			149
	sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery
	Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		$	237		$	149
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings	The rollforward of the credit-related losses recognized in income for all available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities still held follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015			2014
			(In thousands)
	Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, beginning of period		$	9,550		$	7,970
	Additions for OTTI securities where no credit losses were recognized prior to the			21			149
	beginning of the period
	Additions for OTTI securities where credit losses have been recognized prior to the			140			-
	beginning of the period
	Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows			(956	)		(42	)
	expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities
	Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired			(1,277	)		-
	Cumulative OTTI credit losses recognized for securities still held, end of period		$	7,478		$	8,077

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The estimated fair value and hierarchy classifications for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
		31-Mar-15
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Fair value assets:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies	$	-		$	14,485		$	-	$	14,485
	Foreign government		-			119,205			-		119,205
	States and political subdivisions		-			40,689			-		40,689
	Corporates		2,177			1,344,029			230		1,346,436
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities		-			268,266			856		269,122
	Total fixed-maturity securities		2,177			1,786,674			1,086		1,789,937
	Equity securities		45,774			5,985			48		51,807
	Trading securities		-			7,345			-		7,345
	Separate accounts		-			2,386,265			-		2,386,265
	Total fair value assets	$	47,951		$	4,186,269		$	1,134	$	4,235,354
	Fair value liabilities:
	Separate accounts	$	-		$	2,386,265		$	-	$	2,386,265
	Total fair value liabilities	$	-		$	2,386,265		$	-	$	2,386,265
		31-Dec-14
		Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total
		(In thousands)
	Fair value assets:
	Fixed-maturity securities:
	U.S. government and agencies	$	-		$	15,647		$	-	$	15,647
	Foreign government		-			122,497			-		122,497
	States and political subdivisions		-			40,694			-		40,694
	Corporates		2,104			1,313,534			230		1,315,868
	Mortgage- and asset-backed securities		-			263,527			887		264,414
	Total fixed-maturity securities		2,104			1,755,899			1,117		1,759,120
	Equity securities		47,169			6,173			48		53,390
	Trading securities		-			7,711			-		7,711
	Separate accounts		-			2,440,303			-		2,440,303
	Total fair value assets	$	49,273		$	4,210,086		$	1,165	$	4,260,524
	Fair value liabilities:
	Separate accounts	$	-		$	2,440,303		$	-	$	2,440,303
	Total fair value liabilities	$	-		$	2,440,303		$	-	$	2,440,303
Roll forward of Level 3 Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	The roll-forward of the Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis was as follows:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Level 3 assets, beginning of period	$	1,165		$	2,288
	Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		6			120
	Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI		-			-
	Purchases		-			-
	Sales		-			-
	Settlements		(37	)		(52	)
	Transfers into Level 3		-			-
	Transfers out of Level 3		-			-
	Level 3 assets, end of period	$	1,134		$	2,356
Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value for Financial Instruments	The table below is a summary of the estimated fair value for financial instruments.
		31-Mar-15						31-Dec-14
		Carrying value			Estimated fair value			Carrying value		Estimated fair value
		(In thousands)
	Assets:
	Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale)	$	1,789,937		$	1,789,937		$	1,759,120	$	1,759,120
	Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity)		238,000			259,761			220,000		228,809
	Equity securities		51,807			51,807			53,390		53,390
	Trading securities		7,345			7,345			7,711		7,711
	Policy loans		27,679			27,679			28,095		28,095
	Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement		163,086			163,086			157,256		157,256
	Separate accounts		2,386,265			2,386,265			2,440,303		2,440,303
	Liabilities:
	Notes payable	$	374,545		$	415,429		$	374,532	$	411,916
	Surplus note		238,000			255,253			220,000		227,127
	Separate accounts		2,386,265			2,386,265			2,440,303		2,440,303

Reinsurance_Tables

Reinsurance (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
In-force Life Insurance	Details on in-force life insurance follow:
			31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
			(Dollars in thousands)
	Direct life insurance in force		$	682,544,727		$	685,998,013
	Amounts ceded to other companies			(604,605,806	)		(607,218,906	)
	Net life insurance in force		$	77,938,921		$	78,779,107
	Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force			89	%		89	%
Reinsurance Receivable and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer	Due from reinsurers includes ceded reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. Reinsurance receivable and financial strength ratings by reinsurer were as follows:
			31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
			Reinsurance receivable			A.M. Best rating		Reinsurance receivable		A.M. Best rating
			(In thousands)
	Prime Reinsurance Company(1)		$	2,671,924		NR		$	2,645,011	NR
	SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies(2)			363,097		A			373,947	A
	Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd.(1)			295,634		NR			320,718	NR
	Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.(3)			250,662		A+			260,734	A+
	American Health and Life Insurance Company(1)			177,253		A- u			175,755	A-
	Munich American Reassurance Company			99,221		A+			100,846	A+
	Korean Reinsurance Company			88,300		A			89,300	A
	RGA Reinsurance Company			78,217		A+			78,143	A+
	TOA Reinsurance Company			18,951		A+			20,139	A+
	Hannover Life Reassurance Company			18,458		A+			18,694	A+
	All other reinsurers			32,739		-			32,246	-
	Due from reinsurers		$	4,094,456				$	4,115,533
	NR – not rated
	u – under review
	-1	Reinsurers are affiliates of Citigroup. Amounts shown are net of their share of the reinsurance receivable from other reinsurers.
	-2	Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies.
	-3	Includes amounts ceded to Lincoln National Life Insurance and 100% retroceded to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock	A reconciliation of the number of shares of our common stock follows.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands)
	Common stock, beginning of period		52,169			54,834
	Shares issued for stock options exercised		89			4
	Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of restricted stock units ("RSUs")		208			159
	Common stock retired		(911	)		(428	)
	Common stock, end of period		51,555			54,569

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The calculation of basic and diluted EPS follows.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
		(In thousands, except per-share amounts)
	Basic EPS
	Numerator (continuing operations):
	Income from continuing operations	$	43,401		$	43,485
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		(444	)		(557	)
	Income from continuing operations used in calculating basic EPS	$	42,957		$	42,928
	Numerator (discontinued operations):
	Income from discontinued operations	$	-		$	1,595
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		-			(20	)
	Income from discontinued operations used in calculating basic EPS	$	-		$	1,575
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average vested shares		52,643			55,211
	Basic EPS from continuing operations	$	0.82		$	0.78
	Basic EPS from discontinued operations	$	-		$	0.03
	Diluted EPS
	Numerator (continuing operations):
	Income from continuing operations	$	43,401		$	43,485
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		(444	)		(557	)
	Income from continuing operations used in calculating diluted EPS	$	42,957		$	42,928
	Numerator (discontinued operations):
	Income from discontinued operations	$	-		$	1,595
	Income attributable to unvested participating securities		-			(20	)
	Income from discontinued operations used in calculating diluted EPS	$	-		$	1,575
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average vested shares		52,643			55,211
	Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for equity awards		48			22
	Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS		52,691			55,233
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$	0.82		$	0.78
	Diluted EPS from discontinued operations	$	-		$	0.03

ShareBased_Transactions_Tables

Share-Based Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Impact of Equity Awards Granted	The impacts of equity awards granted are as follows:
			Three months ended March 31,
			2015		2014
		(In thousands)
	Total equity awards expense recognized		$	8,943	$	2,848
	Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred			2,908		3,787

Description_of_Business_Basis_2

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Debt issuance costs	$3.10

Segment_and_Geographical_Infor2

Segment and Geographical Information - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	2
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets, excluding separate account assets	200.7	$202.90

Segment_and_Geographical_Infor3

Segment and Geographical Information - Assets and Continuing Operations by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$345,139	$324,328
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	66,809	66,832
Assets	10,724,214		10,738,114
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	198,365	182,980
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	47,820	47,204
Assets	7,255,680		7,165,373
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	129,074	123,270
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	35,044	34,028
Assets	2,586,578		2,642,753
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,700	18,078
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-16,055	-14,400
Assets	$881,956		$929,988

Segment_and_Geographical_Infor4

Segment and Geographical Information - Long Lived Assets and Continuing Operations by Country (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segments Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$345,139	$324,328
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	66,809	66,832
Long-lived assets	28,815		26,463
UNITED STATES
Segments Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues	286,141	262,204
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	48,856	48,912
Long-lived assets	28,223		25,897
CANADA
Segments Geographic Information [Line Items]
Revenues	58,998	62,124
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	17,953	17,920
Long-lived assets	$592		$566

Investments_Schedule_of_Availa

Investments - Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	$1,696,412,000	[1]	$1,667,500,000	[1]
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	111,996,000	[1]	103,881,000	[1]
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	-18,471,000	[1]	-12,261,000	[1]
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	1,789,937,000	[1]	1,759,120,000	[1]
Available-for-sale equity securities, cost	42,347,000		43,738,000
Available-for-sale equity securities, gross unrealized gain	10,473,000		10,711,000
Available-for-sale equity securities, gross unrealized loss	-1,013,000		-1,059,000
Available-for-sale equity securities, at fair value	51,807,000		53,390,000
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost basis	1,738,759,000		1,711,238,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gain	122,469,000		114,592,000
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized loss	-19,484,000		-13,320,000
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,841,744,000		1,812,510,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses, investments, portion in other comprehensive income (loss)	700,000
U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	13,925,000		15,145,000
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	629,000		557,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	-69,000		-55,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	14,485,000		15,647,000
Foreign Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	122,919,000		120,910,000
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	4,142,000		5,388,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	-7,856,000		-3,801,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	119,205,000		122,497,000
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	37,892,000		38,163,000
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	3,089,000		2,719,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	-292,000		-188,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	40,689,000		40,694,000
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	1,265,977,000		1,241,526,000
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	90,503,000		82,167,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	-10,044,000		-7,825,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	1,346,436,000		1,315,868,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	255,699,000		251,756,000
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	13,633,000		13,050,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	-210,000		-392,000
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$269,122,000		$264,414,000
[1]	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Investments_Fixedmaturity_Secu

Investments - Fixed-maturity Securities Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, amortized cost	$115,705
Due after one year through five years, amortized cost	580,952
Due after five years through 10 years, amortized cost	695,841
Due after 10 years, amortized cost	48,215
Total fixed-maturity securities with single maturity dates, amortized cost	1,440,713
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, amortized cost	255,699
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	1,696,412	[1]	1,667,500	[1]
Due in one year or less, fair value	117,276
Due after one year through five years, fair value	624,827
Due after five years through 10 years, fair value	727,136
Due after 10 years, fair value	51,576
Total fixed-maturity securities with single maturity dates, fair value	1,520,815
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, fair value	269,122
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$1,789,937	[1]	$1,759,120	[1]
[1]	Includes approximately $0.7 million of other-than-temporary impairment losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Investments_Net_Effect_on_Stoc

Investments - Net Effect on Stockholders' Equity of Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized investment gains including FCTA and OTTI, Fixed-maturity and Equity securities	$102,985	$101,272
Net unrealized investment gains including FCTA and OTTI, currency swaps	10	23
Foreign currency translation adjustment	24,605	12,314
Other-than-temporary impairments	710	710
Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments	128,310	114,319
Less deferred income taxes	-44,908	-40,011
Net unrealized investment gains excluding foreign currency translation adjustment and other-than-temporary impairments, net of tax	$83,402	$74,308

Investments_Fixedmaturity_Secu1

Investments - Fixed-maturity Securities Classified as Trading - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading securities	$7,345	$7,711
Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Trading securities	$7,300	$7,700

Investments_Heldtomaturity_Sec

Investments - Held-to-maturity Security - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Held To Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Held-to-maturity debt security estimated unrealized holding gain (or loss)	$21.80
LLC Note [Member]
Schedule Of Held To Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%

Investments_Fair_Value_of_Inve

Investments - Fair Value of Investments on Deposit with Governmental Authorities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]
Fair values of investments on deposit	$19.70	$19.90

Investments_Securities_Lending

Investments - Securities Lending Collateral - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Securities Received as Collateral [Abstract]
Securities loaned, minimum collateral to loan ratio	102.00%
Securities loaned, additional collateral requirement, decline in collateral value threshold percentage	100.00%
Cash collateral received and reinvested	$55.60	$50.20

Investments_Net_Investment_Inc

Investments - Net Investment Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	$24,860	$22,811
Investment expenses	-1,212	-1,212
Net investment income	21,173	21,599
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	516	385
Policy Loans and Other Invested Assets [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	359	388
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	43	53
Market return on deposit asset underlying 10% insurance agreement [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	1,672	953
Surplus Note [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Investment expenses	-2,475
Available-for-Sale [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	19,795	21,032
Held-to-Maturity [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating	$2,475

Investments_Schedule_of_Net_Re

Investments - Schedule of Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Realized Investment Gains Losses [Abstract]
Gross gains from sales	$1,934	$343
Gross losses from sales	-27	-6
Other-than-temporary impairment losses	-237	-149
Gains (losses) from bifurcated options	-386	75
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	1,284	263
Gross realized investment gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings	1,670	188
Tax expense (benefit) associated with realized investment gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings	585	66
Proceeds from sales or other redemptions	$97,916	$112,878

Investments_Securities_with_Co

Investments - Securities with Cost Basis in Excess of Fair Value - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]
Fixed-maturity and equity securities with cost basis in excess of fair value, cost basis	$282	$340.80

Investments_Schedule_of_Securi

Investments - Schedule of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$199,135	$237,635
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-10,393	-6,111
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	63,429	89,832
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-9,091	-7,209
U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	683	7,201
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-12	-1
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year	1	2
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	197	896
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-57	-54
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year	1	2
Foreign Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	49,697	28,038
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-4,249	-1,317
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year	48	35
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	19,090	23,330
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-3,607	-2,484
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year	37	40
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	1,994	1,694
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-4	-4
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year	2	3
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	1,612	2,720
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-288	-184
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year	3	4
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	106,770	144,262
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-5,031	-3,818
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year	110	153
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	31,239	43,736
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-5,013	-4,007
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year	55	78
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	33,624	49,591
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-84	-109
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year	29	43
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	11,291	16,847
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-126	-283
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year	14	20
Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	192,768	230,786
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-9,380	-5,249
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	63,429	87,529
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	-9,091	-7,012
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	6,367	6,849
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	-1,013	-862
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year	17	15
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value		2,303
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses		($197)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year		1

Investments_Amortized_Cost_and

Investments - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Available-for-sale Fixed-maturity Securities in Default (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default, amortized cost	$130	$144
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default, fair value	$491	$611

Investments_Impairment_Charges

Investments - Impairment Charges in Earnings on Available-for-sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Impairment charges recognized in earnings	$237	$149
Equity Securities [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Impairment charges recognized in earnings	76
Investments in fixed-maturity securities not in default [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Impairment charges recognized in earnings	$161	$149

Investments_Schedule_of_Net_Im

Investments - Schedule of Net Impairment Losses Recognized in Earnings for Available-for-sale Securities(Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	$237	$149
Other-than-temporary impairment losses, investments, portion recognized in earnings, net	237	149
Does not intend to sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell before recovery [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses	93
Other-than-temporary impairment losses, investments, portion recognized in earnings, net	93
Intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairment losses, investments, portion recognized in earnings, net	$144	$149

Investments_Rollforward_of_Oth

Investments - Rollforward of Other-than-temporary Impairment Credit-related Losses Recognized in Income, Fixed-maturity Securities Still Held (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Cumulative other-than-temporary impairment, credit losses for securities still held, beginning balance	$9,550	$7,970
Additions for other-than-temporary impaired securities where no credit losses were recognized prior to the beginning of the period	21	149
Additions for other-than-temporary impaired securities where credit losses have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period	140
Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities	-956	-42
Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired	-1,277
Cumulative other-than-temporary impairment, credit losses for securities still held, ending balance	$7,478	$8,077

Investments_Impairment_Losses_

Investments - Impairment Losses on Held-to-maturity Security - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Impairment losses held-to-maturity security	$0

Investments_Derivative_Narrati

Investments - Derivative - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]
Aggregate fair value of embedded conversion options	$5.60	$5.80

Investments_Loss_from_Closed_C

Investments - Loss from Closed Currency Forward Contracts Recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Deferred loss related to closed forward contracts	$26.40	$26.40

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	$1,841,744	$1,812,510
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Fair value assumptions, percentage of securities assessed by third-party pricing service	95.00%
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	4,235,354	4,260,524
Liabilities, fair value disclosure, recurring	2,386,265	2,440,303
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	47,951	49,273
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	4,186,269	4,210,086
Liabilities, fair value disclosure, recurring	2,386,265	2,440,303
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	1,134	1,165
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	14,485	15,647
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | U.S. Government and Agencies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	14,485	15,647
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	119,205	122,497
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Foreign Government [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	119,205	122,497
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	40,689	40,694
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	40,689	40,694
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,346,436	1,315,868
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	2,177	2,104
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,344,029	1,313,534
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	230	230
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	269,122	264,414
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	268,266	263,527
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	856	887
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,789,937	1,759,120
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	2,177	2,104
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,786,674	1,755,899
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,086	1,117
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	51,807	53,390
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	45,774	47,169
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	5,985	6,173
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	48	48
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,386,265	2,440,303
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,386,265	2,440,303
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate account liabilities	2,386,265	2,440,303
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate account liabilities	$2,386,265	$2,440,303

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Rollforward of Level 3 Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) (Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member], Level 3 [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Level 3 assets, beginning of period	$1,165	$2,288
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	6	120
Settlements	-37	-52
Level 3 assets, end of period	$1,134	$2,356

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value for Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	$1,841,744	$1,812,510
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity, fair value	259,761	228,809
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Surplus note	238,000	220,000
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity	238,000	220,000
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,386,265	2,440,303
Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,386,265	2,440,303
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,789,937	1,759,120
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	51,807	53,390
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Fair value, Nonrecurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Policy loans	27,679	28,095
Surplus note	238,000	220,000
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity	238,000	220,000
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Fair value, Nonrecurring Measurements [Member] | Deposits [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement	163,086	157,256
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,386,265	2,440,303
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair value, Nonrecurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable	374,545	374,532
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,789,937	1,759,120
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	51,807	53,390
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Fair value, Nonrecurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity, fair value	259,761	228,809
Policy loans	27,679	28,095
Surplus note	255,253	227,127
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Fair value, Nonrecurring Measurements [Member] | Deposits [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement	163,086	157,256
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities	7,345	7,711
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,386,265	2,440,303
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair value, Nonrecurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable	415,429	411,916
Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate account liabilities	2,386,265	2,440,303
Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate account liabilities	2,386,265	2,440,303
Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate account liabilities	2,386,265	2,440,303
Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate account liabilities	$2,386,265	$2,440,303

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Value and Estimated Fair Value for Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Percentage of coinsurance costs	10.00%	10.00%

Reinsurance_Inforce_Life_Insur

Reinsurance - In-force Life Insurance (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Direct life insurance in force	$682,544,727	$685,998,013
Amounts ceded to other companies	-604,605,806	-607,218,906
Net life insurance in force	$77,938,921	$78,779,107
Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force	89.00%	89.00%

Reinsurance_Reinsurance_Receiv

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Receivable and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	$4,094,456		$4,115,533
Prime Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	2,671,924	[1]	2,645,011	[1]
SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	363,097	[2]	373,947	[2]
Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd. [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	295,634	[1]	320,718	[1]
Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	250,662	[3]	260,734	[3]
American Health and Life Insurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	177,253	[1]	175,755	[1]
Munich American Reassurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	99,221		100,846
Korean Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	88,300		89,300
RGA Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	78,217		78,143
TOA Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	18,951		20,139
Hannover Life Reassurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	18,458		18,694
All Other Reinsurers [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable	$32,739		$32,246
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	-		-
External credit rating, not rated [Member] | Prime Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	NR	[1]	NR	[1]
External credit rating, not rated [Member] | Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd. [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	NR	[1]	NR	[1]
AM Best, A Rating [Member] | SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A	[2]	A	[2]
AM Best, A Rating [Member] | Korean Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A		A
AM Best, A+ Rating [Member] | Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A+	[3]	A+	[3]
AM Best, A+ Rating [Member] | Munich American Reassurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A+		A+
AM Best, A+ Rating [Member] | RGA Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A+		A+
AM Best, A+ Rating [Member] | TOA Reinsurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A+		A+
AM Best, A+ Rating [Member] | Hannover Life Reassurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A+		A+
AM Best, A- Rating [Member] | American Health and Life Insurance Company [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable credit rating from agencies	A- u	[1]	A-	[1]
[1]	Reinsurers are affiliates of Citigroup. Amounts shown are net of their share of the reinsurance receivable from other reinsurers
[2]	Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies.
[3]	Includes amounts ceded to Lincoln National Life Insurance and 100% retroceded to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.

Reinsurance_Reinsurance_Receiv1

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Receivable and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer (Parenthetical) (Details) (Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. [Member])	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance receivable, retroceded percentage	100.00%	100.00%

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Surplus note	$238,000,000	$220,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Surplus note	915,000,000
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$375,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.75%
Debt instrument maturity date	15-Jul-22
Surplus Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%
Debt instrument maturity date	31-Dec-29

Stockholders_Equity_Reconcilia

Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock, beginning of period	52,169	54,834
Shares issued for stock options exercised	89	4
Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of restricted stock units ("RSUs")	208	159
Common stock retired	-911	-428
Common stock, end of period	51,555	54,569

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	911,000	428,000
Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased program, authorized amount	150,000,000
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	740,393
Stock repurchased and retired during period, value	38,700,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	111,300,000
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, non-option equity instruments, outstanding, number	1,200,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	$43,401	$43,485
Income from discontinued operations		1,595
Weighted-average vested shares	52,643	55,211
Basic EPS from continuing operations	$0.82	$0.78
Basic EPS from discontinued operations		$0.03
Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for equity awards	48	22
Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS	52,691	55,233
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$0.82	$0.78
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations		$0.03
Continuing Operations [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income used in calculating basic EPS	42,957	42,928
Income used in calculating diluted EPS	42,957	42,928
Continuing Operations [Member] | Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, basic EPS	-444	-557
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, diluted EPS	-444	-557
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income used in calculating basic EPS		1,575
Income used in calculating diluted EPS		1,575
Discontinued Operations [Member] | Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, basic EPS		-20
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, diluted EPS		($20)

ShareBased_Transactions_Impact

Share-Based Transactions - Impact of Equity Awards Granted (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity awards expense recognized	$8,943	$2,848
Expense Deferred [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred	$2,908	$3,787

ShareBased_Transactions_Narrat

Share-Based Transactions - Narrative (Details) (2015 Management Awards [Member])	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 23, 2015
2015 Management Awards [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years

Commitments_and_Contingent_Lia1

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
	Jurisdiction
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Number of jurisdiction	30
Letter of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Letter of credit, outstanding	500.8