Primerica (PRI) 10-K 26 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Primerica, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,475,922
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	PRI
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,311,634
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 3,395,813,718

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $1,877,326 in 2017 and $1,734,683 in 2016)	$ 1,927,842	[1]	$ 1,792,438	[2]
Fixed-maturity securities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $779,472 in 2017 and $513,015 in 2016)	737,150		503,230
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $31,331 in 2017 and $36,818 in 2016)	41,107		44,894
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $6,172 in 2017 and $7,382 in 2016)	6,228		7,383
Policy loans	32,816		30,916
Total investments	2,745,143		2,378,861
Cash and cash equivalents	279,962		211,976
Accrued investment income	16,665		16,520
Reinsurance recoverables	4,205,173		4,193,562
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	1,951,892		1,713,065
Agent balances, due premiums and other receivables	229,522		210,448
Intangible assets, net	51,513		54,915
Deferred income taxes	48,614		37,369
Other assets	359,347		334,274
Separate account assets	2,572,872		2,287,953
Total assets	12,460,703		11,438,943
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	5,954,524		5,673,890
Unearned premiums	486		527
Policy claims and other benefits payable	307,401		268,136
Other policyholders’ funds	377,998		363,038
Notes payable	373,288		372,919
Surplus note	736,381		502,491
Income tax payable	24,896		26,365
Deferred income taxes	152,572		198,641
Other liabilities	451,398		449,963
Payable under securities lending	89,786		73,646
Separate account liabilities	2,572,872		2,287,953
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Commitments and Contingent Liabilities note)
Total liabilities	11,041,602		10,217,569
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2017 and 2016; issued and outstanding 44,251 shares in 2017 and 45,721 shares in 2016)	443		457
Paid-in capital			52,468
Retained earnings	1,375,090		1,138,851
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)	3,995		(13,193)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses):
Net unrealized investment gains not other-than-temporarily impaired	39,686		42,852
Net unrealized investment losses other-than-temporarily impaired	(113)		(61)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,419,101		1,221,374
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 12,460,703		$ 11,438,943
[1]	Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Consolidated Balance Sheets Par

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities available for sale, amortized cost	$ 1,877,326	[1]	$ 1,734,683	[2]
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity, fair value	779,472		513,015
Equity securities available for sale, cost	31,331		36,818
Trading securities, cost	$ 6,172		$ 7,382
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000		500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	44,251,000		45,721,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	44,251,000		45,721,000		48,297,000	52,169,000
[1]	Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Direct premiums	$ 2,562,109	$ 2,444,268	$ 2,345,444
Ceded premiums	(1,600,771)	(1,600,559)	(1,595,220)
Net premiums	961,338	843,709	750,224
Commissions and fees	591,317	541,686	537,146
Investment income net of investment expenses	105,882	97,905	89,557
Interest expense on surplus note	(26,865)	(18,880)	(13,048)
Net investment income	79,017	79,025	76,509
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	1,339	4,088	(1,738)
Other, net	56,091	50,576	42,058
Total revenues	1,689,102	1,519,084	1,404,199
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and claims	416,019	367,655	339,315
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	209,399	180,582	157,727
Sales commissions	297,988	272,815	274,893
Insurance expenses	147,280	132,348	123,030
Insurance commissions	21,108	17,783	16,340
Interest expense	28,488	28,691	33,507
Other operating expenses	189,300	181,615	168,406
Total benefits and expenses	1,309,582	1,181,489	1,113,218
Income before income taxes	379,520	337,595	290,981
Income taxes	29,265	118,181	101,110
Net income	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 7.63	$ 4.59	$ 3.70
Diluted earnings per share	$ 7.61	$ 4.59	$ 3.70
Weighted-average shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	45,598	47,411	50,881
Diluted	45,689	47,453	50,913
Supplemental disclosures:
Total impairment losses	$ (1,700)	$ (3,420)	$ (6,893)
Impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income before income taxes	147
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(1,553)	(3,420)	(6,893)
Other net realized investment gains	2,892	7,508	5,155
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	$ 1,339	$ 4,088	$ (1,738)
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.78	$ 0.70	$ 0.64

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 168,443	$ 66,635	$ 63,107	$ 52,070	$ 56,873	$ 58,037	$ 59,326	$ 45,176	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities									(3,950)	20,500	(65,920)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income									(1,589)	(3,955)	1,596
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)									17,383	6,689	(41,929)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes									11,844	23,234	(106,253)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									(2,126)	5,871	(22,961)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes									13,970	17,363	(83,292)
Total comprehensive income									$ 364,225	$ 236,777	$ 106,579

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Balance, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2014		$ 522	$ 353,337	$ 795,740	$ 95,527
Repurchases of common stock		(45)	(207,714)
Share-based compensation			33,544
Net issuance of common stock		6	(6)
Adjustments to paid-in capital, other			1,089
Net income	$ 189,871			189,871
Dividends				(32,807)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)					(41,482)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than temporarily impaired					(42,201)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) other-than-temporarily impaired					391
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2015	1,145,772	483	180,250	952,804	12,235
Repurchases of common stock		(33)	(153,994)
Share-based compensation			26,219
Net issuance of common stock		7	(7)
Net income	219,414			219,414
Dividends				(33,367)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)					6,608
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than temporarily impaired					10,745
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) other-than-temporarily impaired					10
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2016	1,221,374	457	52,468	1,138,851	29,598
Repurchases of common stock		(19)	(78,558)	(78,195)
Share-based compensation			26,095
Net issuance of common stock		5	$ (5)
Net income	350,255			350,255
Dividends				(35,821)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)					17,188
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than temporarily impaired					(3,166)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) other-than-temporarily impaired					(52)
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,419,101	$ 443		$ 1,375,090	$ 43,568

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Change in future policy benefits and other policy liabilities	306,122	256,520	242,957
Deferral of policy acquisition costs	(422,749)	(376,879)	(326,197)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	209,399	180,582	157,727
Deferred tax provision	(53,788)	44,316	38,292
Change in income taxes	(2,159)	27,601	5,862
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	(1,339)	(4,088)	1,738
Accretion and amortization of investments	(1,596)	(1,411)	(1,343)
Depreciation and amortization	13,551	14,595	10,998
Change in reinsurance recoverables	9,124	(72,880)	(49,966)
Change in agent balances, due premiums and other receivables	(18,331)	(20,069)	(11,379)
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net	1,137	(2,051)	2,308
Share-based compensation	15,267	13,442	14,948
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net	(16,369)	15,335	(11,565)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	388,524	294,427	264,251
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed-maturity securities — sold	76,701	91,666	130,608
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called	223,088	254,585	247,771
Equity securities	5,771	8,572	4,894
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities	(426,689)	(386,394)	(433,457)
Equity securities	(400)	(2,683)	(882)
Purchases of property and equipment and other investing activities, net	(6,752)	(13,669)	(7,399)
Cash collateral received (returned) on loaned securities, net	16,140	2,164	21,271
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments using securities lending collateral, net	(16,140)	(2,164)	(21,271)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(128,281)	(47,923)	(58,465)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(35,821)	(33,367)	(32,807)
Common stock repurchased	(150,038)	(150,057)	(200,084)
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation	(6,734)	(3,970)	(7,675)
Cash proceeds from stock options exercised			136
Payment of deferred financing costs	(868)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(193,461)	(187,394)	(240,430)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	1,204	572	(5,059)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	67,986	59,682	(39,703)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	211,976	152,294	191,997
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	279,962	211,976	152,294
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	83,304	45,402	62,116
Interest paid	$ 27,816	$ 27,992	$ 32,386

Description of Business, Basis

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, managed investments 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 Tennessee, owns National Benefit Life Insurance Company ("NBLIC"), a New York insurance company. Prior to Primerica Life’s re-domestication to Tennessee in December 2017, Primerica Life was a Massachusetts-domiciled life insurance underwriting company. We 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. 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”), future policy benefit reserves and corresponding amounts recoverable from reinsurers, 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 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 events and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017. Foreign Currency Translation. Assets and liabilities of our Canadian subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates, and the translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses of our Canadian subsidiaries are translated monthly at amounts that approximate weighted-average exchange rates. Investments. Investments are reported on the following bases: • Available-for-sale (“AFS”) fixed-maturity securities, including bonds and redeemable preferred stocks not classified as trading securities, are carried at fair value. When quoted market values are unavailable, we obtain estimates from independent pricing services or estimate fair value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or of other issuers with similar characteristics. • Held-to-maturity fixed-maturity security is carried at amortized cost. • Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are classified as AFS and are carried at fair value. When quoted market values are unavailable, we obtain estimates from independent pricing services or estimates fair value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or of other issuers with similar characteristics. • Trading securities, which primarily consist of bonds, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are included in net investment income in the period in which the change occurred. • Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances, which approximate fair value. Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. We use the specific-identification method to determine the realized gains or losses from securities transactions and report the realized gains or losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities are included as a separate component of other comprehensive income, except for other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) discussed below, in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis for OTTI. Credit risk, interest rate risk, the amount of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, actions taken by ratings agencies, and other factors are considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary. OTTI in our accompanying consolidated statements of income reflect the impairment on AFS securities that we intend to sell or would more-likely-than-not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For AFS fixed maturity securities that we have no intent to sell and believe that it is not more-likely-than-not we will be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of OTTI is recognized in our accompanying consolidated statements of income, while the remainder is recognized in other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The credit loss component of OTTI recognized in net income is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security. Any subsequent changes (if not an other-than-temporary impairment) in the fair value of AFS securities are recognized in other comprehensive income in the accompanying statements of comprehensive income. Interest income on fixed-maturity securities is recorded when earned by determining the effective yield, which gives consideration to amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, and any previous OTTI. Dividend income on equity securities is recorded when declared. These amounts are included in net investment income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Included within fixed-maturity securities are loan-backed and asset-backed securities. Amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount uses the retrospective method. The effective yield used to determine amortization/accretion is calculated based on actual and historical projected future cash flows and updated quarterly. 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 recorded in realized gains (losses), including OTTI in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments, and all other highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition. Reinsurance. We use reinsurance extensively, utilizing yearly renewable term (“YRT”) and coinsurance agreements. Under YRT agreements, we reinsure only the mortality risk, while under coinsurance, we reinsure a proportionate part of all risks arising under the reinsured policy. Under coinsurance, the reinsurer receives a proportionate part of the premiums, less commission allowances, and is liable for a corresponding part of all benefit payments. All reinsurance contracts in effect for the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 transfer a reasonable possibility of substantial loss to the reinsurer or are accounted for under the deposit method of accounting. Ceded premiums are treated as a reduction to direct premiums and are recognized when due to the assuming company. Ceded claims are treated as a reduction to direct benefits and are recognized when the claim is incurred on a direct basis. Ceded policy reserve changes are also treated as a reduction to benefits and claims expense and are recognized during the applicable financial reporting period. Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements and benefits and reserves related to reinsured long-duration contracts are accounted for over the life of the underlying contracts using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liabilities and future policy benefits associated with reinsured policies. Ceded policy reserves and claims liabilities relating to insurance ceded are shown as reinsurance recoverables on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We analyze and monitor the credit-worthiness of each of our reinsurance partners to minimize collection issues. For reinsurance contracts with unauthorized reinsurers, we require collateral such as letters of credit. To the extent we receive ceding allowances to cover policy and claims administration under reinsurance contracts, these allowances are treated as a reduction to insurance commissions and expenses and are recognized when due from the assuming company. To the extent we receive ceding allowances reimbursing commissions that would otherwise be deferred, the amount of commissions deferrable will be reduced. The corresponding DAC balances are reduced on a pro rata basis by the portion of the business reinsured with reinsurance agreements that meet risk transfer provisions. The reduced DAC will result in a corresponding reduction of amortization expense. DAC. We defer incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisitions that result directly from and are essential to the contract transaction(s) and that would not have been incurred had the contract transaction(s) not occurred. These deferred policy acquisition costs mainly include commissions and policy issue expenses. All other acquisition-related costs, including unsuccessful acquisition and renewal efforts, are charged to expense as incurred. Also, administrative costs, rent, depreciation, occupancy, equipment, and all other general overhead costs are considered indirect costs and are charged to expense as incurred. DAC for term life insurance policies is amortized over the initial premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to premium income. DAC for Canadian segregated funds is amortized over the life of the underlying policies at a constant rate based on the present value of the estimated gross profits expected to be realized over the life of the underlying policies. DAC is subject to recoverability testing annually and when impairment indicators exist. Intangible Assets. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Any intangible asset that was deemed to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test. An impairment exists if the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. For the other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, an impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset. The components of intangible assets were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount (In thousands) Indefinite-lived intangible asset $ 45,275 n/a $ 45,275 $ 45,275 n/a $ 45,275 Amortizing intangible asset 84,871 (78,633 ) 6,238 84,871 (75,231 ) 9,640 Total intangible assets $ 130,146 $ (78,633 ) $ 51,513 $ 130,146 $ (75,231 ) $ 54,915 We have an indefinite-lived intangible asset related to the 1989 purchase of the right to contract with our sales force. This asset represents the core distribution model of our business, which is our primary competitive advantage to profitably distribute term life insurance and investment and savings products on a significant scale, and as such, is considered to have an indefinite life. This indefinite-lived intangible asset is supported by a significant portion of the discounted cash flows of our future business. We assessed this asset for impairment as of October 1, 2017 and determined that no impairment had occurred. There have been no subsequent events requiring further analysis. We also have an amortizing intangible asset related to a 1995 sales agreement termination payment to Management Financial Services, Inc. This asset is supported by a non-compete agreement with the founder of our business model. We calculate the amortization of this contract buyout on a straight-line basis over 24 years, which represents the life of the non-compete agreement. Intangible asset amortization expense was approximately $3.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015. The remaining amortization expense is expected to be approximately $3.4 million in 2018 and $2.8 million in 2019. No events have occurred during 2017, and no factors exist as of December 31, 2017 that would indicate that the net carrying value of our amortizing intangible asset may not be recoverable or will not be used throughout its estimated useful life. Property and Equipment. Property and equipment, which are included in other assets, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life, which is estimated as follows: Estimated Useful Life Data processing equipment and software 3 to 7 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of 15 years or remaining life of lease Furniture and other equipment 5 to 15 years Depreciation expense is included in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Depreciation expense was $10.1 million, $11.2 million, and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Property and equipment balances were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Data processing equipment and software $ 60,227 $ 57,178 Leasehold improvements 14,077 13,718 Other, principally furniture and equipment 24,841 23,571 99,145 94,467 Accumulated depreciation (71,044 ) (67,001 ) Net property and equipment $ 28,101 $ 27,466 Separate Accounts. The separate accounts are primarily comprised of contracts issued by the Company through its subsidiary, Primerica Life Canada, pursuant to the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The Insurance Companies Act authorizes Primerica Life Canada to establish the separate accounts. The separate accounts are represented by individual variable annuity contracts. Purchasers of variable annuity contracts issued by Primerica Life Canada have a direct claim to the benefits of the contract that entitles the holder to units in one or more investment funds (the “Funds”) maintained by Primerica Life Canada. The Funds invest in assets that are held for the benefit of the owners of the contracts. The benefits provided vary in amount depending on the fair value of the Funds’ assets. The Funds’ assets are administered by Primerica Life Canada and are held separate and apart from the general assets of the Company. The liabilities reflect the variable insurance annuity contract holders’ interests in variable annuity assets based upon actual investment performance of the respective Funds. Separate account operating results relating to contract holders’ interests are excluded from our consolidated statements of income. Primerica Life Canada’s contract offerings guarantee the maturity value at the date of maturity (or upon death, whichever occurs first) to be equal to 75% of the sum of all contributions made, net of withdrawals, on a first-in first-out basis. Otherwise, the maturity value or death benefit will be the accumulated value of units allocated to the contract at the specified valuation date. The amount of this value is not guaranteed, but will fluctuate with the fair value of the Funds. Policyholder Liabilities. Future policy benefits are accrued over the current and expected renewal periods of the contracts. Liabilities for future policy benefits on traditional life insurance products have been computed using a net level method, including assumptions as to interest rates, mortality, persistency, and other assumptions based on our experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible adverse deviation. The underlying mortality tables are the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) 65-70, SOA 75-80, SOA 85-90, and the 91 Bragg, modified to reflect various underwriting classifications and assumptions. Interest rate reserve assumptions at December 31, 2017 and 2016 ranged from approximately 3.5% to 7.0%. For policies issued in 2010 and after, we have been using an increasing interest rate assumption to reflect the historically low interest rate environment. The liability for policy claims and other benefits payable on traditional life insurance products includes estimated unpaid claims that have been reported to us and claims incurred but not yet reported. The future policy benefit reserves we establish are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions and our analysis of historical experience. We do not modify the assumptions used to establish future policy benefit reserves during the policy term unless recoverability testing deems them to be inadequate and there is no remaining DAC associated with the underlying policies. Our results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions we used in determining our future policy benefit reserves and pricing our products. Our future policy benefit reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. We cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. Other Policyholders’ Funds . Other policyholders’ funds primarily represent claim payments left on deposit with us. Litigation. The Company is involved from time to time in legal disputes, regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings in the normal course of business. Contingent litigation- related losses are recognized when probable and can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs, such as attorneys’ fees and other litigation-related expenses that are incurred in connection with resolving litigation are expensed as incurred. These disputes are subject to uncertainties, including indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation. Due to the difficulty of estimating costs of litigation, actual costs may be substantially higher or lower than any amounts reserved. Income Taxes . We are subject to the income tax laws of the United States, its states, municipalities, and certain unincorporated territories, and those of Canada. These tax laws can be complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, we must make judgments and interpretations about the applicability of these tax laws. We also must make estimates about the future impact certain items will have on taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions, both domestic and foreign. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is more likely than not applicable to the periods in which we expect the temporary difference will reverse. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted in the United States. The Tax Reform Act includes a broad range of changes to federal tax legislation including changes to corporate and personal income tax rates, income tax deductions, and international tax provisions. We recognized the effect of tax law changes included in the Tax Reform Act during the year-ended December 31, 2017, as it is the period that includes the date of enactment. See Note 11 (Income Taxes) for details related to the tax effects recognized in connection with the Tax Reform Act. Premium Revenues . Traditional life insurance products consist principally of those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits, and are primarily related to term products. Premiums are recognized as revenues when due. Commissions and Fees. We receive commission revenues from the sale of various non-life insurance products. Commissions are generally received on sales of mutual funds and annuities. We also receive trail commission revenues from mutual fund and annuity products based on the net asset value of shares sold by us. We, in turn, pay certain commissions to our sales force. Additionally, we receive marketing and support fees from product originators. We also receive management fees based on the average daily net asset value of managed investments and contracts related to separate account assets issued by Primerica Life Canada. We earn recordkeeping fees for administrative functions that we perform on behalf of several of our mutual fund providers and custodial fees for services performed as a non-bank custodian of our clients’ retirement plan accounts. We, in turn, pay a third-party provider for its servicing of certain of these accounts. Commissions and fees are recognized as income during the period in which they are earned. Benefits and Expenses . Benefit and expense items are charged to income in the period in which they are incurred. Both the change in policyholder liabilities, which is included in benefits and claims, and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs will vary with policyholder persistency. Share-Based Transactions. For employee and director share-based compensation awards, we determine a grant date fair value based on the price of our publicly-traded common stock and recognize the related compensation expense, adjusted for actual forfeitures, in the statement of income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For non-employee share-based compensation, we recognize the impact during the period of performance, and the fair value of the award is measured as of the date performance is complete, which is the vesting date. To the extent that a share-based award contains sale restrictions extending beyond the vesting date, we reduce the recognized fair value of the award to reflect the corresponding illiquidity discount. Most non-employee share-based compensation is 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 these expenses and amortize the impact in the same manner as all other DAC. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). The Company has outstanding common stock and equity awards that consist of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based stock units (“PSUs”), and stock options. The 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 RSUs are deemed participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS as they maintain dividend rights. See Note 13 (Earnings Per Share) for details related to the calculations of our basic and diluted EPS using the two-class method. New Accounting Principles. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No 2016-09 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 intends to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the recognition of income tax consequences of awards, the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, the method of recognizing award forfeitures, and the presentation of items within the statement of cash flows. The most notable impact on the Company’s financial statements involved the change in accounting for the income tax consequences associated with share-based payment transactions in the income statement. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the tax effect of the difference between the cumulative compensation cost of a share-based award recognized for financial reporting purposes and the deduction of the award for tax purposes (“excess tax benefits or deficiencies”) was recognized as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital in the statement of stockholders’ equity. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 require that the excess tax benefits or deficiencies be recognized as a reduction to or an increase of income tax expense in the income statement. We adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-09 pertaining to excess tax benefits or deficiencies in 2017 on a prospective basis, which resulted in a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $6.1 million for the excess tax benefit of share-based transactions for the year ended December 31, 2017. ASU 2016-09 also changes the presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies in the cash flow statement from a financing activity to an operating activity. Therefore, we have presented the excess tax benefits or deficiencies as cash flows from operating activities within the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for all periods presented. The adoption of all other amendments outlined in ASU 2016-09 had either no impact to our financial statements or an immaterial impact to our financial statements. Future Application of Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue by establishing the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. Insurance contracts are specifically excluded from the scope of ASU 2014-09 and therefore revenue from our insurance product lines will not be affected by the new standard. The amendments in ASU 2014-09, as updated by ASU No. 2015-14, are effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018 and can be adopted either retrospectively or by using the modified retrospective method. We will adopt the amendments in ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 by using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 will result in an immaterial increase to retained earnings on January 1, 2018. The adjustment to be recognized upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 primarily consists of recognizing the lifetime expected value of renewal commissions we anticipate collecting in future periods for the sale of prepaid legal service subscriptions and the referral of auto and homeowners’ insurance policies in our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment made prior to December 31, 2017. After the initial product sale or referral, we earn commissions from product providers as clients pay monthly subscription fees for prepaid legal service subscriptions or premiums on auto and homeowners’ insurance policies purchased through our referral channel. We currently recognize commission revenue upon receipt of the commission revenue from the product providers, which is the point in time when revenue becomes fixed and determinable, as the commissions earned are dependent on our clients’ future renewal activity. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, we will recognize commission revenue equal to the expected value of the commissions we will earn over the life of the subscription or the referred policy when that initial subscription sale or policy referral occurs, which coincides with when we satisfy our performance obligation to the product provider. We do not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a notable impact on our results of operations given the immaterial amount of revenue associated with these product distributions and no significant accounting changes for revenue will be made in any of our other product lines. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (ASC 842) In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

Other Comprehensive Income

Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income	(2) The components of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), including the income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component, were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments: Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) before income taxes $ 17,383 $ 6,689 $ (41,929 ) Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) (1) 195 81 (447 ) Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes $ 17,188 $ 6,608 $ (41,482 ) Unrealized gain (losses) on available-for-sale securities: Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period before income taxes $ (3,950 ) $ 20,500 $ (65,920 ) Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period (1) (1,765 ) 7,174 (23,074 ) Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes (2,185 ) 13,326 (42,846 ) Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities $ (1,589 ) $ (3,955 ) $ 1,596 Income tax (expense) benefit on (gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to net income (1) (556 ) (1,384 ) 560 Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes (1,033 ) (2,571 ) 1,036 Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustment $ (3,218 ) $ 10,755 $ (41,810 ) (1)

Segment and Geographical Inform

Segment and Geographical Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Geographical Information	(3) Segment and Geographical Information Segments. We have two primary operating segments — Term Life Insurance and Investment and Savings Products. The Term Life Insurance segment includes underwriting profits on our in-force book of term life insurance policies, net of reinsurance, which are underwritten by our life insurance company subsidiaries. The Investment and Savings Products segment includes retail and managed mutual funds and annuities distributed through licensed broker-dealer subsidiaries and includes segregated funds, an individual annuity savings product that we underwrite in Canada through Primerica Life Canada. In the United States, we distribute mutual fund and annuity products of several third-party companies. We also earn fees for account servicing on a subset of the mutual funds we distribute. In Canada, we offer a Primerica-branded fund-of-funds mutual fund product, as well as mutual funds of well-known mutual fund companies. These two operating segments are managed separately because their products serve different needs — term life insurance income protection versus wealth-building savings products. We also have a Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment, which consists primarily of revenues and expenses related to several discontinued lines of insurance other than our core term life insurance products and the distribution of various other financial products generally underwritten or offered by third-party providers. All of the Company’s net investment income, except for the portion allocated to the Term Life Insurance segment that represents the assumed interest accreted to its U.S. GAAP-measured future policy benefit reserve liability less DAC, is attributed to the Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. In addition, interest expense incurred by the Company as well as realized gains and losses on our invested asset portfolio are entirely attributed to the Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. Notable information included in profit or loss by segment was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Revenues: Term life insurance segment $ 992,224 $ 866,382 $ 763,958 Investment and savings products segment 572,747 524,621 521,336 Corporate and other distributed products segment 124,131 128,081 118,905 Total revenues $ 1,689,102 $ 1,519,084 $ 1,404,199 Net investment income: Term life insurance segment $ 9,931 $ 7,634 $ 5,987 Investment and savings products segment - - - Corporate and other distributed products segment 69,086 71,391 70,522 Total net investment income $ 79,017 $ 79,025 $ 76,509 Amortization of DAC: Term life insurance segment $ 201,751 $ 172,812 $ 147,980 Investment and savings products segment 6,168 6,148 7,952 Corporate and other distributed products segment 1,480 1,622 1,795 Total amortization of DAC $ 209,399 $ 180,582 $ 157,727 Non-cash share-based compensation expense: Term life insurance segment $ 2,662 $ 2,652 $ 5,392 Investment and savings products segment 2,208 2,179 2,228 Corporate and other distributed products segment 10,397 8,611 7,328 Total non-cash share-based compensation expense $ 15,267 $ 13,442 $ 14,948 Income (loss) before income taxes: Term life insurance segment $ 245,657 $ 213,361 $ 173,209 Investment and savings products segment 162,836 144,356 146,083 Corporate and other distributed products segment (28,973 ) (20,122 ) (28,311 ) Total income before income taxes $ 379,520 $ 337,595 $ 290,981 Insurance expenses and other operating expenses directly attributable to the Term Life Insurance and the Investment and Savings Products segments are recorded directly to the applicable segment. We allocate certain other revenue and operating expenses that are not directly attributable to a specific operating segment based on the relative sizes of our life-licensed and securities-licensed independent sales forces. These allocated items include fees charged for access to our proprietary sales force support system and costs incurred for field technology, supervision, training and certain miscellaneous costs. We also allocate certain technology and occupancy costs to our operating segments based on estimated usage. Any remaining unallocated revenue and expense items, as well as realized investment gains and losses, are reported in the Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. We measure income and loss for the segments on an income before income taxes basis. Total assets by segment were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (In thousands) Assets: Term life insurance segment $ 6,205,837 $ 5,945,502 $ 5,638,682 Investment and savings products segment (1) 2,684,717 2,391,512 2,157,548 Corporate and other distributed products segment 3,570,149 3,101,929 2,814,553 Total assets $ 12,460,703 $ 11,438,943 $ 10,610,783 (1) Assets specifically related to a segment are held in that segment. All invested assets held by the Company, including the deposit asset recognized in connection with our 10% coinsurance agreement (the “10% Coinsurance Agreement”) and the held-to-maturity security received in connection with the Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement, are reported as assets of the Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. DAC is recognized in a particular segment based on the product to which it relates. Separate account assets supporting the segregated funds product in Canada are held in the Investment and Savings Products segment. Any remaining unallocated assets are reported in the Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. Geographical Information. Results of continuing operations by country and long-lived assets — primarily tangible assets reported in other assets in our consolidated balance sheets —were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Revenues by country: United States $ 1,419,658 $ 1,281,580 $ 1,172,508 Canada 269,444 237,504 231,691 Total revenues $ 1,689,102 $ 1,519,084 $ 1,404,199 Income before income taxes by country: United States $ 299,764 $ 269,791 $ 225,920 Canada 79,756 67,804 65,061 Total income before income taxes $ 379,520 $ 337,595 $ 290,981 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (In thousands) Long-lived assets by country: United States $ 27,443 $ 26,685 $ 28,621 Canada 656 780 787 Total long-lived assets $ 28,099 $ 27,465 $ 29,408

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	(4) Investments AFS Securities. The period-end cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of AFS fixed-maturity and equity securities were as follows: December 31, 2017 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 $ 11,577 $ 283 $ (47 ) $ 11,813 Foreign government 139,486 5,651 (648 ) 144,489 States and political subdivisions 54,714 1,554 (141 ) 56,127 Corporates 1,337,321 42,616 (3,655 ) 1,376,282 Residential mortgage-backed securities 119,672 3,583 (297 ) 122,958 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 134,003 2,299 (910 ) 135,392 Other asset-backed securities 80,553 452 (224 ) 80,781 Total fixed-maturity securities (1) 1,877,326 56,438 (5,922 ) 1,927,842 Equity securities 31,331 9,796 (20 ) 41,107 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 1,908,657 $ 66,234 $ (5,942 ) $ 1,968,949 (1) Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. December 31, 2016 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 $ 10,148 $ 350 $ (24 ) $ 10,474 Foreign government 124,274 5,719 (687 ) 129,306 States and political subdivisions 43,950 1,903 (129 ) 45,724 Corporates 1,281,630 49,272 (5,529 ) 1,325,373 Residential mortgage-backed securities 94,708 4,963 (120 ) 99,551 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 107,201 2,712 (470 ) 109,443 Other asset-backed securities 72,772 98 (303 ) 72,567 Total fixed-maturity securities (1) 1,734,683 65,017 (7,262 ) 1,792,438 Equity securities 36,818 8,589 (513 ) 44,894 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 1,771,501 $ 73,606 $ (7,775 ) $ 1,837,332 (1) Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. All of our AFS 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 maturity distribution of the AFS fixed-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2017 was as follows: Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 145,260 $ 147,078 Due after one year through five years 808,100 831,979 Due after five years through 10 years 537,979 552,982 Due after 10 years 51,759 56,672 1,543,098 1,588,711 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 334,228 339,131 Total fixed-maturity securities $ 1,877,326 $ 1,927,842 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 AFS securities was as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Net unrealized investment gains including OTTI: Fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 60,292 $ 65,831 OTTI 174 95 Net unrealized investment gains excluding OTTI 60,466 65,926 Deferred income taxes (20,780 ) (23,074 ) Net unrealized investment gains excluding OTTI, net of tax $ 39,686 $ 42,852 Trading Securities. The costs and fair values of the fixed-maturity and equity securities classified as trading securities were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Fair value Cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities $ 4,801 $ 4,800 $ 7,332 $ 7,332 Equity securities 1,371 1,428 50 51 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 6,172 $ 6,228 $ 7,382 $ 7,383 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, 2030 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, which is reflected in interest expense on our consolidated statements of income. The LLC is a VIE 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 December 31, 2017, the LLC Note, which was rated A+ by Fitch Ratings, had an estimated unrealized holding gain of approximately $42.3 million based on its amortized cost and estimated fair value, which is derived using the valuation techniques described in Note 5 (Fair Value of Financial Instruments). See Note 10 (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 $11.1 million and $18.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 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 consolidated balance sheets during the terms of the loans, and we do not report them as sales. Cash collateral received and reinvested was approximately $89.8 million and $73.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 76,877 $ 74,673 $ 77,271 Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity) 26,865 18,880 13,048 Equity securities 2,095 2,053 2,059 Policy loans and other invested assets 1,413 1,340 1,368 Cash and cash equivalents 1,123 632 228 Total return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement 2,970 5,212 482 Gross investment income 111,343 102,790 94,456 Investment expenses (5,461 ) (4,885 ) (4,899 ) Investment income net of investment expenses 105,882 97,905 89,557 Interest expense on surplus note (26,865 ) (18,880 ) (13,048 ) Net investment income $ 79,017 $ 79,025 $ 76,509 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: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Net realized investment gains (losses): Gross gains from sales $ 3,249 $ 8,126 $ 5,762 Gross losses from sales (107 ) (751 ) (465 ) OTTI losses (1,553 ) (3,420 ) (6,893 ) Gains (losses) from bifurcated options (250 ) 133 (142 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) $ 1,339 $ 4,088 $ (1,738 ) OTTI. We conduct a review each quarter to identify and evaluate impaired investments that have indications of possible 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 impairment 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. Our review for OTTI generally entails: • Analysis of individual investments that have fair values less than a pre-defined percentage of amortized cost, including consideration of the length of time the investment has been in an unrealized loss position; • Analysis of corporate fixed-maturity securities by reviewing the issuer’s most recent performance to date, including analyst reviews, analyst outlooks and rating agency information; • Analysis of commercial mortgage-backed securities based on an assessment of performance to date, credit enhancement, risk analytics and outlook, underlying collateral, loss projections, rating agency information and available third-party reviews and analytics; • Analysis of residential mortgage-backed securities based on loss projections provided by models compared to current credit enhancement levels; • Analysis of our other fixed-maturity and equity security investments, as required based on the type of investment; and • Analysis of downward credit migrations that occurred during the quarter. AFS fixed-maturity and equity securities with a cost basis in excess of their fair values were approximately $529.2 million and $450.9 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The following tables summarize, for all AFS 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: December 31, 2017 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 $ 4,754 $ (34 ) 5 $ 2,975 $ (13 ) 3 Foreign government 40,287 (465 ) 45 7,102 (183 ) 7 States and political subdivisions 7,369 (43 ) 7 6,267 (98 ) 7 Corporates 247,613 (2,323 ) 216 39,767 (1,332 ) 43 Residential mortgage-backed securities 33,610 (263 ) 16 2,592 (34 ) 8 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 60,116 (394 ) 52 22,149 (516 ) 25 Other asset-backed securities 32,605 (121 ) 33 14,819 (103 ) 19 Total fixed-maturity securities 426,354 (3,643 ) 95,671 (2,279 ) Equity securities 1,076 (16 ) 4 170 (4 ) 2 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 427,430 $ (3,659 ) $ 95,841 $ (2,283 ) December 31, 2016 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 $ 3,668 $ (24 ) 4 $ - $ - - Foreign government 34,538 (526 ) 36 3,048 (161 ) 3 States and political subdivisions 8,902 (129 ) 12 - - - Corporates 232,070 (3,484 ) 225 45,471 (2,045 ) 51 Residential mortgage-backed securities 15,232 (92 ) 9 3,606 (28 ) 9 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 33,335 (423 ) 33 7,663 (47 ) 11 Other asset-backed securities 48,275 (260 ) 45 1,315 (43 ) 3 Total fixed-maturity securities 376,020 (4,938 ) 61,103 (2,324 ) Equity securities 4,179 (269 ) 12 1,852 (244 ) 8 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 380,199 $ (5,207 ) $ 62,955 $ (2,568 ) The amortized cost and fair value of AFS fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities in default $ 503 $ 654 $ 5 $ 125 OTTI recognized in earnings on AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) OTTI on fixed-maturity securities not in default $ 1,001 $ 3,257 $ 5,108 OTTI on fixed-maturity securities in default 267 121 29 OTTI on equity securities 285 42 1,756 Total OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,553 $ 3,420 $ 6,893 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. We also recognized OTTI related to invested assets held at the Parent Company that we intended to sell to fund share repurchases, as well as impairments on equity securities where we do not expect to recover its cost basis. As of December 31, 2017, the unrealized losses on our AFS invested asset portfolio were largely caused by interest rate sensitivity and changes in credit spreads. We believe that fluctuations caused by movement in interest rates and credit spreads have little bearing on the recoverability of our investments. We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired because we have the ability to hold these investments until maturity or a market price recovery, and we have no present intention to dispose of them. OTTI recognized in earnings for AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total OTTI 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 $ 1,476 $ 1,486 $ 706 Less portion of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 147 - - OTTI recognized in earnings for securities which the Company does not intend to sell or more-likely than-not will not be required to sell 1,329 1,486 706 OTTI recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery 224 1,934 6,187 OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,553 $ 3,420 $ 6,893 The rollforward of the OTTI recognized in net income for all fixed-maturity securities still held was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, beginning of period $ 5,774 $ 11,856 Additions for securities where no OTTI were recognized prior to the beginning of the period 351 1,694 Additions for securities where OTTI have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period 917 1,684 Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities (1,513 ) (7,114 ) Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired (1,183 ) (2,346 ) Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, end of period $ 4,346 $ 5,774 As of December 31, 2017, no OTTI 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of these bifurcated options was approximately $0.9 million and $4.3 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 December 31, 2017 and 2016. These deferred losses will not be recognized until such time as we sell or substantially liquidate our Canadian operations, although we have no such intention.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	(5) 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 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 and yield curves, 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 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 mortgage- and asset-backed 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: December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 11,813 $ - $ 11,813 Foreign government - 144,489 - 144,489 States and political subdivisions - 56,127 - 56,127 Corporates 3,240 1,373,039 3 1,376,282 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 122,544 414 122,958 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 135,392 - 135,392 Other asset-backed securities - 80,781 - 80,781 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 3,240 1,924,185 417 1,927,842 Available-for-sale equity securities 39,026 1,931 150 41,107 Trading securities 1,428 4,800 - 6,228 Separate accounts - 2,572,872 - 2,572,872 Total fair value assets $ 43,694 $ 4,503,788 $ 567 $ 4,548,049 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,572,872 $ - $ 2,572,872 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,572,872 $ - $ 2,572,872 December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 10,474 $ - $ 10,474 Foreign government - 129,306 - 129,306 States and political subdivisions - 45,724 - 45,724 Corporates 3,113 1,322,257 3 1,325,373 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 98,966 585 99,551 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 109,443 - 109,443 Other asset-backed securities - 65,075 7,492 72,567 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 3,113 1,781,245 8,080 1,792,438 Available-for-sale equity securities 39,556 5,256 82 44,894 Trading securities 51 7,332 - 7,383 Separate accounts - 2,287,953 - 2,287,953 Total fair value assets $ 42,720 $ 4,081,786 $ 8,162 $ 4,132,668 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,287,953 $ - $ 2,287,953 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,287,953 $ - $ 2,287,953 In assessing fair value of our investments, we use a third-party pricing service for approximately 94% of our securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The remaining securities are primarily thinly traded securities, such as private placements, and are 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, third-party pricing services generally determine fair value using industry-standard methodologies, which vary by asset class. For corporates, governments, and agency securities, these methodologies include developing prices by incorporating available market information such as U.S. Treasury curves, benchmarking of similar securities including new issues, 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 (such as mortgage-and asset-backed securities) with limited trading activity, third-party pricing services generally use industry-standard pricing methodologies that incorporate market information, such as index prices or discounting expected future cash flows based on underlying collateral, and quotes from market participants, 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: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Level 3 assets, beginning of period $ 8,162 $ 783 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income 232 (23 ) Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI 26 7 Purchases - 7,556 Settlements (958 ) (162 ) Transfers into Level 3 - 1 Transfers out of Level 3 (1) (6,895 ) - Level 3 assets, end of period $ 567 $ 8,162 (1) During the year ended December 31, 2017, transfers out of Level 3 assets primarily consisted of newly issued fixed-maturity securities purchased in the fourth quarter of 2016 for which observable inputs, most notably quoted prices, used to derive valuations were not yet readily available. 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 material transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 or between Level 1 and Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Invested assets included in the transfer from Level 3 to Level 2 primarily were fixed-maturity investments for which we were able to obtain independent pricing quotes based on observable inputs. The carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying value Estimated fair value Carrying value Estimated fair value (In thousands) Assets: Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 1,927,842 $ 1,927,842 $ 1,792,438 $ 1,792,438 Fixed-maturity securities (held-to-maturity) 737,150 779,472 503,230 513,015 Equity securities (available-for-sale) 41,107 41,107 44,894 44,894 Trading securities 6,228 6,228 7,383 7,383 Policy loans 32,816 32,816 30,916 30,916 Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement 217,336 217,336 202,435 202,435 Separate accounts 2,572,872 2,572,872 2,287,953 2,287,953 Liabilities: Notes payable (1) $ 373,288 $ 400,628 $ 372,919 $ 401,340 Surplus note (1) 736,381 778,050 502,491 512,669 Separate accounts 2,572,872 2,572,872 2,287,953 2,287,953 (1) Carrying value amounts shown are net of issuance costs. 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 AFS 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 10% coinsurance agreement 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

Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Reinsurance	(6) 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. Our reinsurance contracts typically do not have a fixed term. In general, the reinsurers’ ability to terminate coverage for existing cessions is limited to such circumstances as material breach of contract or nonpayment of premiums by the ceding company. Our reinsurance contracts generally contain provisions intended to provide the ceding company with the ability to cede future business on a basis consistent with historical terms. However, either party may terminate any of the contracts with respect to the future business upon appropriate notice to the other party. Generally, the reinsurance contracts do not limit the overall amount of the loss that can be incurred by the reinsurer. Our policy is to limit the amount of life insurance retained on the life of any one person to $1 million. To limit our exposure with any one reinsurer, we monitor the concentration of credit risk we have with our reinsurance counterparties, as well as their financial condition. No credit losses related to our reinsurance counterparties have been experienced by the Company during the three-year period ended December 31, 2017. Reinsurance recoverables represents ceded policy reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. The amounts of ceded claim liabilities included in reinsurance recoverables that we paid and which are recoverable from those reinsurers were $28.6 million and $30.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Benefits and claims ceded to reinsurers for 2017, 2016, and 2015 were $1,337.3 million, $1,205.6 million, and $1,178.6 million, respectively. In connection with our corporate reorganization that included an initial public offering (“IPO”) of our common stock by Citigroup, Inc. (“Citigroup”), Primerica Life, Primerica Life Canada and NBLIC entered into significant coinsurance transactions (the “IPO coinsurance agreements”) on March 30, 2010 with three insurance companies then affiliated with Citigroup (collectively, the “IPO coinsurers”). Under the IPO coinsurance agreements, we ceded between 80% and 90% of the risks and rewards of our term life insurance policies in force at year-end 2009. Because these agreements were part of a business reorganization among entities under common control, they did not generate any deferred gain or loss upon their execution. Concurrent with signing these agreements, we transferred the corresponding account balances in respect of the coinsured policies along with the assets to support the statutory liabilities assumed by the IPO coinsurers. Each of the account balances transferred were at book value with no gain or loss recorded in net income. Beginning in 2017, policies reaching the end of their initial term period are no longer ceded under the IPO coinsurance transactions, but the existing YRT reinsurance already in place prior to the IPO will continue. Three of the IPO coinsurance agreements satisfy U.S. GAAP risk transfer rules. Under these agreements, we ceded between 80% and 90% of our term life future policy benefit reserves, and we transferred a corresponding amount of assets to the IPO coinsurers. These transactions did not impact our future policy benefit reserves. As such, we have recorded an asset for the same amount of risk transferred in reinsurance recoverables. We also reduced DAC by a corresponding amount, which reduces future amortization expenses. In addition, we are transferring between 80% and 90% of all future premiums and benefits and claims associated with these policies to the corresponding reinsurance entities. We receive ongoing ceding allowances, which are reflected as a reduction to insurance expenses, to cover policy and claims administration expenses as well as certain corporate overhead charges under each of these reinsurance contracts. The largest of the IPO coinsurance agreements is a coinsurance agreement originally between Primerica Life and Prime Reinsurance Company (“Prime Re”), an affiliate of Citigroup, where we ceded to Prime Re 80% of our U.S. (except New York) term life insurance business in force at year-end 2009 (the “80% U.S. Coinsurance Agreement”). Beginning on January 1, 2016, Pecan Re Inc. (“Pecan Re”), an insurance company owned by Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (“Swiss Re”), assumed Prime Re’s obligations under the 80% U.S. Coinsurance Agreement through a novation agreement (the “Swiss Re Novation Agreement”). In addition, the counterparties to the related trust and capital maintenance agreements that provide Primerica Life with statutory reinsurance credit for the 80% U.S. Coinsurance Agreement were replaced by Pecan Re and Swiss Re, respectively. No material terms and conditions of the 80% U.S. Coinsurance Agreement and the related trust and capital maintenance agreements were modified. We have also ceded 80% of our Canadian term life insurance business in force at year-end 2009 in an IPO coinsurance agreement (the “80% Canada Coinsurance Agreement”) originally between Primerica Life Canada and Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd. (“FRAC”). On September 23, 2016, Munich American Reassurance Company acquired FRAC from Citigroup. As part of this transaction, Munich Re of Malta, an insurance company owned by Munich American Reassurance Company, ultimately assumed FRAC’s obligations under the 80% Canada Coinsurance Agreement through a novation agreement (the “Munich Re Novation Agreement”). No material terms and conditions of the 80% Canada Coinsurance Agreement were modified. In a fourth IPO coinsurance agreement, (the “10% Coinsurance Agreement”), we have ceded to Prime Re 10% of our U.S. (except New York) term life insurance business in force at year-end 2009 subject to an experience refund provision. As the 10% Coinsurance Agreement includes an experience refund provision, it does not satisfy U.S. GAAP risk transfer rules. As a result, we have accounted for this contract using deposit method accounting and have recognized a deposit asset in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets for assets backing the economic reserves. The deposit asset held in support of this agreement was $217.3 million and $202.4 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We make contributions to the deposit asset during the life of the agreement to fulfill our responsibility of funding the economic reserve. The market return on the deposit asset is reflected in net investment income during the life of the agreement. Prime Re is responsible for ensuring that there are sufficient assets to meet all statutory requirements. In exchange for our consent to the Swiss Re Novation Agreement discussed above, the finance charge on the statutory reserves in excess of economic reserves funded by Prime Re in support of the 10% Coinsurance Agreement was reduced from 3.0% to 2.0% beginning on July 1, 2015 and then from 2.0% to 0.5% beginning on January 1, 2016. This finance charge is reflected in interest expense in our consolidated statements of income. The following table represents the Company’s in-force life insurance at December 31, 2017 and 2016: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Direct life insurance in force $ 767,001,938 $ 731,822,070 Amounts ceded to other companies (668,446,638 ) (643,364,460 ) Net life insurance in force $ 98,555,300 $ 88,457,610 Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force 87 % 88 % Reinsurance recoverables includes ceded reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. Reinsurance recoverables and financial strength ratings by reinsurer were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating (In thousands) Pecan Re Inc. (1) (2) $ 2,725,795 NR $ 2,754,424 NR SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies (3) 354,458 A+ 355,759 A Munich Re of Malta (2) (5) 302,391 NR 282,382 NR Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (4) 245,543 A+ 249,299 A+ American Health and Life Insurance Company (2) 172,956 B 176,010 B Munich American Reassurance Company 112,841 A+ 106,471 A+ Korean Reinsurance Company 102,915 A 96,921 A RGA Reinsurance Company 90,037 A+ 84,473 A+ Hannover Life Reassurance Company 32,250 A+ 22,929 A+ TOA Reinsurance Company 24,619 A 23,977 A+ All other reinsurers 41,368 - 40,917 - Reinsurance recoverables $ 4,205,173 $ 4,193,562 NR – not rated (1) Pecan Re Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (2) (3) Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies. (4) (5) Certain reinsurers with which we do business receive group ratings. Individually, those reinsurers are SCOR Global Life Americas Reinsurance Company, SCOR Global Life U.S.A. Reinsurance Company, SCOR Global Life Re Insurance Company of Delaware, and SCOR Global Life of Canada. The IPO coinsurance agreements include provisions to ensure that Primerica Life, Primerica Life Canada and NBLIC receive full regulatory credit for the reinsurance treaties. Under these agreements, the ceded business can be recaptured with no fee in the event the IPO reinsurers do not comply with the various safeguard provisions in their respective IPO coinsurance agreements. Pecan Re also has entered into a capital maintenance agreement requiring Swiss Re to provide additional funding, if needed, at any point during the term of the agreement up to the maximum as described in the capital maintenance agreement.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Cos

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	(7) Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs We defer incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisitions that result directly from and are essential to the contract transaction(s) and that would not have been incurred had the contract transaction(s) not occurred. The amortization of DAC associated with term life insurance policies requires us to make certain assumptions regarding persistency, expenses, interest rates and claims. These assumptions may not be modified, or unlocked, unless recoverability testing deems them to be inadequate. We update assumptions for new business to reflect the most recent experience. For DAC associated with Canadian segregated funds, the assumptions used in determining amortization expense are evaluated regularly and are updated if actual experience or other evidence suggests revisions to earlier estimates are appropriate. DAC amortization for term life insurance policies is affected by differences between the original assumptions used for persistency, expenses, interest rates and claims and actual results and are recognized in the period in which the change occurs. For policies underlying the Canadian segregated funds, gross profits and the resulting DAC amortization will vary with actual fund returns, redemptions and expenses. In determining DAC amortization expense for term life insurance policies, we use interest rates available at the time a policy is issued. For policies issued in 2010 and after, we have been using an increasing interest rate assumption based on the historically low interest rate environment. Interest rate assumptions at December 31, 2017 and 2016 ranged from 3.5% to 7.0%. DAC is subject to recoverability testing annually and when impairment indicators exist. The recoverability of DAC is dependent on the future profitability of the related policies, which, in turn, is dependent principally upon mortality, persistency, investment returns, and the expense of administering the business, as well as upon certain economic variables, such as inflation. The balances and activity in DAC were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) DAC balance, beginning of period $ 1,713,065 $ 1,500,259 $ 1,351,180 Capitalization 433,575 387,396 339,639 Amortization (209,399 ) (180,582 ) (157,727 ) Foreign exchange translation and other 14,651 5,992 (32,833 ) DAC balance, end of period $ 1,951,892 $ 1,713,065 $ 1,500,259

Separate Accounts

Separate Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Abstract]
Separate Accounts	(8) Separate Accounts The Funds primarily consist of a series of branded investment funds known as the Asset Builder Funds, a registered retirement fund known as the Strategic Retirement Income Fund (“SRIF”), and a money market fund known as the Cash Management Fund. The principal investment objective of the Asset Builder Funds is to achieve long-term growth while preserving capital. The principal objective of the SRIF is to provide a stream of investment income during retirement plus the opportunity for modest capital appreciation. The Asset Builder Funds and the SRIF use diversified portfolios of publicly-traded Canadian stocks, investment-grade corporate bonds, Government of Canada bonds, and foreign equity investments to achieve their objectives. The Cash Management Fund invests in government guaranteed short-term bonds and short-term commercial and bank papers, with the principal investment objective being the provision of interest income while maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Under these contract offerings, benefit payments to contract holders or their designated beneficiaries are only due upon death of the annuitant or upon reaching a specific maturity date. Benefit payments are based on the value of the contract holder’s units in the portfolio at the payment date, but are guaranteed to be no less than 75% of the contract holder’s contribution, adjusted for withdrawals. Account values are not guaranteed for withdrawn units if contract holders make withdrawals prior to the maturity dates. Maturity dates for contracts investing in the Asset Builder Funds and Cash Management Fund vary by contract and range from 10 years from the contract issuance date to December 31, 2070. Contracts investing in the SRIF mature when the policyholder reaches age 100, which is a minimum of 20 years after issue. The SRIF is designed to provide periodic retirement income payments and as such, regular withdrawals, subject to legislated minimums, are anticipated. The cumulative effects of the periodic withdrawals are expected to substantially reduce both account and minimum guaranteed values prior to maturity. Both the asset and the liability for the separate accounts reflect the net value of the underlying assets in the portfolio as of the reporting date. Primerica Life Canada’s exposure to losses under the guarantee at the time of account maturity is limited to contract holder accounts that have declined in value more than 25%, adjusted for withdrawals, since the contribution date prior to maturity. Because maturity dates are of a long-term nature, the likelihood guarantee payments are required at any given point is very small. Additionally, the portfolios consist of a very large number of individual contracts, further spreading the risk related to the guarantee being exercised upon death. The length of the contract terms provides significant opportunity for the underlying portfolios to recover any short-term losses prior to maturities or deaths of the contract holders. Furthermore, the Funds’ investment allocations are aligned with the maturity risks of the related contracts and include investments in Government Strip Bonds and floating-rate notes. We periodically assess the exposure related to these contracts to determine whether any additional liability should be recorded. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, an additional liability for these contracts was deemed to be unnecessary. The following table represents the fair value of assets supporting separate accounts by major investment category: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Fixed-income securities $ 1,095,968 $ 999,435 Equity securities 1,431,158 1,264,270 Cash and cash equivalents 47,860 30,064 Due to/from funds (2,220 ) (5,941 ) Other 106 125 Total separate accounts assets $ 2,572,872 $ 2,287,953

Policy Claims and Other Benefit

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable	(9) Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable Changes in policy claims and other benefits payable were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period $ 268,136 $ 238,157 $ 245,829 Less reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 323,195 263,003 264,049 Net balance, beginning of period (55,059 ) (24,846 ) (18,220 ) Incurred related to current year 162,256 143,518 138,139 Incurred related to prior years (1) 2,230 (522 ) 212 Total incurred 164,486 142,996 138,351 Claims paid related to current year, net of reinsured policy claims received (181,670 ) (203,015 ) (167,621 ) Reinsured policy claims received related to prior years, net of claims paid 57,192 29,546 23,661 Total paid (124,478 ) (173,469 ) (143,960 ) Foreign currency translation 315 260 (1,017 ) Net balance, end of period (14,736 ) (55,059 ) (24,846 ) Add reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 322,137 323,195 263,003 Balance, end of period $ 307,401 $ 268,136 $ 238,157 (1) Includes the difference between our estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported at year end and the actual incurred claims reported after year end. See Note 1 (Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) for details regarding the accounting for policyholder liabilities.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	(10) Debt Notes Payable. Notes payable consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) 4.75% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022 $ 375,000 $ 375,000 Unamortized issuance discount on notes payable (300 ) (359 ) Total notes payable $ 374,700 $ 374,641 At December 31, 2017, we had $375.0 million in principal amount of publicly-traded, senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were issued in 2012 at a price of 99.843% of the principal amount with an annual interest rate of 4.75%, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, and are scheduled to mature on July 15, 2022. As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Notes. No events of default occurred on the Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2017. As unsecured senior obligations, the Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Parent Company. The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries. In addition, the Senior Notes contain covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, create or incur any indebtedness that is secured by a lien on the capital stock of certain of our subsidiaries, and merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our properties and assets. Surplus Note. In May 2017, Primerica Life and Vidalia Re amended the Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement (the “Expanded Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement”) whereby Primerica Life ceded level-premium term life insurance policies issued in 2015 and 2016 to Vidalia Re effective June 30, 2017. The Expanded Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement also provides the option for Primerica Life to cede level-premium term life insurance policies issued in 2017 to Vidalia Re at a future date. Concurrent with the execution of the Expanded Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement, Vidalia Re entered into an amendment to the Surplus Note Purchase Agreement (the "Expanded Surplus Note Purchase Agreement") with Hannover Re and the LLC. Under the Expanded Surplus Note Purchase Agreement, the capacity of the principal amount of both the Surplus Note and the credit-enhanced LLC Note will be increased over time in accordance with the expanded amount of policy reserves being contractually supported under the Expanded Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement. The maturity date of both notes has been extended from December 31, 2029 to December 31, 2030. Based on the estimated reserves for ceded policies issued in 2011 through 2016, the principal amounts of the Surplus Note and the LLC Note are expected to reach approximately $1.3 billion each. The amended financing arrangement remains non-recourse to the Parent Company and Primerica Life, meaning that neither of these companies has guaranteed the Surplus Note or is otherwise liable for reimbursement for any payments triggered by the credit enhancement feature. The Parent Company has agreed to support Vidalia Re’s obligation to pay the credit enhancement fee incurred on the LLC Note. No other material terms or conditions of the original Surplus Note Purchase Agreement were modified under the Expanded Surplus Note Purchase Agreement. As of December 31, 2017, the principal amount outstanding on the Surplus Note issued by Vidalia Re was approximately $737.2 million, which is equal to the principal amount of the LLC Note. See Note 4 (Investments) for more information on the LLC Note. Revolving Credit Facility. On December 19, 2017, we entered into a new $200.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility") with a syndicate of commercial banks. Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a periodic rate equal to LIBOR or the base rate, plus in either case an applicable margin. The Revolving Credit Facility also permits the issuance of letters of credit. The applicable margins are based on our debt rating with such margins for LIBOR rate loans and letters of credit ranging from 1.125% to 1.625% per annum and for base rate loans ranging from 0.125% to 0.625% per annum. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, we incur a commitment fee that is payable quarterly in arrears and is determined by our debt rating. This commitment fee ranges from 0.125% to 0.225% per annum of the aggregate $200 million commitment of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, no amounts have been drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility and we were in compliance with its covenants. Furthermore, no events of default have occurred under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(11) Income Taxes On December 22, 2017, the Tax Reform Act was enacted in the United States, which includes a broad range of tax reforms affecting businesses, including corporate tax rates, business deductions, and international tax provisions. Under U.S. GAAP, the effects of new legislation are recognized upon enactment, which, for federal legislation, is the date the president signs a bill into law. Accordingly, we have recognized the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act during the year ended December 31, 2017. Amounts recognized as of December 31, 2017 represent reasonable estimates based on obtaining, preparing, and analyzing the information necessary to account for the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (“ASC 740”). However, the breadth and complexity of reforms included in the Tax Reform Act combined with the lack of precedent in its application may result in changes to the tax effects recognized when interpretations of the legislation are finalized, including the Company’s application of any additional guidance that may be issued by U.S. tax authorities. The Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 which allows companies to recognize provisional amounts for the tax effects resulting from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is incomplete but a reasonable estimate can be determined. Adjustments to these provisional amounts, if any, are to be completed within a measurement period not to exceed one year. Specifically, the Company identified the following areas that are incomplete and susceptible to adjustment when the necessary information is available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting: • The Company does not have the information necessary to make a policy election for whether it will account for any taxes, to which it may be subject, in regard to global intangible low-taxed income, as recognized as incurred or recognized as deferred taxes. As such, no tax effects have been recognized as of December 31, 2017 for the global intangible low-taxed income provisions of the Tax Reform Act. • A provisional amount for the mandatory deemed repatriation of Canadian earnings has been recognized as of December 31, 2017. However, the provisional amount could be subject to change upon completion of the Company’s total post-1986 foreign earnings and profits calculation and foreign tax credit determination as of the dates specified in the Tax Reform Act. • A provisional amount has been recognized for the timing difference for the haircut on deductibility of future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act. However, the provisional amount could be subject to change upon the Company’s final computation of the prescribed haircut as it relates to insurance contracts identified with cash value features. Adjustments to the provisional amount are not expected to impact the Company’s effective income tax rate or net deferred tax liability position but could impact the timing of when such temporary differences are eliminated. We expect to finalize our analysis of the incomplete areas and make any necessary adjustments during the second half of 2018. Income tax expense. Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Current Deferred Total (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2017 Federal $ 53,084 $ (46,622 ) $ 6,462 Foreign 28,613 (7,166 ) 21,447 State and local 1,356 - 1,356 Total tax expense $ 83,053 $ (53,788 ) $ 29,265 Year ended December 31, 2016 Federal $ 47,980 $ 50,758 $ 98,738 Foreign 23,102 (4,710 ) 18,392 State and local 2,783 (1,732 ) 1,051 Total tax expense $ 73,865 $ 44,316 $ 118,181 Year ended December 31, 2015 Federal $ 46,175 $ 36,723 $ 82,898 Foreign 14,600 3,161 17,761 State and local 2,043 (1,592 ) 451 Total tax expense $ 62,818 $ 38,292 $ 101,110 Effective tax rate reconciliation. Total income tax expense is different from the amount determined by multiplying income before income taxes by the U.S. statutory federal tax rate of 35% in effect through December 31, 2017. The reconciliation for such difference follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage (Dollars in thousands) Computed tax expense $ 132,832 35.0 % $ 118,158 35.0 % $ 101,843 35.0 % Difference between foreign statutory rate and U.S. statutory rate (6,668 ) (1.8 )% (5,665 ) (1.7 )% (5,531 ) (1.9 )% Residual U.S. income taxes on foreign earnings not permanently reinvested – prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act 4,212 1.1 % 3,855 1.1 % 3,810 1.3 % Excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation (6,051 ) (1.6 )% - — % - — % Transition impact of the Tax Reform Act (95,457 ) (25.1 )% - — % - — % Recognition of foreign tax credits (40,386 ) (10.6 )% - — % - — % Change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits 40,386 10.6 % - — % - — % Other 397 0.1 % 1,833 0.6 % 988 0.3 % Total tax expense / effective rate $ 29,265 7.7 % $ 118,181 35.0 % $ 101,110 34.7 % Deferred tax assets and liabilities. The main components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims $ 206,794 $ 223,845 Intangibles and tax goodwill 19,436 36,261 Future deductible liabilities 10,235 19,831 Share-based compensation 7,288 15,592 State income taxes 12,521 11,425 Foreign tax credits 40,386 - Other 2,857 103 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 299,517 307,057 Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits (40,386 ) - Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance $ 259,131 $ 307,057 Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs $ (275,388 ) $ (366,144 ) Timing difference for haircut on deductibility of future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act (22,307 ) - Investments (9,884 ) (16,769 ) Unremitted earnings on foreign subsidiaries (2,614 ) (2,700 ) Reinsurance deposit asset (45,641 ) (70,852 ) Other (7,255 ) (11,864 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (363,089 ) (468,329 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (103,958 ) $ (161,272 ) The majority of total deferred tax assets are attributable to future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims, which represents the difference between the financial statement carrying value and tax basis for liabilities related to future policy benefits. The tax basis for future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims is actuarially determined in accordance with guidelines set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. The majority of total deferred tax liabilities are attributable to DAC, which represents the difference between the policy acquisition costs capitalized for U.S. GAAP purposes and those capitalized for tax purposes, as well as the difference in the resulting amortization methods. Prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act, deferred income tax assets and liabilities were measured using the 35% U.S. federal statutory tax rate that was expected to be applicable when those temporary differences were recognized in taxable income. The Tax Reform Act reduced the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The reduction in the U.S. federal statutory tax rate used to measure our net deferred tax liabilities as of the enactment date of approximately $98.5 million was recorded as a benefit to income tax expense during the year ended December 31, 2017. Deferred tax liabilities associated with net unrealized gains from our AFS investments were originally established through OCI. Under ASC 740, the remeasurement of all deferred taxes, even those associated with net unrealized gains from AFS investments, resulting from the change in the statutory tax rate are recognized through income tax expense. As a result, we recognized an income tax benefit of approximately $7.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2017 to remeasure our U.S. deferred tax liabilities associated with net unrealized gains from AFS investments at the newly enacted 21% U.S. federal statutory tax rate. The stranded component, which is also equal to $7.8 million, remains in accumulated OCI as of December 31, 2017. On February 14, 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-02 (“ASU 2018-02”), Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)- Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, The Company has state net operating losses resulting in a deferred tax asset of approximately $12.2 million, which are available for use through 2035. The Company has no other material net operating loss or credit carryforwards other than foreign tax credit carryforwards. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. As of December 31, 2017, management identified excess foreign tax credits of approximately $40.4 million that could not be used to offset the mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings tax stipulated by the Tax Reform Act and believes it will not be able to utilize these foreign tax credits in the future. Therefore, the Company established a deferred tax asset for these foreign tax credits with a corresponding full valuation allowance. With the exception of these foreign tax credits, management believes that it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. Therefore, there were no other deferred tax asset valuation allowances at December 31, 2017 or 2016. Controlled foreign corporations . The Company has direct ownership of a group of controlled foreign corporations in Canada. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we have recognized a one-time charge of approximately $3.0 million for the inclusion of mandatory deemed repatriation of foreign earnings payable to the U.S. government due to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act. This charge represents the provisional amount of incremental tax expense recognized for the mandatory deemed repatriation of Canadian earnings for which we had asserted a position of permanent reinvestment prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act. In response to the provisions of the Tax Reform Act, we have not made a permanent reinvestment assertion for any unremitted earnings in Canada as of December 31, 2017; therefore, we have also established a deferred tax liability to account for Canadian withholding taxes that will occur upon repatriation of such earnings. The Company has not provided for any additional outside basis difference for the amount of book basis in excess of tax basis in its Canadian subsidiaries, as there are no intentions to sell or substantially liquidate our Canadian operations. Furthermore, it is not practicable to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any additional outside basis difference in these entities. Unrecognized tax benefits. The total amount of unrecognized benefits on uncertain tax positions that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate was approximately $13.4 million and $11.7 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. We recognize interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense net of federal income tax. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the total amount of accrued interest and penalties in the consolidated balance sheets was approximately $1.9 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Additionally, we recognized interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated statements of income of less than $0.3 million of expense in 2017, 2016, and 2015. A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 14,811 $ 13,939 Change in prior period unrecognized tax benefits 91 8 Change in current period unrecognized tax benefits 2,855 2,840 Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations (3,372 ) (1,976 ) Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period $ 14,385 $ 14,811 We have no penalties included in calculating our provision for income taxes. There is no significant change that is reasonably possible to occur within twelve months of the reporting date. The major tax jurisdictions in which we operate are the United States and Canada. We are currently open to tax audit by the Internal Revenue Service for the year ended December 31, 2014 and thereafter for federal income tax purposes. We are currently open to audit in Canada for tax years ended December 31, 2013 and thereafter for federal and provincial income tax purposes.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(12) Stockholders’ Equity A reconciliation of the number of shares of our common stock follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Common stock, beginning of period 45,721 48,297 52,169 Shares issued for stock options exercised 38 148 89 Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of RSUs 504 516 574 Common stock retired (2,012 ) (3,240 ) (4,535 ) Common stock, end of period 44,251 45,721 48,297 The above reconciliation excludes RSUs and PSUs, which do not have voting rights. As sales restrictions on RSUs lapse and PSUs are earned, we issue common shares with voting rights. As of December 31, 2017, we had a total of 874,107 RSUs and 54,431 PSUs outstanding. On November 17, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $200.0 million of our outstanding common shares (the “share repurchase program”) for purchases through June 30, 2018. Under the share repurchase program, we repurchased 1,911,380 shares of our common stock in the open market for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $150.0 million through December 31, 2017. Approximately $50.0 million remains for repurchases of our outstanding common stock under the share repurchase program as of December 31, 2017. On February 6, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(13) Earnings Per Share The Company has outstanding common stock and equity awards that consist of RSUs, PSUs and stock options. The 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 RSUs are deemed participating securities for purposes of calculating 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 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 consolidated statements of income. In calculating basic EPS, we deduct from net income any dividends and undistributed earnings allocated to unvested RSUs 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 PSUs and stock options outstanding (“contingently-issuable shares”) on EPS using the treasury-stock method. Under this method, we determine the proceeds that would be received from the issuance of the contingently- issuable shares if the end of the reporting period were the end of the contingency period. The proceeds from the contingently-issuable shares include: the remaining unrecognized compensation expense of the awards, and the cash received for the exercise price on stock options. We then use the average market price of our common shares during the period the contingently-issuable shares were outstanding to determine how many shares we could repurchase with the proceeds raised from the issuance of the contingently-issuable shares. 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 was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Basic EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (2,526 ) (1,835 ) (1,572 ) Net income used in calculating basic EPS $ 347,729 $ 217,579 $ 188,299 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 45,598 47,411 50,881 Basic EPS $ 7.63 $ 4.59 $ 3.70 Diluted EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (2,521 ) (1,833 ) (1,571 ) Net income used in calculating diluted EPS $ 347,734 $ 217,581 $ 188,300 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 45,598 47,411 50,881 Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for contingently issuable shares 91 42 32 Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS 45,689 47,453 50,913 Diluted EPS $ 7.61 $ 4.59 $ 3.70

Share-Based Transactions

Share-Based Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Transactions	(14) Share-Based Transactions The Company has outstanding equity awards under the Primerica, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2010 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“OIP”). The OIP provides for the issuance of equity awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, RSUs, PSUs, 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-employees who serve on our Board of Directors (“directors”), and sales force leaders under the OIP. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 2.0 million shares available for future grants under this plan. Employee and Director Share-Based Compensation. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding RSUs, PSUs, and stock options issued to our management (officers and other key employees), as well as RSUs issued to our directors, under the OIP. RSUs. • RSUs granted to management have time-based vesting requirements with equal and annual graded vesting over approximately three years subsequent to the grant date, but also provide for such awards to vest upon 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. • RSUs granted to directors have time-based vesting requirements with equal and annual graded vesting over four quarters subsequent to the grant date. • In addition, certain directors elected to defer their cash and/or equity retainers into deferred RSUs, which vest immediately or, if applicable, on the dates the RSUs would have vested. All of our outstanding employee and director RSU awards are eligible for dividend equivalents regardless of vesting status. We recognized expense and tax benefit offsets as follows for employee and director share-based compensation: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total equity awards expense recognized $ 11,364 $ 11,067 $ 13,839 Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation 1,893 3,715 4,668 The following table summarizes employee and director restricted stock and RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested employee and director restricted stock and RSUs, December 31, 2014 580 $ 34.67 Granted 246 52.75 Forfeited (8 ) 41.98 Vested (428 ) 35.43 Unvested employee and director restricted stock and RSUs, December 31, 2015 390 45.07 Granted 225 42.86 Forfeited - - Vested (219 ) 42.28 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2016 396 45.37 Granted 130 80.33 Forfeited (1 ) 57.53 Vested (213 ) 46.54 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2017 312 $ 59.10 As of December 31, 2017, total compensation cost not yet recognized in our financial statements related to employee and director RSU awards with time-based vesting conditions yet to be reached was approximately $3.4 million, and the weighted-average period over which cost will be recognized was 0.8 years. PSUs. In 2016 the Company began issuing PSUs to certain of its executive officers under the OIP as part of their annual equity compensation. PSU awards include a performance target of a specified average annual Return on Adjusted Equity (“ROAE”) for the Company over a three-year performance period, as well as a threshold ROAE and an ROAE at which the maximum number of shares can be earned. Awards cliff vest two months after the performance period ends. Depending on the ROAE achieved within the specified range, recipients may receive shares of common stock equal to between 0% and 150% of the number of PSUs granted. In addition, PSUs accrue forfeitable dividend equivalents, which are also paid out based on the number of shares earned. PSU awards provide for vesting upon the voluntary termination of employment by any employee who is “retirement eligible” as of his or her termination date. In connection with our granting of PSU awards, we recognized expense and tax benefit offsets as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total employee PSU award expense $ 2,761 $ 614 n/a Tax benefit associated with total employee PSU award expense 187 215 n/a The following table summarizes PSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2015 - n/a Granted 18 $ 41.88 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2016 18 41.88 Granted 36 80.45 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2017 54 $ 67.42 (1) The 2016 PSU shares outstanding are based on target. Depending upon the ROAE achieved within the vesting period, recipients may receive between 0 and 27,577 shares of common stock. . (2) The 2017 PSU shares outstanding are based on target. Depending upon the ROAE achieved within the vesting period, recipients may receive between 0 and 54,069 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2017 total unrecognized compensation related to PSU awards was approximately $0.4 million, and the weighted-average period over which cost will be recognized was 1.0 years. Stock Options. Beginning in 2013, the Company issued stock options to certain of its executive officers under the OIP as part of their annual equity compensation. Stock options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the grant date, and they expire 10 years from the date of grant. These options have time-based restrictions with equal and annual graded vesting over a three-year period. Stock options issued in 2014 and thereafter provide 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. Upon retirement, employees have the lesser of three years or the remaining option term to exercise any vested options. We did not issue stock options in 2017 and currently do not anticipate issuing any new stock options pursuant to our current employee compensation program. Compensation expense and related tax benefits recognized for stock option awards were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Expense recognized for stock option awards $ 162 $ 851 $ 643 Tax benefit recognized for stock option awards 37 298 225 The following table summarizes activity related to stock options outstanding and exercisable during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015: Outstanding Exercisable Number of shares Weighted average exercise price Number of shares Weighted average exercise price (Shares in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 246 $ 36.67 40 $ 32.63 Granted 46 53.50 Exercised (89 ) 34.89 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 203 41.28 35 36.38 Granted 90 41.88 Exercised (148 ) 38.24 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 145 44.75 6 53.50 Granted - - Exercised (38 ) 43.63 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 107 45.15 32 $ 47.26 Range of granted option exercise prices outstanding at December 31, 2017 $41.20 (average term remaining - 6.1 years) 7 $ 41.20 7 $ 41.20 $53.50 (average term remaining - 7.2 years) 31 53.50 15 53.50 $41.88 (average term remaining - 8.2 years) 69 41.88 9 41.88 The aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of our stock options and the quoted closing price of our common stock as of December 31, 2017. December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options $ 1,714 Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest 4,302 Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding $ 6,016 The intrinsic value, tax benefit realized and value of shares withheld related to option exercise activity are summarized as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 1,453 $ 2,755 $ 1,620 Tax benefit realized from the options exercised 509 964 567 Value of issued shares withheld to satisfy option exercise price 1,673 5,509 2,966 As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $45.0 thousand of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested options, and the weighted-average period over which cost will be recognized was approximately 0.5 years. Non-Employee Share-Based Compensation. Non-employee share-based transactions relate to the granting of RSUs to members of our sales force (“agent equity awards”). Agent equity awards are generally granted as a part of quarterly contests for successful life insurance policy acquisitions and for sales of investment and savings products for which the grant and the service period occur within the same calendar quarter. The following table summarizes non-employee RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2014 73 $ 49.98 Granted 326 42.79 Vested (326 ) 44.39 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2015 73 42.83 Granted 236 48.45 Vested (267 ) 44.82 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2016 42 61.55 Granted 156 75.69 Vested (166 ) 68.96 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2017 32 $ 91.88 Agent equity awards vest and are measured using the fair market value at the conclusion of the quarterly contest, which is the time that performance is complete. However, outstanding agent equity awards are subject to long-term sales restrictions expiring over three years. Because the sale restrictions extend up to three years beyond the vesting period, the fair market value of the awards incorporates an illiquidity discount reflecting the risk associated with the post-vesting restrictions. To quantify this discount for each award, we use a series of put option models with one-, two- and three-year tenors to estimate a hypothetical cost of eliminating the downside risk associated with the sale restrictions. The most significant assumptions in the put option models are the volatility assumptions. We derive volatility assumptions primarily from the historical volatility of our common stock using terms comparable to the sale restriction terms. The following table presents the assumptions used in valuing quarterly RSU grants to agents: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Expected volatility 18% to 34% 24% to 42% 18% to 35% Quarterly dividends expected $0.19 to $0.20 $0.17 to $0.18 $ 0.16 Risk-free interest rates Less than 3% Less than 2% Less than 2% To the extent that these awards are an incremental direct cost of successful acquisitions 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 the awards in the same manner as other deferred policy acquisition costs. All agent equity awards that are not directly related to the acquisition of life insurance policies are recognized as expense in the quarter granted and earned. Details on the granting and valuation of these awards were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts) Total quarterly non-employee RSUs granted 155,996 235,735 325,744 Measurement date per-share fair value of awards $67.82 to $91.88 $39.87 to $61.50 $40.98 to $46.71 Illiquidity discounts 10 % 10% to 11% 8% to 9% Quarterly incentive awards expense recognized currently $ 980 $ 910 $ 466 Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred 10,821 10,517 13,423 Tax benefit associated with incentive awards 2,259 3,674 4,454 As of December 31, 2017, all agent equity awards were fully vested with the exception of approximately 32,000 shares that vested on January 1, 2018. As such, any related compensation cost not recognized as either expense or DAC in our financial statements through December 31, 2017 is immaterial.

Statutory Accounting and Divide

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance [Abstract]
Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions	(15) Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions U.S. Insurance Subsidiaries. Our two underwriting U.S. insurance subsidiaries are Primerica Life and NBLIC. Primerica Life wholly owns Peach Re and Vidalia Re, and ceded to each in separate coinsurance arrangements certain level-premium term life insurance policies. Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries are required to report their results of operations and financial position to state authorities on the basis of statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by such authorities and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), which is a comprehensive basis of accounting other than U.S. GAAP. Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of the NAIC, as well as state laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted statutory accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed. The Company’s principal life insurance company, Primerica Life, prepares its statutory financial statements on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NAIC and the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (“Tennessee DOCI”) and includes the statutory financial statements of its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries, NBLIC, Peach Re, and Vidalia Re. Prior to Primerica Life’s re-domestication to Tennessee in December 2017, Primerica Life prepared its statutory financial statements on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NAIC and Massachusetts Division of Insurance. NBLIC’s statutory financial statements are prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NAIC and the New York State Department of Financial Services, while the statutory financial statements of Peach Re and Vidalia Re are prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NAIC or the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (“Vermont DOI”). Our U.S. insurance subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends to their parent is subject to and limited by the various laws and regulations of their respective states. There are no regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Parent Company to pay dividends (other than limitations under the Delaware General Corporation Code that provide that dividends on common stock shall be declared by the Board of Directors out of surplus or, if there is no surplus, out of net profits for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding prior fiscal year). Primerica Life’s statutory ordinary dividend capacity is based on the greater of: (1) the previous year’s statutory net gain from operations (excluding pro rata distributions of any class of the insurer’s own securities) or (2) 10% of the previous year-end statutory surplus (net of capital stock). Dividends that, together with the amount of other distributions or dividends made within the preceding 12 months, exceed this statutory limitation are referred to as extraordinary dividends and require advance notice to the Tennessee DOCI, and are subject to potential disapproval. Dividends paid from other than statutory unassigned surplus require approval of the commissioner of the Tennessee DOCI. Primerica Life’s statutory capital and surplus and statutory unassigned surplus at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were approximately as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Statutory capital and surplus $ 598,001 $ 572,748 Statutory unassigned surplus 50,299 41,569 Primerica Life’s statutory net gain from operations was approximately $398.8 million, $392.4 million and $436.3 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Primerica Life made no pro rata distributions of any class of its own securities during 2017. During 2017, Primerica Life paid ordinary dividends of $138.0 million to the Parent Company. As of January 1, 2018, the amount of dividends Primerica Life could pay from statutory unassigned surplus without prior approval of the commissioner of the Tennessee DOCI was approximately $50.3 million, which is prescribed by the amount of statutory unassigned surplus on that date. Primerica Life’s investment basis in NBLIC, Peach Re, and Vidalia Re reflect their statutory capital and surplus amounts recorded in accordance with statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NAIC and/or each subsidiary’s state of domicile; New York and Vermont. Canadian Insurance Subsidiary. Primerica Life Canada is incorporated under the provisions of the Canada Business Corporations Act and is a domiciled Canadian Company subject to regulation under the Insurance Companies Act (Canada) by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in Canada (“OSFI”) and by Provincial Superintendents of Financial Institutions/Insurance in those provinces in which Primerica Life Canada is licensed. The statutory financial statements of Primerica Life Canada reported to OSFI are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). Primerica Life Canada’s capacity to pay ordinary dividends to its parent is limited by OSFI regulations to the extent that its capital exceeds internal capital targets. OSFI requires companies to set internal target levels of capital sufficient to provide for all the risks of the insurer, including risks specified in OSFI’s capital guidelines. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Primerica Life Canada’s statutory capital and surplus satisfied regulatory requirements and was approximately $331.3 million and $286.7 million, respectively. In Canada, dividends can be paid subject to the paying insurance company continuing to have adequate capital and forms of liquidity as defined by OSFI following the dividend payment and upon 15 days minimum notice to OSFI. Primerica Life Canada’s dividend capacity at January 1, 2018 is estimated to be approximately $40.9 million, which is calculated based on satisfying the Company’s internal capital targets.

Commitments and Contingent Liab

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	(16) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Commitments. We lease office equipment and office and warehouse space under various noncancellable operating lease agreements that expire through June 2028. Total minimum rent expense was $7.5 million, $7.0 million, and $7.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. We had no contingent rent expense during 2017, 2016, or 2015. As of December 31, 2017, the minimum aggregate rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: December 31, 2017 (In thousands) 2018 $ 6,985 2019 7,111 2020 6,552 2021 6,415 2022 6,516 Thereafter 37,949 Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases $ 71,528 As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had no material capital leases. Letter of Credit. Effective March 31, 2012, Peach Re entered into a Credit Facility Agreement with Deutsche Bank (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) to support certain obligations for a portion of the reserves (commonly referred to as Regulation XXX reserves) related to level premium term life insurance policies ceded to Peach Re from Primerica Life under the Peach Re Coinsurance Agreement. Under the Credit Facility Agreement, Deutsche Bank issued a letter of credit in the initial amount of $450.0 million with a term of approximately 14 years (the “LOC”) for the benefit of Primerica Life, the direct parent of Peach Re. Subject to certain conditions, the amount of the LOC periodically increased up to a maximum amount of approximately $507.0 million, which was reached in 2014. Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement, in the event amounts are drawn under the LOC by Primerica Life, Peach Re will be obligated, subject to certain limited conditions, to reimburse Deutsche Bank for the amount of any draws and interest thereon. Peach Re has collateralized its obligations to Deutsche Bank by granting it a security interest in all of its assets with the exception of amounts held in a special account established to meet minimum asset thresholds required by state regulatory authorities. As of December 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility Agreement. 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 unless otherwise indicated. The Company is currently undergoing multi-state unclaimed property audits by 30 jurisdictions, currently focusing on the life insurance claims paying practices of its subsidiaries, Primerica Life and NBLIC. Other jurisdictions may pursue similar audits. 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.

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit Plans	(17) Benefit Plans We sponsor a defined contribution plan for the benefit of our employees. The expense associated with this plan was approximately $7.7 million, $7.4 million, and $6.7 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Unaudited Quarterly Financial D

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	(18) Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data In management’s opinion, the following quarterly consolidated financial information fairly presents the results of operations for such periods and is prepared on a basis consistent with our annual audited consolidated financial statements. Financial information for the quarters presented was prepared on a consolidated basis. Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 627,698 $ 637,426 $ 646,079 $ 650,906 Ceded premiums (399,769 ) (406,043 ) (397,641 ) (397,318 ) Net premiums 227,929 231,383 248,438 253,588 Commissions and fees 144,268 148,317 144,627 154,105 Net investment income 19,894 19,742 19,922 19,459 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI 134 104 22 1,079 Other, net 12,939 14,150 14,291 14,711 Total revenues 405,164 413,696 427,300 442,942 Total benefits and expenses 330,322 317,307 327,100 334,853 Income before income taxes 74,842 96,389 100,200 108,089 Income taxes 22,772 33,282 33,565 (60,354 ) Net income $ 52,070 $ 63,107 $ 66,635 $ 168,443 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.12 $ 1.36 $ 1.46 $ 3.73 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.11 $ 1.36 $ 1.46 $ 3.72 Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 597,130 $ 612,189 $ 616,587 $ 618,362 Ceded premiums (395,333 ) (406,683 ) (399,676 ) (398,867 ) Net premiums 201,797 205,506 216,911 219,495 Commissions and fees 128,821 136,902 134,282 141,681 Net investment income 21,238 20,389 19,399 17,999 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI (783 ) 3,440 (35 ) 1,465 Other, net 11,527 12,757 13,069 13,224 Total revenues 362,600 378,994 383,626 393,864 Total benefits and expenses 292,388 287,114 295,189 306,800 Income before income taxes 70,212 91,880 88,437 87,064 Income taxes 25,036 32,554 30,400 30,191 Net income $ 45,176 $ 59,326 $ 58,037 $ 56,873 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.92 $ 1.23 $ 1.22 $ 1.21 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.92 $ 1.23 $ 1.22 $ 1.21 Quarterly amounts may not agree in total to the corresponding annual amounts due to rounding.

Schedule I Summary of Investmen

Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Party	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Marketable Securities Fixed Maturities [Abstract]
Consolidated Summary of Investments-Other than Investments in Related Parties	Schedule I Consolidated Summary of Investments — Other Than Investments in Related Parties PRIMERICA, INC. December 31, 2017 Type of Investment Amortized cost or cost Fair value Amount at which shown in the balance sheet (In thousands) Fixed maturities: Bonds (1) United States Government and government agencies and authorities $ 142,641 $ 145,834 $ 145,834 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 54,714 56,127 56,127 Foreign governments 124,980 129,482 129,482 Public utilities - - - Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached 1,718 2,001 2,001 All other corporate bonds (2) 2,293,444 2,376,654 2,334,332 Certificates of deposit - - - Redeemable preferred stocks 3,151 3,444 3,444 Total fixed maturities 2,620,648 2,713,542 2,671,220 Equity securities: Common stocks: Public utilities 6,984 10,666 10,666 Banks, trusts and insurance companies 4,674 7,099 7,099 Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 3,701 5,574 5,574 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 15,972 17,768 17,768 Total equity securities 31,331 41,107 41,107 Mortgage loans on real estate - - - Real estate - - - Policy loans 32,816 32,816 32,816 Other long-term investments - - - Short-term investments - - - Total investments $ 2,684,795 $ 2,787,465 $ 2,745,143 (1) Mortgage-and asset-backed securities are included in the investment types listed based on the entity-type that issued these securities. (2) The amount shown on the balance sheet does not match the amortized cost or cost or fair value for “All other corporate bonds” due to our held-to-maturity security, which is carried at cost on the balance sheet and all other fixed maturities are carried at fair value. See the report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule II - Condensed Financi

Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information Of Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Condensed Financial Information of Registrant	Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant PRIMERICA, INC. (Parent Only) Condensed Balance Sheets December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Assets Investments: Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $42,812 in 2017 and $52,537 in 2016) $ 44,405 $ 53,953 Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $1,371 in 2017 and $50 in 2016) 1,428 51 Total investments 45,833 54,004 Cash and cash equivalents 66,226 13,992 Due from affiliates* 3,272 - Other receivables 438 393 Income taxes 12,151 10,640 Investment in subsidiaries* 1,683,149 1,534,774 Other assets 915 - Total assets $ 1,811,984 $ 1,613,803 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Liabilities: Notes payable $ 373,288 $ 372,919 Current income tax payable 6,628 2,552 Deferred income taxes 4,311 5,399 Due to affiliates* - 1,108 Interest payable 8,214 8,214 Other liabilities 442 2,237 Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note E) Total liabilities 392,883 392,429 Stockholders’ equity: Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2017 and 2016; issued and outstanding 44,251 shares in 2017 and 45,721 shares in 2016) 443 457 Paid-in capital - 52,468 Retained earnings 1,375,090 1,138,851 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax 43,568 29,598 Total stockholders’ equity 1,419,101 1,221,374 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 1,811,984 $ 1,613,803 * Eliminated in consolidation. See the accompanying notes to condensed financial statements. See the report of independent registered public accounting firm. Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant PRIMERICA, INC. (Parent Only) Condensed Statements of Income Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Revenues: Dividends from subsidiaries* $ 256,913 $ 189,582 $ 149,187 Net investment income 1,484 1,695 2,224 Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses 179 1,088 (1,762 ) Total revenues 258,576 192,365 149,649 Expenses: Interest expense 18,210 18,180 18,177 Other operating expenses 8,441 12,433 10,603 Total expenses 26,651 30,613 28,780 Income before income taxes 231,925 161,752 120,869 Income taxes (3,756 ) (7,019 ) (7,124 ) Income (loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 235,681 168,771 127,993 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries* 114,574 50,643 61,878 Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 * Eliminated in consolidation. See the accompanying notes to condensed financial statements. See the report of independent registered public accounting firm. Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant PRIMERICA, INC. (Parent Only) Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes: Unrealized investment gains (losses): Equity in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities held by subsidiaries (3,333 ) 9,846 (41,171 ) Change in unrealized holding gains/(losses) on investment securities 356 2,487 (2,745 ) Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (179 ) (1,088 ) 1,762 Foreign currency translation adjustments: Equity in unrealized foreign currency translation gains of subsidiaries 17,383 6,689 (41,929 ) Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes 14,227 17,934 (84,083 ) Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) 257 571 (791 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes 13,970 17,363 (83,292 ) Total comprehensive income $ 364,225 $ 236,777 $ 106,579 See the accompanying notes to condensed financial statements. See the report of independent registered public accounting firm. Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant PRIMERICA, INC. (Parent Only) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries* (1) (150,202 ) (89,820 ) (74,814 ) Deferred tax provision 2,454 167 (1,434 ) Change in income taxes (1,235 ) (523 ) (77 ) Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments (179 ) (1,088 ) 1,762 Accretion and amortization of investments 149 (118 ) 808 Depreciation and amortization - - 6 Share-based compensation 6,343 1,227 1,031 Change in due to/from affiliates* (4,380 ) (2,671 ) 2,689 Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net (1,377 ) (51 ) - Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net (1,514 ) 555 3,135 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 200,314 127,092 122,977 Cash flows from investing activities: Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called: Fixed maturity securities — sold 12,204 29,759 71,019 Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called 56,678 79,914 100,900 Equity 36 - - Available-for-sale investments acquired: Fixed-maturity securities (1) (23,497 ) (50,408 ) (72,131 ) Equity (40 ) - - Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 45,381 59,265 99,788 Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid (35,821 ) (33,367 ) (32,807 ) Common stock repurchased (150,038 ) (150,057 ) (200,084 ) Tax withholdings on share-based compensation (6,734 ) (3,970 ) (7,615 ) Cash proceeds from stock options exercised - - 136 Payment of deferred financing costs (868 ) - - Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities (193,461 ) (187,394 ) (240,370 ) Change in cash and cash equivalents 52,234 (1,037 ) (17,605 ) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 13,992 15,029 32,634 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 66,226 $ 13,992 $ 15,029 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 17,813 $ 17,813 $ 17,813 * Eliminated in consolidation. (1) Does not include $35.5 million, $39.2 million, and $12.9 million of fixed-maturity securities transferred from subsidiaries in the form of noncash dividends for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. See the accompanying notes to condensed financial statements. See the report of independent registered public accounting firm. Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant PRIMERICA, INC. (Parent Only) Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (A) Description of Business Primerica, Inc. (“we”, “us” or the “Company”) is a holding company with our primary asset being the capital stock of our wholly owned operating subsidiaries, and our primary liability being $375.0 million in principal amount of senior unsecured notes issued in a public offering in 2012 (the “Senior Notes”). Our subsidiaries assist clients in meeting their needs for term life insurance, which our insurance subsidiaries underwrite, and mutual funds, annuities, managed investments and other financial products, which our subsidiaries distribute primarily on behalf of third parties. Our primary subsidiaries include the following entities: Primerica Financial Services, Inc., 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 and PFSL Investments Canada Ltd.; and PFS Investments Inc., an investment products company and broker-dealer. Primerica Life, domiciled in Tennessee, owns National Benefit Life Insurance Company, a New York insurance company. Prior to Primerica Life’s re-domestication to Tennessee in December 2017, Primerica Life was a Massachusetts-domiciled life insurance underwriting company. In addition, we established Peach Re, Inc. ("Peach Re") and Vidalia Re, Inc. (“Vidalia Re”) as special purpose financial captive insurance companies domiciled in Vermont and wholly owned subsidiaries of Primerica Life. (B) Basis of Presentation These condensed financial statements reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the Company. 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. 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 most significant item that involves a greater degree of accounting estimates subject to change in the future is the determination of our investments in subsidiaries. Estimates for this 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. The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Primerica, Inc. and subsidiaries included in Part II, Item 8 of this report. (C) Note Payable In July 2012, we issued the Senior Notes in a public offering at a price of 99.843% of the principal amount with an annual interest rate of 4.75%, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15. The Senior Notes mature on July 15, 2022. As unsecured senior obligations, the Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness and senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future liabilities of our subsidiaries. In addition, the Senior Notes contain covenants that restrict our ability to, among other things, create or incur any indebtedness that is secured by a lien on the capital stock of certain of our subsidiaries, and merge, consolidate or sell all or substantially all of our properties and assets. We were in compliance with the covenants of the Senior Notes at December 31, 2017. No events of default occurred on the Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2017. (D) Revolving Credit Facility On December 19, 2017, we entered into a new $200.0 million five-year unsecured revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility") with a syndicate of commercial banks. Amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a periodic rate equal to LIBOR or the base rate, plus in either case an applicable margin. The Revolving Credit Facility also permits the issuance of letters of credit. The applicable margins are based on our debt rating with such margins for LIBOR rate loans and letters of credit ranging from 1.125% to 1.625% per annum and for base rate loans ranging from 0.125% to 0.625% per annum. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, we incur a commitment fee that is payable quarterly in arrears and is determined by our debt rating. This commitment fee ranges from 0.125% to 0.225% per annum of the aggregate $200 million commitment of the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2017, no amounts have been drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility and we were in compliance with its covenants. Furthermore, no events of default have occurred under the Revolving Credit Facility . (E) Dividends For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Company received dividends from our non-life insurance subsidiaries of approximately $96.0 million, $72.5 million, and $86.5 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Company received dividends from our life insurance subsidiaries of approximately $160.9 million, $117.0 million, and $62.6 million, respectively. (F) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities 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. In conjunction with these coinsurance agreements, we have capital maintenance agreements with both Peach Re and Vidalia Re. Each capital maintenance agreement requires us at times to make capital contributions to Peach Re and Vidalia Re to ensure that their regulatory accounts, as defined in the coinsurance agreements with Primerica Life, will not be less than $20.0 million for each financial captive insurance company. For Peach Re, the regulatory account will only be used to satisfy obligations under its coinsurance agreement after all other available assets have been used, including a letter of credit issued by Deutsche Bank for the benefit of Primerica Life. For Vidalia Re, the regulatory account will only be used to satisfy obligations under its coinsurance agreement after all other available assets have been used, including its held-to-maturity security ultimately guaranteed by Hannover Life Reassurance Company of America. 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 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.

Schedule III - Supplementary In

Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplementary Insurance Information [Abstract]
Supplementary Insurance Information	Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information PRIMERICA, INC. Deferred policy acquisition costs Future policy benefits Unearned premiums Other policy benefits and claims payable Separate account liabilities (In thousands) December 31, 2017 Term Life Insurance $ 1,861,253 $ 5,747,317 $ - $ 299,265 $ - Investment and Savings Products 64,419 - - - 2,572,766 Corporate and Other Distributed Products 26,220 207,207 486 8,136 106 Total $ 1,951,892 $ 5,954,524 $ 486 $ 307,401 $ 2,572,872 December 31, 2016 Term Life Insurance $ 1,628,957 $ 5,464,851 $ - $ 258,774 $ - Investment and Savings Products 56,933 - - - 2,287,829 Corporate and Other Distributed Products 27,175 209,039 527 9,362 124 Total $ 1,713,065 $ 5,673,890 $ 527 $ 268,136 $ 2,287,953 Premium revenue Net investment income Benefits and claims Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs Other operating expenses Premiums written (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2017 Term Life Insurance $ 941,057 $ 9,931 $ 398,212 $ 201,751 $ 146,604 $ - Investment and Savings Products - - - 6,168 403,743 - Corporate and Other Distributed Products 20,281 69,086 17,807 1,480 133,817 821 Total $ 961,338 $ 79,017 $ 416,019 $ 209,399 $ 684,164 $ 821 Year ended December 31, 2016 Term Life Insurance $ 822,207 $ 7,634 $ 350,640 $ 172,812 $ 129,569 $ - Investment and Savings Products - - - 6,148 374,117 - Corporate and Other Distributed Products 21,502 71,391 17,015 1,622 129,566 844 Total $ 843,709 $ 79,025 $ 367,655 $ 180,582 $ 633,252 $ 844 Year ended December 31, 2015 Term Life Insurance $ 728,181 $ 5,985 $ 322,232 $ 147,980 $ 120,538 $ - Investment and Savings Products - - - 7,951 367,301 - Corporate and Other Distributed Products 22,043 70,524 17,083 1,796 128,340 908 Total $ 750,224 $ 76,509 $ 339,315 $ 157,727 $ 616,179 $ 908 See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule IV - Reinsurance

Schedule IV - Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule Iv Reinsurance [Abstract]
Reinsurance	Schedule IV Reinsurance PRIMERICA, INC. Year ended December 31, 2017 Gross amount Ceded to other companies Assumed from other companies Net amount Percentage of amount assumed to net (Dollars in thousands) Life insurance in force $ 767,001,938 $ 668,446,638 $ - $ 98,555,300 — % Premiums: Life insurance $ 2,560,885 $ 1,600,399 $ - $ 960,486 — % Accident and health insurance 1,224 372 - 852 — % Total premiums $ 2,562,109 $ 1,600,771 $ - $ 961,338 — % Year ended December 31, 2016 Gross amount Ceded to other companies Assumed from other companies Net amount Percentage of amount assumed to net (Dollars in thousands) Life insurance in force $ 731,822,070 $ 643,364,460 $ - $ 88,457,610 — % Premiums: Life insurance $ 2,442,968 $ 1,600,125 $ - $ 842,843 — % Accident and health insurance 1,300 434 - 866 — % Total premiums $ 2,444,268 $ 1,600,559 $ - $ 843,709 — % Year ended December 31, 2015 Gross amount Ceded to other companies Assumed from other companies Net amount Percentage of amount assumed to net (Dollars in thousands) Life insurance in force $ 696,939,187 $ 616,255,740 $ - $ 80,683,447 — % Premiums: Life insurance $ 2,343,877 $ 1,594,606 $ - $ 749,271 — % Accident and health insurance 1,567 614 - 953 — % Total premiums $ 2,345,444 $ 1,595,220 $ - $ 750,224 — % See the accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm

Description of Business, Basi30

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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.
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”), future policy benefit reserves and corresponding amounts recoverable from reinsurers, 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 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 events and transactions after the date of the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2017.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation. Assets and liabilities of our Canadian subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates, and the translation adjustments are reported in other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses of our Canadian subsidiaries are translated monthly at amounts that approximate weighted-average exchange rates.
Investments	Investments. Investments are reported on the following bases: • Available-for-sale (“AFS”) fixed-maturity securities, including bonds and redeemable preferred stocks not classified as trading securities, are carried at fair value. When quoted market values are unavailable, we obtain estimates from independent pricing services or estimate fair value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or of other issuers with similar characteristics. • Held-to-maturity fixed-maturity security is carried at amortized cost. • Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are classified as AFS and are carried at fair value. When quoted market values are unavailable, we obtain estimates from independent pricing services or estimates fair value based upon a comparison to quoted issues of the same issuer or of other issuers with similar characteristics. • Trading securities, which primarily consist of bonds, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are included in net investment income in the period in which the change occurred. • Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances, which approximate fair value. Investment transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. We use the specific-identification method to determine the realized gains or losses from securities transactions and report the realized gains or losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities are included as a separate component of other comprehensive income, except for other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) discussed below, in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Investments are reviewed on a quarterly basis for OTTI. Credit risk, interest rate risk, the amount of time the security has been in an unrealized loss position, actions taken by ratings agencies, and other factors are considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary. OTTI in our accompanying consolidated statements of income reflect the impairment on AFS securities that we intend to sell or would more-likely-than-not be required to sell before the expected recovery of the amortized cost basis. For AFS fixed maturity securities that we have no intent to sell and believe that it is not more-likely-than-not we will be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of OTTI is recognized in our accompanying consolidated statements of income, while the remainder is recognized in other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). The credit loss component of OTTI recognized in net income is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security. Any subsequent changes (if not an other-than-temporary impairment) in the fair value of AFS securities are recognized in other comprehensive income in the accompanying statements of comprehensive income. Interest income on fixed-maturity securities is recorded when earned by determining the effective yield, which gives consideration to amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, and any previous OTTI. Dividend income on equity securities is recorded when declared. These amounts are included in net investment income in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Included within fixed-maturity securities are loan-backed and asset-backed securities. Amortization of the premium or accretion of the discount uses the retrospective method. The effective yield used to determine amortization/accretion is calculated based on actual and historical projected future cash flows and updated quarterly. 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 recorded in realized gains (losses), including OTTI in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market instruments, and all other highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition.
Reinsurance	Reinsurance. We use reinsurance extensively, utilizing yearly renewable term (“YRT”) and coinsurance agreements. Under YRT agreements, we reinsure only the mortality risk, while under coinsurance, we reinsure a proportionate part of all risks arising under the reinsured policy. Under coinsurance, the reinsurer receives a proportionate part of the premiums, less commission allowances, and is liable for a corresponding part of all benefit payments. All reinsurance contracts in effect for the three-year period ended December 31, 2017 transfer a reasonable possibility of substantial loss to the reinsurer or are accounted for under the deposit method of accounting. Ceded premiums are treated as a reduction to direct premiums and are recognized when due to the assuming company. Ceded claims are treated as a reduction to direct benefits and are recognized when the claim is incurred on a direct basis. Ceded policy reserve changes are also treated as a reduction to benefits and claims expense and are recognized during the applicable financial reporting period. Reinsurance premiums, commissions, expense reimbursements and benefits and reserves related to reinsured long-duration contracts are accounted for over the life of the underlying contracts using assumptions consistent with those used to account for the underlying policies. Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liabilities and future policy benefits associated with reinsured policies. Ceded policy reserves and claims liabilities relating to insurance ceded are shown as reinsurance recoverables on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We analyze and monitor the credit-worthiness of each of our reinsurance partners to minimize collection issues. For reinsurance contracts with unauthorized reinsurers, we require collateral such as letters of credit. To the extent we receive ceding allowances to cover policy and claims administration under reinsurance contracts, these allowances are treated as a reduction to insurance commissions and expenses and are recognized when due from the assuming company. To the extent we receive ceding allowances reimbursing commissions that would otherwise be deferred, the amount of commissions deferrable will be reduced. The corresponding DAC balances are reduced on a pro rata basis by the portion of the business reinsured with reinsurance agreements that meet risk transfer provisions. The reduced DAC will result in a corresponding reduction of amortization expense.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	DAC. We defer incremental direct costs of successful contract acquisitions that result directly from and are essential to the contract transaction(s) and that would not have been incurred had the contract transaction(s) not occurred. These deferred policy acquisition costs mainly include commissions and policy issue expenses. All other acquisition-related costs, including unsuccessful acquisition and renewal efforts, are charged to expense as incurred. Also, administrative costs, rent, depreciation, occupancy, equipment, and all other general overhead costs are considered indirect costs and are charged to expense as incurred. DAC for term life insurance policies is amortized over the initial premium-paying period of the related policies in proportion to premium income. DAC for Canadian segregated funds is amortized over the life of the underlying policies at a constant rate based on the present value of the estimated gross profits expected to be realized over the life of the underlying policies. DAC is subject to recoverability testing annually and when impairment indicators exist.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Any intangible asset that was deemed to have an indefinite useful life is not amortized but is subject to an annual impairment test. An impairment exists if the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value. For the other intangible assets, which are subject to amortization, an impairment is recognized if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the intangible asset. The components of intangible assets were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount (In thousands) Indefinite-lived intangible asset $ 45,275 n/a $ 45,275 $ 45,275 n/a $ 45,275 Amortizing intangible asset 84,871 (78,633 ) 6,238 84,871 (75,231 ) 9,640 Total intangible assets $ 130,146 $ (78,633 ) $ 51,513 $ 130,146 $ (75,231 ) $ 54,915 We have an indefinite-lived intangible asset related to the 1989 purchase of the right to contract with our sales force. This asset represents the core distribution model of our business, which is our primary competitive advantage to profitably distribute term life insurance and investment and savings products on a significant scale, and as such, is considered to have an indefinite life. This indefinite-lived intangible asset is supported by a significant portion of the discounted cash flows of our future business. We assessed this asset for impairment as of October 1, 2017 and determined that no impairment had occurred. There have been no subsequent events requiring further analysis. We also have an amortizing intangible asset related to a 1995 sales agreement termination payment to Management Financial Services, Inc. This asset is supported by a non-compete agreement with the founder of our business model. We calculate the amortization of this contract buyout on a straight-line basis over 24 years, which represents the life of the non-compete agreement. Intangible asset amortization expense was approximately $3.4 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015. The remaining amortization expense is expected to be approximately $3.4 million in 2018 and $2.8 million in 2019. No events have occurred during 2017, and no factors exist as of December 31, 2017 that would indicate that the net carrying value of our amortizing intangible asset may not be recoverable or will not be used throughout its estimated useful life.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property and Equipment. Property and equipment, which are included in other assets, are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life, which is estimated as follows: Estimated Useful Life Data processing equipment and software 3 to 7 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of 15 years or remaining life of lease Furniture and other equipment 5 to 15 years Depreciation expense is included in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Depreciation expense was $10.1 million, $11.2 million, and $7.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Property and equipment balances were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Data processing equipment and software $ 60,227 $ 57,178 Leasehold improvements 14,077 13,718 Other, principally furniture and equipment 24,841 23,571 99,145 94,467 Accumulated depreciation (71,044 ) (67,001 ) Net property and equipment $ 28,101 $ 27,466
Separate Accounts	Separate Accounts. The separate accounts are primarily comprised of contracts issued by the Company through its subsidiary, Primerica Life Canada, pursuant to the Insurance Companies Act (Canada). The Insurance Companies Act authorizes Primerica Life Canada to establish the separate accounts. The separate accounts are represented by individual variable annuity contracts. Purchasers of variable annuity contracts issued by Primerica Life Canada have a direct claim to the benefits of the contract that entitles the holder to units in one or more investment funds (the “Funds”) maintained by Primerica Life Canada. The Funds invest in assets that are held for the benefit of the owners of the contracts. The benefits provided vary in amount depending on the fair value of the Funds’ assets. The Funds’ assets are administered by Primerica Life Canada and are held separate and apart from the general assets of the Company. The liabilities reflect the variable insurance annuity contract holders’ interests in variable annuity assets based upon actual investment performance of the respective Funds. Separate account operating results relating to contract holders’ interests are excluded from our consolidated statements of income. Primerica Life Canada’s contract offerings guarantee the maturity value at the date of maturity (or upon death, whichever occurs first) to be equal to 75% of the sum of all contributions made, net of withdrawals, on a first-in first-out basis. Otherwise, the maturity value or death benefit will be the accumulated value of units allocated to the contract at the specified valuation date. The amount of this value is not guaranteed, but will fluctuate with the fair value of the Funds.
Future Policy Benefits Liability	Policyholder Liabilities. Future policy benefits are accrued over the current and expected renewal periods of the contracts. Liabilities for future policy benefits on traditional life insurance products have been computed using a net level method, including assumptions as to interest rates, mortality, persistency, and other assumptions based on our experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to include provisions for possible adverse deviation. The underlying mortality tables are the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) 65-70, SOA 75-80, SOA 85-90, and the 91 Bragg, modified to reflect various underwriting classifications and assumptions. Interest rate reserve assumptions at December 31, 2017 and 2016 ranged from approximately 3.5% to 7.0%. For policies issued in 2010 and after, we have been using an increasing interest rate assumption to reflect the historically low interest rate environment. The liability for policy claims and other benefits payable on traditional life insurance products includes estimated unpaid claims that have been reported to us and claims incurred but not yet reported. The future policy benefit reserves we establish are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions and our analysis of historical experience. We do not modify the assumptions used to establish future policy benefit reserves during the policy term unless recoverability testing deems them to be inadequate and there is no remaining DAC associated with the underlying policies. Our results depend significantly upon the extent to which our actual claims experience is consistent with the assumptions we used in determining our future policy benefit reserves and pricing our products. Our future policy benefit reserve assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and, therefore, are inherently uncertain. We cannot determine with precision the ultimate amounts that we will pay for actual claims or the timing of those payments. Other Policyholders’ Funds . Other policyholders’ funds primarily represent claim payments left on deposit with us.
Litigation	Litigation. The Company is involved from time to time in legal disputes, regulatory inquiries and arbitration proceedings in the normal course of business. Contingent litigation- related losses are recognized when probable and can be reasonably estimated. Legal costs, such as attorneys’ fees and other litigation-related expenses that are incurred in connection with resolving litigation are expensed as incurred. These disputes are subject to uncertainties, including indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters and the inherent unpredictability of litigation. Due to the difficulty of estimating costs of litigation, actual costs may be substantially higher or lower than any amounts reserved.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes . We are subject to the income tax laws of the United States, its states, municipalities, and certain unincorporated territories, and those of Canada. These tax laws can be complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. In establishing a provision for income tax expense, we must make judgments and interpretations about the applicability of these tax laws. We also must make estimates about the future impact certain items will have on taxable income in the various tax jurisdictions, both domestic and foreign. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to (i) differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized subject to management’s judgment that realization is more likely than not applicable to the periods in which we expect the temporary difference will reverse. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted in the United States. The Tax Reform Act includes a broad range of changes to federal tax legislation including changes to corporate and personal income tax rates, income tax deductions, and international tax provisions. We recognized the effect of tax law changes included in the Tax Reform Act during the year-ended December 31, 2017, as it is the period that includes the date of enactment. See Note 11 (Income Taxes) for details related to the tax effects recognized in connection with the Tax Reform Act.
Premium Revenues	Premium Revenues . Traditional life insurance products consist principally of those products with fixed and guaranteed premiums and benefits, and are primarily related to term products. Premiums are recognized as revenues when due.
Commissions and Fees	Commissions and Fees. We receive commission revenues from the sale of various non-life insurance products. Commissions are generally received on sales of mutual funds and annuities. We also receive trail commission revenues from mutual fund and annuity products based on the net asset value of shares sold by us. We, in turn, pay certain commissions to our sales force. Additionally, we receive marketing and support fees from product originators. We also receive management fees based on the average daily net asset value of managed investments and contracts related to separate account assets issued by Primerica Life Canada. We earn recordkeeping fees for administrative functions that we perform on behalf of several of our mutual fund providers and custodial fees for services performed as a non-bank custodian of our clients’ retirement plan accounts. We, in turn, pay a third-party provider for its servicing of certain of these accounts. Commissions and fees are recognized as income during the period in which they are earned.
Benefits And Expenses	Benefits and Expenses . Benefit and expense items are charged to income in the period in which they are incurred. Both the change in policyholder liabilities, which is included in benefits and claims, and the amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs will vary with policyholder persistency.
Share-based Transactions	Share-Based Transactions. For employee and director share-based compensation awards, we determine a grant date fair value based on the price of our publicly-traded common stock and recognize the related compensation expense, adjusted for actual forfeitures, in the statement of income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. For non-employee share-based compensation, we recognize the impact during the period of performance, and the fair value of the award is measured as of the date performance is complete, which is the vesting date. To the extent that a share-based award contains sale restrictions extending beyond the vesting date, we reduce the recognized fair value of the award to reflect the corresponding illiquidity discount. Most non-employee share-based compensation is 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 these expenses and amortize the impact in the same manner as all other DAC.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). The Company has outstanding common stock and equity awards that consist of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based stock units (“PSUs”), and stock options. The 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 RSUs are deemed participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS as they maintain dividend rights. See Note 13 (Earnings Per Share) for details related to the calculations of our basic and diluted EPS using the two-class method.
New Accounting Principles	New Accounting Principles. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No 2016-09 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 intends to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the recognition of income tax consequences of awards, the classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, the method of recognizing award forfeitures, and the presentation of items within the statement of cash flows. The most notable impact on the Company’s financial statements involved the change in accounting for the income tax consequences associated with share-based payment transactions in the income statement. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the tax effect of the difference between the cumulative compensation cost of a share-based award recognized for financial reporting purposes and the deduction of the award for tax purposes (“excess tax benefits or deficiencies”) was recognized as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital in the statement of stockholders’ equity. The amendments in ASU 2016-09 require that the excess tax benefits or deficiencies be recognized as a reduction to or an increase of income tax expense in the income statement. We adopted the amendments in ASU 2016-09 pertaining to excess tax benefits or deficiencies in 2017 on a prospective basis, which resulted in a reduction of income tax expense of approximately $6.1 million for the excess tax benefit of share-based transactions for the year ended December 31, 2017. ASU 2016-09 also changes the presentation of excess tax benefits or deficiencies in the cash flow statement from a financing activity to an operating activity. Therefore, we have presented the excess tax benefits or deficiencies as cash flows from operating activities within the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows for all periods presented. The adoption of all other amendments outlined in ASU 2016-09 had either no impact to our financial statements or an immaterial impact to our financial statements. Future Application of Accounting Standards. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue by establishing the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. Insurance contracts are specifically excluded from the scope of ASU 2014-09 and therefore revenue from our insurance product lines will not be affected by the new standard. The amendments in ASU 2014-09, as updated by ASU No. 2015-14, are effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018 and can be adopted either retrospectively or by using the modified retrospective method. We will adopt the amendments in ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 by using the modified retrospective method. The cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 will result in an immaterial increase to retained earnings on January 1, 2018. The adjustment to be recognized upon adoption of ASU 2014-09 primarily consists of recognizing the lifetime expected value of renewal commissions we anticipate collecting in future periods for the sale of prepaid legal service subscriptions and the referral of auto and homeowners’ insurance policies in our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment made prior to December 31, 2017. After the initial product sale or referral, we earn commissions from product providers as clients pay monthly subscription fees for prepaid legal service subscriptions or premiums on auto and homeowners’ insurance policies purchased through our referral channel. We currently recognize commission revenue upon receipt of the commission revenue from the product providers, which is the point in time when revenue becomes fixed and determinable, as the commissions earned are dependent on our clients’ future renewal activity. Subsequent to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, we will recognize commission revenue equal to the expected value of the commissions we will earn over the life of the subscription or the referred policy when that initial subscription sale or policy referral occurs, which coincides with when we satisfy our performance obligation to the product provider. We do not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a notable impact on our results of operations given the immaterial amount of revenue associated with these product distributions and no significant accounting changes for revenue will be made in any of our other product lines. In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10) Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), Leases (ASC 842) In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (“ASU 2016-13”), Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) – Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments

Description of Business, Basi31

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets	The components of intangible assets were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount (In thousands) Indefinite-lived intangible asset $ 45,275 n/a $ 45,275 $ 45,275 n/a $ 45,275 Amortizing intangible asset 84,871 (78,633 ) 6,238 84,871 (75,231 ) 9,640 Total intangible assets $ 130,146 $ (78,633 ) $ 51,513 $ 130,146 $ (75,231 ) $ 54,915
Schedule of Assets Estimated Useful Life	Depreciation is recognized on a straight-line basis over the asset’s estimated useful life, which is estimated as follows: Estimated Useful Life Data processing equipment and software 3 to 7 years Leasehold improvements Lesser of 15 years or remaining life of lease Furniture and other equipment 5 to 15 years
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property and equipment balances were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Data processing equipment and software $ 60,227 $ 57,178 Leasehold improvements 14,077 13,718 Other, principally furniture and equipment 24,841 23,571 99,145 94,467 Accumulated depreciation (71,044 ) (67,001 ) Net property and equipment $ 28,101 $ 27,466

Other Comprehensive Income (Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), including the income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component, were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments: Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) before income taxes $ 17,383 $ 6,689 $ (41,929 ) Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) (1) 195 81 (447 ) Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes $ 17,188 $ 6,608 $ (41,482 ) Unrealized gain (losses) on available-for-sale securities: Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period before income taxes $ (3,950 ) $ 20,500 $ (65,920 ) Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period (1) (1,765 ) 7,174 (23,074 ) Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes (2,185 ) 13,326 (42,846 ) Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities $ (1,589 ) $ (3,955 ) $ 1,596 Income tax (expense) benefit on (gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to net income (1) (556 ) (1,384 ) 560 Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes (1,033 ) (2,571 ) 1,036 Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustment $ (3,218 ) $ 10,755 $ (41,810 ) (1)

Segment and Geographical Info33

Segment and Geographical Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Assets and Profit or Loss by Segment	Notable information included in profit or loss by segment was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Revenues: Term life insurance segment $ 992,224 $ 866,382 $ 763,958 Investment and savings products segment 572,747 524,621 521,336 Corporate and other distributed products segment 124,131 128,081 118,905 Total revenues $ 1,689,102 $ 1,519,084 $ 1,404,199 Net investment income: Term life insurance segment $ 9,931 $ 7,634 $ 5,987 Investment and savings products segment - - - Corporate and other distributed products segment 69,086 71,391 70,522 Total net investment income $ 79,017 $ 79,025 $ 76,509 Amortization of DAC: Term life insurance segment $ 201,751 $ 172,812 $ 147,980 Investment and savings products segment 6,168 6,148 7,952 Corporate and other distributed products segment 1,480 1,622 1,795 Total amortization of DAC $ 209,399 $ 180,582 $ 157,727 Non-cash share-based compensation expense: Term life insurance segment $ 2,662 $ 2,652 $ 5,392 Investment and savings products segment 2,208 2,179 2,228 Corporate and other distributed products segment 10,397 8,611 7,328 Total non-cash share-based compensation expense $ 15,267 $ 13,442 $ 14,948 Income (loss) before income taxes: Term life insurance segment $ 245,657 $ 213,361 $ 173,209 Investment and savings products segment 162,836 144,356 146,083 Corporate and other distributed products segment (28,973 ) (20,122 ) (28,311 ) Total income before income taxes $ 379,520 $ 337,595 $ 290,981
Total Assets by Segment	Total assets by segment were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (In thousands) Assets: Term life insurance segment $ 6,205,837 $ 5,945,502 $ 5,638,682 Investment and savings products segment (1) 2,684,717 2,391,512 2,157,548 Corporate and other distributed products segment 3,570,149 3,101,929 2,814,553 Total assets $ 12,460,703 $ 11,438,943 $ 10,610,783 (1)
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 consolidated balance sheets —were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Revenues by country: United States $ 1,419,658 $ 1,281,580 $ 1,172,508 Canada 269,444 237,504 231,691 Total revenues $ 1,689,102 $ 1,519,084 $ 1,404,199 Income before income taxes by country: United States $ 299,764 $ 269,791 $ 225,920 Canada 79,756 67,804 65,061 Total income before income taxes $ 379,520 $ 337,595 $ 290,981 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 December 31, 2015 (In thousands) Long-lived assets by country: United States $ 27,443 $ 26,685 $ 28,621 Canada 656 780 787 Total long-lived assets $ 28,099 $ 27,465 $ 29,408

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Investments Debt and Equity Securities [Line Items]
Schedule of AFS Securities Reconciliation	The period-end cost or amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of AFS fixed-maturity and equity securities were as follows: December 31, 2017 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 $ 11,577 $ 283 $ (47 ) $ 11,813 Foreign government 139,486 5,651 (648 ) 144,489 States and political subdivisions 54,714 1,554 (141 ) 56,127 Corporates 1,337,321 42,616 (3,655 ) 1,376,282 Residential mortgage-backed securities 119,672 3,583 (297 ) 122,958 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 134,003 2,299 (910 ) 135,392 Other asset-backed securities 80,553 452 (224 ) 80,781 Total fixed-maturity securities (1) 1,877,326 56,438 (5,922 ) 1,927,842 Equity securities 31,331 9,796 (20 ) 41,107 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 1,908,657 $ 66,234 $ (5,942 ) $ 1,968,949 (1) Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. December 31, 2016 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 $ 10,148 $ 350 $ (24 ) $ 10,474 Foreign government 124,274 5,719 (687 ) 129,306 States and political subdivisions 43,950 1,903 (129 ) 45,724 Corporates 1,281,630 49,272 (5,529 ) 1,325,373 Residential mortgage-backed securities 94,708 4,963 (120 ) 99,551 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 107,201 2,712 (470 ) 109,443 Other asset-backed securities 72,772 98 (303 ) 72,567 Total fixed-maturity securities (1) 1,734,683 65,017 (7,262 ) 1,792,438 Equity securities 36,818 8,589 (513 ) 44,894 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 1,771,501 $ 73,606 $ (7,775 ) $ 1,837,332 (1) Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI 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 maturity distribution of the AFS fixed-maturity portfolio at December 31, 2017 was as follows: Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 145,260 $ 147,078 Due after one year through five years 808,100 831,979 Due after five years through 10 years 537,979 552,982 Due after 10 years 51,759 56,672 1,543,098 1,588,711 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 334,228 339,131 Total fixed-maturity securities $ 1,877,326 $ 1,927,842
Net Effect on Stockholders' Equity of Unrealized Gains and Losses on AFS Securities	The net effect on stockholders’ equity of unrealized gains and losses on AFS securities was as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (In thousands) Net unrealized investment gains including OTTI: Fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 60,292 $ 65,831 OTTI 174 95 Net unrealized investment gains excluding OTTI 60,466 65,926 Deferred income taxes (20,780 ) (23,074 ) Net unrealized investment gains excluding OTTI, net of tax $ 39,686 $ 42,852
Costs and Fair Values of Fixed-Maturity and Equity Securities Classified as Trading Securities	The costs and fair values of the fixed-maturity and equity securities classified as trading securities were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Fair value Cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities $ 4,801 $ 4,800 $ 7,332 $ 7,332 Equity securities 1,371 1,428 50 51 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 6,172 $ 6,228 $ 7,382 $ 7,383
Net Investment Income	Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 76,877 $ 74,673 $ 77,271 Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity) 26,865 18,880 13,048 Equity securities 2,095 2,053 2,059 Policy loans and other invested assets 1,413 1,340 1,368 Cash and cash equivalents 1,123 632 228 Total return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement 2,970 5,212 482 Gross investment income 111,343 102,790 94,456 Investment expenses (5,461 ) (4,885 ) (4,899 ) Investment income net of investment expenses 105,882 97,905 89,557 Interest expense on surplus note (26,865 ) (18,880 ) (13,048 ) Net investment income $ 79,017 $ 79,025 $ 76,509
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: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Net realized investment gains (losses): Gross gains from sales $ 3,249 $ 8,126 $ 5,762 Gross losses from sales (107 ) (751 ) (465 ) OTTI losses (1,553 ) (3,420 ) (6,893 ) Gains (losses) from bifurcated options (250 ) 133 (142 ) Net realized investment gains (losses) $ 1,339 $ 4,088 $ (1,738 )
Schedule of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position	The following tables summarize, for all AFS 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: December 31, 2017 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 $ 4,754 $ (34 ) 5 $ 2,975 $ (13 ) 3 Foreign government 40,287 (465 ) 45 7,102 (183 ) 7 States and political subdivisions 7,369 (43 ) 7 6,267 (98 ) 7 Corporates 247,613 (2,323 ) 216 39,767 (1,332 ) 43 Residential mortgage-backed securities 33,610 (263 ) 16 2,592 (34 ) 8 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 60,116 (394 ) 52 22,149 (516 ) 25 Other asset-backed securities 32,605 (121 ) 33 14,819 (103 ) 19 Total fixed-maturity securities 426,354 (3,643 ) 95,671 (2,279 ) Equity securities 1,076 (16 ) 4 170 (4 ) 2 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 427,430 $ (3,659 ) $ 95,841 $ (2,283 ) December 31, 2016 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 $ 3,668 $ (24 ) 4 $ - $ - - Foreign government 34,538 (526 ) 36 3,048 (161 ) 3 States and political subdivisions 8,902 (129 ) 12 - - - Corporates 232,070 (3,484 ) 225 45,471 (2,045 ) 51 Residential mortgage-backed securities 15,232 (92 ) 9 3,606 (28 ) 9 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 33,335 (423 ) 33 7,663 (47 ) 11 Other asset-backed securities 48,275 (260 ) 45 1,315 (43 ) 3 Total fixed-maturity securities 376,020 (4,938 ) 61,103 (2,324 ) Equity securities 4,179 (269 ) 12 1,852 (244 ) 8 Total fixed-maturity and equity securities $ 380,199 $ (5,207 ) $ 62,955 $ (2,568 )
Amortized Cost and Fair Value of AFS Fixed-maturity Securities in Default	The amortized cost and fair value of AFS fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities in default $ 503 $ 654 $ 5 $ 125
OTTI in Earnings on AFS Securities	OTTI recognized in earnings on AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) OTTI on fixed-maturity securities not in default $ 1,001 $ 3,257 $ 5,108 OTTI on fixed-maturity securities in default 267 121 29 OTTI on equity securities 285 42 1,756 Total OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,553 $ 3,420 $ 6,893
Schedule of OTTI Recognized in Earnings for AFS Securities	The rollforward of the OTTI recognized in net income for all fixed-maturity securities still held was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, beginning of period $ 5,774 $ 11,856 Additions for securities where no OTTI were recognized prior to the beginning of the period 351 1,694 Additions for securities where OTTI have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period 917 1,684 Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities (1,513 ) (7,114 ) Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired (1,183 ) (2,346 ) Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, end of period $ 4,346 $ 5,774
AFS [Member]
Schedule of Investments Debt and Equity Securities [Line Items]
Schedule of OTTI Recognized in Earnings for AFS Securities	OTTI recognized in earnings for AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total OTTI 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 $ 1,476 $ 1,486 $ 706 Less portion of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 147 - - OTTI recognized in earnings for securities which the Company does not intend to sell or more-likely than-not will not be required to sell 1,329 1,486 706 OTTI recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery 224 1,934 6,187 OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,553 $ 3,420 $ 6,893

Fair Value of Financial Instr35

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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: December 31, 2017 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 11,813 $ - $ 11,813 Foreign government - 144,489 - 144,489 States and political subdivisions - 56,127 - 56,127 Corporates 3,240 1,373,039 3 1,376,282 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 122,544 414 122,958 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 135,392 - 135,392 Other asset-backed securities - 80,781 - 80,781 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 3,240 1,924,185 417 1,927,842 Available-for-sale equity securities 39,026 1,931 150 41,107 Trading securities 1,428 4,800 - 6,228 Separate accounts - 2,572,872 - 2,572,872 Total fair value assets $ 43,694 $ 4,503,788 $ 567 $ 4,548,049 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,572,872 $ - $ 2,572,872 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,572,872 $ - $ 2,572,872 December 31, 2016 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 10,474 $ - $ 10,474 Foreign government - 129,306 - 129,306 States and political subdivisions - 45,724 - 45,724 Corporates 3,113 1,322,257 3 1,325,373 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 98,966 585 99,551 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 109,443 - 109,443 Other asset-backed securities - 65,075 7,492 72,567 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 3,113 1,781,245 8,080 1,792,438 Available-for-sale equity securities 39,556 5,256 82 44,894 Trading securities 51 7,332 - 7,383 Separate accounts - 2,287,953 - 2,287,953 Total fair value assets $ 42,720 $ 4,081,786 $ 8,162 $ 4,132,668 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,287,953 $ - $ 2,287,953 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,287,953 $ - $ 2,287,953
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: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Level 3 assets, beginning of period $ 8,162 $ 783 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income 232 (23 ) Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI 26 7 Purchases - 7,556 Settlements (958 ) (162 ) Transfers into Level 3 - 1 Transfers out of Level 3 (1) (6,895 ) - Level 3 assets, end of period $ 567 $ 8,162 (1) During the year ended December 31, 2017, transfers out of Level 3 assets primarily consisted of newly issued fixed-maturity securities purchased in the fourth quarter of 2016 for which observable inputs, most notably quoted prices, used to derive valuations were not yet readily available.
Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments	The carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying value Estimated fair value Carrying value Estimated fair value (In thousands) Assets: Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 1,927,842 $ 1,927,842 $ 1,792,438 $ 1,792,438 Fixed-maturity securities (held-to-maturity) 737,150 779,472 503,230 513,015 Equity securities (available-for-sale) 41,107 41,107 44,894 44,894 Trading securities 6,228 6,228 7,383 7,383 Policy loans 32,816 32,816 30,916 30,916 Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement 217,336 217,336 202,435 202,435 Separate accounts 2,572,872 2,572,872 2,287,953 2,287,953 Liabilities: Notes payable (1) $ 373,288 $ 400,628 $ 372,919 $ 401,340 Surplus note (1) 736,381 778,050 502,491 512,669 Separate accounts 2,572,872 2,572,872 2,287,953 2,287,953 (1) Carrying value amounts shown are net of issuance costs.

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
In-force Life Insurance	The following table represents the Company’s in-force life insurance at December 31, 2017 and 2016: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) Direct life insurance in force $ 767,001,938 $ 731,822,070 Amounts ceded to other companies (668,446,638 ) (643,364,460 ) Net life insurance in force $ 98,555,300 $ 88,457,610 Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force 87 % 88 %
Reinsurance Recoverables and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer	Reinsurance recoverables includes ceded reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. Reinsurance recoverables and financial strength ratings by reinsurer were as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating (In thousands) Pecan Re Inc. (1) (2) $ 2,725,795 NR $ 2,754,424 NR SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies (3) 354,458 A+ 355,759 A Munich Re of Malta (2) (5) 302,391 NR 282,382 NR Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (4) 245,543 A+ 249,299 A+ American Health and Life Insurance Company (2) 172,956 B 176,010 B Munich American Reassurance Company 112,841 A+ 106,471 A+ Korean Reinsurance Company 102,915 A 96,921 A RGA Reinsurance Company 90,037 A+ 84,473 A+ Hannover Life Reassurance Company 32,250 A+ 22,929 A+ TOA Reinsurance Company 24,619 A 23,977 A+ All other reinsurers 41,368 - 40,917 - Reinsurance recoverables $ 4,205,173 $ 4,193,562 NR – not rated (1) Pecan Re Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (2) (3) Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies. (4) (5)

Deferred Policy Acquisition C37

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Balance Roll Forward	The balances and activity in DAC were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) DAC balance, beginning of period $ 1,713,065 $ 1,500,259 $ 1,351,180 Capitalization 433,575 387,396 339,639 Amortization (209,399 ) (180,582 ) (157,727 ) Foreign exchange translation and other 14,651 5,992 (32,833 ) DAC balance, end of period $ 1,951,892 $ 1,713,065 $ 1,500,259

Separate Accounts (Tables)

Separate Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Separate Accounts Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment	The following table represents the fair value of assets supporting separate accounts by major investment category: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Fixed-income securities $ 1,095,968 $ 999,435 Equity securities 1,431,158 1,264,270 Cash and cash equivalents 47,860 30,064 Due to/from funds (2,220 ) (5,941 ) Other 106 125 Total separate accounts assets $ 2,572,872 $ 2,287,953

Policy Claims and Other Benef39

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Liability For Future Policy Benefits And Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Schedule of Liability For Future Policy Benefits and Unpaid Claims	Changes in policy claims and other benefits payable were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period $ 268,136 $ 238,157 $ 245,829 Less reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 323,195 263,003 264,049 Net balance, beginning of period (55,059 ) (24,846 ) (18,220 ) Incurred related to current year 162,256 143,518 138,139 Incurred related to prior years (1) 2,230 (522 ) 212 Total incurred 164,486 142,996 138,351 Claims paid related to current year, net of reinsured policy claims received (181,670 ) (203,015 ) (167,621 ) Reinsured policy claims received related to prior years, net of claims paid 57,192 29,546 23,661 Total paid (124,478 ) (173,469 ) (143,960 ) Foreign currency translation 315 260 (1,017 ) Net balance, end of period (14,736 ) (55,059 ) (24,846 ) Add reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 322,137 323,195 263,003 Balance, end of period $ 307,401 $ 268,136 $ 238,157 (1) Includes the difference between our estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported at year end and the actual incurred claims reported after year end.

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Notes Payable. Notes payable consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (Dollars in thousands) 4.75% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022 $ 375,000 $ 375,000 Unamortized issuance discount on notes payable (300 ) (359 ) Total notes payable $ 374,700 $ 374,641

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Taxes	Income tax expense. Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Current Deferred Total (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2017 Federal $ 53,084 $ (46,622 ) $ 6,462 Foreign 28,613 (7,166 ) 21,447 State and local 1,356 - 1,356 Total tax expense $ 83,053 $ (53,788 ) $ 29,265 Year ended December 31, 2016 Federal $ 47,980 $ 50,758 $ 98,738 Foreign 23,102 (4,710 ) 18,392 State and local 2,783 (1,732 ) 1,051 Total tax expense $ 73,865 $ 44,316 $ 118,181 Year ended December 31, 2015 Federal $ 46,175 $ 36,723 $ 82,898 Foreign 14,600 3,161 17,761 State and local 2,043 (1,592 ) 451 Total tax expense $ 62,818 $ 38,292 $ 101,110
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The reconciliation for such difference follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage (Dollars in thousands) Computed tax expense $ 132,832 35.0 % $ 118,158 35.0 % $ 101,843 35.0 % Difference between foreign statutory rate and U.S. statutory rate (6,668 ) (1.8 )% (5,665 ) (1.7 )% (5,531 ) (1.9 )% Residual U.S. income taxes on foreign earnings not permanently reinvested – prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act 4,212 1.1 % 3,855 1.1 % 3,810 1.3 % Excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation (6,051 ) (1.6 )% - — % - — % Transition impact of the Tax Reform Act (95,457 ) (25.1 )% - — % - — % Recognition of foreign tax credits (40,386 ) (10.6 )% - — % - — % Change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits 40,386 10.6 % - — % - — % Other 397 0.1 % 1,833 0.6 % 988 0.3 % Total tax expense / effective rate $ 29,265 7.7 % $ 118,181 35.0 % $ 101,110 34.7 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Deferred tax assets and liabilities. The main components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims $ 206,794 $ 223,845 Intangibles and tax goodwill 19,436 36,261 Future deductible liabilities 10,235 19,831 Share-based compensation 7,288 15,592 State income taxes 12,521 11,425 Foreign tax credits 40,386 - Other 2,857 103 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 299,517 307,057 Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits (40,386 ) - Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance $ 259,131 $ 307,057 Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs $ (275,388 ) $ (366,144 ) Timing difference for haircut on deductibility of future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act (22,307 ) - Investments (9,884 ) (16,769 ) Unremitted earnings on foreign subsidiaries (2,614 ) (2,700 ) Reinsurance deposit asset (45,641 ) (70,852 ) Other (7,255 ) (11,864 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (363,089 ) (468,329 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (103,958 ) $ (161,272 )
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 14,811 $ 13,939 Change in prior period unrecognized tax benefits 91 8 Change in current period unrecognized tax benefits 2,855 2,840 Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations (3,372 ) (1,976 ) Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period $ 14,385 $ 14,811

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock	A reconciliation of the number of shares of our common stock follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Common stock, beginning of period 45,721 48,297 52,169 Shares issued for stock options exercised 38 148 89 Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of RSUs 504 516 574 Common stock retired (2,012 ) (3,240 ) (4,535 ) Common stock, end of period 44,251 45,721 48,297

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The calculation of basic and diluted EPS was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Basic EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (2,526 ) (1,835 ) (1,572 ) Net income used in calculating basic EPS $ 347,729 $ 217,579 $ 188,299 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 45,598 47,411 50,881 Basic EPS $ 7.63 $ 4.59 $ 3.70 Diluted EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 350,255 $ 219,414 $ 189,871 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (2,521 ) (1,833 ) (1,571 ) Net income used in calculating diluted EPS $ 347,734 $ 217,581 $ 188,300 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 45,598 47,411 50,881 Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for contingently issuable shares 91 42 32 Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS 45,689 47,453 50,913 Diluted EPS $ 7.61 $ 4.59 $ 3.70

Share-Based Transactions (Table

Share-Based Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity	The following table summarizes employee and director restricted stock and RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested employee and director restricted stock and RSUs, December 31, 2014 580 $ 34.67 Granted 246 52.75 Forfeited (8 ) 41.98 Vested (428 ) 35.43 Unvested employee and director restricted stock and RSUs, December 31, 2015 390 45.07 Granted 225 42.86 Forfeited - - Vested (219 ) 42.28 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2016 396 45.37 Granted 130 80.33 Forfeited (1 ) 57.53 Vested (213 ) 46.54 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2017 312 $ 59.10
Schedule of Share-Based Transactions, PSU Activity	The following table summarizes PSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2015 - n/a Granted 18 $ 41.88 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2016 18 41.88 Granted 36 80.45 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2017 54 $ 67.42
Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable	The following table summarizes activity related to stock options outstanding and exercisable during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015: Outstanding Exercisable Number of shares Weighted average exercise price Number of shares Weighted average exercise price (Shares in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 246 $ 36.67 40 $ 32.63 Granted 46 53.50 Exercised (89 ) 34.89 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 203 41.28 35 36.38 Granted 90 41.88 Exercised (148 ) 38.24 Outstanding at December 31, 2016 145 44.75 6 53.50 Granted - - Exercised (38 ) 43.63 Outstanding at December 31, 2017 107 45.15 32 $ 47.26 Range of granted option exercise prices outstanding at December 31, 2017 $41.20 (average term remaining - 6.1 years) 7 $ 41.20 7 $ 41.20 $53.50 (average term remaining - 7.2 years) 31 53.50 15 53.50 $41.88 (average term remaining - 8.2 years) 69 41.88 9 41.88
Summary of Intrinsic Values of Stock Options	A summary of the intrinsic values of our stock options is as follows: December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options $ 1,714 Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest 4,302 Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding $ 6,016
Summary of Intrinsic Value, Tax Benefit Realized and Value of Shares Withheld Related to Option Exercise Activity	The intrinsic value, tax benefit realized and value of shares withheld related to option exercise activity are summarized as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 1,453 $ 2,755 $ 1,620 Tax benefit realized from the options exercised 509 964 567 Value of issued shares withheld to satisfy option exercise price 1,673 5,509 2,966
Schedule of Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction by Supplier	The following table summarizes non-employee RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2014 73 $ 49.98 Granted 326 42.79 Vested (326 ) 44.39 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2015 73 42.83 Granted 236 48.45 Vested (267 ) 44.82 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2016 42 61.55 Granted 156 75.69 Vested (166 ) 68.96 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2017 32 $ 91.88
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	The following table presents the assumptions used in valuing quarterly RSU grants to agents: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Expected volatility 18% to 34% 24% to 42% 18% to 35% Quarterly dividends expected $0.19 to $0.20 $0.17 to $0.18 $ 0.16 Risk-free interest rates Less than 3% Less than 2% Less than 2%
Schedule of Compensation Cost and Tax Benefits for Share Based Payment Arrangements Nonemployee Equity Awards	Details on the granting and valuation of these awards were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts) Total quarterly non-employee RSUs granted 155,996 235,735 325,744 Measurement date per-share fair value of awards $67.82 to $91.88 $39.87 to $61.50 $40.98 to $46.71 Illiquidity discounts 10 % 10% to 11% 8% to 9% Quarterly incentive awards expense recognized currently $ 980 $ 910 $ 466 Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred 10,821 10,517 13,423 Tax benefit associated with incentive awards 2,259 3,674 4,454
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member] | Employee and Director [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Recognized Expense and Tax Benefit Offsets	We recognized expense and tax benefit offsets as follows for employee and director share-based compensation: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total equity awards expense recognized $ 11,364 $ 11,067 $ 13,839 Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation 1,893 3,715 4,668
Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] | Employee [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Recognized Expense and Tax Benefit Offsets	In connection with our granting of PSU awards, we recognized expense and tax benefit offsets as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Total employee PSU award expense $ 2,761 $ 614 n/a Tax benefit associated with total employee PSU award expense 187 215 n/a
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Recognized Expense and Tax Benefit Offsets	Compensation expense and related tax benefits recognized for stock option awards were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 (In thousands) Expense recognized for stock option awards $ 162 $ 851 $ 643 Tax benefit recognized for stock option awards 37 298 225

Statutory Accounting and Divi45

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Insurance [Abstract]
Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure	Primerica Life’s statutory capital and surplus and statutory unassigned surplus at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were approximately as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 (In thousands) Statutory capital and surplus $ 598,001 $ 572,748 Statutory unassigned surplus 50,299 41,569

Commitments and Contingent Li46

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	As of December 31, 2017, the minimum aggregate rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: December 31, 2017 (In thousands) 2018 $ 6,985 2019 7,111 2020 6,552 2021 6,415 2022 6,516 Thereafter 37,949 Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases $ 71,528

Unaudited Quarterly Financial47

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	Financial information for the quarters presented was prepared on a consolidated basis. Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 627,698 $ 637,426 $ 646,079 $ 650,906 Ceded premiums (399,769 ) (406,043 ) (397,641 ) (397,318 ) Net premiums 227,929 231,383 248,438 253,588 Commissions and fees 144,268 148,317 144,627 154,105 Net investment income 19,894 19,742 19,922 19,459 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI 134 104 22 1,079 Other, net 12,939 14,150 14,291 14,711 Total revenues 405,164 413,696 427,300 442,942 Total benefits and expenses 330,322 317,307 327,100 334,853 Income before income taxes 74,842 96,389 100,200 108,089 Income taxes 22,772 33,282 33,565 (60,354 ) Net income $ 52,070 $ 63,107 $ 66,635 $ 168,443 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.12 $ 1.36 $ 1.46 $ 3.73 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.11 $ 1.36 $ 1.46 $ 3.72 Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 597,130 $ 612,189 $ 616,587 $ 618,362 Ceded premiums (395,333 ) (406,683 ) (399,676 ) (398,867 ) Net premiums 201,797 205,506 216,911 219,495 Commissions and fees 128,821 136,902 134,282 141,681 Net investment income 21,238 20,389 19,399 17,999 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI (783 ) 3,440 (35 ) 1,465 Other, net 11,527 12,757 13,069 13,224 Total revenues 362,600 378,994 383,626 393,864 Total benefits and expenses 292,388 287,114 295,189 306,800 Income before income taxes 70,212 91,880 88,437 87,064 Income taxes 25,036 32,554 30,400 30,191 Net income $ 45,176 $ 59,326 $ 58,037 $ 56,873 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 0.92 $ 1.23 $ 1.22 $ 1.21 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.92 $ 1.23 $ 1.22 $ 1.21 Quarterly amounts may not agree in total to the corresponding annual amounts due to rounding.

Description of Business, Basi48

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible asset	$ 45,275	$ 45,275
Amortizing intangible asset, Gross carrying value	84,871	84,871
Amortizing intangible asset, Accumulated amortization	(78,633)	(75,231)
Amortizing intangible asset, Net carrying amount	6,238	9,640
Total intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	130,146	130,146
Total intangible assets, Net carrying amount	$ 51,513	$ 54,915

Description of Business, Basi49

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$ 10.1	$ 11.2	$ 7.6
Guarantee maturity value as percentage of net premiums	75.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Reduction of income tax expense for excess tax benefit of share-based transactions	$ 6.1
Minimum [Member]
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate reserve assumptions	3.50%	3.50%
Maximum [Member]
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate reserve assumptions	7.00%	7.00%
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible asset amortization expense	$ 3.4	$ 3.4	$ 3.4
Intangible assets, remaining amortization expense, 2018	3.4
Intangible assets, remaining amortization expense, 2019	$ 2.8
Intangible assets, life	24 years

Description of Business, Basi50

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Life (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Data Processing Equipment and Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	3 years
Data Processing Equipment and Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	7 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	15 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Property and equipment, Useful life	15 years

Description of Business, Basi51

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Data processing equipment and software	$ 60,227	$ 57,178
Leasehold improvements	14,077	13,718
Other, principally furniture and equipment	24,841	23,571
Total property, plant and equipment, Gross	99,145	94,467
Accumulated depreciation	(71,044)	(67,001)
Net property and equipment	$ 28,101	$ 27,466

Other Comprehensive Income (Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)		$ 17,383	$ 6,689	$ (41,929)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)		195	81	(447)
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes		17,188	6,608	(41,482)
Unrealized gain (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period before income taxes		(3,950)	20,500	(65,920)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	[1]	(1,765)	7,174	(23,074)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes		(2,185)	13,326	(42,846)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income		(1,589)	(3,955)	1,596
Income tax (expense) benefit on (gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to net income	[1]	(556)	(1,384)	560
Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes		(1,033)	(2,571)	1,036
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustment		$ (3,218)	$ 10,755	$ (41,810)
[1]	Effect of U.S. statutory rate reduction enacted by the Tax Reform Act in 2017 is not recognized in OCI, rather it is recognized in the statements of income in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Refer to Note 11 (Income Taxes) for more information.

Segment and Geographical Info53

Segment and Geographical Information - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	2
Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Coinsurance percent	10.00%

Segment and Geographical Info54

Segment and Geographical Information - Summary of Assets and Profit or Loss by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 442,942	$ 427,300	$ 413,696	$ 405,164	$ 393,864	$ 383,626	$ 378,994	$ 362,600	$ 1,689,102	$ 1,519,084	$ 1,404,199
Net investment income		19,459	19,922	19,742	19,894	17,999	19,399	20,389	21,238	79,017	79,025	76,509
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										209,399	180,582	157,727
Share-based compensation										15,267	13,442	14,948
Income (loss) before income taxes		108,089	$ 100,200	$ 96,389	$ 74,842	87,064	$ 88,437	$ 91,880	$ 70,212	379,520	337,595	290,981
Assets		12,460,703				11,438,943				12,460,703	11,438,943	10,610,783
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										992,224	866,382	763,958
Net investment income										9,931	7,634	5,987
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										201,751	172,812	147,980
Share-based compensation										2,662	2,652	5,392
Income (loss) before income taxes										245,657	213,361	173,209
Assets		6,205,837				5,945,502				6,205,837	5,945,502	5,638,682
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										572,747	524,621	521,336
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										6,168	6,148	7,952
Share-based compensation										2,208	2,179	2,228
Income (loss) before income taxes										162,836	144,356	146,083
Assets	[1]	2,684,717				2,391,512				2,684,717	2,391,512	2,157,548
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										124,131	128,081	118,905
Net investment income										69,086	71,391	70,522
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										1,480	1,622	1,795
Share-based compensation										10,397	8,611	7,328
Income (loss) before income taxes										(28,973)	(20,122)	(28,311)
Assets		$ 3,570,149				$ 3,101,929				$ 3,570,149	$ 3,101,929	$ 2,814,553
[1]	The Investment and Savings Products segment includes assets held in separate accounts. Excluding separate accounts, the Investment and Savings Products segment assets were approximately $112.0 million, $103.7 million, and $93.8 million as of December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Segment and Geographical Info55

Segment and Geographical Information - Summary of Assets and Profit or Loss by Segment (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets, excluding separate account assets	$ 112	$ 103.7	$ 93.8

Segment and Geographical Info56

Segment and Geographical Information - Long Lived Assets and Continuing Operations by Country (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 442,942	$ 427,300	$ 413,696	$ 405,164	$ 393,864	$ 383,626	$ 378,994	$ 362,600	$ 1,689,102	$ 1,519,084	$ 1,404,199
Income (loss) before income taxes	108,089	$ 100,200	$ 96,389	$ 74,842	87,064	$ 88,437	$ 91,880	$ 70,212	379,520	337,595	290,981
Long-lived assets	28,099				27,465				28,099	27,465	29,408
United States [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									1,419,658	1,281,580	1,172,508
Income (loss) before income taxes									299,764	269,791	225,920
Long-lived assets	27,443				26,685				27,443	26,685	28,621
Canada [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									269,444	237,504	231,691
Income (loss) before income taxes									79,756	67,804	65,061
Long-lived assets	$ 656				$ 780				$ 656	$ 780	$ 787

Investments - Schedule of AFS S

Investments - Schedule of AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	$ 1,877,326	[1]	$ 1,734,683	[2]
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	56,438	[1]	65,017	[2]
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(5,922)	[1]	(7,262)	[2]
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	1,927,842	[1]	1,792,438	[2]
Available-for-sale equity securities, cost	31,331		36,818
Available-for-sale equity securities, gross unrealized gain	9,796		8,589
Available-for-sale equity securities, gross unrealized loss	(20)		(513)
Available-for-sale equity securities, at fair value	41,107		44,894
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost basis	1,908,657		1,771,501
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gain	66,234		73,606
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized loss	(5,942)		(7,775)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,968,949		1,837,332
U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	11,577		10,148
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	283		350
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(47)		(24)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	11,813		10,474
Foreign Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	139,486		124,274
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	5,651		5,719
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(648)		(687)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	144,489		129,306
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	54,714		43,950
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	1,554		1,903
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(141)		(129)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	56,127		45,724
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	1,337,321		1,281,630
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	42,616		49,272
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(3,655)		(5,529)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	1,376,282		1,325,373
Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	119,672		94,708
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	3,583		4,963
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(297)		(120)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	122,958		99,551
Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	134,003		107,201
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	2,299		2,712
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(910)		(470)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	135,392		109,443
Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	80,553		72,772
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	452		98
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(224)		(303)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 80,781		$ 72,567
[1]	Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Investments - Schedule of AFS58

Investments - Schedule of AFS Securities (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
OTTI losses, investments, portion in other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 0.2	$ 0.1

Investments - Fixed-maturity Se

Investments - Fixed-maturity Securities Classified by Contractual Maturity Date (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016	[2]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, amortized cost	$ 145,260
Due after one year through five years, amortized cost	808,100
Due after five years through 10 years, amortized cost	537,979
Due after 10 years, amortized cost	51,759
Total fixed-maturity securities with single maturity dates, amortized cost	1,543,098
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, amortized cost	334,228
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	1,877,326	[1]	$ 1,734,683
Due in one year or less, fair value	147,078
Due after one year through five years, fair value	831,979
Due after five years through 10 years, fair value	552,982
Due after 10 years, fair value	56,672
Total fixed-maturity securities with single maturity dates, fair value	1,588,711
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, fair value	339,131
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 1,927,842	[1]	$ 1,792,438
[1]	Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Investments - Net Effect on Sto

Investments - Net Effect on Stockholders' Equity of Unrealized Gains and Losses on AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized investment gains including OTTI, Fixed-maturity and Equity securities	$ 60,292	$ 65,831
OTTI	174	95
Net unrealized investment gains excluding OTTI	60,466	65,926
Less deferred income taxes	(20,780)	(23,074)
Net unrealized investment gains excluding OTTI, net of tax	$ 39,686	$ 42,852

Investments - Costs and Fair Va

Investments - Costs and Fair Values of Fixed-Maturity and Equity Securities Classified as Trading Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities, Cost	$ 6,172	$ 7,382
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities, Fair value	6,228	7,383
Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities, Cost	4,801	7,332
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities, Fair value	4,800	7,332
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities, Cost	1,371	50
Total fixed-maturity and equity securities, Fair value	$ 1,428	$ 51

Investments - Held-to-maturity

Investments - Held-to-maturity Security - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Held To Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date		Jul. 15, 2022
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.75%
Held-to-maturity debt security estimated unrealized holding gain	$ 42.3
LLC Note [Member]
Schedule Of Held To Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	Dec. 31, 2030
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%
Surplus Note [Member]
Schedule Of Held To Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity date	Dec. 31, 2030
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%

Investments - Fair Value of Inv

Investments - Fair Value of Investments on Deposit with Governmental Authorities - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Fair values of investments on deposit	$ 11.1	$ 18.2

Investments - Securities Lendin

Investments - Securities Lending Collateral - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
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	$ 89.8	$ 73.6

Investments - Net Investment In

Investments - Net Investment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									$ 111,343	$ 102,790	$ 94,456
Investment expenses									(5,461)	(4,885)	(4,899)
Investment income net of investment expenses									105,882	97,905	89,557
Interest expense on surplus note									(26,865)	(18,880)	(13,048)
Net investment income	$ 19,459	$ 19,922	$ 19,742	$ 19,894	$ 17,999	$ 19,399	$ 20,389	$ 21,238	79,017	79,025	76,509
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									2,095	2,053	2,059
Policy Loans and Other Invested Assets [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									1,413	1,340	1,368
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									1,123	632	228
Total return on deposit asset underlying 10% insurance agreement [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									2,970	5,212	482
Available-for-Sale [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									76,877	74,673	77,271
Held-to-Maturity [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating									$ 26,865	$ 18,880	$ 13,048

Investments - Schedule of Net R

Investments - Schedule of Net Realized Investment Gains and Losses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Realized Investment Gains Losses [Abstract]
Gross gains from sales									$ 3,249	$ 8,126	$ 5,762
Gross losses from sales									(107)	(751)	(465)
OTTI losses									(1,553)	(3,420)	(6,893)
Gains (losses) from bifurcated options									(250)	133	(142)
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	$ 1,079	$ 22	$ 104	$ 134	$ 1,465	$ (35)	$ 3,440	$ (783)	$ 1,339	$ 4,088	$ (1,738)

Investments - AFS Securities wi

Investments - AFS Securities with Cost Basis in Excess of Fair Value - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
AFS fixed-maturity and equity securities with cost basis in excess of fair value, cost basis	$ 529.2	$ 450.9

Investments - Schedule of Secur

Investments - Schedule of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Securities	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 427,430	$ 380,199
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	(3,659)	(5,207)
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	95,841	62,955
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	(2,283)	(2,568)
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	426,354	376,020
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	(3,643)	(4,938)
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	95,671	61,103
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	(2,279)	(2,324)
U.S. Government and Agencies [Member] | 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	4,754	3,668
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (34)	$ (24)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	5	4
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 2,975
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (13)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	3
Foreign Government [Member] | 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	$ 40,287	$ 34,538
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (465)	$ (526)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	45	36
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 7,102	$ 3,048
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (183)	$ (161)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	7	3
States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | 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	$ 7,369	$ 8,902
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (43)	$ (129)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	7	12
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 6,267
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (98)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	7
Corporates [Member] | 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	$ 247,613	$ 232,070
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (2,323)	$ (3,484)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	216	225
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 39,767	$ 45,471
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (1,332)	$ (2,045)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	43	51
Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member] | 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	$ 33,610	$ 15,232
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (263)	$ (92)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	16	9
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 2,592	$ 3,606
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (34)	$ (28)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	8	9
Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member] | 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	$ 60,116	$ 33,335
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (394)	$ (423)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	52	33
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 22,149	$ 7,663
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (516)	$ (47)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	25	11
Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | 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	$ 32,605	$ 48,275
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (121)	$ (260)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	33	45
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 14,819	$ 1,315
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (103)	$ (43)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	19	3
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	$ 1,076	$ 4,179
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (16)	$ (269)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	4	12
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 170	$ 1,852
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (4)	$ (244)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	2	8

Investments - Amortized Cost an

Investments - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of AFS Fixed-maturity Securities in Default (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default, amortized cost	$ 503	$ 5
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default, fair value	$ 654	$ 125

Investments - OTTI in Earnings

Investments - OTTI in Earnings on AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings	$ 1,553	$ 3,420	$ 6,893
Investments in fixed-maturity securities not in default [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings	1,001	3,257	5,108
Investments in fixed-maturity securities in default [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings	267	121	29
Equity Securities [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings	$ 285	$ 42	$ 1,756

Investments - Schedule of OTTI

Investments - Schedule of OTTI Recognized in Earnings for AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Total OTTI losses recognized	$ 1,700	$ 3,420	$ 6,893
Less portion of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	147
OTTI recognized in earnings	1,553	3,420	6,893
Does not intend to sell or more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Total OTTI losses recognized	1,476	1,486	706
Less portion of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	147
OTTI recognized in earnings	1,329	1,486	706
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]
OTTI recognized in earnings	$ 224	$ 1,934	$ 6,187

Investments - Rollforward of OT

Investments - Rollforward of OTTI Recognized in Net Income, Fixed-maturity Securities Still Held (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other than Temporary Impairment, OTTI Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, beginning of period	$ 5,774	$ 11,856
Additions for securities where no OTTI were recognized prior to the beginning of the period	351	1,694
Additions for securities where OTTI have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period	917	1,684
Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities	(1,513)	(7,114)
Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired	(1,183)	(2,346)
Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, end of period	$ 4,346	$ 5,774

Investments - OTTI on Held-to-m

Investments - OTTI on Held-to-maturity Security - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
OTTI held-to-maturity security	$ 0

Investments - Derivative - Narr

Investments - Derivative - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]
Aggregate fair value of embedded conversion options	$ 0.9	$ 4.3

Investments - Loss from Closed

Investments - Loss from Closed Currency Forward Contracts Recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net [Abstract]
Deferred loss related to closed forward contracts	$ (26.4)	$ (26.4)

Fair Value of Financial Instr76

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	$ 1,968,949	$ 1,837,332
Trading securities	$ 6,228	7,383
Fair value assumptions, percentage of securities assessed by third-party pricing service	94.00%
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading securities	$ 6,228	7,383
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	4,548,049	4,132,668
Liabilities, fair value disclosure, recurring	2,572,872	2,287,953
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	11,813	10,474
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	144,489	129,306
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	56,127	45,724
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,376,282	1,325,373
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	122,958	99,551
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	135,392	109,443
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	1,927,842	1,792,438
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	80,781	72,567
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	41,107	44,894
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	2,572,872	2,287,953
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading securities	1,428	51
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	43,694	42,720
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	3,240	3,113
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	3,240	3,113
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	39,026	39,556
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Trading securities	4,800	7,332
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	4,503,788	4,081,786
Liabilities, fair value disclosure, recurring	2,572,872	2,287,953
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	11,813	10,474
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	144,489	129,306
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	56,127	45,724
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,373,039	1,322,257
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	122,544	98,966
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	135,392	109,443
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,924,185	1,781,245
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	80,781	65,075
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	1,931	5,256
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Separate Accounts Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	2,572,872	2,287,953
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Assets, fair value disclosure, recurring	567	8,162
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	3	3
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	414	585
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	417	8,080
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value		7,492
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	150	82
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate accounts liabilities	2,572,872	2,287,953
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Separate accounts liabilities	$ 2,572,872	$ 2,287,953

Fair Value of Financial Instr77

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Rollforward of Level 3 Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Level 3 assets, beginning of period		$ 8,162	$ 783
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		232	(23)
Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI		26	7
Purchases			7,556
Settlements		(958)	(162)
Transfers into Level 3			1
Transfers out of Level 3	[1]	(6,895)
Level 3 assets, end of period		$ 567	$ 8,162
[1]	During the year ended December 31, 2017, transfers out of Level 3 assets primarily consisted of newly issued fixed-maturity securities purchased in the fourth quarter of 2016 for which observable inputs, most notably quoted prices, used to derive valuations were not yet readily available.

Fair Value of Financial Instr78

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value security, level 1 to level 2 transfers, amount	$ 0	$ 0
Fair Value security, level 1 to level 3 transfers, amount	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr79

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, fair value		$ 1,968,949	$ 1,837,332
Fixed-maturity securities held to maturity, fair value		779,472	513,015
Trading securities		6,228	7,383
Surplus note		736,381	502,491
Fixed-maturity securities (held-to-maturity)		737,150	503,230
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities		6,228	7,383
Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Trading securities		4,800	7,332
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		2,572,872	2,287,953
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		2,572,872	2,287,953
Separate Accounts Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Separate accounts liabilities		2,572,872	2,287,953
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 accounts liabilities		2,572,872	2,287,953
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		1,927,842	1,792,438
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		41,107	44,894
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		32,816	30,916
Surplus note	[1]	736,381	502,491
Fixed-maturity securities (held-to-maturity)		737,150	503,230
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		217,336	202,435
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		6,228	7,383
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		2,572,872	2,287,953
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	[1]	373,288	372,919
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | 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 accounts liabilities		2,572,872	2,287,953
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		1,927,842	1,792,438
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		41,107	44,894
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		779,472	513,015
Policy loans		32,816	30,916
Surplus note	[1]	778,050	512,669
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		217,336	202,435
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		6,228	7,383
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		2,572,872	2,287,953
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	[1]	400,628	401,340
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | 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 accounts liabilities		$ 2,572,872	$ 2,287,953
[1]	Carrying value amounts shown are net of issuance costs.

Fair Value of Financial Instr80

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Percentage of coinsurance costs	10.00%	10.00%

Reinsurance - Narrative (Detail

Reinsurance - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 23, 2016	Jan. 01, 2016	Jul. 02, 2015	Mar. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Amount of life insurance retained on the life of one person					$ 1,000,000
Reinsurance, loss on uncollectible accounts in period, amount					0	$ 0	$ 0
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses					28,600,000	30,000,000
Benefits and claims ceded to reinsurers					1,337,300,000	1,205,600,000	$ 1,178,600,000
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement					$ 217,300,000	$ 202,400,000
Pecan Re Inc [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force					10.00%
80% Coinsurance Agreement [Member] | Prime Reinsurance Company [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force					80.00%
IPO coinsurance agreements [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force					10.00%
Swiss Re Novation Agreement | Pecan Re Inc [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force		80.00%
Canada Coinsurance Agreement [Member] | Financial Reassurance Company 2010, Ltd. [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force					80.00%
Munich Re Novation Agreement [Member] | Munich Re of Malta [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force	80.00%
Minimum [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of finance charge for statutory reserves		0.50%	2.00%
Minimum [Member] | IPO coinsurance agreements [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force				80.00%
Maximum [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of finance charge for statutory reserves		2.00%	3.00%
Maximum [Member] | IPO coinsurance agreements [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force				90.00%

Reinsurance - In-force Life Ins

Reinsurance - In-force Life Insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Direct life insurance in force	$ 767,001,938	$ 731,822,070	$ 696,939,187
Amounts ceded to other companies	(668,446,638)	(643,364,460)	(616,255,740)
Net life insurance in force	$ 98,555,300	$ 88,457,610	$ 80,683,447
Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force	87.00%	88.00%

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Recov

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Recoverables and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 4,205,173	$ 4,193,562
Pecan Re Inc [Member] | External credit rating, not rated [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1],[2]	2,725,795	2,754,424
SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	354,458
SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies [Member] | AM Best, A Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables			355,759
Munich Re of Malta [Member] | External credit rating, not rated [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1],[4]	302,391	282,382
Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[5]	245,543	249,299
American Health and Life Insurance Company [Member] | AM Best, B Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	172,956	176,010
Munich American Reassurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		112,841	106,471
Korean Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		102,915	96,921
RGA Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		90,037	84,473
Hannover Life Reassurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		32,250	22,929
TOA Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables			23,977
TOA Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		24,619
All Other Reinsurers [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 41,368	$ 40,917
[1]	Includes balances ceded under coinsurance transactions of term life insurance policies that were in force as of December 31, 2009. Amounts shown are net of their share of the reinsurance receivable from other reinsurers.
[2]	Pecan Re Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.
[3]	Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies.
[4]	This entity, which is rated AA- by S&P, ultimately assumed FRAC's obligations under the 80% Canada Coinsurance Agreement as a result of the Munich Re Novation Agreement.
[5]	Includes amounts ceded to Lincoln National Life Insurance and fully retroceded to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Rec84

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Recoverables and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Standard & Poor's, AA- Rating [Member] | Munich Re Novation Agreement [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force	80.00%	80.00%

Deferred Policy Acquisition C85

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum [Member]
Deferred policy acquisition costs [Line Items]
Long-Duration Contracts, Assumptions by Product and Guarantee, Estimated Investment Yield	3.50%	3.50%
Maximum [Member]
Deferred policy acquisition costs [Line Items]
Long-Duration Contracts, Assumptions by Product and Guarantee, Estimated Investment Yield	7.00%	7.00%

Deferred Policy Acquisition C86

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Balance RollForward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract]
DAC balance, beginning of period	$ 1,713,065	$ 1,500,259	$ 1,351,180
Capitalization	433,575	387,396	339,639
Amortization	(209,399)	(180,582)	(157,727)
Foreign exchange translation and other	14,651	5,992	(32,833)
DAC balance, end of period	$ 1,951,892	$ 1,713,065	$ 1,500,259

Separate Accounts - Narrative (

Separate Accounts - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Separate Accounts Narrative [Abstract]
Separate accounts contract's minimum guaranteed payments, percentage of policyholder's contribution	75.00%
Separate accounts contract minimum maturity, years	10 years
Separate accounts contract maximum maturity, date	Dec. 31, 2070
Separate accounts contract maturity, years	20 years
Separate accounts contracts minimum guaranteed payments, decline in percentage of policyholder's contribution	25.00%

Separate Accounts - Schedule of

Separate Accounts - Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate account assets	$ 2,572,872	$ 2,287,953
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate account assets	1,095,968	999,435
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate account assets	1,431,158	1,264,270
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate account assets	47,860	30,064
Due To/From Funds [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate account assets	(2,220)	(5,941)
Other [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate account assets	$ 106	$ 125

Policy Claims and Other Benef89

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable - Schedule of Liability For Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Roll Forward In Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period		$ 268,136	$ 238,157	$ 245,829
Reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period		323,195	263,003	264,049
Net balance, beginning of period		(55,059)	(24,846)	(18,220)
Incurred related to current year		162,256	143,518	138,139
Incurred related to prior years	[1]	2,230	(522)	212
Total incurred		164,486	142,996	138,351
Claims paid related to current year, net of reinsured policy claims received		(181,670)	(203,015)	(167,621)
Reinsured policy claims received related to prior years, net of claims paid		57,192	29,546	23,661
Total paid		(124,478)	(173,469)	(143,960)
Foreign currency translation		315	260	(1,017)
Net balance, end of period		(14,736)	(55,059)	(24,846)
Reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable, end of period		322,137	323,195	263,003
Policy claims and other benefits payable, end of period		$ 307,401	$ 268,136	$ 238,157
[1]	Includes the difference between our estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported at year end and the actual incurred claims reported after year end.

Debt - Schedule of Notes Payabl

Debt - Schedule of Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
4.75% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022	$ 375,000	$ 375,000
Unamortized issuance discount on notes payable	(300)	(359)
Total notes payable	$ 374,700	$ 374,641

Debt - Schedule of Notes Paya91

Debt - Schedule of Notes Payable (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.75%
Debt instrument maturity date	Jul. 15, 2022

Debt - Narrative (Details)

Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2017	May 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 375,000,000		$ 375,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				4.75%
Debt instrument maturity date				Jul. 15, 2022
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Debt instrument, frequency of commitment fee payable			quarterly
Debt instrument, current borrowing capacity	$ 0
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 1,300,000,000
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, commitment fee percentage	0.225%
Maximum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	1.625%
Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	0.625%
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Minimum [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	1.125%
Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	0.125%
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 375,000,000
Issue price of senior notes			99.843%
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			4.75%
Debt instrument maturity date			Jul. 15, 2022
Surplus Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 737,200,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			4.50%
Debt instrument maturity date			Dec. 31, 2030
Debt instrument, maturity start date		Dec. 31, 2029
Debt instrument, maturity end date		Dec. 31, 2030

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax [Line Items]
Federal Statutory Tax Rate										35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 benefit to income tax expense										$ 98,500,000
Income taxes	$ (60,354,000)	$ 33,565,000	$ 33,282,000	$ 22,772,000	$ 30,191,000	$ 30,400,000	$ 32,554,000	$ 25,036,000		29,265,000	$ 118,181,000	$ 101,110,000
Deferred tax assets, operating loss carryforwards, state and local	12,200,000									12,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	13,400,000				11,700,000					13,400,000	11,700,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	1,900,000				$ 2,100,000					1,900,000	2,100,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest benefit										300,000	$ 300,000	$ 300,000
Unrecognized tax penalties										0
Canada [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, incomplete accounting, transition tax for accumulated foreign earnings, provisional income tax expense										3,000,000
Foreign [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax credits	$ 40,400,000									40,400,000
AFS Investments [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income taxes										$ 7,800,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Federal Statutory Tax Rate									21.00%
Maximum [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Provisional information accounting incomplete measurement period										1 year

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current federal tax expense (benefit)									$ 53,084	$ 47,980	$ 46,175
Current foreign tax expense (benefit)									28,613	23,102	14,600
Current state and local tax expense (benefit)									1,356	2,783	2,043
Current income tax expense (benefit)									83,053	73,865	62,818
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)									(46,622)	50,758	36,723
Deferred foreign income tax expense (benefit)									(7,166)	(4,710)	3,161
Deferred state and local income tax expense (benefit)										(1,732)	(1,592)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)									(53,788)	44,316	38,292
Federal income tax expense (benefit)									6,462	98,738	82,898
Foreign income tax expense (benefit)									21,447	18,392	17,761
State and local income tax expense (benefit)									1,356	1,051	451
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (60,354)	$ 33,565	$ 33,282	$ 22,772	$ 30,191	$ 30,400	$ 32,554	$ 25,036	$ 29,265	$ 118,181	$ 101,110

Income Taxes - Schedule of Effe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax reconciliation, income tax expense (benefit), at federal statutory income tax rate									$ 132,832	$ 118,158	$ 101,843
Income tax rate reconciliation, foreign income tax rate differential amount									(6,668)	(5,665)	(5,531)
Income tax rate reconciliation, repatriation of foreign earnings - prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act									4,212	3,855	3,810
Income tax rate reconciliation, excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation									(6,051)
Income tax reconciliation, transition impact of the Tax Reform Act									(95,457)
Income tax rate reconciliation, recognition of foreign tax credits									(40,386)
Income tax rate reconciliation, change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits									40,386
Income tax reconciliation, other reconciling items									397	1,833	988
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ (60,354)	$ 33,565	$ 33,282	$ 22,772	$ 30,191	$ 30,400	$ 32,554	$ 25,036	$ 29,265	$ 118,181	$ 101,110
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, at federal statutory income tax rate									35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, foreign income tax rate differential									(1.80%)	(1.70%)	(1.90%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, repatriation of foreign earnings - Prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act									1.10%	1.10%	1.30%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, excess tax benefits recognized on share-based compensation									(1.60%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, transition impact of the Tax Reform Act									(25.10%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, recognition of foreign tax credits									(10.60%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits									10.60%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, other adjustments									0.10%	0.60%	0.30%
Effective income tax rate									7.70%	35.00%	34.70%

Income Taxes - Schedule of Defe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets, future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims	$ 206,794	$ 223,845
Deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets	19,436	36,261
Deferred tax assets, future deductible liabilities	10,235	19,831
Deferred tax assets, share-based compensation	7,288	15,592
Deferred tax assets, state income taxes	12,521	11,425
Deferred tax assets, foreign tax credits	40,386
Deferred tax assets, other	2,857	103
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	299,517	307,057
Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits	(40,386)
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	259,131	307,057
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities, deferred policy acquisition costs	(275,388)	(366,144)
Deferred tax liabilities, timing difference for haircut on deductibility of future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act	(22,307)
Deferred tax liabilities, investments	(9,884)	(16,769)
Deferred tax liabilities, unremitted earnings on foreign subsidiaries	(2,614)	(2,700)
Deferred tax liabilities, reinsurance deposit asset	(45,641)	(70,852)
Deferred tax liabilities, other	(7,255)	(11,864)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(363,089)	(468,329)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (103,958)	$ (161,272)

Income Taxes - Summary of Incom

Income Taxes - Summary of Income Tax Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$ 14,811	$ 13,939
Unrecognized tax benefits, increases resulting from prior period tax positions	91	8
Unrecognized tax benefits, increases resulting from current period tax positions	2,855	2,840
Unrecognized tax benefits, reductions resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(3,372)	(1,976)
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$ 14,385	$ 14,811

Stockholders' Equity - Reconcil

Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Details) - shares	12 Months Ended			13 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock, beginning of period	45,721,000	48,297,000	52,169,000
Shares issued for stock options exercised	38,000	148,000	89,000
Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of RSUs	504,000	516,000	574,000
Common stock retired	(2,012,000)	(3,240,000)	(4,535,000)	(1,911,380)
Common stock, end of period	44,251,000	45,721,000	48,297,000	44,251,000

Stockholders' Equity - Narrativ

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended			13 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 06, 2018
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased program, authorized amount	$ 200,000,000			$ 200,000,000
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	2,012,000	3,240,000	4,535,000	1,911,380
Stock repurchased and retired during period, value				$ 150,000,000
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 50,000,000			$ 50,000,000
New Repurchase [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased program, authorized amount					$ 275,000,000
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	874,107			874,107
Performance share units (PSUs) [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, non-option equity instruments, outstanding, number	54,431			54,431

Earnings Per Share - Calculatio

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 168,443	$ 66,635	$ 63,107	$ 52,070	$ 56,873	$ 58,037	$ 59,326	$ 45,176	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, basic EPS									(2,526)	(1,835)	(1,572)
Net income used in calculating basic EPS									$ 347,729	$ 217,579	$ 188,299
Weighted-average vested shares									45,598	47,411	50,881
Basic EPS	$ 3.73	$ 1.46	$ 1.36	$ 1.12	$ 1.21	$ 1.22	$ 1.23	$ 0.92	$ 7.63	$ 4.59	$ 3.70
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, diluted EPS									$ (2,521)	$ (1,833)	$ (1,571)
Net income used in calculating diluted EPS									$ 347,734	$ 217,581	$ 188,300
Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for contingently issuable shares									91	42	32
Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS									45,689	47,453	50,913
Diluted EPS	$ 3.72	$ 1.46	$ 1.36	$ 1.11	$ 1.21	$ 1.22	$ 1.23	$ 0.92	$ 7.61	$ 4.59	$ 3.70

Share-Based Transactions - Narr

Share-Based Transactions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares available for grant	2,000,000
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term			10 years
Stock options exercise term, description	Upon retirement, employees have the lesser of three years or the remaining option term to exercise any vested options.
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, sale restrictions expiration period subsequent to vesting	3 years
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 3,400,000
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition	9 months 18 days
Performance share units (PSUs) [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
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 400,000
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition	1 year
Agent equity awards unvested	54,000	18,000
Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of granted PSUs to be issued based on performance		0.00%
Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of granted PSUs to be issued based on performance		150.00%
Employee Stock Option [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
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized	$ 45,000
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition	6 months
Number of stock options issued	$ 0
Nonemployee Shares [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Agent equity awards unvested	32,000	42,000		73,000	73,000
Management [Member] | Restricted stock units (RSUs) [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
Director | Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting period	1 year

Share-Based Transactions - Empl

Share-Based Transactions - Employee and Director Share-Based Transactions, Cost and Tax Benefit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restricted stock units (RSUs) [Member] | Employee and Director [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity awards expense recognized	$ 11,364	$ 11,067	$ 13,839
Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation share-based compensation	1,893	3,715	$ 4,668
Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] | Employee [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity awards expense recognized	2,761	614
Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation share-based compensation	$ 187	$ 215

Share-Based Transactions - E103

Share-Based Transactions - Employee and Director Share-Based Transactions, Restricted Stock and RSU Activity (Details) - Employee and Director [Member] - Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units RSU [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement [Abstract]
Shares, beginning balance	396	390	580
Shares, granted	130	225	246
Shares, forfeited	(1)		(8)
Shares, vested	(213)	(219)	(428)
Shares, ending balance	312	396	390
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, beginning balance	$ 45.37	$ 45.07	$ 34.67
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	80.33	42.86	52.75
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, forfeited	57.53		41.98
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, vested	46.54	42.28	35.43
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, ending balance	$ 59.10	$ 45.37	$ 45.07

Share-Based Transactions - E104

Share-Based Transactions - Employee Share-Based Transactions, PSU Activity (Details) - Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement [Abstract]
Shares, beginning balance	18
Shares, granted	36	18
Shares, ending balance	54	18
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, beginning balance	$ 41.88
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	80.45	$ 41.88
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, ending balance	$ 67.42	$ 41.88

Share-Based Transactions - E105

Share-Based Transactions - Employee Share-Based Transactions, PSU Activity (Parenthetical) (Details) - Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] - ROAE Achieved Within Vesting Period [Member] - shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum number of shares of common stock may be received by recipients	0	0
Maximum number of shares of common stock may be received by recipients	54,069	27,577

Share-Based Transactions - E106

Share-Based Transactions - Employee Share-based Transactions, Stock Option Cost and Tax Benefit (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized for stock option awards	$ 162	$ 851	$ 643
Tax benefit recognized for stock option awards	$ 37	$ 298	$ 225

Share-Based Transactions - Summ

Share-Based Transactions - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, outstanding beginning balance	145	203	246
Number of shares, granted		90	46
Number of shares, exercised	(38)	(148)	(89)
Number of shares, outstanding ending balance	107	145	203
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding beginning balance	$ 44.75	$ 41.28	$ 36.67
Weighted average exercise price, granted		41.88	53.50
Weighted average exercise price, exercised	43.63	38.24	34.89
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding ending balance	$ 45.15	$ 44.75	$ 41.28
Number of shares, exercisable	32	6	35	40
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable	$ 47.26	$ 53.50	$ 36.38	$ 32.63
$41.20 (average term remaining - 6.1 years) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices outstanding	7
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices outstanding	$ 41.20
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices exercisable	7
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices exercisable	$ 41.20
$53.50 (average term remaining - 7.2 years) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices outstanding	31
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices outstanding	$ 53.50
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices exercisable	15
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices exercisable	$ 53.50
$41.88 (average term remaining - 8.2 years) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices outstanding	69
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices outstanding	$ 41.88
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices exercisable	9
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices exercisable	$ 41.88

Share-Based Transactions - S108

Share-Based Transactions - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017$ / shares
$41.20 (average term remaining - 6.1 years) Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested option exercise price	$ 41.20
Vested option exercise, average life	6 years 1 month 6 days
$53.50 (average term remaining - 7.2 years) Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested option exercise price	$ 53.50
Vested option exercise, average life	7 years 2 months 12 days
$41.88 (average term remaining - 8.2 years) Option [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vested option exercise price	$ 41.88
Vested option exercise, average life	8 years 2 months 12 days

Share-Based Transactions - S109

Share-Based Transactions - Summary of Intrinsic Values of Stock Options (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options	$ 1,714
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest	4,302
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 6,016

Share-Based Transactions - S110

Share-Based Transactions - Summary of Intrinsic Value, Tax Benefit Realized and Value of Shares Withheld Related to Option Exercise Activity (Details) - Employee Stock Option [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 1,453	$ 2,755	$ 1,620
Tax benefit realized from the options exercised	509	964	567
Value of issued shares withheld to satisfy option exercise price	$ 1,673	$ 5,509	$ 2,966

Share-Based Transactions - None

Share-Based Transactions - Nonemployee Share-Based Transactions, RSU Activity (Details) - Nonemployee Shares [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Compensation Arrangement [Abstract]
Shares, beginning balance	42,000	73,000	73,000
Shares, granted	156,000	236,000	326,000
Shares, vested	(166,000)	(267,000)	(326,000)
Shares, ending balance	32,000	42,000	73,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, beginning balance	$ 61.55	$ 42.83	$ 49.98
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	75.69	48.45	42.79
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, vested	68.96	44.82	44.39
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, ending balance	$ 91.88	$ 61.55	$ 42.83

Share-Based Transactions - N112

Share-Based Transactions - Nonemployee Share-Based Transactions, Valuation Assumptions (Details) - Nonemployee Shares [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Valuation Assumptions For Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]
Expected volatility, Minimum	18.00%	24.00%	18.00%
Expected volatility, Maximum	34.00%	42.00%	35.00%
Quarterly dividends expected			$ 0.16
Minimum [Member]
Valuation Assumptions For Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]
Quarterly dividends expected	$ 0.19	$ 0.17
Maximum [Member]
Valuation Assumptions For Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]
Quarterly dividends expected	$ 0.20	$ 0.18
Risk-free interest rates	3.00%	2.00%	2.00%

Share-Based Transactions - N113

Share-Based Transactions - Nonemployee Share-Based Transactions, Cost and Tax Benefit (Details) - Nonemployee Shares [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction [Line Items]
Total quarterly non-employee RSUs granted	155,996	235,735	325,744
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	$ 75.69	$ 48.45	$ 42.79
Illiquidity discounts	10.00%
Total equity awards expense recognized	$ 980	$ 910	$ 466
Quarterly incentive awards expense	10,821	10,517	13,423
Tax benefit associated with incentive awards	$ 2,259	$ 3,674	$ 4,454
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	$ 67.82	$ 39.87	$ 40.98
Illiquidity discounts		10.00%	8.00%
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	$ 91.88	$ 61.50	$ 46.71
Illiquidity discounts		11.00%	9.00%

Statutory Accounting and Div114

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions - Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure (Details) - Primerica Life [Member] - TENNESSEE - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory capital and surplus, balance	$ 598,001	$ 572,748
Statutory accounting practices, statutory unassigned surplus	$ 50,299	$ 41,569

Statutory Accounting and Div115

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 01, 2018
Primerica Life [Member] | TENNESSEE
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory net income amount	$ 398,800	$ 392,400	$ 436,300
Payments of dividends	138,000
Statutory accounting practices, statutory capital and surplus, balance	598,001	572,748
Primerica Life [Member] | TENNESSEE | Subsequent Event [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory amount available for dividend payments without regulatory approval				$ 50,300
Peach Re [Member] | VERMONT
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
State insurance department, statutory to NAIC, amount of reconciling item	353,500
Primerica Life Canada [Member] | CANADA
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory capital and surplus, balance	$ 331,300	$ 286,700
Primerica Life Canada [Member] | CANADA | Subsequent Event [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory amount available for dividend payments without regulatory approval				$ 40,900

Commitments and Contingent L116

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Narrative (Details)	Mar. 31, 2012USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)Jurisdiction	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Total minimum rent expense		$ 7,500,000	$ 7,000,000	$ 7,200,000
Contingent rent expense		0	0	$ 0
Material capital leases		$ 0	$ 0
Number of jurisdiction | Jurisdiction		30
Letter of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Letter of credit, outstanding	$ 450,000,000				$ 507,000,000
Line of credit facility, agreement term	14 years

Commitments and Contingent L117

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Future Minimum Lease Payments [Abstract]
2,018	$ 6,985
2,019	7,111
2,020	6,552
2,021	6,415
2,022	6,516
Thereafter	37,949
Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases	$ 71,528

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Deta

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Contribution Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, expenses	$ 7.7	$ 7.4	$ 6.7

Unaudited Quarterly Financia119

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Direct premiums	$ 650,906	$ 646,079	$ 637,426	$ 627,698	$ 618,362	$ 616,587	$ 612,189	$ 597,130	$ 2,562,109	$ 2,444,268	$ 2,345,444
Ceded premiums	(397,318)	(397,641)	(406,043)	(399,769)	(398,867)	(399,676)	(406,683)	(395,333)	(1,600,771)	(1,600,559)	(1,595,220)
Net premiums	253,588	248,438	231,383	227,929	219,495	216,911	205,506	201,797	961,338	843,709	750,224
Commissions and fees	154,105	144,627	148,317	144,268	141,681	134,282	136,902	128,821	591,317	541,686	537,146
Net investment income	19,459	19,922	19,742	19,894	17,999	19,399	20,389	21,238	79,017	79,025	76,509
Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI	1,079	22	104	134	1,465	(35)	3,440	(783)	1,339	4,088	(1,738)
Other, net	14,711	14,291	14,150	12,939	13,224	13,069	12,757	11,527	56,091	50,576	42,058
Total revenues	442,942	427,300	413,696	405,164	393,864	383,626	378,994	362,600	1,689,102	1,519,084	1,404,199
Total benefits and expenses	334,853	327,100	317,307	330,322	306,800	295,189	287,114	292,388	1,309,582	1,181,489	1,113,218
Income before income taxes	108,089	100,200	96,389	74,842	87,064	88,437	91,880	70,212	379,520	337,595	290,981
Income taxes	(60,354)	33,565	33,282	22,772	30,191	30,400	32,554	25,036	29,265	118,181	101,110
Net income	$ 168,443	$ 66,635	$ 63,107	$ 52,070	$ 56,873	$ 58,037	$ 59,326	$ 45,176	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 3.73	$ 1.46	$ 1.36	$ 1.12	$ 1.21	$ 1.22	$ 1.23	$ 0.92	$ 7.63	$ 4.59	$ 3.70
Diluted earnings per share	$ 3.72	$ 1.46	$ 1.36	$ 1.11	$ 1.21	$ 1.22	$ 1.23	$ 0.92	$ 7.61	$ 4.59	$ 3.70

Schedule I Summary of Invest120

Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	$ 2,684,795
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	2,787,465
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	2,745,143
US Government and Government Agencies and Authorities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	142,641
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	145,834
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	145,834
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	54,714
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	56,127
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	56,127
Foreign Government Debt [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	124,980
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	129,482
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	129,482
Convertibles and Bonds with Warrants Attached [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	1,718
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	2,001
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	2,001
All Other Corporate Bonds [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	2,293,444
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	2,376,654
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	2,334,332
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	3,151
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	3,444
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	3,444
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	2,620,648
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	2,713,542
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	2,671,220
Public Utility, Equities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	6,984
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	10,666
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	10,666
Banks, Trust and Insurance, Equities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	4,674
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	7,099
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	7,099
Industrial, Miscellaneous, and All Others [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	3,701
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	5,574
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	5,574
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	15,972
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	17,768
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	17,768
Equity Securities, Investment Summary [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	31,331
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	41,107
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	41,107
Policy Loans [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	32,816
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	32,816
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	$ 32,816

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 1,927,842	[1]	$ 1,792,438	[2]
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $1,371 in 2017 and $50 in 2016)	6,228		7,383
Total investments	2,745,143		2,378,861
Cash and cash equivalents	279,962		211,976		$ 152,294	$ 191,997
Other receivables	229,522		210,448
Income taxes	48,614		37,369
Other assets	359,347		334,274
Total assets	12,460,703		11,438,943		10,610,783
Liabilities:
Notes payable	373,288		372,919
Current income tax payable	24,896		26,365
Deferred income taxes	152,572		198,641
Other liabilities	451,398		449,963
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note E)
Total liabilities	11,041,602		10,217,569
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2017 and 2016; issued and outstanding 44,251 shares in 2017 and 45,721 shares in 2016)	443		457
Paid-in capital			52,468
Retained earnings	1,375,090		1,138,851
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	12,460,703		11,438,943
Parent Company [Member]
Investments:
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	44,405		53,953
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $1,371 in 2017 and $50 in 2016)	1,428		51
Total investments	45,833		54,004
Cash and cash equivalents	66,226		13,992		$ 15,029	$ 32,634
Due from affiliates	3,272
Other receivables	438		393
Income taxes	12,151		10,640
Investment in subsidiaries	1,683,149		1,534,774
Other assets	915
Total assets	1,811,984		1,613,803
Liabilities:
Notes payable	373,288		372,919
Current income tax payable	6,628		2,552
Deferred income taxes	4,311		5,399
Due to affiliates			1,108
Interest payable	8,214		8,214
Other liabilities	442		2,237
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note E)
Total liabilities	392,883		392,429
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2017 and 2016; issued and outstanding 44,251 shares in 2017 and 45,721 shares in 2016)	443		457
Paid-in capital			52,468
Retained earnings	1,375,090		1,138,851
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax	43,568		29,598
Total stockholders’ equity	1,419,101		1,221,374
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 1,811,984		$ 1,613,803
[1]	Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc122

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Financial Information Parentheticals (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 1,877,326	[1]	$ 1,734,683	[2]
Trading securities, cost	$ 6,172		$ 7,382
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000		500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	44,251,000		45,721,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	44,251,000		45,721,000		48,297,000	52,169,000
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 42,812		$ 52,537
Trading securities, cost	$ 1,371		$ 50
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000		500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	44,251,000		45,721,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	44,251,000		45,721,000
[1]	Includes approximately $0.2 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.
[2]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc123

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Net investment income	$ 19,459	$ 19,922	$ 19,742	$ 19,894	$ 17,999	$ 19,399	$ 20,389	$ 21,238	$ 79,017	$ 79,025	$ 76,509
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	1,079	22	104	134	1,465	(35)	3,440	(783)	1,339	4,088	(1,738)
Total revenues	442,942	427,300	413,696	405,164	393,864	383,626	378,994	362,600	1,689,102	1,519,084	1,404,199
Expenses:
Interest expense									28,488	28,691	33,507
Other operating expenses									189,300	181,615	168,406
Income taxes	(60,354)	33,565	33,282	22,772	30,191	30,400	32,554	25,036	29,265	118,181	101,110
Net income	$ 168,443	$ 66,635	$ 63,107	$ 52,070	$ 56,873	$ 58,037	$ 59,326	$ 45,176	350,255	219,414	189,871
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries									256,913	189,582	149,187
Net investment income									1,484	1,695	2,224
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses									179	1,088	(1,762)
Total revenues									258,576	192,365	149,649
Expenses:
Interest expense									18,210	18,180	18,177
Other operating expenses									8,441	12,433	10,603
Total expenses									26,651	30,613	28,780
Income before income taxes									231,925	161,752	120,869
Income taxes									(3,756)	(7,019)	(7,124)
Income (loss) before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									235,681	168,771	127,993
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									114,574	50,643	61,878
Net income									$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc124

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 168,443	$ 66,635	$ 63,107	$ 52,070	$ 56,873	$ 58,037	$ 59,326	$ 45,176	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities									(3,950)	20,500	(65,920)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income									(1,589)	(3,955)	1,596
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Equity in unrealized foreign currency translation gains of subsidiaries									17,383	6,689	(41,929)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes									11,844	23,234	(106,253)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									(2,126)	5,871	(22,961)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes									13,970	17,363	(83,292)
Total comprehensive income									364,225	236,777	106,579
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									350,255	219,414	189,871
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Equity in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities held by subsidiaries									(3,333)	9,846	(41,171)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities									356	2,487	(2,745)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income									(179)	(1,088)	1,762
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Equity in unrealized foreign currency translation gains of subsidiaries									17,383	6,689	(41,929)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes									14,227	17,934	(84,083)
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									257	571	(791)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes									13,970	17,363	(83,292)
Total comprehensive income									$ 364,225	$ 236,777	$ 106,579

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc125

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 168,443	$ 66,635	$ 63,107	$ 52,070	$ 56,873	$ 58,037	$ 59,326	$ 45,176	$ 350,255	$ 219,414	$ 189,871
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred tax provision									(53,788)	44,316	38,292
Change in income taxes									(2,159)	27,601	5,862
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	(1,079)	$ (22)	$ (104)	(134)	(1,465)	$ 35	$ (3,440)	783	(1,339)	(4,088)	1,738
Accretion and amortization of investments									(1,596)	(1,411)	(1,343)
Share-based compensation									15,267	13,442	14,948
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net									1,137	(2,051)	2,308
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									388,524	294,427	264,251
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed maturity securities — sold									76,701	91,666	130,608
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called									223,088	254,585	247,771
Equity									5,771	8,572	4,894
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities									(426,689)	(386,394)	(433,457)
Equity securities									(400)	(2,683)	(882)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									(128,281)	(47,923)	(58,465)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid									(35,821)	(33,367)	(32,807)
Common stock repurchased									(150,038)	(150,057)	(200,084)
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation									(6,734)	(3,970)	(7,675)
Cash proceeds from stock options exercised											136
Payment of deferred financing costs									(868)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(193,461)	(187,394)	(240,430)
Change in cash and cash equivalents									67,986	59,682	(39,703)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				211,976				152,294	211,976	152,294	191,997
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	279,962				211,976				279,962	211,976	152,294
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid									27,816	27,992	32,386
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income									350,255	219,414	189,871
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(150,202)	(89,820)	(74,814)
Deferred tax provision									2,454	167	(1,434)
Change in income taxes									(1,235)	(523)	(77)
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments									(179)	(1,088)	1,762
Accretion and amortization of investments									149	(118)	808
Depreciation and amortization											6
Share-based compensation									6,343	1,227	1,031
Change in due to/from affiliates									(4,380)	(2,671)	2,689
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net									(1,377)	(51)
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net									(1,514)	555	3,135
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									200,314	127,092	122,977
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed maturity securities — sold									12,204	29,759	71,019
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called									56,678	79,914	100,900
Equity									36
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities									(23,497)	(50,408)	(72,131)
Equity securities									(40)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									45,381	59,265	99,788
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid									(35,821)	(33,367)	(32,807)
Common stock repurchased									(150,038)	(150,057)	(200,084)
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation									(6,734)	(3,970)	(7,615)
Cash proceeds from stock options exercised											136
Payment of deferred financing costs									(868)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities									(193,461)	(187,394)	(240,370)
Change in cash and cash equivalents									52,234	(1,037)	(17,605)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				$ 13,992				$ 15,029	13,992	15,029	32,634
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 66,226				$ 13,992				66,226	13,992	15,029
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid									$ 17,813	$ 17,813	$ 17,813

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc126

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flow Parenthetical (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed-maturity securities transferred	$ 35.5	$ 39.2	$ 12.9

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc127

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 19, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	May 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 375,000,000	$ 375,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				4.75%
Debt instrument maturity date				Jul. 15, 2022
Non-life Insurance Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid to parent company		96,000,000	72,500,000	$ 86,500,000
Life Insurance Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid to parent company		$ 160,900,000	$ 117,000,000	$ 62,600,000
Maximum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 1,300,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 200,000,000
New unsecured revolving credit facility	$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Debt instrument, frequency of commitment fee payable		quarterly
Debt instrument, outstanding amount		$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, commitment fee percentage	0.225%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	1.125%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	1.625%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	0.125%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	0.625%
Letter of Credit [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	0.125%
Letter of Credit [Member] | LIBOR Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate margin	0.625%
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 375,000,000
Issue price of senior notes						99.843%
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						4.75%
Debt instrument maturity date		Jul. 15, 2022
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted		$ 20,000,000

Schedule III - Supplementary128

Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 1,951,892	$ 1,713,065
Liability for future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expense reserves	5,954,524	5,673,890
Unearned premiums	486	527
Other policyholders' funds	307,401	268,136
Separate account liabilities	2,572,872	2,287,953
Premium revenue	961,338	843,709	$ 750,224
Net investment income	79,017	79,025	76,509
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expense	416,019	367,655	339,315
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	209,399	180,582	157,727
Other operating expense	684,164	633,252	616,179
Premiums written	821	844	908
Term Life Insurance [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	1,861,253	1,628,957
Liability for future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expense reserves	5,747,317	5,464,851
Other policyholders' funds	299,265	258,774
Premium revenue	941,057	822,207	728,181
Net investment income	9,931	7,634	5,985
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expense	398,212	350,640	322,232
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	201,751	172,812	147,980
Other operating expense	146,604	129,569	120,538
Investment and Savings Products [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	64,419	56,933
Separate account liabilities	2,572,766	2,287,829
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	6,168	6,148	7,951
Other operating expense	403,743	374,117	367,301
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	26,220	27,175
Liability for future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expense reserves	207,207	209,039
Unearned premiums	486	527
Other policyholders' funds	8,136	9,362
Separate account liabilities	106	124
Premium revenue	20,281	21,502	22,043
Net investment income	69,086	71,391	70,524
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expense	17,807	17,015	17,083
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	1,480	1,622	1,796
Other operating expense	133,817	129,566	128,340
Premiums written	$ 821	$ 844	$ 908

Schedule IV - Reinsurance (Deta

Schedule IV - Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct premiums, life insurance in force	$ 767,001,938				$ 731,822,070				$ 767,001,938	$ 731,822,070	$ 696,939,187
Direct premiums	650,906	$ 646,079	$ 637,426	$ 627,698	618,362	$ 616,587	$ 612,189	$ 597,130	2,562,109	2,444,268	2,345,444
Ceded premiums, life insurance in force	668,446,638				643,364,460				668,446,638	643,364,460	616,255,740
Ceded premiums	397,318	$ 397,641	$ 406,043	$ 399,769	398,867	$ 399,676	$ 406,683	$ 395,333	1,600,771	1,600,559	1,595,220
Net life insurance in force	$ 98,555,300				$ 88,457,610				98,555,300	88,457,610	80,683,447
Premiums earned, net									961,338	843,709	750,224
Life Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct premiums									2,560,885	2,442,968	2,343,877
Ceded premiums									1,600,399	1,600,125	1,594,606
Premiums earned, net									960,486	842,843	749,271
Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct premiums									1,224	1,300	1,567
Ceded premiums									372	434	614
Premiums earned, net									$ 852	$ 866	$ 953