Primerica (PRI) 10-K 28 Feb 20 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Primerica, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001475922
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	PRI
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,108,029
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 5,014,399,156
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity File Number	001-34680
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1204330
Entity Address, Address Line One	1 Primerica Parkway
Entity Address, City or Town	Duluth
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	30099
City Area Code	770
Local Phone Number	381-1000
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Certain information contained in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 13, 2020 is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $2,274,770 in 2019 and $2,078,822 in 2018)	$ 2,356,996	$ 2,069,635	[1]
Fixed-maturity security held-to-maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $1,299,102 in 2019 and $945,331 in 2018)	1,184,370	970,390
Short-term investments available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $0 in 2019 and $8,171 in 2018)		8,171
Equity securities, at fair value (historical cost: $32,671 in 2019 and $34,997 in 2018)	40,684	37,679
Trading securities, at fair value (cost: $43,257 in 2019 and $13,597 in 2018)	43,233	13,610
Policy loans	32,927	31,501
Total investments	3,658,210	3,130,986
Cash and cash equivalents	256,876	262,138
Accrued investment income	17,361	17,057
Reinsurance recoverables	4,169,823	4,141,569
Deferred policy acquisition costs, net	2,325,750	2,133,920
Agent balances, due premiums and other receivables	227,100	215,139
Intangible assets, net	45,275	48,111
Income tax receivable	1,020
Deferred income taxes	69,472	59,336
Operating lease right-of-use assets	47,265
Other assets	384,634	391,291
Separate account assets	2,485,745	2,195,501
Total assets	13,688,531	12,595,048
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	6,446,569	6,168,157
Unearned and advance premiums	15,470	15,587
Policy claims and other benefits payable	339,954	313,862
Other policyholders’ funds	388,663	370,644
Notes payable	374,037	373,661
Surplus note	1,183,728	969,685
Income tax payable	20,224	22,699
Deferred income taxes	188,997	164,405
Operating lease liabilities	53,487
Other liabilities	510,443	486,772
Payable under securities lending	28,723	52,562
Separate accounts liabilities	2,485,745	2,195,501
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Commitments and Contingent Liabilities note)
Total liabilities	12,036,040	11,133,535
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2019 and 2018; issued and outstanding 41,207 shares in 2019 and 42,694 shares in 2018)	412	427
Retained earnings	1,593,281	1,489,520
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)	(5,765)	(21,064)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) not other-than-temporarily impaired	64,595	(7,253)
Net unrealized investment losses other-than-temporarily impaired	(32)	(117)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,652,491	1,461,513
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 13,688,531	$ 12,595,048
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Consolidated Balance Sheets Par

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments:
Fixed-maturity securities available for sale, amortized cost	$ 2,274,770	$ 2,078,822	[1]
Fixed-maturity security held to maturity, fair value	1,299,102	945,331
Short-term investments available-for-sale, amortized cost	0	8,171
Equity securities, at fair value, historical cost	32,671	34,997
Trading securities, amortized cost	$ 43,257	$ 13,597
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	41,207,000	42,694,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	41,207,000	42,694,000
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Consolidated Statements of Inco

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues:
Direct premiums	$ 2,753,866	$ 2,667,104	$ 2,562,109
Ceded premiums	(1,569,729)	(1,581,164)	(1,600,771)
Net premiums	1,184,137	1,085,940	961,338
Commissions and fees	713,804	677,607	591,317
Investment income net of investment expenses	142,398	118,915	105,882
Interest expense on surplus note	(48,325)	(37,485)	(26,865)
Net investment income	94,073	81,430	79,017
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	4,965	(2,121)	1,339
Other, net	55,525	56,987	56,091
Revenues	2,052,504	1,899,843	1,689,102
Benefits and expenses:
Benefits and claims	493,820	457,583	416,019
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	254,552	239,730	209,399
Sales commissions	357,198	335,384	297,988
Insurance expenses	178,817	168,156	147,280
Insurance commissions	25,051	24,490	21,108
Interest expense	28,811	28,809	28,488
Other operating expenses	237,144	229,607	189,300
Total benefits and expenses	1,575,393	1,483,759	1,309,582
Income before income taxes	477,111	416,084	379,520
Income taxes	110,720	91,990	29,265
Net income	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 8.65	$ 7.35	$ 7.63
Diluted earnings per share	$ 8.62	$ 7.33	$ 7.61
Weighted-average shares used in computing earnings per share:
Basic	42,181	43,854	45,598
Diluted	42,314	43,985	45,689
Supplemental disclosures:
Total impairment losses	$ (1,333)	$ (152)	$ (1,700)
Impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income before income taxes			147
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	(1,333)	(152)	(1,553)
Other net realized investment gains (losses)	1,091	487	2,892
Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities	5,207	(2,456)
Net realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	$ 4,965	$ (2,121)	$ 1,339

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 93,557	$ 96,223	$ 97,446	$ 79,165	$ 86,541	$ 85,139	$ 86,700	$ 65,715	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities									91,160	(59,661)	(3,950)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income									253	(45)	(1,589)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)									15,299	(25,059)	17,383
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes									106,712	(84,765)	11,844
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									19,480	(12,690)	(2,126)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes									87,232	(72,075)	13,970
Total comprehensive income									$ 453,623	$ 252,019	$ 364,225

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, 2016		$ 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
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.78
Cumulative effect from the adoption of new accounting standards, net				24,610	73
Repurchases of common stock		(21)	(26,702)	(190,134)
Share-based compensation			26,707
Net issuance of common stock		5	(5)
Net income	$ 324,094			324,094
Dividends				(44,140)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)					(25,059)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than temporarily impaired					(47,012)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) other-than-temporarily impaired					(4)
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,461,513	427		1,489,520	(28,434)
Dividends declared per share	$ 1
Repurchases of common stock		(19)	(27,204)	(205,000)
Share-based compensation			27,208
Net issuance of common stock		4	$ (4)
Net income	$ 366,391			366,391
Dividends				(57,630)
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income tax expense (benefit)					15,299
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) not-other-than temporarily impaired					71,848
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) other-than-temporarily impaired					85
Balance, end of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 1,652,491	$ 412		$ 1,593,281	$ 58,798
Dividends declared per share	$ 1.36

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Change in future policy benefits and other policy liabilities	297,832	266,513	306,122
Deferral of policy acquisition costs	(424,106)	(432,390)	(422,749)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	254,552	239,730	209,399
Deferred tax provision	(841)	2,590	(53,788)
Change in income taxes	(5,187)	2,365	(2,159)
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	(4,965)	2,121	(1,339)
Accretion and amortization of investments	(720)	(1,894)	(1,596)
Depreciation and amortization	18,300	12,417	13,551
Change in reinsurance recoverables	(12,825)	37,261	9,124
Change in agent balances, due premiums and other receivables	(11,965)	14,383	(19,074)
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net	(29,601)	(8,808)	1,137
Share-based compensation	17,533	17,251	15,267
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net	21,115	2,434	(12,606)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	485,513	478,067	391,544
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed-maturity securities — sold	42,202	51,726	77,444
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called	403,969	362,413	223,088
Equity securities — sold			5,771
Short-term investments — matured or called	8,250
Equity securities — sold	3,136	2,093
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities	(633,106)	(626,826)	(430,452)
Equity securities			(400)
Short-term investments		(8,169)
Equity securities — acquired	(898)	(521)
Purchases of property and equipment and other investing activities, net	(25,437)	(13,517)	(6,752)
Cash collateral received (returned) on loaned securities, net	(23,839)	(37,224)	16,140
Sales (purchases) of short-term investments using securities lending collateral, net	23,839	37,224	(16,140)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(201,884)	(232,801)	(131,301)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid	(57,630)	(44,140)	(35,821)
Common stock repurchased	(225,037)	(210,146)	(150,038)
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation	(7,186)	(6,711)	(6,734)
Payment of deferred financing costs			(868)
Finance leases	(281)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(290,134)	(260,997)	(193,461)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	1,243	(2,093)	1,204
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(5,262)	(17,824)	67,986
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	262,138	279,962	211,976
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	256,876	262,138	279,962
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	115,051	88,348	83,304
Interest paid	$ 28,053	$ 27,899	$ 27,816

Description of Business, Basis

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 provider of financial products to middle-income households in the United States and Canada through a network of independent contractor sales representatives (“sales representatives” or “sales force”). 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, LLC (“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. Peach Re, Inc. (“Peach Re”) and Vidalia Re, Inc. (“Vidalia Re”) are 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”). Use of Estimates. 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 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 U.S. GAAP. 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. 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, are carried at fair value. • AFS short-term investments, consist of highly-liquid investments such as commercial paper and certificates of deposit, with remaining maturities greater than ninety days at the date of purchase, but not in excess of one year. These securities are carried at fair value. • Our held-to-maturity fixed-maturity security is carried at amortized cost. • Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of equity securities are included in realized investment gains (losses) in the period in which the change occurred. • Trading securities, which primarily consist of bonds held by PFS Investments, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are included in realized investment gains (losses) 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 (loss), 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 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 (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 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 (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Interest income on fixed-maturity securities and short-term investments 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. 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, 2019 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, which are included in other 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, 2019 2018 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 (82,035 ) 2,836 Total intangible assets $ 45,275 $ - $ 45,275 $ 130,146 $ (82,035 ) $ 48,111 We have an indefinite-lived intangible asset related to the 1989 purchase of the right to contract with the 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, 2019 and determined that no impairment had occurred. There have been no subsequent events requiring further analysis. We also had an amortizing intangible asset related to a 1995 sales agreement termination payment to Management Financial Services, Inc. This asset, which was fully amortized in 2019, was supported by a non-compete agreement with the founder of our business model that expired in 2019. We calculated the amortization of this contract buyout on a straight-line basis over 24 years, which represented the life of the non-compete agreement. Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.8 million in 2019, $3.4 million in 2018 and $3.4 million in 2017. 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 $15.7 million, $9.0 million, and $10.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Property and equipment balances were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Data processing equipment and software $ 86,794 $ 68,447 Leasehold improvements 19,079 16,531 Other, principally furniture and equipment 31,391 26,586 137,264 111,564 Accumulated depreciation (91,148 ) (75,568 ) Net property and equipment $ 46,116 $ 35,996 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 insurance contracts. Purchasers of variable insurance 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’ net 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 contract holders’ interests in the Funds’ net 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. Policyholder Liabilities. Future policy benefits are accrued over the current and renewal periods of the contracts. Liabilities for future policy benefits on traditional life insurance products are reserves established for death claims and waiver of premium benefits and have been computed using a net level method, using assumptions as to interest rates, mortality, persistency, disability rates 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, 2019 and 2018 ranged from 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 a premium deficiency is identified. 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. Unearned and Advance Premiums. Unearned and advance premiums primarily consist of premiums received from policyholders in advance of the premiums due date. Unearned and advance premiums are deferred upon collection and recognized as premiums revenue upon the premium due date. 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. 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 commissions and fees revenue from the sale of various non-life insurance products. Commissions revenue is generally received on the sale of mutual funds and annuities. We also receive trail commissions revenue from mutual fund and annuity products based on the net asset value of shares sold by us. We, in turn, pay sales commissions to the sales force. We also receive investment advisory and administrative fees based on the average daily net asset value of client assets held in managed investments programs and contracts related to separate account assets issued by Primerica Life Canada. We, in turn, pay asset-based commissions to the sales force. We earn recordkeeping fees for transfer agent recordkeeping services 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. See Note 18 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) for details related to our commission and fees revenues recognition policies. 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 consolidated statements 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 grant date, which occurs in the same quarter as the service period. To the extent 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 and amortize the fair value of the awards in the same manner as other deferred policy acquisition costs. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). The Company has outstanding 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 February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) (“ASC 842”), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the amendments in ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings was zero. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under ASC 842, which included not reassessing whether existing contracts contained leases and not reassessing the lease classification of existing leases. The effect of adopting ASC 842 resulted in an increase to both total assets and total liabilities of $52.7 million on January 1, 2019. The increase to both assets and liabilities is less than 1% of our total assets and total liabilities. The adjustment recognized upon adoption of ASC 842 included the recognition of our operating lease obligations and corresponding right-of-use assets on our consolidated balance sheet, which mainly consist of our executive office operations and other real estate leases of office space. The adoption of ASC 842 did not affect the Company’s results of operations or liquidity. The Company’s reporting for the comparative periods prior to adoption continues to be presented in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with previous lease accounting guidance, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840, Leases (“ASC 840”). Refer to Note 19 (Leases) for more information on leases. Future Application of Accounting Standards. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944) — Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (“ASU 2018-12”). The amendments in this update change accounting guidance for insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts, including term life insurance. ASU 2018-12 requires companies that issue long-duration insurance contracts to update assumptions used in measuring future policy benefits, including mortality and persistency, at least annually instead of locking those assumptions at contract inception and reflecting differences in assumptions and actual performance as the experience occurs. ASU 2018-12 also includes changes to how insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts amortize DAC and determine and update the discount rate assumptions used in measuring future policy benefits reserves while increasing the level of financial statement disclosures required. The guidance in ASU 2018-12 will be applied to the earliest period presented in the consolidated financial statements beginning on the effective date. In November 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944) – Effective Date, which defers the effective date of ASU 2018-12 for the Company by one year, from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022. We anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2018-12 will have a pervasive impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and will require changes to certain of our processes, systems, and controls. We are currently working on processes that will allow us to obtain the requisite data, enhance our valuation system, and develop key assumptions that will be necessary to evaluate and implement this standard. As such, we are unable to determine the magnitude of the impact ASU 2018-12 will have on our consolidated financial statements at this time. 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 do not expect the adoption of ASC 326 to result in any material changes to impairment losses recognized in our consolidated statements of income for AFS securities In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The guidance in ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2021. We do not expect the impact of ASU 2019-12 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Recently-issued accounting guidance not discussed above is not applicable, is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements, or did not or is not expected to have a material impact on our business.

Other Comprehensive Income

Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments: Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) before income taxes $ 15,299 $ (25,059 ) $ 17,383 Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) - - 195 Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes $ 15,299 $ (25,059 ) $ 17,188 Unrealized gain (losses) on available-for-sale securities: Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period before income taxes $ 91,160 $ (59,661 ) $ (3,950 ) Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period 19,427 (12,681 ) (1,765 ) Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes 71,733 (46,980 ) (2,185 ) Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities 253 (45 ) (1,589 ) Income tax (expense) benefit on (gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to net income 53 (9 ) (556 ) Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes 200 (36 ) (1,033 ) Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustment $ 71,933 $ (47,016 ) $ (3,218 )

Segment and Geographical Inform

Segment and Geographical Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 transfer agent recordkeeping functions and non-bank custodial services that we provide for certain mutual funds products 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Revenues: Term life insurance segment $ 1,227,231 $ 1,123,200 $ 992,224 Investment and savings products segment 691,608 655,076 572,747 Corporate and other distributed products segment 133,665 121,567 124,131 Total revenues $ 2,052,504 $ 1,899,843 $ 1,689,102 Net investment income: Term life insurance segment $ 19,922 $ 13,747 $ 9,931 Investment and savings products segment - - - Corporate and other distributed products segment 74,151 67,683 69,086 Total net investment income $ 94,073 $ 81,430 $ 79,017 Amortization of DAC: Term life insurance segment $ 248,711 $ 228,613 $ 201,751 Investment and savings products segment 4,549 9,766 6,168 Corporate and other distributed products segment 1,292 1,351 1,480 Total amortization of DAC $ 254,552 $ 239,730 $ 209,399 Non-cash share-based compensation expense: Term life insurance segment $ 3,605 $ 4,135 $ 2,662 Investment and savings products segment 3,440 2,695 2,208 Corporate and other distributed products segment 10,475 10,421 10,397 Total non-cash share-based compensation expense $ 17,520 $ 17,251 $ 15,267 Income (loss) before income taxes: Term life insurance segment $ 320,093 $ 281,904 $ 245,657 Investment and savings products segment 191,812 173,912 162,836 Corporate and other distributed products segment (34,794 ) (39,732 ) (28,973 ) Total income before income taxes $ 477,111 $ 416,084 $ 379,520 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 using methods expected to reasonably measure the benefit received by each reporting segment. Such methods include time studies, recorded usage, revenue distribution, and sales force representative distribution. These allocated items include fees charged for access to Primerica Online (“POL”) and costs incurred for technology, sales force support, occupancy and other general and administrative costs. Costs that are not directly charged or allocated to our two primary operating segments are included in our Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment. Total assets by segment were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Assets: Term life insurance segment $ 6,546,129 $ 6,322,555 $ 6,205,837 Investment and savings products segment (1) 2,598,493 2,298,238 2,684,717 Corporate and other distributed products segment 4,543,909 3,974,255 3,570,149 Total assets $ 13,688,531 $ 12,595,048 $ 12,460,703 (1) The Investment and Savings Products segment includes assets held in separate accounts. Excluding separate accounts, the Investment and Savings Products segment assets were $112.8 million, $102.8 million, and $112.0 million as of December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. 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 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Revenues by country: United States $ 1,747,609 $ 1,607,140 $ 1,419,658 Canada 304,895 292,703 269,444 Total revenues $ 2,052,504 $ 1,899,843 $ 1,689,102 Income before income taxes by country: United States $ 390,431 $ 337,914 $ 299,764 Canada 86,680 78,170 79,756 Total income before income taxes $ 477,111 $ 416,084 $ 379,520 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Long-lived assets by country: United States $ 41,200 $ 30,999 $ 27,443 Canada 4,916 4,997 656 Total long-lived assets $ 46,116 $ 35,996 $ 28,099

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 securities were as follows: December 31, 2019 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 $ 10,197 $ 287 $ - $ 10,484 Foreign government 154,945 6,362 (235 ) 161,072 States and political subdivisions 120,000 3,288 (695 ) 122,593 Corporates 1,436,877 63,892 (1,118 ) 1,499,651 Residential mortgage-backed securities 305,897 6,848 (222 ) 312,523 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 128,913 3,191 (99 ) 132,005 Other asset-backed securities 117,941 970 (243 ) 118,668 Total fixed-maturity securities 2,274,770 84,838 (2,612 ) 2,356,996 Short-term investments - - - - Total fixed-maturity and short-term investments $ 2,274,770 $ 84,838 $ (2,612 ) $ 2,356,996 December 31, 2018 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 $ 12,115 $ 176 $ (58 ) $ 12,233 Foreign government 155,723 3,347 (958 ) 158,112 States and political subdivisions 59,075 1,202 (271 ) 60,006 Corporates 1,447,075 11,916 (24,773 ) 1,434,218 Residential mortgage-backed securities 191,245 2,439 (1,733 ) 191,951 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 131,279 1,712 (1,636 ) 131,355 Other asset-backed securities 82,310 205 (755 ) 81,760 Total fixed-maturity securities (1) 2,078,822 20,997 (30,184 ) 2,069,635 Short-term investments 8,171 - - 8,171 Total fixed-maturity and short-term investments $ 2,086,993 $ 20,997 $ (30,184 ) $ 2,077,806 (1) Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). All of our AFS mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent beneficial 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 securities portfolio as of December 31, 2019 was as follows: Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 206,168 $ 207,483 Due after one year through five years 929,957 964,738 Due after five years through 10 years 461,081 488,466 Due after 10 years 124,813 133,113 1,722,019 1,793,800 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 552,751 563,196 Total AFS fixed-maturity securities $ 2,274,770 $ 2,356,996 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, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities including OTTI: Available-for-sale securities $ 82,226 $ (9,187 ) OTTI 40 147 Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities excluding OTTI 82,266 (9,040 ) Deferred income taxes (17,671 ) 1,787 Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities excluding OTTI, net of tax $ 64,595 $ (7,253 ) Trading Securities. The costs and fair values of the fixed-maturity securities classified as trading securities were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cost Fair value Cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities $ 43,257 $ 43,233 $ 13,597 $ 13,610 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, 2019, the LLC Note, which was rated A+ by Fitch Ratings, had an estimated unrealized holding gain of $114.7 million based on its amortized cost and estimated fair value. The estimated fair value of the LLC Note is expected to be at least equal to the estimated fair value of the offsetting Surplus Note. See Note 5 (Fair Value of Financial Instruments) for information on the fair value of our financial instruments and 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 $7.5 million and $10.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 $28.7 million and $52.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 81,828 $ 79,356 $ 76,877 Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity) 48,325 37,485 26,865 Equity securities 1,845 1,955 2,095 Policy loans and other invested assets 1,069 1,159 1,179 Cash and cash equivalents 4,758 3,433 1,357 Total return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement (1) 13,429 3,643 2,970 Gross investment income 151,254 127,031 111,343 Investment expenses (8,856 ) (8,116 ) (5,461 ) Investment income net of investment expenses 142,398 118,915 105,882 Interest expense on surplus note (48,325 ) (37,485 ) (26,865 ) Net investment income $ 94,073 $ 81,430 $ 79,017 (1) Includes $5.4 million of net gains and $1.7 million of net losses recognized for the change in fair value of the deposit asset underlying the 10% The components of net realized investment gains (losses), as well as details on gross realized investment gains and (losses) were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net realized investment gains (losses): Gross gains from sales of available-for-sale securities $ 1,373 $ 1,162 $ 3,249 Gross losses from sales of available-for-sale securities (293 ) (965 ) (107 ) OTTI losses of available-for-sale securities (1,333 ) (152 ) (1,553 ) Net gains (losses) recognized in net income during the period on equity securities 5,207 (2,456 ) - Gains (losses) from bifurcated options - 290 (250 ) Gains (losses) on trading securities 11 - - Net realized investment gains (losses) $ 4,965 $ (2,121 ) $ 1,339 The proceeds from sales or other redemptions of available-for-sale securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Proceeds from sales or other redemptions $ 454,421 $ 414,138 $ 306,303 The components of net gains (losses) recognized in net income on equity securities still held as of period-end were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities $ 5,207 $ (2,456 ) $ - Less: Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold (254 ) (48 ) - Net gains (losses) recognized in net income on equity securities still held as of period-end $ 5,461 $ (2,408 ) $ - OTTI. We conduct a review each quarter to identify and evaluate impaired investments that have indications of possible OTTI. An investment in a debt 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. 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 investments, as required based on the type of investment; and • Analysis of downward credit migrations that occurred during the quarter. The amortized costs of AFS securities with a cost basis in excess of their fair values were $234.8 million and $1,239.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019 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 $ - $ - - $ - $ - - Foreign government 11,824 (144 ) 14 8,578 (91 ) 7 States and political subdivisions 39,379 (690 ) 21 4,000 (5 ) 4 Corporates 52,474 (453 ) 40 21,739 (665 ) 19 Residential mortgage-backed securities 40,690 (207 ) 20 2,071 (15 ) 3 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 11,526 (28 ) 13 12,835 (71 ) 16 Other asset-backed securities 22,501 (190 ) 17 4,613 (53 ) 20 Total fixed-maturity securities $ 178,394 $ (1,712 ) $ 53,836 $ (900 ) December 31, 2018 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 $ 1,668 $ (10 ) 1 $ 4,541 $ (48 ) 6 Foreign government 7,326 (170 ) 7 52,086 (788 ) 54 States and political subdivisions 2,644 (9 ) 3 23,324 (262 ) 20 Corporates 489,880 (10,649 ) 396 360,516 (14,124 ) 321 Residential mortgage-backed securities 32,725 (86 ) 14 71,308 (1,647 ) 41 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 31,129 (173 ) 20 78,911 (1,463 ) 77 Other asset-backed securities 19,363 (184 ) 35 33,989 (571 ) 41 Total fixed-maturity securities $ 584,735 $ (11,281 ) $ 624,675 $ (18,903 ) As of December 31, 2019, the unrealized losses on our AFS invested asset portfolio were largely caused by interest rate sensitivity and, to a lesser extent, 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. The amortized cost and fair value of AFS fixed-maturity securities in default were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities in default $ - $ 240 $ 3 $ 227 OTTI recognized in earnings on AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) OTTI on fixed-maturity securities not in default $ 1,330 $ 152 $ 1,001 OTTI on fixed-maturity securities in default 3 - 267 OTTI on equity securities (1) - - 285 Total OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,333 $ 152 $ 1,553 (1) Subsequent to the adoption of ASU Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . 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 recognize OTTI related to invested assets held at the Parent Company that we intend to sell to fund share repurchases where we do not expect to recover its cost basis. OTTI recognized in earnings for AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (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 $ 3 $ 152 $ 1,476 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 before recovery 3 152 1,329 OTTI recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery 1,330 - 224 OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,333 $ 152 $ 1,553 The rollforward of the OTTI recognized in net income for all AFS fixed-maturity securities still held was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, beginning of period $ 2,511 $ 4,346 Additions for securities where no OTTI were recognized prior to the beginning of the period 1,126 - Additions for securities where OTTI have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period 207 152 Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit-impaired securities (543 ) (1,987 ) Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired - - Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, end of period $ 3,301 $ 2,511 As of December 31, 2019, no OTTI have been recognized on the LLC Note held-to-maturity security. Derivatives. 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 (loss) was $26.4 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. 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, 2019
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 or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Invested assets recorded at fair value are measured and classified in accordance with a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on 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 levels: • Level 1. Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Level 1 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; and certain mortgage- and asset-backed securities; 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 and equity 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 in the hierarchy) 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, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 10,484 $ - $ 10,484 Foreign government - 161,072 - 161,072 States and political subdivisions - 122,593 - 122,593 Corporates 5,865 1,493,786 - 1,499,651 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 312,497 26 312,523 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 132,005 - 132,005 Other asset-backed securities - 118,244 424 118,668 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 5,865 2,350,681 450 2,356,996 Short-term investments - - - - Total available-for-sale securities 5,865 2,350,681 450 2,356,996 Equity securities 39,499 1,050 135 40,684 Trading securities - 43,233 - 43,233 Separate accounts - 2,485,745 - 2,485,745 Total fair value assets $ 45,364 $ 4,880,709 $ 585 $ 4,926,658 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,485,745 $ - $ 2,485,745 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,485,745 $ - $ 2,485,745 December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 12,233 $ - $ 12,233 Foreign government - 158,112 - 158,112 States and political subdivisions - 60,006 - 60,006 Corporates 2,869 1,431,346 3 1,434,218 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 191,720 231 191,951 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 131,355 - 131,355 Other asset-backed securities - 81,259 501 81,760 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 2,869 2,066,031 735 2,069,635 Short-term investments - 8,171 - 8,171 Total available-for-sale securities 2,869 2,074,202 735 2,077,806 Equity securities 36,473 1,020 186 37,679 Trading securities - 13,610 - 13,610 Separate accounts - 2,195,501 - 2,195,501 Total fair value assets $ 39,342 $ 4,284,333 $ 921 $ 4,324,596 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,195,501 $ - $ 2,195,501 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,195,501 $ - $ 2,195,501 In estimating fair value of our investments, we use a third-party pricing service for approximately 95% of our securities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The remaining securities are primarily thinly traded securities, 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), liquidity and yield based on quality rating, average life and U.S. Treasury yields. All observable data inputs are corroborated by independent third-party data. We also corroborate pricing information provided by our third-party pricing service 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 year and as of year-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 one or more of these input 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 U.S. 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, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Level 3 assets, beginning of period $ 921 $ 567 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (18 ) (8 ) Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI (52 ) 38 Purchases - 500 Settlements (197 ) (169 ) Transfers into Level 3 424 - Transfers out of Level 3 (493 ) (7 ) Level 3 assets, end of period $ 585 $ 921 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. There were no material transfers between Level 1 and Level 3 during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The carrying values and estimated fair values of our financial instruments were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying value Estimated fair value Carrying value Estimated fair value (In thousands) Assets: Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 2,356,996 $ 2,356,996 $ 2,069,635 $ 2,069,635 Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity) (3) 1,184,370 1,299,102 970,390 945,331 Short-term investments (available-for-sale) - - 8,171 8,171 Equity securities 40,684 40,684 37,679 37,679 Trading securities 43,233 43,233 13,610 13,610 Policy loans (3) 32,927 32,927 31,501 31,501 Deposit asset underlying 10% (3) 233,499 233,499 228,974 228,974 Separate accounts 2,485,745 2,485,745 2,195,501 2,195,501 Liabilities: Notes payable (1) (2) 374,037 395,522 373,661 384,909 Surplus note (1) (3) 1,183,728 1,296,972 969,685 945,331 Separate accounts 2,485,745 2,485,745 2,195,501 2,195,501 (1) Carrying value amounts shown are net of issuance costs. (2) Classified as level 2 fair value measurement. (3) Classified as level 3 fair value measurement. 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. Financial Instruments Recognized at Fair Value in the Balance Sheet. Estimated fair values of investments in AFS 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 and 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. 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, 2019
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. For the year ended December 31, 2019 we recognized credit losses of $2.3 million for claims ceded on a closed block of business as a result of one of our reinsurance counterparties being ordered into receivership. No credit losses were experienced by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 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 $24.3 million and $24.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Benefits and claims ceded to reinsurers for 2019, 2018, and 2017 were $1,311.3 million, $1,279.0 million, and $1,337.3 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. In a fourth IPO coinsurance agreement, (the “10% Coinsurance Agreement”), we ceded to Prime Reinsurance Company (“Prime Re”), an affiliate of Citigroup, 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 $233.5 million and $229.0 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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. The finance charge on the statutory reserves in excess of economic reserves funded by Prime Re in support of the 10% Coinsurance Agreement is 0.5 % per annum and is reflected in interest expense in our consolidated statements of income. The following table represents the Company’s in-force life insurance as of December 31, 2019 and 2018: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Direct life insurance in force $ 810,995,295 $ 783,979,673 Amounts ceded to other companies (702,727,956 ) (682,708,797 ) Net life insurance in force $ 108,267,339 $ 101,270,876 Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force 87 % 87 % Reinsurance recoverables includes ceded reserve balances and ceded claim liabilities. Reinsurance recoverables and financial strength ratings by reinsurer were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating (In thousands) Pecan Re Inc. (1) (2) $ 2,696,924 NR $ 2,701,326 NR SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies (3) 352,049 A+ 348,109 A+ Munich Re of Malta (2) (5) 286,433 NR 276,154 NR Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (4) 233,572 A+ 234,643 A+ American Health and Life Insurance Company (2) 167,471 B++ 170,628 B+ Munich American Reassurance Company 118,372 A+ 114,604 A+ Korean Reinsurance Company 108,410 A 104,101 A RGA Reinsurance Company 100,328 A+ 90,989 A+ Hannover Life Reassurance Company 33,772 A+ 31,729 A+ TOA Reinsurance Company 26,160 A 25,434 A All other reinsurers 46,332 - 43,852 - Reinsurance recoverables $ 4,169,823 $ 4,141,569 NR – not rated (1) Pecan Re Inc. (“Pecan Re”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (“Swiss Re”). (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, 2019
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 uses assumptions regarding persistency, expenses, interest rates and mortality consistent with the assumptions used to calculate future policy benefit reserves. 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. 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) DAC balance, beginning of period $ 2,133,920 $ 1,951,892 $ 1,713,065 Capitalization 433,769 441,874 433,575 Amortization (254,552 ) (239,730 ) (209,399 ) Foreign exchange translation and other 12,613 (20,116 ) 14,651 DAC balance, end of period $ 2,325,750 $ 2,133,920 $ 1,951,892

Separate Accounts

Separate Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Fixed-income securities $ 970,098 $ 996,014 Equity securities 1,318,351 1,150,848 Cash and cash equivalents 199,723 50,041 Due to/from funds (2,489 ) (1,494 ) Other 62 92 Total separate accounts assets $ 2,485,745 $ 2,195,501

Policy Claims and Other Benefit

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period $ 313,862 $ 307,401 $ 268,136 Less reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 318,653 322,137 323,195 Net balance, beginning of period (4,791 ) (14,736 ) (55,059 ) Incurred related to current year 186,857 176,854 162,256 Incurred related to prior years (1) (869 ) (1,355 ) 2,230 Total incurred 185,988 175,499 164,486 Claims paid related to current year, net of reinsured policy claims received (244,997 ) (187,453 ) (181,670 ) Reinsured policy claims received related to prior years, net of claims paid 14,614 22,426 57,192 Total paid (230,383 ) (165,027 ) (124,478 ) Foreign currency translation 343 (527 ) 315 Net balance, end of period (48,843 ) (4,791 ) (14,736 ) Add reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 388,797 318,653 322,137 Balance, end of period $ 339,954 $ 313,862 $ 307,401 (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, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	(10) Debt Notes Payable. Notes payable consisted of the following: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) 4.75% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022 $ 375,000 $ 375,000 Unamortized issuance discount on notes payable (174 ) (239 ) Total notes payable $ 374,826 $ 374,761 As of December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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, 2019. 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. As of December 31, 2019, the principal amount outstanding on the Surplus Note issued by Vidalia Re was $1.2 billion, which is equal to the principal amount of the LLC Note. The principal amount of both the Surplus Note and the LLC Note will fluctuate over time to coincide with the amount of policy reserves being 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%. Based on the estimated reserves for policies issued in 2011 through 2017 that have been ceded under the Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement, the principal amounts of the Surplus Note and the LLC Note are expected to reach $1.5 billion each. This financing arrangement is 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 LLC Note’s 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. See Note 4 (Investments) for more information on the LLC Note. Revolving Credit Facility. We maintain an unsecured $200.0 million revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of commercial banks that has a scheduled termination date of December 19, 2022. 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 contains language that allows for the Company and the lenders to agree on a comparable or successor reference rate in the event LIBOR is not available, as is expected to happen in 2022. 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 redit Facility. As of December 31, 2019, 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 during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(11) Income Taxes Income tax expense. Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Current Deferred Total (In thousands) Year ended December 31, 2019 Federal $ 76,289 $ 6,628 $ 82,917 Foreign 32,239 (7,469 ) 24,770 State and local 3,033 - 3,033 Total tax expense $ 111,561 $ (841 ) $ 110,720 Year ended December 31, 2018 Federal $ 50,691 $ 17,399 $ 68,090 Foreign 36,028 (14,809 ) 21,219 State and local 2,681 - 2,681 Total tax expense $ 89,400 $ 2,590 $ 91,990 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 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 21% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and 35% for the year ended December 31, 2017. The reconciliation for such difference follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage (Dollars in thousands) Computed tax expense $ 100,193 21.0 % $ 87,378 21.0 % $ 132,832 35.0 % Difference between foreign statutory rate and U.S. statutory rate 4,898 1.0 % 4,474 1.1 % (6,668 ) (1.8 )% Transition impact of the Tax Reform Act (1) - — % (2,737 ) (.7 )% (95,457 ) (25.1 )% Recognition of foreign tax credits - — % (6,069 ) (1.5 )% (40,386 ) (10.6 )% Change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits - — % 6,069 1.5 % 40,386 10.6 % Other 5,629 1.2 % 2,875 0.7 % (1,442 ) (0.4 )% Total tax expense / effective rate $ 110,720 23.2 % $ 91,990 22.1 % $ 29,265 7.7 % (1) 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 introduced 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 recognized the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act as of December 31, 2017. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which allowed companies to recognize provisional amounts for the tax effects resulting from the enactment of the Tax Reform Act for which the accounting under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740") was incomplete as of December 31, 2017 but a reasonable estimate could be determined. Adjustments to these provisional amounts were to be completed within a measurement period not to exceed one year. Amounts recognized by the Company as of December 31, 2017 represented reasonable estimates based on obtaining, preparing, and analyzing the information necessary at that time to account for the tax effects of the Tax Reform Act under ASC 740. Deferred tax assets and liabilities. The main components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims $ 245,247 $ 218,461 Intangibles and tax goodwill 14,713 17,115 Future deductible liabilities 17,920 13,372 State income taxes 12,940 12,755 Foreign tax credits 46,455 46,455 Other 13,962 12,653 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 351,237 320,811 Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits (46,455 ) (46,455 ) Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance $ 304,782 $ 274,356 Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs (314,969 ) (293,729 ) Investments (17,630 ) - Transitional amount for future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act (15,256 ) (17,798 ) Unremitted earnings on foreign subsidiaries (5,772 ) (4,669 ) Reinsurance deposit asset (49,035 ) (48,085 ) Other (21,645 ) (15,144 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (424,307 ) (379,425 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (119,525 ) $ (105,069 ) 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 respective jurisdictional tax codes in the U.S. and Canada. 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. The Company has state net operating losses resulting in a deferred tax asset of approximately $12.2 million, which are available for use through 2037. 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, 2019, management identified excess foreign tax credits of approximately $46.5 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. These foreign tax credits are available for use through 2027. 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 as of December 31, 2019 or 2018. Controlled foreign corporations . The Company has direct ownership of a group of controlled foreign corporations in Canada. We have not made a permanent reinvestment assertion for any unremitted earnings in Canada; therefore, we have recorded a deferred tax liability to account for Canadian withholding taxes that will occur upon repatriation of such earnings and we continue to record deferred tax liabilities to account for Canadian withholding taxes as earnings are recognized. The Company has no intentions to sell or substantially liquidate our Canadian operations and, therefore, has not provided for any additional outside basis difference for the amount of book basis in excess of tax basis in its Canadian subsidiaries. In addition, 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 $14.7 million and $13.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We recognize interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense net of federal income tax. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties in the consolidated balance sheets was $2.3 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, we recognized less than $0.3 million of interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017. A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 15,173 $ 14,385 Change in prior period unrecognized tax benefits (583 ) (101 ) Change in current period unrecognized tax benefits 3,036 3,105 Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations (1,821 ) (2,216 ) Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period $ 15,805 $ 15,173 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, 2016 and thereafter for federal income tax purposes. We are currently open to audit in Canada for tax years ended December 31, 2015 and thereafter for federal and provincial income tax purposes.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Common stock, beginning of period 42,694 44,251 45,721 Shares issued for stock options exercised 4 33 38 Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of RSUs 438 528 504 Common stock retired (1,929 ) (2,118 ) (2,012 ) Common stock, end of period 41,207 42,694 44,251 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, 2019, we had a total of 360,220 RSUs and 92,108 PSUs outstanding. The PSU outstanding balance is based on the number of PSUs granted pursuant to the award agreement; however, the actual number of common shares earned could be higher or lower based on actual versus targeted performance. See Note 14 (Share Based Transactions) for a discussion of the PSU award structure. On February 7, 2019 our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Basic EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (1,654 ) (1,893 ) (2,526 ) Net income used in calculating basic EPS $ 364,737 $ 322,201 $ 347,729 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 42,181 43,854 45,598 Basic EPS $ 8.65 $ 7.35 $ 7.63 Diluted EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (1,650 ) (1,888 ) (2,521 ) Net income used in calculating diluted EPS $ 364,741 $ 322,206 $ 347,734 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 42,181 43,854 45,598 Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for contingently-issuable shares 133 131 91 Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS 42,314 43,985 45,689 Diluted EPS $ 8.62 $ 7.33 $ 7.61

Share-Based Transactions

Share-Based Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, and stock payment awards, 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, 2019, we had 1.5 million shares available for future grants under this plan. Employee and Director Share-Based Compensation. As of December 31, 2019, 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 generally have time-based vesting requirements with equal and annual graded vesting over approximately three years subsequent to the grant date, but also generally 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 quarterly graded vesting over four quarters • 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 RSU share-based compensation: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Total equity awards expense recognized $ 10,557 $ 10,684 $ 11,364 Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation 1,434 1,495 1,893 The following table summarizes employee and director RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) 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 Granted 106 100.00 Forfeited - (1 ) 82.20 Vested (186 ) 58.51 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2018 232 78.22 Granted 93 123.04 Forfeited - (1 ) 104.38 Vested (145 ) 70.53 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2019 180 107.59 (1) Less than 1,000 shares As of December 31, 2019, total compensation cost not yet recognized in our consolidated financial statements related to employee and director RSU awards with time-based vesting conditions yet to be reached was $4.2 million, and the weighted-average period over which cost will be recognized was 0.8 year. PSUs. The Company issues PSUs to certain of its executive officers under the OIP as part of their annual equity compensation. To date, PSU awards have included a performance target of a specified average annual Return on Adjusted Equity (“ROAE”) for the Company over a three-year 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Total employee PSU award expense $ 3,516 $ 3,240 $ 2,761 Tax benefit associated with total employee PSU award expense - 191 187 The following table summarizes PSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2016 18 $ 41.88 Granted 36 80.45 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2017 (1) 54 67.42 Granted 31 100.55 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2018 (2) 85 79.34 Granted 25 122.62 Forfeited - - Performance Adjustment 4 41.88 Vested (23 ) 41.88 Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2019 (3) 92 98.79 (1) The 2017 PSU awards outstanding are based on target. Based on the actual ROAE achieved within the three-year performance period ended December 31, 2019, recipients will receive 41,162 shares of common stock on the vesting date, March 1, 2020. (2) The 2018 PSU awards outstanding are based on target. Depending upon the ROAE achieved within the performance period, recipients may receive between 0 and 45,869 shares of common stock. (3) The 2019 PSU awards outstanding are based on target. Depending upon the ROAE achieved within the performance period, recipients may receive between 0 and 38,225 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2019 total unrecognized compensation related PSU awards was $0.6 million, and the weighted-average period over which cost was 0.9 years. Stock Options. From 2013 to 2016, the Company issued stock options to certain of its executive officers under the OIP as part of their annual equity compensation. Stock options were 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 had time-based restrictions with equal and annual graded vesting over a three-year Compensation expense and related tax benefits recognized for stock option awards were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Expense recognized for stock option awards $ 6 $ 39 $ 162 Tax benefit recognized for stock option awards - 8 37 The following table summarizes activity related to stock options outstanding and exercisable during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017: Outstanding Exercisable Number of shares Weighted average exercise price Number of shares Weighted average exercise price (Shares in thousands) 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 Granted - - Exercised (33 ) 47.59 Outstanding at December 31, 2018 74 44.07 44 45.55 Granted - - Exercised (4 ) 41.20 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 70 44.23 70 44.23 Range of granted option exercise prices outstanding at December 31, 2019 $41.20 (average term remaining - 4.1 years) 4 $ 41.20 4 $ 41.20 $53.50 (average term remaining - 5.2 years) 14 53.50 14 53.50 $41.88 (average term remaining - 6.2 years) 52 41.88 52 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, 2019. December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options $ 6,036 Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest - Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding $ 6,036 The intrinsic value, tax benefit realized and value of shares withheld related to option exercise activity are summarized as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 369 $ 1,953 $ 1,453 Tax benefit realized from the options exercised - - 509 Value of issued shares withheld to satisfy option exercise price 161 1,562 1,673 As of December 31, 2019, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding options. Non-Employee Share-Based Compensation. Non-employee share-based transactions relate to the granting of RSUs to members of the 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 quarter ly reporting period . The following table summarizes non-employee RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) 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 Granted 124 102.43 Vested (122 ) 101.01 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2018 34 97.71 Granted 105 124.51 Vested (115 ) 115.01 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2019 24 132.68 Agent equity awards are measured using the fair market value at the grant date and vest during the service period, which occur within the same quarterly reporting period. Equity awards granted to the sales force prior to 2018 contained sales restrictions that expired over three years. Because of such sales restrictions, the fair market value of the awards incorporated an illiquidity discount reflecting the risk associated with the post-vesting restrictions. To quantify this discount for each award, we used 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. Starting in 2018, equity awards granted under quarterly contests no longer contain sales restrictions, thereby eliminating the need to incorporate an illiquidity discount. Awards granted before January 2018 maintain the post-vesting sales restrictions established at the time of grant. The most significant assumptions in estimating the illiquidity discount for awards granted prior to 2018 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 granted to agents prior to 2018: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Expected volatility n/a n/a 18% to 34% Quarterly dividends expected n/a n/a $0.19 to $0.20 Risk-free interest rates n/a n/a Less than 3% 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, 2019 2018 2017 (Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts) Total quarterly non-employee RSUs granted 105,348 124,471 155,996 Measurement date per-share fair value of awards $118.11 to $132.68 $96.60 to $120.55 $67.82 to $91.88 Illiquidity discounts n/a n/a 10 % Quarterly incentive awards expense recognized currently $ 3,441 $ 3,288 $ 980 Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred 9,663 9,484 10,821 Tax benefit associated with incentive awards 2,465 2,437 2,259 As of December 31, 2019, all agent equity awards were fully vested with the exception of approximately 24 thousand shares that will vest on January 1, 2020.

Statutory Accounting and Divide

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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. NBLIC’s statutory financial statements are prepared on the basis of accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the NAIC or 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 Law 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 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Statutory capital and surplus $ 666,005 $ 674,165 Primerica Life’s statutory net gain from operations was $508.6 million, $547.9 million, and $398.8 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Primerica Life made no pro rata distributions of any class of its own securities during 2019. During 2019, Primerica Life paid ordinary dividends of $270.0 million to the Parent Company. As of January 1, 2020, the amount of dividends Primerica Life could pay from statutory unassigned surplus without prior approval of the commissioner of the Tennessee DOCI was $168.3 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. Peach Re was formed as a special-purpose financial captive insurance company and, with the explicit permission of the Vermont DOI, has included the value of a letter of credit serving as collateral for its policy reserves as an admitted asset in its statutory capital and surplus. This permitted accounting practice was critical to the organization and operational plans of Peach Re and explicitly included in the licensing order issued by the Vermont DOI. The impact of this permitted practice as of December 31, 2019 was $247.6 million on Peach Re’s statutory capital and surplus. As of December 31, 2019, even if Peach Re had not been permitted to include the letter of credit as an admitted asset, Primerica Life would not have been below the minimum statutory capital and surplus level that triggers a regulatory action event. There are no other permitted accounting practices that are not encompassed in prescribed statutory accounting practices. 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, 2019 and 2018, Primerica Life Canada’s statutory capital and surplus satisfied regulatory requirements and was $454.6 million and $377.6 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, 2020 is estimated to be $107.3 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, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities	(16) Commitments and Contingent Liabilities Letter of Credit. Peach Re maintains a Credit Facility Agreement with Deutsche Bank (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) to support certain obligations for a portion of the 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 expiring on December 31, 2025 (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. As of December 31, 2019, the amount outstanding under the LOC was $247.6 million. This amount will continue to decline over the remaining term of the LOC to correspond with declines in the Regulation XXX reserve. 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, 2019, 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 audits 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 Plan

Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 $8.9 million, $8.4 million, and $7.7 million in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Revenue from Contracts with Cus

Revenue from Contracts with Customers	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customers	(18) Revenue from Contracts with Customers Our revenues from contracts with customers primarily include: • Commissions and fees earned for the marketing and distribution of investment and savings products underwritten by mutual fund companies and annuity providers. For purposes of revenue recognition, mutual fund companies and annuity providers are considered the customers in marketing and distribution arrangements. • Fees earned for investment advisory and administrative services within our managed investments programs. • Account-based fees for transfer agent recordkeeping functions and non-bank custodial services. • Fees associated with the distribution of other third-party financial products. • Other revenue from the sale of miscellaneous products and services including monthly subscription fees from the sales representatives for access to POL, our primary sales force support tool. Premiums from insurance contracts we underwrite, fees received from segregated funds insurance contracts, and income earned on our invested assets are excluded from the definition of revenues from contracts with customers in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The disaggregation of our revenues from contracts with customers were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Term Life Insurance segment revenues: Other, net $ 40,848 $ 42,374 $ 41,236 Total segment revenues from contracts with customers 40,848 42,374 41,236 Revenues from sources other than contracts with customers 1,186,383 1,080,826 950,988 Total Term Life Insurance segment revenues $ 1,227,231 $ 1,123,200 $ 992,224 Investment and Savings Products segment revenues: Commissions and fees: Sales-based revenues $ 282,887 $ 259,991 $ 233,005 Asset-based revenues 260,451 245,295 216,527 Account-based revenues 80,555 81,802 55,030 Other, net 10,017 9,631 9,555 Total segment revenues from contracts with customers 633,910 596,719 514,117 Revenues from sources other than contracts with customers (segregated funds) 57,698 58,357 58,630 Total Investment and Savings Products segment revenues $ 691,608 $ 655,076 $ 572,747 Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment revenues: Commissions and fees (1) $ 32,213 $ 32,162 $ 28,125 Other, net 4,660 4,982 5,300 Total segment revenues from contracts with customers 36,873 37,144 33,425 Revenues from sources other than contracts with customers 96,792 84,423 90,706 Total Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment revenues $ 133,665 $ 121,567 $ 124,131 (1) Commissions and fees for the year ended December 31, 2019 to performance obligations satisfied in a previous reporting period and represent the collection of variable consideration in the transaction price that had been previously constrained. We recognize revenue upon the satisfaction of the related performance obligation, unless the transaction price includes variable consideration that is constrained; in such case, we recognize revenue when the uncertainty associated with the constrained amount is subsequently resolved. Variable consideration is not treated as constrained to the extent it is probable that no significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. We have no material obligations for refunds of commission and fees on contracts with customers subsequent to completion of our performance obligation. Investment and Savings Products Marketing and Distribution Services. We receive commissions and fees from mutual fund companies and annuity providers for the marketing and distribution by the licensed sales representatives of investment and savings products underwritten by such companies and providers. We recognize the sales-based marketing and distribution revenue received from such companies and providers at the point in time our performance obligation to them is satisfied, which is the trade date. The sales-based commissions from mutual fund companies and annuity providers are known and are due at the same time our performance obligation to such mutual fund companies and annuity providers is satisfied. We also receive ongoing asset-based commissions from mutual fund companies and annuity providers each reporting period based on client asset values. We do not recognize revenue for asset-based marketing and distribution commissions until the end of each subsequent reporting period when the amount becomes known and due from mutual fund companies or annuity providers as this revenue represents variable consideration that is fully constrained at the point in time our distinct performance obligation to mutual fund companies and annuity providers is satisfied. We consider variable consideration in the form of asset-based marketing and distribution commissions to be fully constrained as the amounts we will be entitled to collect are highly uncertain and susceptible to factors outside of our control. Such factors include the market values of assets under management and the length of time investors hold their accounts. Asset-based marketing and distribution commissions recognized during the current period are almost exclusively attributable to distinct performance obligations satisfied to mutual fund companies and annuity providers in previous periods. Investment Advisory and Administrative Services. We provide investment advisory and administrative services over time to investors in the managed investments programs we offer. We recognize revenue as our performance obligation is satisfied over time for daily investment advisory and administrative services that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of delivery. Fees for these services, which are based on a percentage of client assets in managed investment programs, become known and are charged to investors during the same reporting period in which the daily investment advisory and administrative services are performed. Account-based Services. We provide distinct transfer agent recordkeeping services for certain mutual funds we distribute and non-bank custodial services to investors purchasing investment products we distribute through qualified retirement accounts in the United States. Fees charged for these account-based services consist primarily of a stated fee for each investment position or each qualified retirement account. Generally, our performance obligation for each account-based service arrangement is satisfied over time and is substantially the same with the same pattern of delivery. We recognize revenue to which we are entitled for each investment position or each qualified account over time based on the time-based pro-rata amount earned each reporting period. Distribution of Other Third-party Financial Products. We distribute various other financial products on behalf of third parties to consumers. We receive upfront commissions and/or renewal commissions from product providers for sales of other financial product sales we have arranged. We recognize revenue at the point in time our performance obligation to product providers is satisfied, which is generally on the date the financial product is purchased by the consumer from the product provider. For certain financial products, most notably prepaid legal subscriptions and auto and homeowners’ insurance referrals, we receive ongoing renewal commissions that coincide with recurring payments received by product providers from active subscribers or policyholders. Ongoing renewal commissions represent variable consideration that will not be resolved until after the reporting period in which our performance obligation has been satisfied. We estimate variable consideration in the transaction price for these financial products (with the exception of miscellaneous products for which we expect nominal ongoing commissions) as the expected amount of commissions to be received over the life of the subscription or referred policy and apply a constraint so that it is probable that a subsequent change in estimate will not result in a significant revenue reversal. Management judgment primarily is required to determine the average life of a subscription or referred policy, which we establish based on historical information. We recognize variable consideration in excess of the amount constrained in subsequent reporting periods when the uncertainty is resolved and the excess amounts are due from the product providers. Revenue for Other Services. We recognize revenue from the sale of other miscellaneous products and services, including monthly subscription fees from the sales representatives for access to POL, upon the transfer of the promised product or service. For POL subscriptions, we satisfy our performance obligation by providing subscribers access to the promised services over time during each monthly subscription period. Revenue recognized from the sale of other miscellaneous products and services becomes known and charged at the same time we satisfy the corresponding performance obligation. Contract Balances. For revenue associated with ongoing renewal commissions on other distributed financial products, we record a contract asset for the amount of ongoing renewal commissions we anticipate collecting in reporting periods subsequent to the sale or referral, less amounts that are constrained in other assets. The contract asset is reduced for commissions that are billed and become due receivables from product providers during the reporting period. Activity in the contract asset account was as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 50,119 $ 48,533 Current period sales, net of collection of renewal commissions 1,582 1,586 Balance, at the end of period $ 51,701 $ 50,119 (1) (1) Reclassed to Other assets from Agents balances, due premiums and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets to conform with current year reporting. No significant estimate adjustments were made to the contract asset and no impairment losses were recognized on the contract asset during the year ended December 31, 2019. Incremental costs to obtain or fulfill contracts, most notably sales commissions to the sales representatives, are not incurred prior to the recognition of the related revenue. Therefore, we have no assets recognized for incremental costs to obtain or fulfill contracts.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee Disclosure [Abstract]
Leases	(19) Leases We have operating leases for our executive office operations and other real estate leases of office space and finance leases for certain office equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 11 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 10 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 4 years, exercisable at the Company’s discretion. Operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are presented separately in our consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2019, finance lease right-of-use assets of $0.7 million and finance lease liabilities of $0.7 million were recorded within Other assets and Other liabilities, respectively, within our consolidated balance sheets. The Company determines its lease liabilities, which are measured at the present value of future lease payments, using the Company’s incremental secured borrowing rate that is commensurate with the term of the underlying lease or the rate implicit in the lease if readily determinable. The components of lease expense were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Operating lease cost Operating lease cost $ 7,650 Variable lease cost (includes taxes, common area maintenance and insurance) 675 Finance lease cost Depreciation of finance lease assets 277 Interest on lease liabilities 46 Total lease cost $ 8,648 Other information related to leases was as follows: Supplemental Cash Flows Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows used in operating leases (1) $ 7,656 Operating cash flows used in finance leases (1) 46 Financing cash flows used in finance leases 281 (1) Included in change in other operating assets and liabilities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases 9 years Finance leases 3 years Weighted Average Discount Rate Operating leases 4.6 % Finance leases 6.8 % Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2020 $ 7,403 $ 331 2021 7,241 284 2022 7,234 116 2023 7,242 55 2024 7,218 26 Thereafter 28,622 - Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases 64,960 812 Less imputed interest 11,473 76 Total lease liabilities $ 53,487 $ 736 The following disclosures for the comparative periods are presented in accordance with ASC 840: Total minimum rent expense for operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $8.0 As of December 31, 2018, the minimum aggregate rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: December 31, 2018 (In thousands) 2019 $ 7,459 2020 7,174 2021 7,038 2022 7,120 2023 7,094 Thereafter 34,901 Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases $ 70,786 As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate balance of our capital lease liabilities was not material.

Unaudited Quarterly Financial D

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data	(20) 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, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2019 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 677,286 $ 687,262 $ 692,258 $ 697,060 Ceded premiums (389,795 ) (400,588 ) (388,982 ) (390,364 ) Net premiums 287,491 286,674 303,276 306,696 Commissions and fees 167,315 178,468 179,719 188,302 Net investment income 24,111 24,868 22,675 22,418 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI 2,847 1,067 285 766 Other, net 13,223 13,825 14,698 13,778 Total revenues 494,987 504,902 520,653 531,960 Total benefits and expenses 392,619 377,442 395,514 409,815 Income before income taxes 102,368 127,460 125,139 122,145 Income taxes 23,203 30,014 28,916 28,588 Net income $ 79,165 $ 97,446 $ 96,223 $ 93,557 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.84 $ 2.28 $ 2.28 $ 2.25 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.83 $ 2.28 $ 2.28 $ 2.24 Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2018 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 656,087 $ 667,191 $ 670,222 $ 673,605 Ceded premiums (394,249 ) (403,449 ) (391,175 ) (392,290 ) Net premiums 261,838 263,742 279,047 281,315 Commissions and fees 166,827 167,940 170,879 171,960 Net investment income 19,017 20,030 20,622 21,760 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI (1,656 ) 1,313 (126 ) (1,651 ) Other, net 13,897 14,790 14,359 13,941 Total revenues 459,923 467,815 484,781 487,325 Total benefits and expenses 376,960 354,050 373,346 379,403 Income before income taxes 82,963 113,765 111,435 107,922 Income taxes 17,248 27,065 26,296 21,381 Net income $ 65,715 $ 86,700 $ 85,139 $ 86,541 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.46 $ 1.96 $ 1.95 $ 1.99 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.46 $ 1.95 $ 1.94 $ 1.99 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, 2019
Debt Securities [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, 2019 Type of Investment 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 $ 273,502 $ 280,682 $ 280,682 States, municipalities and political subdivisions 120,000 122,593 122,593 Foreign governments 158,052 164,178 164,178 Public utilities - - - Convertibles and bonds with warrants attached - - - All other corporate bonds (2) 2,945,372 3,126,013 3,011,281 Certificates of deposit - - - Redeemable preferred stocks 5,447 5,865 5,865 Total fixed maturities 3,502,373 3,699,331 3,584,599 Equity securities: Common stocks: Public utilities 6,469 11,344 11,344 Banks, trusts and insurance companies 18,924 20,359 20,359 Industrial, miscellaneous and all other 5,440 7,931 7,931 Nonredeemable preferred stocks 1,838 1,050 1,050 Total equity securities 32,671 40,684 40,684 Mortgage loans on real estate - - - Real estate - - - Policy loans 32,927 32,927 32,927 Other long-term investments - - - Short-term investments - - - Total investments $ 3,567,971 $ 3,772,942 $ 3,658,210 (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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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, 2019
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, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Assets Investments: Fixed-maturity securities available-for-sale, at fair value (amortized cost: $206,550 in 2019 and $108,623 in 2018) $ 208,526 $ 109,415 Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $0 in 2019 and $8,171 in 2018) - 8,171 Equity securities, at fair value (historical cost: $2,090 in 2019 and $1,519 in 2018) 2,250 1,447 Total investments 210,776 119,033 Cash and cash equivalents 59,150 32,745 Due from affiliates* 1,267 2,492 Other receivables 1,383 1,086 Income tax receivable 1,026 3,490 Deferred income taxes 12,151 12,151 Investment in subsidiaries* 1,756,845 1,678,231 Other assets 608 729 Total assets $ 2,043,206 $ 1,849,957 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Liabilities: Notes payable 374,037 373,661 Current income tax payable - - Deferred income taxes 7,441 6,126 Interest payable 8,214 8,214 Other liabilities 1,023 443 Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note F) Total liabilities 390,715 388,444 Stockholders’ equity: Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2019 and 2018; issued and outstanding 41,207 shares in 2019 and 42,694 shares in 2018) 412 427 Paid-in capital - - Retained earnings 1,593,281 1,489,520 Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax 58,798 (28,434 ) Total stockholders’ equity 1,652,491 1,461,513 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,043,206 $ 1,849,957 * 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Revenues: Dividends from subsidiaries* $ 398,129 $ 302,932 $ 256,913 Net investment income 4,973 2,306 1,484 Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than-temporary impairment losses 256 (128 ) 179 Total revenues 403,358 305,110 258,576 Expenses: Interest expense 18,669 18,695 18,210 Other operating expenses 9,898 7,478 8,441 Total expenses 28,567 26,173 26,651 Income before income taxes 374,791 278,937 231,925 Income taxes (2,940 ) (5,578 ) (3,756 ) Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 377,731 284,515 235,681 Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries* (11,340 ) 39,579 114,574 Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 * 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes: Unrealized investment gains (losses): Equity in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities held by subsidiaries 70,998 (46,382 ) (3,333 ) Change in unrealized holding gains/(losses) on investment securities 1,440 (931 ) 356 Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income (256 ) 128 (179 ) Foreign currency translation adjustments: Equity in unrealized foreign currency translation gains of subsidiaries 15,299 (25,059 ) 17,383 Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes 87,481 (72,244 ) 14,227 Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) 249 (169 ) 257 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes 87,232 (72,075 ) 13,970 Total comprehensive income $ 453,623 $ 252,019 $ 364,225 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries* (1) (95,014 ) (44,095 ) (145,113 ) Deferred tax provision 1,067 (1,983 ) 2,454 Change in income taxes 2,464 (6,151 ) (1,235 ) Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments (256 ) 128 (179 ) Accretion and amortization of investments 257 103 149 Share-based compensation 1,487 1,365 1,254 Change in due to/from affiliates* 1,225 780 (4,380 ) Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net - - (1,377 ) Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net 2,001 (120 ) (1,514 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 279,622 274,121 200,314 Cash flows from investing activities: Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called: Fixed maturity securities — sold 6,481 1,603 12,204 Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called 179,950 104,836 56,678 Equity securities —sold - - 36 Short-term investments — matured or called 8,250 - - Equity securities — sold 76 150 - Available-for-sale investments acquired: Fixed-maturity securities (1) (157,510 ) (144,760 ) (23,497 ) Equity securities - - (40 ) Short-term investments - (8,169 ) - Equity securities acquired (611 ) (265 ) - Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 36,636 (46,605 ) 45,381 Cash flows from financing activities: Dividends paid (57,630 ) (44,140 ) (35,821 ) Common stock repurchased (225,037 ) (210,146 ) (150,038 ) Tax withholdings on share-based compensation (7,186 ) (6,711 ) (6,734 ) Payment of deferred financing costs - - (868 ) Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities (289,853 ) (260,997 ) (193,461 ) Change in cash and cash equivalents 26,405 (33,481 ) 52,234 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 32,745 66,226 13,992 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 59,150 $ 32,745 $ 66,226 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 18,117 $ 18,146 $ 17,813 * Eliminated in consolidation. (1) Does not include $127.2 million, $27.6 million, and $35.5 million of fixed-maturity securities transferred from subsidiaries in the form of noncash dividends for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, 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, LLC, a general agency and marketing company; Primerica Life Insurance Company (“Primerica Life”), our principal life insurance company; PFS Investments Inc., an investment products company and broker-dealer; and 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. Primerica Life, domiciled in Tennessee, owns National Benefit Life Insurance Company, a New York insurance 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 as of December 31, 2019. No events of default occurred on the Senior Notes during the year ended December 31, 2019. (D) Revolving Credit Facility We maintain an unsecured $200.0 million revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) with a syndicate of commercial banks that has a scheduled termination date of December 19, 2022. 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 contains language that allows for the Company and the lenders to agree on a comparable or successor reference rate in the event LIBOR is no longer available, as is expected to happen in 2022. 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 we were in compliance with its covenants. Furthermore, no events of default have occurred under the Revolving Credit Facility during the year ended December 31, 2019 . (E) Dividends For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company received dividends from our non-life insurance subsidiaries of $105.6 million, $80.1 million, and $96.0 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company received dividends from our life insurance subsidiaries of $292.5 million, $222.8 million, and $160.9 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 may require 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, 2019
Supplementary Insurance Information [Abstract]
Supplementary Insurance Information	Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information PRIMERICA, INC. Deferred policy acquisition costs Future policy benefits Unearned and advance premiums Policy claims and other benefits payable Separate account liabilities (In thousands) December 31, 2019 Term Life Insurance $ 2,239,515 $ 6,244,193 $ 14,933 $ 330,660 $ - Investment and Savings Products 62,196 - - - 2,485,683 Corporate and Other Distributed Products 24,039 202,376 537 9,294 62 Total $ 2,325,750 $ 6,446,569 $ 15,470 $ 339,954 $ 2,485,745 December 31, 2018 Term Life Insurance $ 2,052,176 $ 5,963,707 $ 15,016 $ 303,866 $ - Investment and Savings Products 56,548 - - - 2,195,409 Corporate and Other Distributed Products 25,196 204,450 571 9,996 92 Total $ 2,133,920 $ 6,168,157 $ 15,587 $ 313,862 $ 2,195,501 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, 2019 Term Life Insurance $ 1,166,461 $ 19,922 $ 475,330 $ 248,710 $ 183,097 $ - Investment and Savings Products - - - 4,549 495,248 - Corporate and Other Distributed Products 17,676 74,151 18,490 1,293 148,676 741 Total $ 1,184,137 $ 94,073 $ 493,820 $ 254,552 $ 827,021 $ 741 Year ended December 31, 2018 Term Life Insurance $ 1,067,079 $ 13,747 $ 441,775 $ 228,613 $ 170,908 $ - Investment and Savings Products - - - 9,766 471,398 - Corporate and Other Distributed Products 18,861 67,683 15,808 1,351 144,140 792 Total $ 1,085,940 $ 81,430 $ 457,583 $ 239,730 $ 786,446 $ 792 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 See the report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule IV - Reinsurance

Schedule IV - Reinsurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule Iv Reinsurance [Abstract]
Reinsurance	Schedule IV Reinsurance PRIMERICA, INC. Year ended December 31, 2019 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 $ 810,995,295 $ 702,727,956 $ - $ 108,267,339 — % Premiums: Life insurance $ 2,752,774 $ 1,569,403 $ - $ 1,183,371 — % Accident and health insurance 1,092 326 - 766 — % Total premiums $ 2,753,866 $ 1,569,729 $ - $ 1,184,137 — % Year ended December 31, 2018 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 $ 783,979,673 $ 682,708,797 $ - $ 101,270,876 — % Premiums: Life insurance $ 2,665,947 $ 1,580,815 $ - $ 1,085,132 — % Accident and health insurance 1,157 349 - 808 — % Total premiums $ 2,667,104 $ 1,581,164 $ - $ 1,085,940 — % 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 — % See the report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Description of Business, Basi_2

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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”).
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. 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 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 U.S. GAAP. 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.
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, are carried at fair value. • AFS short-term investments, consist of highly-liquid investments such as commercial paper and certificates of deposit, with remaining maturities greater than ninety days at the date of purchase, but not in excess of one year. These securities are carried at fair value. • Our held-to-maturity fixed-maturity security is carried at amortized cost. • Equity securities, including common and nonredeemable preferred stocks, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of equity securities are included in realized investment gains (losses) in the period in which the change occurred. • Trading securities, which primarily consist of bonds held by PFS Investments, are carried at fair value. Changes in fair value of trading securities are included in realized investment gains (losses) 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 (loss), 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 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 (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 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 (loss) in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Interest income on fixed-maturity securities and short-term investments 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.
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, 2019 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, which are included in other 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, 2019 2018 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 (82,035 ) 2,836 Total intangible assets $ 45,275 $ - $ 45,275 $ 130,146 $ (82,035 ) $ 48,111 We have an indefinite-lived intangible asset related to the 1989 purchase of the right to contract with the 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, 2019 and determined that no impairment had occurred. There have been no subsequent events requiring further analysis. We also had an amortizing intangible asset related to a 1995 sales agreement termination payment to Management Financial Services, Inc. This asset, which was fully amortized in 2019, was supported by a non-compete agreement with the founder of our business model that expired in 2019. We calculated the amortization of this contract buyout on a straight-line basis over 24 years, which represented the life of the non-compete agreement. Intangible asset amortization expense was $2.8 million in 2019, $3.4 million in 2018 and $3.4 million in 2017.
Property 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 $15.7 million, $9.0 million, and $10.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Property and equipment balances were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Data processing equipment and software $ 86,794 $ 68,447 Leasehold improvements 19,079 16,531 Other, principally furniture and equipment 31,391 26,586 137,264 111,564 Accumulated depreciation (91,148 ) (75,568 ) Net property and equipment $ 46,116 $ 35,996
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 insurance contracts. Purchasers of variable insurance 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’ net 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 contract holders’ interests in the Funds’ net 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.
Future Policy Benefits Liability	Policyholder Liabilities. Future policy benefits are accrued over the current and renewal periods of the contracts. Liabilities for future policy benefits on traditional life insurance products are reserves established for death claims and waiver of premium benefits and have been computed using a net level method, using assumptions as to interest rates, mortality, persistency, disability rates 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, 2019 and 2018 ranged from 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 a premium deficiency is identified. 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.
Unearned and Advance Premiums	Unearned and Advance Premiums. Unearned and advance premiums primarily consist of premiums received from policyholders in advance of the premiums due date. Unearned and advance premiums are deferred upon collection and recognized as premiums revenue upon the premium due date.
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.
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 commissions and fees revenue from the sale of various non-life insurance products. Commissions revenue is generally received on the sale of mutual funds and annuities. We also receive trail commissions revenue from mutual fund and annuity products based on the net asset value of shares sold by us. We, in turn, pay sales commissions to the sales force. We also receive investment advisory and administrative fees based on the average daily net asset value of client assets held in managed investments programs and contracts related to separate account assets issued by Primerica Life Canada. We, in turn, pay asset-based commissions to the sales force. We earn recordkeeping fees for transfer agent recordkeeping services 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. See Note 18 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) for details related to our commission and fees revenues recognition policies.
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 consolidated statements 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 grant date, which occurs in the same quarter as the service period. To the extent 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 and amortize the fair value of the awards in the same manner as other deferred policy acquisition costs.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share (“EPS”). The Company has outstanding 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 February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) (“ASC 842”), which requires lessees to recognize right-of-use operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company adopted the amendments in ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. The cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings was zero. In addition, we elected the package of practical expedients permitted under ASC 842, which included not reassessing whether existing contracts contained leases and not reassessing the lease classification of existing leases. The effect of adopting ASC 842 resulted in an increase to both total assets and total liabilities of $52.7 million on January 1, 2019. The increase to both assets and liabilities is less than 1% of our total assets and total liabilities. The adjustment recognized upon adoption of ASC 842 included the recognition of our operating lease obligations and corresponding right-of-use assets on our consolidated balance sheet, which mainly consist of our executive office operations and other real estate leases of office space. The adoption of ASC 842 did not affect the Company’s results of operations or liquidity. The Company’s reporting for the comparative periods prior to adoption continues to be presented in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with previous lease accounting guidance, Accounting Standards Codification Topic 840, Leases (“ASC 840”). Refer to Note 19 (Leases) for more information on leases. Future Application of Accounting Standards. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-12, Financial Services—Insurance (Topic 944) — Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts (“ASU 2018-12”). The amendments in this update change accounting guidance for insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts, including term life insurance. ASU 2018-12 requires companies that issue long-duration insurance contracts to update assumptions used in measuring future policy benefits, including mortality and persistency, at least annually instead of locking those assumptions at contract inception and reflecting differences in assumptions and actual performance as the experience occurs. ASU 2018-12 also includes changes to how insurance companies that issue long-duration contracts amortize DAC and determine and update the discount rate assumptions used in measuring future policy benefits reserves while increasing the level of financial statement disclosures required. The guidance in ASU 2018-12 will be applied to the earliest period presented in the consolidated financial statements beginning on the effective date. In November 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-09, Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944) – Effective Date, which defers the effective date of ASU 2018-12 for the Company by one year, from January 1, 2021 to January 1, 2022. We anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2018-12 will have a pervasive impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and will require changes to certain of our processes, systems, and controls. We are currently working on processes that will allow us to obtain the requisite data, enhance our valuation system, and develop key assumptions that will be necessary to evaluate and implement this standard. As such, we are unable to determine the magnitude of the impact ASU 2018-12 will have on our consolidated financial statements at this time. 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 do not expect the adoption of ASC 326 to result in any material changes to impairment losses recognized in our consolidated statements of income for AFS securities In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The guidance in ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2021. We do not expect the impact of ASU 2019-12 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Recently-issued accounting guidance not discussed above is not applicable, is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements, or did not or is not expected to have a material impact on our business.

Description of Business, Basi_3

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets	The components of intangible assets were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 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 (82,035 ) 2,836 Total intangible assets $ 45,275 $ - $ 45,275 $ 130,146 $ (82,035 ) $ 48,111
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 and Equipment	Property and equipment balances were as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Data processing equipment and software $ 86,794 $ 68,447 Leasehold improvements 19,079 16,531 Other, principally furniture and equipment 31,391 26,586 137,264 111,564 Accumulated depreciation (91,148 ) (75,568 ) Net property and equipment $ 46,116 $ 35,996

Other Comprehensive Income (Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Foreign currency translation adjustments: Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) before income taxes $ 15,299 $ (25,059 ) $ 17,383 Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses) - - 195 Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes $ 15,299 $ (25,059 ) $ 17,188 Unrealized gain (losses) on available-for-sale securities: Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period before income taxes $ 91,160 $ (59,661 ) $ (3,950 ) Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period 19,427 (12,681 ) (1,765 ) Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes 71,733 (46,980 ) (2,185 ) Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities 253 (45 ) (1,589 ) Income tax (expense) benefit on (gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to net income 53 (9 ) (556 ) Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes 200 (36 ) (1,033 ) Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustment $ 71,933 $ (47,016 ) $ (3,218 )

Segment and Geographical Info_2

Segment and Geographical Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Revenues: Term life insurance segment $ 1,227,231 $ 1,123,200 $ 992,224 Investment and savings products segment 691,608 655,076 572,747 Corporate and other distributed products segment 133,665 121,567 124,131 Total revenues $ 2,052,504 $ 1,899,843 $ 1,689,102 Net investment income: Term life insurance segment $ 19,922 $ 13,747 $ 9,931 Investment and savings products segment - - - Corporate and other distributed products segment 74,151 67,683 69,086 Total net investment income $ 94,073 $ 81,430 $ 79,017 Amortization of DAC: Term life insurance segment $ 248,711 $ 228,613 $ 201,751 Investment and savings products segment 4,549 9,766 6,168 Corporate and other distributed products segment 1,292 1,351 1,480 Total amortization of DAC $ 254,552 $ 239,730 $ 209,399 Non-cash share-based compensation expense: Term life insurance segment $ 3,605 $ 4,135 $ 2,662 Investment and savings products segment 3,440 2,695 2,208 Corporate and other distributed products segment 10,475 10,421 10,397 Total non-cash share-based compensation expense $ 17,520 $ 17,251 $ 15,267 Income (loss) before income taxes: Term life insurance segment $ 320,093 $ 281,904 $ 245,657 Investment and savings products segment 191,812 173,912 162,836 Corporate and other distributed products segment (34,794 ) (39,732 ) (28,973 ) Total income before income taxes $ 477,111 $ 416,084 $ 379,520
Total Assets by Segment	Total assets by segment were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Assets: Term life insurance segment $ 6,546,129 $ 6,322,555 $ 6,205,837 Investment and savings products segment (1) 2,598,493 2,298,238 2,684,717 Corporate and other distributed products segment 4,543,909 3,974,255 3,570,149 Total assets $ 13,688,531 $ 12,595,048 $ 12,460,703 (1) The Investment and Savings Products segment includes assets held in separate accounts. Excluding separate accounts, the Investment and Savings Products segment assets were $112.8 million, $102.8 million, and $112.0 million as of December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
Long Lived Assets and Continuing Operations by Country	Geographical Information. Results of 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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Revenues by country: United States $ 1,747,609 $ 1,607,140 $ 1,419,658 Canada 304,895 292,703 269,444 Total revenues $ 2,052,504 $ 1,899,843 $ 1,689,102 Income before income taxes by country: United States $ 390,431 $ 337,914 $ 299,764 Canada 86,680 78,170 79,756 Total income before income taxes $ 477,111 $ 416,084 $ 379,520 December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Long-lived assets by country: United States $ 41,200 $ 30,999 $ 27,443 Canada 4,916 4,997 656 Total long-lived assets $ 46,116 $ 35,996 $ 28,099

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 securities were as follows: December 31, 2019 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 $ 10,197 $ 287 $ - $ 10,484 Foreign government 154,945 6,362 (235 ) 161,072 States and political subdivisions 120,000 3,288 (695 ) 122,593 Corporates 1,436,877 63,892 (1,118 ) 1,499,651 Residential mortgage-backed securities 305,897 6,848 (222 ) 312,523 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 128,913 3,191 (99 ) 132,005 Other asset-backed securities 117,941 970 (243 ) 118,668 Total fixed-maturity securities 2,274,770 84,838 (2,612 ) 2,356,996 Short-term investments - - - - Total fixed-maturity and short-term investments $ 2,274,770 $ 84,838 $ (2,612 ) $ 2,356,996 December 31, 2018 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 $ 12,115 $ 176 $ (58 ) $ 12,233 Foreign government 155,723 3,347 (958 ) 158,112 States and political subdivisions 59,075 1,202 (271 ) 60,006 Corporates 1,447,075 11,916 (24,773 ) 1,434,218 Residential mortgage-backed securities 191,245 2,439 (1,733 ) 191,951 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 131,279 1,712 (1,636 ) 131,355 Other asset-backed securities 82,310 205 (755 ) 81,760 Total fixed-maturity securities (1) 2,078,822 20,997 (30,184 ) 2,069,635 Short-term investments 8,171 - - 8,171 Total fixed-maturity and short-term investments $ 2,086,993 $ 20,997 $ (30,184 ) $ 2,077,806 (1) Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Fixed-maturity Securities Classified by Contractual Maturity Securities Date	The scheduled maturity distribution of the AFS fixed-maturity securities portfolio as of December 31, 2019 was as follows: Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Due in one year or less $ 206,168 $ 207,483 Due after one year through five years 929,957 964,738 Due after five years through 10 years 461,081 488,466 Due after 10 years 124,813 133,113 1,722,019 1,793,800 Mortgage- and asset-backed securities 552,751 563,196 Total AFS fixed-maturity securities $ 2,274,770 $ 2,356,996
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, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities including OTTI: Available-for-sale securities $ 82,226 $ (9,187 ) OTTI 40 147 Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities excluding OTTI 82,266 (9,040 ) Deferred income taxes (17,671 ) 1,787 Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities excluding OTTI, net of tax $ 64,595 $ (7,253 )
Costs and Fair Values of Fixed-Maturity Securities Classified as Trading Securities	The costs and fair values of the fixed-maturity securities classified as trading securities were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cost Fair value Cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities $ 43,257 $ 43,233 $ 13,597 $ 13,610
Net Investment Income	Investment Income. The components of net investment income were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 81,828 $ 79,356 $ 76,877 Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity) 48,325 37,485 26,865 Equity securities 1,845 1,955 2,095 Policy loans and other invested assets 1,069 1,159 1,179 Cash and cash equivalents 4,758 3,433 1,357 Total return on deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement (1) 13,429 3,643 2,970 Gross investment income 151,254 127,031 111,343 Investment expenses (8,856 ) (8,116 ) (5,461 ) Investment income net of investment expenses 142,398 118,915 105,882 Interest expense on surplus note (48,325 ) (37,485 ) (26,865 ) Net investment income $ 94,073 $ 81,430 $ 79,017 (1) Includes $5.4 million of net gains and $1.7 million of net losses recognized for the change in fair value of the deposit asset underlying the 10%
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) were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net realized investment gains (losses): Gross gains from sales of available-for-sale securities $ 1,373 $ 1,162 $ 3,249 Gross losses from sales of available-for-sale securities (293 ) (965 ) (107 ) OTTI losses of available-for-sale securities (1,333 ) (152 ) (1,553 ) Net gains (losses) recognized in net income during the period on equity securities 5,207 (2,456 ) - Gains (losses) from bifurcated options - 290 (250 ) Gains (losses) on trading securities 11 - - Net realized investment gains (losses) $ 4,965 $ (2,121 ) $ 1,339
Schedule of Proceeds from Sales or Other Redemptions of Available-for-Sale Securities	The proceeds from sales or other redemptions of available-for-sale securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Proceeds from sales or other redemptions $ 454,421 $ 414,138 $ 306,303
Schedule of Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) Recognized in NI on Equity Securities Still Held at Period-End	The components of net gains (losses) recognized in net income on equity securities still held as of period-end were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities $ 5,207 $ (2,456 ) $ - Less: Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold (254 ) (48 ) - Net gains (losses) recognized in net income on equity securities still held as of period-end $ 5,461 $ (2,408 ) $ -
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, 2019 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 $ - $ - - $ - $ - - Foreign government 11,824 (144 ) 14 8,578 (91 ) 7 States and political subdivisions 39,379 (690 ) 21 4,000 (5 ) 4 Corporates 52,474 (453 ) 40 21,739 (665 ) 19 Residential mortgage-backed securities 40,690 (207 ) 20 2,071 (15 ) 3 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 11,526 (28 ) 13 12,835 (71 ) 16 Other asset-backed securities 22,501 (190 ) 17 4,613 (53 ) 20 Total fixed-maturity securities $ 178,394 $ (1,712 ) $ 53,836 $ (900 ) December 31, 2018 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 $ 1,668 $ (10 ) 1 $ 4,541 $ (48 ) 6 Foreign government 7,326 (170 ) 7 52,086 (788 ) 54 States and political subdivisions 2,644 (9 ) 3 23,324 (262 ) 20 Corporates 489,880 (10,649 ) 396 360,516 (14,124 ) 321 Residential mortgage-backed securities 32,725 (86 ) 14 71,308 (1,647 ) 41 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 31,129 (173 ) 20 78,911 (1,463 ) 77 Other asset-backed securities 19,363 (184 ) 35 33,989 (571 ) 41 Total fixed-maturity securities $ 584,735 $ (11,281 ) $ 624,675 $ (18,903 )
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, 2019 December 31, 2018 Amortized cost Fair value Amortized cost Fair value (In thousands) Fixed-maturity securities in default $ - $ 240 $ 3 $ 227
OTTI in Earnings on AFS Securities	OTTI recognized in earnings on AFS securities were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) OTTI on fixed-maturity securities not in default $ 1,330 $ 152 $ 1,001 OTTI on fixed-maturity securities in default 3 - 267 OTTI on equity securities (1) - - 285 Total OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,333 $ 152 $ 1,553 (1) Subsequent to the adoption of ASU Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities .
Schedule of OTTI Recognized in Earnings for AFS Securities	The rollforward of the OTTI recognized in net income for all AFS fixed-maturity securities still held was as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, beginning of period $ 2,511 $ 4,346 Additions for securities where no OTTI were recognized prior to the beginning of the period 1,126 - Additions for securities where OTTI have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period 207 152 Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit-impaired securities (543 ) (1,987 ) Reductions for exchanges of securities previously impaired - - Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, end of period $ 3,301 $ 2,511
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, 2019 2018 2017 (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 $ 3 $ 152 $ 1,476 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 before recovery 3 152 1,329 OTTI recognized in earnings for securities which the Company intends to sell or more-likely-than-not will be required to sell before recovery 1,330 - 224 OTTI recognized in earnings $ 1,333 $ 152 $ 1,553

Fair Value of Financial Instr_2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 10,484 $ - $ 10,484 Foreign government - 161,072 - 161,072 States and political subdivisions - 122,593 - 122,593 Corporates 5,865 1,493,786 - 1,499,651 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 312,497 26 312,523 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 132,005 - 132,005 Other asset-backed securities - 118,244 424 118,668 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 5,865 2,350,681 450 2,356,996 Short-term investments - - - - Total available-for-sale securities 5,865 2,350,681 450 2,356,996 Equity securities 39,499 1,050 135 40,684 Trading securities - 43,233 - 43,233 Separate accounts - 2,485,745 - 2,485,745 Total fair value assets $ 45,364 $ 4,880,709 $ 585 $ 4,926,658 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,485,745 $ - $ 2,485,745 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,485,745 $ - $ 2,485,745 December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (In thousands) Fair value assets: Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities: U.S. government and agencies $ - $ 12,233 $ - $ 12,233 Foreign government - 158,112 - 158,112 States and political subdivisions - 60,006 - 60,006 Corporates 2,869 1,431,346 3 1,434,218 Residential mortgage-backed securities - 191,720 231 191,951 Commercial mortgage-backed securities - 131,355 - 131,355 Other asset-backed securities - 81,259 501 81,760 Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities 2,869 2,066,031 735 2,069,635 Short-term investments - 8,171 - 8,171 Total available-for-sale securities 2,869 2,074,202 735 2,077,806 Equity securities 36,473 1,020 186 37,679 Trading securities - 13,610 - 13,610 Separate accounts - 2,195,501 - 2,195,501 Total fair value assets $ 39,342 $ 4,284,333 $ 921 $ 4,324,596 Fair value liabilities: Separate accounts $ - $ 2,195,501 $ - $ 2,195,501 Total fair value liabilities $ - $ 2,195,501 $ - $ 2,195,501
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, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Level 3 assets, beginning of period $ 921 $ 567 Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income (18 ) (8 ) Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI (52 ) 38 Purchases - 500 Settlements (197 ) (169 ) Transfers into Level 3 424 - Transfers out of Level 3 (493 ) (7 ) Level 3 assets, end of period $ 585 $ 921
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, 2019 December 31, 2018 Carrying value Estimated fair value Carrying value Estimated fair value (In thousands) Assets: Fixed-maturity securities (available-for-sale) $ 2,356,996 $ 2,356,996 $ 2,069,635 $ 2,069,635 Fixed-maturity security (held-to-maturity) (3) 1,184,370 1,299,102 970,390 945,331 Short-term investments (available-for-sale) - - 8,171 8,171 Equity securities 40,684 40,684 37,679 37,679 Trading securities 43,233 43,233 13,610 13,610 Policy loans (3) 32,927 32,927 31,501 31,501 Deposit asset underlying 10% (3) 233,499 233,499 228,974 228,974 Separate accounts 2,485,745 2,485,745 2,195,501 2,195,501 Liabilities: Notes payable (1) (2) 374,037 395,522 373,661 384,909 Surplus note (1) (3) 1,183,728 1,296,972 969,685 945,331 Separate accounts 2,485,745 2,485,745 2,195,501 2,195,501 (1) Carrying value amounts shown are net of issuance costs. (2) Classified as level 2 fair value measurement. (3) Classified as level 3 fair value measurement.

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
In-force Life Insurance	The following table represents the Company’s in-force life insurance as of December 31, 2019 and 2018: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (Dollars in thousands) Direct life insurance in force $ 810,995,295 $ 783,979,673 Amounts ceded to other companies (702,727,956 ) (682,708,797 ) Net life insurance in force $ 108,267,339 $ 101,270,876 Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force 87 % 87 %
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, 2019 December 31, 2018 Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating Reinsurance recoverables A.M. Best rating (In thousands) Pecan Re Inc. (1) (2) $ 2,696,924 NR $ 2,701,326 NR SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies (3) 352,049 A+ 348,109 A+ Munich Re of Malta (2) (5) 286,433 NR 276,154 NR Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (4) 233,572 A+ 234,643 A+ American Health and Life Insurance Company (2) 167,471 B++ 170,628 B+ Munich American Reassurance Company 118,372 A+ 114,604 A+ Korean Reinsurance Company 108,410 A 104,101 A RGA Reinsurance Company 100,328 A+ 90,989 A+ Hannover Life Reassurance Company 33,772 A+ 31,729 A+ TOA Reinsurance Company 26,160 A 25,434 A All other reinsurers 46,332 - 43,852 - Reinsurance recoverables $ 4,169,823 $ 4,141,569 NR – not rated (1) Pecan Re Inc. (“Pecan Re”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (“Swiss Re”). (2) (3) Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies. (4) (5)

Deferred Policy Acquisition C_2

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) DAC balance, beginning of period $ 2,133,920 $ 1,951,892 $ 1,713,065 Capitalization 433,769 441,874 433,575 Amortization (254,552 ) (239,730 ) (209,399 ) Foreign exchange translation and other 12,613 (20,116 ) 14,651 DAC balance, end of period $ 2,325,750 $ 2,133,920 $ 1,951,892

Separate Accounts (Tables)

Separate Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Fixed-income securities $ 970,098 $ 996,014 Equity securities 1,318,351 1,150,848 Cash and cash equivalents 199,723 50,041 Due to/from funds (2,489 ) (1,494 ) Other 62 92 Total separate accounts assets $ 2,485,745 $ 2,195,501

Policy Claims and Other Benef_2

Policy Claims and Other Benefits Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period $ 313,862 $ 307,401 $ 268,136 Less reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 318,653 322,137 323,195 Net balance, beginning of period (4,791 ) (14,736 ) (55,059 ) Incurred related to current year 186,857 176,854 162,256 Incurred related to prior years (1) (869 ) (1,355 ) 2,230 Total incurred 185,988 175,499 164,486 Claims paid related to current year, net of reinsured policy claims received (244,997 ) (187,453 ) (181,670 ) Reinsured policy claims received related to prior years, net of claims paid 14,614 22,426 57,192 Total paid (230,383 ) (165,027 ) (124,478 ) Foreign currency translation 343 (527 ) 315 Net balance, end of period (48,843 ) (4,791 ) (14,736 ) Add reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable 388,797 318,653 322,137 Balance, end of period $ 339,954 $ 313,862 $ 307,401 (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, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Notes Payable. Notes payable consisted of the following: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) 4.75% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022 $ 375,000 $ 375,000 Unamortized issuance discount on notes payable (174 ) (239 ) Total notes payable $ 374,826 $ 374,761

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 Federal $ 76,289 $ 6,628 $ 82,917 Foreign 32,239 (7,469 ) 24,770 State and local 3,033 - 3,033 Total tax expense $ 111,561 $ (841 ) $ 110,720 Year ended December 31, 2018 Federal $ 50,691 $ 17,399 $ 68,090 Foreign 36,028 (14,809 ) 21,219 State and local 2,681 - 2,681 Total tax expense $ 89,400 $ 2,590 $ 91,990 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
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The reconciliation for such difference follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Amount Percentage Amount Percentage Amount Percentage (Dollars in thousands) Computed tax expense $ 100,193 21.0 % $ 87,378 21.0 % $ 132,832 35.0 % Difference between foreign statutory rate and U.S. statutory rate 4,898 1.0 % 4,474 1.1 % (6,668 ) (1.8 )% Transition impact of the Tax Reform Act (1) - — % (2,737 ) (.7 )% (95,457 ) (25.1 )% Recognition of foreign tax credits - — % (6,069 ) (1.5 )% (40,386 ) (10.6 )% Change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits - — % 6,069 1.5 % 40,386 10.6 % Other 5,629 1.2 % 2,875 0.7 % (1,442 ) (0.4 )% Total tax expense / effective rate $ 110,720 23.2 % $ 91,990 22.1 % $ 29,265 7.7 %
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, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims $ 245,247 $ 218,461 Intangibles and tax goodwill 14,713 17,115 Future deductible liabilities 17,920 13,372 State income taxes 12,940 12,755 Foreign tax credits 46,455 46,455 Other 13,962 12,653 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 351,237 320,811 Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits (46,455 ) (46,455 ) Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance $ 304,782 $ 274,356 Deferred tax liabilities: Deferred policy acquisition costs (314,969 ) (293,729 ) Investments (17,630 ) - Transitional amount for future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act (15,256 ) (17,798 ) Unremitted earnings on foreign subsidiaries (5,772 ) (4,669 ) Reinsurance deposit asset (49,035 ) (48,085 ) Other (21,645 ) (15,144 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (424,307 ) (379,425 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (119,525 ) $ (105,069 )
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies	A reconciliation of the change in the unrecognized income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 (In thousands) Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 15,173 $ 14,385 Change in prior period unrecognized tax benefits (583 ) (101 ) Change in current period unrecognized tax benefits 3,036 3,105 Reductions as a result of a lapse in statute of limitations (1,821 ) (2,216 ) Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period $ 15,805 $ 15,173

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Common stock, beginning of period 42,694 44,251 45,721 Shares issued for stock options exercised 4 33 38 Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of RSUs 438 528 504 Common stock retired (1,929 ) (2,118 ) (2,012 ) Common stock, end of period 41,207 42,694 44,251

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Basic EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (1,654 ) (1,893 ) (2,526 ) Net income used in calculating basic EPS $ 364,737 $ 322,201 $ 347,729 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 42,181 43,854 45,598 Basic EPS $ 8.65 $ 7.35 $ 7.63 Diluted EPS: Numerator: Net income $ 366,391 $ 324,094 $ 350,255 Income attributable to unvested participating securities (1,650 ) (1,888 ) (2,521 ) Net income used in calculating diluted EPS $ 364,741 $ 322,206 $ 347,734 Denominator: Weighted-average vested shares 42,181 43,854 45,598 Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for contingently-issuable shares 133 131 91 Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS 42,314 43,985 45,689 Diluted EPS $ 8.62 $ 7.33 $ 7.61

Share-Based Transactions (Table

Share-Based Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 RSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) 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 Granted 106 100.00 Forfeited - (1 ) 82.20 Vested (186 ) 58.51 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2018 232 78.22 Granted 93 123.04 Forfeited - (1 ) 104.38 Vested (145 ) 70.53 Unvested employee and director RSUs, December 31, 2019 180 107.59 (1) Less than 1,000 shares
Schedule of Share-Based Transactions, PSU Activity	The following table summarizes PSU activity during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2016 18 $ 41.88 Granted 36 80.45 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2017 (1) 54 67.42 Granted 31 100.55 Forfeited - - Vested - - Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2018 (2) 85 79.34 Granted 25 122.62 Forfeited - - Performance Adjustment 4 41.88 Vested (23 ) 41.88 Unvested employee PSUs, December 31, 2019 (3) 92 98.79 (1) The 2017 PSU awards outstanding are based on target. Based on the actual ROAE achieved within the three-year performance period ended December 31, 2019, recipients will receive 41,162 shares of common stock on the vesting date, March 1, 2020. (2) The 2018 PSU awards outstanding are based on target. Depending upon the ROAE achieved within the performance period, recipients may receive between 0 and 45,869 shares of common stock. (3) The 2019 PSU awards outstanding are based on target. Depending upon the ROAE achieved within the performance period, recipients may receive between 0 and 38,225 shares of common stock.
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, 2019, 2018, and 2017: Outstanding Exercisable Number of shares Weighted average exercise price Number of shares Weighted average exercise price (Shares in thousands) 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 Granted - - Exercised (33 ) 47.59 Outstanding at December 31, 2018 74 44.07 44 45.55 Granted - - Exercised (4 ) 41.20 Outstanding at December 31, 2019 70 44.23 70 44.23 Range of granted option exercise prices outstanding at December 31, 2019 $41.20 (average term remaining - 4.1 years) 4 $ 41.20 4 $ 41.20 $53.50 (average term remaining - 5.2 years) 14 53.50 14 53.50 $41.88 (average term remaining - 6.2 years) 52 41.88 52 41.88
Summary of Intrinsic Values of Stock Options	A summary of the intrinsic values of our stock options is as follows: December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options $ 6,036 Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options expected to vest - Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding $ 6,036
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 369 $ 1,953 $ 1,453 Tax benefit realized from the options exercised - - 509 Value of issued shares withheld to satisfy option exercise price 161 1,562 1,673
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, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Shares Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share (Shares in thousands) 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 Granted 124 102.43 Vested (122 ) 101.01 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2018 34 97.71 Granted 105 124.51 Vested (115 ) 115.01 Unvested non-employee RSUs, December 31, 2019 24 132.68
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	The following table presents the assumptions used in valuing quarterly RSU granted to agents prior to 2018: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Expected volatility n/a n/a 18% to 34% Quarterly dividends expected n/a n/a $0.19 to $0.20 Risk-free interest rates n/a n/a Less than 3%
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, 2019 2018 2017 (Dollars in thousands, except per-share amounts) Total quarterly non-employee RSUs granted 105,348 124,471 155,996 Measurement date per-share fair value of awards $118.11 to $132.68 $96.60 to $120.55 $67.82 to $91.88 Illiquidity discounts n/a n/a 10 % Quarterly incentive awards expense recognized currently $ 3,441 $ 3,288 $ 980 Quarterly incentive awards expense deferred 9,663 9,484 10,821 Tax benefit associated with incentive awards 2,465 2,437 2,259
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 RSU share-based compensation: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Total equity awards expense recognized $ 10,557 $ 10,684 $ 11,364 Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation 1,434 1,495 1,893
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Total employee PSU award expense $ 3,516 $ 3,240 $ 2,761 Tax benefit associated with total employee PSU award expense - 191 187
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, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Expense recognized for stock option awards $ 6 $ 39 $ 162 Tax benefit recognized for stock option awards - 8 37

Statutory Accounting and Divi_2

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Insurance [Abstract]
Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure	Primerica Life’s statutory capital and surplus as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Statutory capital and surplus $ 666,005 $ 674,165

Revenue from Contracts with C_2

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Disaggregation of Revenues from Contracts	The disaggregation of our revenues from contracts with customers were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 (In thousands) Term Life Insurance segment revenues: Other, net $ 40,848 $ 42,374 $ 41,236 Total segment revenues from contracts with customers 40,848 42,374 41,236 Revenues from sources other than contracts with customers 1,186,383 1,080,826 950,988 Total Term Life Insurance segment revenues $ 1,227,231 $ 1,123,200 $ 992,224 Investment and Savings Products segment revenues: Commissions and fees: Sales-based revenues $ 282,887 $ 259,991 $ 233,005 Asset-based revenues 260,451 245,295 216,527 Account-based revenues 80,555 81,802 55,030 Other, net 10,017 9,631 9,555 Total segment revenues from contracts with customers 633,910 596,719 514,117 Revenues from sources other than contracts with customers (segregated funds) 57,698 58,357 58,630 Total Investment and Savings Products segment revenues $ 691,608 $ 655,076 $ 572,747 Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment revenues: Commissions and fees (1) $ 32,213 $ 32,162 $ 28,125 Other, net 4,660 4,982 5,300 Total segment revenues from contracts with customers 36,873 37,144 33,425 Revenues from sources other than contracts with customers 96,792 84,423 90,706 Total Corporate and Other Distributed Products segment revenues $ 133,665 $ 121,567 $ 124,131 (1) Commissions and fees for the year ended December 31, 2019 to performance obligations satisfied in a previous reporting period and represent the collection of variable consideration in the transaction price that had been previously constrained.
Summary of Contract Asset Account	Activity in the contract asset account was as follows: December 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 (In thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 50,119 $ 48,533 Current period sales, net of collection of renewal commissions 1,582 1,586 Balance, at the end of period $ 51,701 $ 50,119 (1) (1) Reclassed to Other assets from Agents balances, due premiums and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets to conform with current year reporting.

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense were as follows: Year ended December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Operating lease cost Operating lease cost $ 7,650 Variable lease cost (includes taxes, common area maintenance and insurance) 675 Finance lease cost Depreciation of finance lease assets 277 Interest on lease liabilities 46 Total lease cost $ 8,648
Schedule of Other Information Related to Leases	Other information related to leases was as follows: Supplemental Cash Flows Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows used in operating leases (1) $ 7,656 Operating cash flows used in finance leases (1) 46 Financing cash flows used in finance leases 281 (1) Included in change in other operating assets and liabilities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. December 31, 2019 (In thousands) Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating leases 9 years Finance leases 3 years Weighted Average Discount Rate Operating leases 4.6 % Finance leases 6.8 %
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancellable Leases	Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases were as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases Year Ended December 31, (In thousands) 2020 $ 7,403 $ 331 2021 7,241 284 2022 7,234 116 2023 7,242 55 2024 7,218 26 Thereafter 28,622 - Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases 64,960 812 Less imputed interest 11,473 76 Total lease liabilities $ 53,487 $ 736
Schedule of Minimum Rental Commitments for Operating Leases	As of December 31, 2018, the minimum aggregate rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: December 31, 2018 (In thousands) 2019 $ 7,459 2020 7,174 2021 7,038 2022 7,120 2023 7,094 Thereafter 34,901 Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases $ 70,786

Unaudited Quarterly Financial_2

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2019 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 677,286 $ 687,262 $ 692,258 $ 697,060 Ceded premiums (389,795 ) (400,588 ) (388,982 ) (390,364 ) Net premiums 287,491 286,674 303,276 306,696 Commissions and fees 167,315 178,468 179,719 188,302 Net investment income 24,111 24,868 22,675 22,418 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI 2,847 1,067 285 766 Other, net 13,223 13,825 14,698 13,778 Total revenues 494,987 504,902 520,653 531,960 Total benefits and expenses 392,619 377,442 395,514 409,815 Income before income taxes 102,368 127,460 125,139 122,145 Income taxes 23,203 30,014 28,916 28,588 Net income $ 79,165 $ 97,446 $ 96,223 $ 93,557 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.84 $ 2.28 $ 2.28 $ 2.25 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.83 $ 2.28 $ 2.28 $ 2.24 Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended Quarter ended March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2018 (In thousands, except per-share amounts) Direct premiums $ 656,087 $ 667,191 $ 670,222 $ 673,605 Ceded premiums (394,249 ) (403,449 ) (391,175 ) (392,290 ) Net premiums 261,838 263,742 279,047 281,315 Commissions and fees 166,827 167,940 170,879 171,960 Net investment income 19,017 20,030 20,622 21,760 Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI (1,656 ) 1,313 (126 ) (1,651 ) Other, net 13,897 14,790 14,359 13,941 Total revenues 459,923 467,815 484,781 487,325 Total benefits and expenses 376,960 354,050 373,346 379,403 Income before income taxes 82,963 113,765 111,435 107,922 Income taxes 17,248 27,065 26,296 21,381 Net income $ 65,715 $ 86,700 $ 85,139 $ 86,541 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per share $ 1.46 $ 1.96 $ 1.95 $ 1.99 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.46 $ 1.95 $ 1.94 $ 1.99 Quarterly amounts may not agree in total to the corresponding annual amounts due to rounding.

Description of Business, Basi_4

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible asset	$ 45,275	$ 45,275
Amortizing intangible asset, Gross carrying value		84,871
Amortizing intangible asset, Accumulated amortization		(82,035)
Amortizing intangible asset, Net carrying amount		2,836
Total intangible assets, Gross carrying amount	45,275	130,146
Total intangible assets, Net carrying amount	$ 45,275	$ 48,111

Description of Business, Basi_5

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation expense		$ 15,700	$ 9,000	$ 10,100
Guarantee maturity value as percentage of net premiums		75.00%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Regulatory Assets and Liabilities	$ 52,700
Cumulative effect from the adoption of new accounting standards, net	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate reserve assumptions		3.50%	3.50%
Maximum [Member]
Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Interest rate reserve assumptions		7.00%	7.00%
Maximum [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of total assets and total liabilities impacted by adopting new accounting standard	1.00%
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Organization Consolidation Basis Of Presentation Business Description And Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Intangible asset amortization expense		$ 2,800	$ 3,400	$ 3,400
Intangible assets, life		24 years

Description of Business, Basi_6

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant and Equipment Useful Life (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, Basi_7

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant, and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Data processing equipment and software	$ 86,794	$ 68,447
Leasehold improvements	19,079	16,531
Other, principally furniture and equipment	31,391	26,586
Total property, plant and equipment, Gross	137,264	111,564
Accumulated depreciation	(91,148)	(75,568)
Net property and equipment	$ 46,116	$ 35,996

Other Comprehensive Income (Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)	$ 15,299	$ (25,059)	$ 17,383
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses)			195
Change in unrealized foreign currency translation gains (losses), net of income taxes	15,299	(25,059)	17,188
Unrealized gain (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period before income taxes	91,160	(59,661)	(3,950)
Income tax expense (benefit) on unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	19,427	(12,681)	(1,765)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities arising during period, net of income taxes	71,733	(46,980)	(2,185)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income	253	(45)	(1,589)
Income tax (expense) benefit on (gains) losses reclassified from accumulated OCI to net income	53	(9)	(556)
Reclassification from accumulated OCI to net income for (gains) losses realized on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes	200	(36)	(1,033)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes and reclassification adjustment	$ 71,933	$ (47,016)	$ (3,218)

Segment and Geographical Info_3

Segment and Geographical Information - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	2
Vidalia Re Coinsurance Agreement [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage of coinsurance costs	10.00%

Segment and Geographical Info_4

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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues		$ 531,960	$ 520,653	$ 504,902	$ 494,987	$ 487,325	$ 484,781	$ 467,815	$ 459,923	$ 2,052,504	$ 1,899,843	$ 1,689,102
Net investment income		22,418	22,675	24,868	24,111	21,760	20,622	20,030	19,017	94,073	81,430	79,017
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										254,552	239,730	209,399
Non-cash share-based compensation expense										17,520	17,251	15,267
Income (loss) before income taxes		122,145	$ 125,139	$ 127,460	$ 102,368	107,922	$ 111,435	$ 113,765	$ 82,963	477,111	416,084	379,520
Assets		13,688,531				12,595,048				13,688,531	12,595,048	12,460,703
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										1,227,231	1,123,200	992,224
Net investment income										19,922	13,747	9,931
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										248,711	228,613	201,751
Non-cash share-based compensation expense										3,605	4,135	2,662
Income (loss) before income taxes										320,093	281,904	245,657
Assets		6,546,129				6,322,555				6,546,129	6,322,555	6,205,837
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										691,608	655,076	572,747
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										4,549	9,766	6,168
Non-cash share-based compensation expense										3,440	2,695	2,208
Income (loss) before income taxes										191,812	173,912	162,836
Assets	[1]	2,598,493				2,298,238				2,598,493	2,298,238	2,684,717
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										133,665	121,567	124,131
Net investment income										74,151	67,683	69,086
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs										1,292	1,351	1,480
Non-cash share-based compensation expense										10,475	10,421	10,397
Income (loss) before income taxes										(34,794)	(39,732)	(28,973)
Assets		$ 4,543,909				$ 3,974,255				$ 4,543,909	$ 3,974,255	$ 3,570,149
[1]	The Investment and Savings Products segment includes assets held in separate accounts. Excluding separate accounts, the Investment and Savings Products segment assets were $112.8 million, $102.8 million, and $112.0 million as of December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Segment and Geographical Info_5

Segment and Geographical Information - Summary of Assets and Profit or Loss by Segment (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets, excluding separate account assets	$ 112.8	$ 102.8	$ 112

Segment and Geographical Info_6

Segment and Geographical Information - Long Lived Assets and Continuing Operations by Country (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 531,960	$ 520,653	$ 504,902	$ 494,987	$ 487,325	$ 484,781	$ 467,815	$ 459,923	$ 2,052,504	$ 1,899,843	$ 1,689,102
Income (loss) before income taxes	122,145	$ 125,139	$ 127,460	$ 102,368	107,922	$ 111,435	$ 113,765	$ 82,963	477,111	416,084	379,520
Long-lived assets	46,116				35,996				46,116	35,996	28,099
United States [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									1,747,609	1,607,140	1,419,658
Income (loss) before income taxes									390,431	337,914	299,764
Long-lived assets	41,200				30,999				41,200	30,999	27,443
Canada [Member]
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues									304,895	292,703	269,444
Income (loss) before income taxes									86,680	78,170	79,756
Long-lived assets	$ 4,916				$ 4,997				$ 4,916	$ 4,997	$ 656

Investments - Schedule of AFS S

Investments - Schedule of AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	$ 2,274,770	$ 2,078,822	[1]
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	84,838	20,997	[1]
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(2,612)	(30,184)	[1]
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	2,356,996	2,069,635	[1]
Available-for-sale securities, amortized cost basis	2,274,770	2,086,993
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized gain	84,838	20,997
Available-for-sale securities, gross unrealized loss	(2,612)	(30,184)
Available-for-sale securities, fair value	2,356,996	2,077,806
Short-term Investments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale equity securities, cost		8,171
Available-for-sale equity securities, at fair value		8,171
U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	10,197	12,115
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	287	176
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss		(58)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	10,484	12,233
Foreign Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	154,945	155,723
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	6,362	3,347
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(235)	(958)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	161,072	158,112
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	120,000	59,075
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	3,288	1,202
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(695)	(271)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	122,593	60,006
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	1,436,877	1,447,075
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	63,892	11,916
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(1,118)	(24,773)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	1,499,651	1,434,218
Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	305,897	191,245
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	6,848	2,439
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(222)	(1,733)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	312,523	191,951
Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	128,913	131,279
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	3,191	1,712
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(99)	(1,636)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	132,005	131,355
Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	117,941	82,310
Available-for-sale debt securities gross unrealized gain	970	205
Available-for-sale debt securities, gross unrealized loss	(243)	(755)
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 118,668	$ 81,760
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Investments - Schedule of AFS_2

Investments - Schedule of AFS Securities (Parenthetical) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
OTTI losses, investments, portion in other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 0.1

Investments - Fixed-maturity Se

Investments - Fixed-maturity Securities Classified by Contractual Maturity Securities Date (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	[1]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities [Abstract]
Due in one year or less, amortized cost	$ 206,168
Due after one year through five years, amortized cost	929,957
Due after five years through 10 years, amortized cost	461,081
Due after 10 years, amortized cost	124,813
Total fixed-maturity securities with single maturity dates, amortized cost	1,722,019
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, amortized cost	552,751
Available-for-sale debt securities, amortized cost basis	2,274,770	$ 2,078,822
Due in one year or less, fair value	207,483
Due after one year through five years, fair value	964,738
Due after five years through 10 years, fair value	488,466
Due after 10 years, fair value	133,113
Total fixed-maturity securities with single maturity dates, fair value	1,793,800
Mortgage and asset-backed securities, fair value	563,196
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 2,356,996	$ 2,069,635
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities including OTTI, Available-for-sale securities	$ 82,226	$ (9,187)
OTTI	40	147
Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities excluding OTTI	82,266	(9,040)
Less deferred income taxes	(17,671)	1,787
Net unrealized investment gains on available-for-sale securities excluding OTTI, net of tax	$ 64,595	$ (7,253)

Investments - Costs and Fair Va

Investments - Costs and Fair Values of Fixed-Maturity Securities Classified as Trading Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Total trading securities, cost	$ 43,257	$ 13,597
Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Trading Securities And Other Trading Assets [Line Items]
Total trading securities, cost	43,257	13,597
Total trading securities, Fair value	$ 43,233	$ 13,610

Investments - Held-to-maturity

Investments - Held-to-maturity Security - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
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	$ (114.7)
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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Fair values of investments on deposit	$ 7.5	$ 10.1

Investments - Securities Lendin

Investments - Securities Lending Collateral - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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	$ 28.7	$ 52.6

Investments - Net Investment In

Investments - Net Investment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating										$ 151,254	$ 127,031	$ 111,343
Investment expenses										(8,856)	(8,116)	(5,461)
Investment income net of investment expenses										142,398	118,915	105,882
Interest expense on surplus note										(48,325)	(37,485)	(26,865)
Net investment income		$ 22,418	$ 22,675	$ 24,868	$ 24,111	$ 21,760	$ 20,622	$ 20,030	$ 19,017	94,073	81,430	79,017
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating										1,845	1,955	2,095
Policy Loans and Other Invested Assets [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating										1,069	1,159	1,179
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating										4,758	3,433	1,357
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	[1]									13,429	3,643	2,970
Available-for-Sale [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating										81,828	79,356	76,877
Held-to-Maturity [Member] | Fixed-maturity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gross investment income, operating										$ 48,325	$ 37,485	$ 26,865
[1]	(1) Includes $5.4 million of net gains and $1.7 million of net losses recognized for the change in fair value of the deposit asset underlying the 10%

Investments - Net Investment _2

Investments - Net Investment Income (Parenthetical) (Details) - Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Net Investment Income, Reported Amounts, by Category [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) recognized for change in fair value of deposit asset underlying the 10% coinsurance agreement	$ 5.4	$ (1.7)
Percentage of coinsurance costs	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Realized Investment Gains Losses [Abstract]
Gross gains from sales of available-for-sale securities									$ 1,373	$ 1,162	$ 3,249
Gross losses from sales of available-for-sale securities									(293)	(965)	(107)
OTTI losses of available-for-sale securities									(1,333)	(152)	(1,553)
Net gains (losses) recognized in net income during the period on equity securities									5,207	(2,456)
Gains (losses) from bifurcated options										290	(250)
Gains (losses) on trading securities									11
Net realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	$ 766	$ 285	$ 1,067	$ 2,847	$ (1,651)	$ (126)	$ 1,313	$ (1,656)	$ 4,965	$ (2,121)	$ 1,339

Investments - Schedule of Proce

Investments - Schedule of Proceeds from Sales or Other Redemptions of Available-For-Sale Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Proceeds From Sale And Maturity Of Available For Sale Securities [Abstract]
Proceeds from sales or other redemptions	$ 454,421	$ 414,138	$ 306,303

Investments - Schedule of Unrea

Investments - Schedule of Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) Recognized in NI on Equity Securities Still Held at Period-End (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Realized Investment Gains Losses [Abstract]
Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities	$ 5,207	$ (2,456)
Less: Net gains (losses) recognized on equity securities sold	(254)	(48)
Net gains (losses) recognized in net income on equity securities still held as of period-end	$ 5,461	$ (2,408)

Investments - AFS Securities wi

Investments - AFS Securities with Cost Basis in Excess of Fair Value - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available for sale securities with cost basis in excess of fair value cost basis	$ 234.8	$ 1,239.6

Investments - Schedule of Secur

Investments - Schedule of Securities in Unrealized Loss Position (Details) - Fixed-maturity Securities [Member] $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Securities	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 178,394	$ 584,735
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	(1,712)	(11,281)
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	53,836	624,675
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	(900)	(18,903)
U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value		1,668
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses		$ (10)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities		1
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value		$ 4,541
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses		$ (48)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities		6
Foreign Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	11,824	$ 7,326
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (144)	$ (170)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	14	7
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 8,578	$ 52,086
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (91)	$ (788)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	7	54
States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 39,379	$ 2,644
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (690)	$ (9)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	21	3
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 4,000	$ 23,324
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (5)	$ (262)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	4	20
Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 52,474	$ 489,880
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (453)	$ (10,649)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	40	396
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 21,739	$ 360,516
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (665)	$ (14,124)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	19	321
Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 40,690	$ 32,725
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (207)	$ (86)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	20	14
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 2,071	$ 71,308
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (15)	$ (1,647)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	3	41
Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 11,526	$ 31,129
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (28)	$ (173)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	13	20
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 12,835	$ 78,911
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (71)	$ (1,463)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	16	77
Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value	$ 22,501	$ 19,363
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, aggregate losses	$ (190)	$ (184)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, less than one year | Securities	17	35
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, fair value	$ 4,613	$ 33,989
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or longer, aggregate losses	$ (53)	$ (571)
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions, greater than or equal to one year | Securities	20	41

Investments - Amortized Cost an

Investments - Amortized Cost and Fair Value of AFS Fixed-maturity Securities in Default (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default, amortized cost		$ 3
Available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities in default, fair value	$ 240	$ 227

Investments - OTTI in Earnings

Investments - OTTI in Earnings on AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings		$ 1,333	$ 152	$ 1,553
Fixed-maturity Securities [Member] | Investments in fixed-maturity securities not in default [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings		1,330	$ 152	1,001
Fixed-maturity Securities [Member] | Investments in fixed-maturity securities in default [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings		$ 3		267
Equity Securities [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
OTTI recognized in earnings	[1]			$ 285
[1]	Subsequent to the adoption of ASU Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10) – Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities .

Investments - Schedule of OTTI

Investments - Schedule of OTTI Recognized in Earnings for AFS Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings [Line Items]
Total OTTI losses recognized	$ 1,333	$ 152	$ 1,700
Less portion of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			147
OTTI recognized in earnings	1,333	152	1,553
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	3	152	1,476
Less portion of OTTI recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)			147
OTTI recognized in earnings	3	$ 152	1,329
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	$ 1,330		$ 224

Investments - Rollforward of OT

Investments - Rollforward of OTTI Recognized in Net Income,AFS Fixed-maturity Securities Still Held (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other than Temporary Impairment, OTTI Recognized in Earnings [Roll Forward]
Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, beginning of period	$ 2,511	$ 4,346
Additions for securities where no OTTI were recognized prior to the beginning of the period	1,126
Additions for securities where OTTI have been recognized prior to the beginning of the period	207	152
Reductions due to sales, maturities, calls, amortization or increases in cash flows expected to be collected over the remaining life of credit impaired securities	(543)	(1,987)
Cumulative OTTI recognized in net income for securities still held, end of period	$ 3,301	$ 2,511

Investments - OTTI on Held-to-m

Investments - OTTI on Held-to-maturity Security - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]
OTTI held-to-maturity security	$ 0

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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 Instr_3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	$ 2,356,996	$ 2,069,635	[1]
Total available-for-sale securities	2,356,996	2,077,806
Equity securities	40,684	37,679
Separate account assets	2,485,745	2,195,501
Separate accounts liabilities	$ 2,485,745	2,195,501
Fair value assumptions, percentage of securities assessed by third-party pricing service	95.00%
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	$ 2,356,996	2,069,635
Short-term investments		8,171
Total available-for-sale securities	2,356,996	2,077,806
Equity securities	40,684	37,679
Trading securities	43,233	13,610
Separate account assets	2,485,745	2,195,501
Assets, fair value disclosure	4,926,658	4,324,596
Separate accounts liabilities	2,485,745	2,195,501
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	2,485,745	2,195,501
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	5,865	2,869
Total available-for-sale securities	5,865	2,869
Equity securities	39,499	36,473
Assets, fair value disclosure	45,364	39,342
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	2,350,681	2,066,031
Short-term investments		8,171
Total available-for-sale securities	2,350,681	2,074,202
Equity securities	1,050	1,020
Trading securities	43,233	13,610
Separate account assets	2,485,745	2,195,501
Assets, fair value disclosure	4,880,709	4,284,333
Separate accounts liabilities	2,485,745	2,195,501
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	2,485,745	2,195,501
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	450	735
Total available-for-sale securities	450	735
Equity securities	135	186
Assets, fair value disclosure	585	921
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | U.S. Government and Agencies [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	10,484	12,233
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | U.S. Government and Agencies [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	10,484	12,233
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Foreign Government [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	161,072	158,112
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Foreign Government [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	161,072	158,112
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	122,593	60,006
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | States and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	122,593	60,006
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	1,499,651	1,434,218
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	5,865	2,869
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	1,493,786	1,431,346
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities		3
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	312,523	191,951
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	312,497	191,720
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Residential Mortgage-backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	26	231
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	132,005	131,355
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Commercial Mortgage-backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	132,005	131,355
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	118,668	81,760
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	118,244	81,259
Fair Value, Recurring Measurements [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Balance Sheet Grouping Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Total available-for-sale fixed-maturity securities	$ 424	$ 501
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Fair Value of Financial Instr_4

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Level 3 assets, beginning of period	$ 921	$ 567
Net unrealized gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(18)	(8)
Realized gains (losses) and accretion (amortization) recognized in earnings, including OTTI	(52)	38
Purchases		500
Settlements	(197)	(169)
Transfers into Level 3	424
Transfers out of Level 3	(493)	(7)
Level 3 assets, end of period	$ 585	$ 921

Fair Value of Financial Instr_5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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 Instr_6

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value		$ 2,356,996	$ 2,069,635	[1]
Fixed-maturity security held to maturity, fair value		1,299,102	945,331
Equity securities		40,684	37,679
Separate account assets		2,485,745	2,195,501
Surplus note		1,183,728	969,685
Separate accounts liabilities		2,485,745	2,195,501
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value		2,356,996	2,069,635
Equity securities		40,684	37,679
Trading securities		43,233	13,610
Separate account assets		2,485,745	2,195,501
Separate accounts liabilities		2,485,745	2,195,501
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale short-term investments			8,171
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed-maturity security held to maturity, fair value	[2]	1,184,370	970,390
Policy loans	[2]	32,927	31,501
Surplus note	[2],[3]	1,183,728	969,685
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Deposits [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement	[2]	233,499	228,974
Reported Value Measurement [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable	[3],[4]	374,037	373,661
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value		2,356,996	2,069,635
Equity securities		40,684	37,679
Trading securities		43,233	13,610
Separate account assets		2,485,745	2,195,501
Separate accounts liabilities		2,485,745	2,195,501
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Short-term Investments [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Available-for-sale short-term investments			8,171
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fixed-maturity security held to maturity, fair value	[2]	1,299,102	945,331
Policy loans	[2]	32,927	31,501
Surplus note	[2],[3]	1,296,972	945,331
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Level 3 [Member] | Deposits [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement	[2]	233,499	228,974
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Senior Notes [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes payable	[3],[4]	$ 395,522	$ 384,909
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
[2]	Classified as level 3 fair value measurement.
[3]	Carrying value amounts shown are net of issuance costs.
[4]	Classified as level 2 fair value measurement.

Fair Value of Financial Instr_7

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Percentage of coinsurance costs	10.00%	10.00%

Reinsurance - Narrative (Detail

Reinsurance - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
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		2,300,000	$ 0	$ 0
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses		24,300,000	24,600,000
Benefits and claims ceded to reinsurers		1,311,300,000	1,279,000,000	$ 1,337,300,000
Deposit asset underlying 10% coinsurance agreement		$ 233,500,000	$ 229,000,000
Percentage of finance charge for statutory reserves		0.50%
Pecan Re Inc [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force		10.00%
IPO coinsurance agreements [Member]
Reinsurance Retention Policy [Line Items]
Percentage of risks and rewards of term life insurance policies in force		10.00%
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] | 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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Disclosures [Abstract]
Direct life insurance in force	$ 810,995,295	$ 783,979,673	$ 767,001,938
Amounts ceded to other companies	(702,727,956)	(682,708,797)	(668,446,638)
Net life insurance in force	$ 108,267,339	$ 101,270,876	$ 98,555,300
Percentage of reinsured life insurance in force	87.00%	87.00%

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Recov

Reinsurance - Reinsurance Recoverables and Financial Strength Ratings by Reinsurer (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 4,169,823	$ 4,141,569
Pecan Re Inc [Member] | External credit rating, not rated [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1],[2]	2,696,924	2,701,326
SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[3]	352,049	348,109
Munich Re of Malta [Member] | External credit rating, not rated [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1],[4]	286,433	276,154
Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[5]	233,572	234,643
American Health and Life Insurance Company [Member] | AM Best, B++ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]	167,471
American Health and Life Insurance Company [Member] | AM Best, B Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables	[1]		170,628
Munich American Reassurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		118,372	114,604
Korean Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		108,410	104,101
RGA Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		100,328	90,989
Hannover Life Reassurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A+ Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		33,772	31,729
TOA Reinsurance Company [Member] | AM Best, A Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		26,160	25,434
All Other Reinsurers [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance recoverables		$ 46,332	$ 43,852
[1]	Entity is an IPO coinsurer. Reinsurance recoverables 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. (“Pecan Re”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc. (“Swiss Re”).
[3]	Includes amounts ceded to Transamerica Reinsurance Companies and fully retroceded to SCOR Global Life Reinsurance Companies.
[4]	Entity is rated AA- by S&P.
[5]	Includes amounts ceded to Lincoln National Life Insurance and fully retroceded to Swiss Re Life & Health America Inc.

Deferred Policy Acquisition C_3

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs - Balance RollForward (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract]
DAC balance, beginning of period	$ 2,133,920	$ 1,951,892	$ 1,713,065
Capitalization	433,769	441,874	433,575
Amortization	(254,552)	(239,730)	(209,399)
Foreign exchange translation and other	12,613	(20,116)	14,651
DAC balance, end of period	$ 2,325,750	$ 2,133,920	$ 1,951,892

Separate Accounts - Narrative (

Separate Accounts - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	$ 2,485,745	$ 2,195,501
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	970,098	996,014
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	1,318,351	1,150,848
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	199,723	50,041
Due To/From Funds [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	(2,489)	(1,494)
Other [Member]
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Separate Accounts By Major Category Of Investment [Line Items]
Separate accounts assets	$ 62	$ 92

Policy Claims and Other Benef_3

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Roll Forward In Liability For Unpaid Claims And Claims Adjustment Expense [Abstract]
Policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period		$ 313,862	$ 307,401	$ 268,136
Reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable, beginning of period		318,653	322,137	323,195
Net balance, beginning of period		(4,791)	(14,736)	(55,059)
Incurred related to current year		186,857	176,854	162,256
Incurred related to prior years	[1]	(869)	(1,355)	2,230
Total incurred		185,988	175,499	164,486
Claims paid related to current year, net of reinsured policy claims received		(244,997)	(187,453)	(181,670)
Reinsured policy claims received related to prior years, net of claims paid		14,614	22,426	57,192
Total paid		(230,383)	(165,027)	(124,478)
Foreign currency translation		343	(527)	315
Net balance, end of period		(48,843)	(4,791)	(14,736)
Reinsured policy claims and other benefits payable, end of period		388,797	318,653	322,137
Policy claims and other benefits payable, end of period		$ 339,954	$ 313,862	$ 307,401
[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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
4.75% Senior Notes, due July 15, 2022	$ 375,000	$ 375,000
Unamortized issuance discount on notes payable	(174)	(239)
Total notes payable	$ 374,826	$ 374,761

Debt - Schedule of Notes Paya_2

Debt - Schedule of Notes Payable (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019
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 ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
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 maturity date	Dec. 19, 2022
Debt instrument, frequency of commitment fee payable	quarterly
Debt instrument, current borrowing capacity	$ 0
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 1,500,000,000
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	$ 1,200,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.50%
Debt instrument maturity date	Dec. 31, 2030

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current federal tax expense (benefit)									$ 76,289	$ 50,691	$ 53,084
Current foreign tax expense (benefit)									32,239	36,028	28,613
Current state and local tax expense (benefit)									3,033	2,681	1,356
Current income tax expense (benefit)									111,561	89,400	83,053
Deferred federal income tax expense (benefit)									6,628	17,399	(46,622)
Deferred foreign income tax expense (benefit)									(7,469)	(14,809)	(7,166)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)									(841)	2,590	(53,788)
Federal income tax expense (benefit)									82,917	68,090	6,462
Foreign income tax expense (benefit)									24,770	21,219	21,447
State and local income tax expense (benefit)									3,033	2,681	1,356
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 28,588	$ 28,916	$ 30,014	$ 23,203	$ 21,381	$ 26,296	$ 27,065	$ 17,248	$ 110,720	$ 91,990	$ 29,265

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax [Line Items]
Federal Statutory Tax Rate	21.00%	21.00%	35.00%
Deferred tax assets, operating loss carryforwards, state and local	$ 12,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	14,700,000	$ 13,900,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	2,300,000	1,900,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest benefit	300,000	$ 300,000	$ 300,000
Unrecognized tax penalties	0
Foreign [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Tax credits	$ 46,500,000

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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax reconciliation, income tax expense (benefit), at federal statutory income tax rate									$ 100,193	$ 87,378	$ 132,832
Income tax rate reconciliation, foreign income tax rate differential amount									4,898	4,474	(6,668)
Income tax reconciliation, transition impact of the Tax Reform Act										(2,737)	(95,457)
Income tax rate reconciliation, recognition of foreign tax credits										(6,069)	(40,386)
Income tax rate reconciliation, change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits										6,069	40,386
Income tax reconciliation, other reconciling items									5,629	2,875	(1,442)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 28,588	$ 28,916	$ 30,014	$ 23,203	$ 21,381	$ 26,296	$ 27,065	$ 17,248	$ 110,720	$ 91,990	$ 29,265
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, at federal statutory income tax rate									21.00%	21.00%	35.00%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, foreign income tax rate differential									1.00%	1.10%	(1.80%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, transition impact of the Tax Reform Act										(0.70%)	(25.10%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, recognition of foreign tax credits										(1.50%)	(10.60%)
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, change in valuation allowance on foreign tax credits										1.50%	10.60%
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, other adjustments									1.20%	0.70%	(0.40%)
Effective income tax rate									23.20%	22.10%	7.70%

Income Taxes - Schedule of Defe

Income Taxes - Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax assets, future policy benefit reserves and unpaid policy claims	$ 245,247	$ 218,461
Deferred tax assets, goodwill and intangible assets	14,713	17,115
Deferred tax assets, future deductible liabilities	17,920	13,372
Deferred tax assets, state income taxes	12,940	12,755
Deferred tax assets, foreign tax credits	46,455	46,455
Deferred tax assets, other	13,962	12,653
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	351,237	320,811
Valuation allowance on foreign tax credits	(46,455)	(46,455)
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	304,782	274,356
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liabilities, deferred policy acquisition costs	(314,969)	(293,729)
Investments	(17,630)
Transitional amount for future policy benefit reserves prescribed in the Tax Reform Act	(15,256)	(17,798)
Deferred tax liabilities, unremitted earnings on foreign subsidiaries	(5,772)	(4,669)
Deferred tax liabilities, reinsurance deposit asset	(49,035)	(48,085)
Deferred tax liabilities, other	(21,645)	(15,144)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(424,307)	(379,425)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (119,525)	$ (105,069)

Income Taxes - Summary of Incom

Income Taxes - Summary of Income Tax Contingencies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$ 15,173	$ 14,385
Unrecognized tax benefits, resulting from prior period tax positions	(583)	(101)
Unrecognized tax benefits, increases resulting from current period tax positions	3,036	3,105
Unrecognized tax benefits, reductions resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(1,821)	(2,216)
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$ 15,805	$ 15,173

Stockholders' Equity - Reconcil

Stockholders' Equity - Reconciliation of Number of Shares of Common Stock (Details) - shares	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock, beginning of period		42,694,000	44,251,000	45,721,000
Shares issued for stock options exercised		4,000	33,000	38,000
Shares of common stock issued upon lapse of RSUs		438,000	528,000	504,000
Common stock retired	(1,870,521)	(1,929,000)	(2,118,000)	(2,012,000)
Common stock, end of period	41,207,000	41,207,000	42,694,000	44,251,000

Stockholders' Equity - Narrativ

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	11 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 10, 2020	Feb. 07, 2019
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased program, authorized amount						$ 275
Stock repurchased and retired during period, shares	1,870,521	1,929,000	2,118,000	2,012,000
Stock repurchased and retired during period, value	$ 225
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 50	$ 50
Subsequent Event [Member] | New Repurchase [Member]
Class Of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased program, authorized amount					$ 300
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	360,220	360,220
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	92,108	92,108

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, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$ 93,557	$ 96,223	$ 97,446	$ 79,165	$ 86,541	$ 85,139	$ 86,700	$ 65,715	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, basic EPS									(1,654)	(1,893)	(2,526)
Net income used in calculating basic EPS									$ 364,737	$ 322,201	$ 347,729
Weighted-average vested shares									42,181	43,854	45,598
Basic EPS	$ 2.25	$ 2.28	$ 2.28	$ 1.84	$ 1.99	$ 1.95	$ 1.96	$ 1.46	$ 8.65	$ 7.35	$ 7.63
Income attributable to unvested participating securities, diluted EPS									$ (1,650)	$ (1,888)	$ (2,521)
Net income used in calculating diluted EPS									$ 364,741	$ 322,206	$ 347,734
Dilutive effect of incremental shares to be issued for contingently-issuable shares									133	131	91
Weighted-average shares used in calculating diluted EPS									42,314	43,985	45,689
Diluted EPS	$ 2.24	$ 2.28	$ 2.28	$ 1.83	$ 1.99	$ 1.94	$ 1.95	$ 1.46	$ 8.62	$ 7.33	$ 7.61

Share-Based Transactions - Narr

Share-Based Transactions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
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	1,500,000
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	$ 4,200,000
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	$ 600,000
Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition	10 months 24 days
Agent equity awards unvested	92,000		85,000	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	$ 0
Number of stock options issued	$ 0
Nonemployee Shares [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Agent equity awards unvested	24,000		34,000	32,000	42,000
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	12 months

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
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	$ 10,557	$ 10,684	$ 11,364
Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation share-based compensation	1,434	1,495	1,893
Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] | Employee [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total equity awards expense recognized	$ 3,516	3,240	2,761
Tax benefit associated with total employee and director share-based compensation share-based compensation		$ 191	$ 187

Share-Based Transactions - Em_2

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement [Abstract]
Shares, beginning balance	232	312	396
Shares, granted	93	106	130
Shares, forfeited			(1)
Shares, vested	(145)	(186)	(213)
Shares, ending balance	180	232	312
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, beginning balance	$ 78.22	$ 59.10	$ 45.37
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	123.04	100	80.33
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, forfeited	104.38	82.20	57.53
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, vested	70.53	58.51	46.54
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, ending balance	$ 107.59	$ 78.22	$ 59.10

Share-Based Transactions - Em_3

Share-Based Transactions - Employee and Director Share-Based Transactions, Restricted Stock and RSU Activity (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019shares
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares, forfeited	1,000,000

Share-Based Transactions - Em_4

Share-Based Transactions - Employee Share-Based Transactions, PSU Activity (Details) - Performance share units (PSUs) [Member] - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement [Abstract]
Shares, beginning balance	85	54	18
Shares, granted	25	31	36
Shares, performance adjustment	4
Shares, vested	(23)
Shares, ending balance	92	85	54
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, beginning balance	$ 79.34	$ 67.42	$ 41.88
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	122.62	100.55	80.45
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, performance adjustment	41.88
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, vested	41.88
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, ending balance	$ 98.79	$ 79.34	$ 67.42

Share-Based Transactions - Em_5

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of shares of common stock may be received by recipients	38,225,000	45,869,000	41,162,000
Minimum number of shares of common stock may be received by recipients	0	0

Share-Based Transactions - Em_6

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized for stock option awards	$ 6	$ 39	$ 162
Tax benefit recognized for stock option awards		$ 8	$ 37

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, outstanding beginning balance	74	107	145
Number of shares, exercised	(4)	(33)	(38)
Number of shares, outstanding ending balance	70	74	107
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding beginning balance	$ 44.07	$ 45.15	$ 44.75
Weighted average exercise price, exercised	41.20	47.59	43.63
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding ending balance	$ 44.23	$ 44.07	$ 45.15
Number of shares, exercisable	70	44	32	6
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable	$ 44.23	$ 45.55	$ 47.26	$ 53.50
$41.20 (average term remaining - 5.1 years) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices outstanding	4
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices outstanding	$ 41.20
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices exercisable	4
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices exercisable	$ 41.20
$53.50 (average term remaining - 6.2 years) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices outstanding	14
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices outstanding	$ 53.50
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices exercisable	14
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices exercisable	$ 53.50
$41.88 (average term remaining - 7.1 years) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices outstanding	52
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices outstanding	$ 41.88
Number of shares, vested option exercise prices exercisable	52
Weighted average exercise price, vested option exercise prices exercisable	$ 41.88

Share-Based Transactions - Su_2

Share-Based Transactions - Summary of Activity Related to Stock Options Outstanding and Exercisable (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019$ / shares
$41.20 (average term remaining - 5.1 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	4 years 1 month 6 days
$53.50 (average term remaining - 6.2 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	5 years 2 months 12 days
$41.88 (average term remaining - 7.1 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	6 years 2 months 12 days

Share-Based Transactions - Su_3

Share-Based Transactions - Summary of Intrinsic Values of Stock Options (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Aggregate intrinsic value of exercisable stock options	$ 6,036
Aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding	$ 6,036

Share-Based Transactions - Su_4

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 369	$ 1,953	$ 1,453
Tax benefit realized from the options exercised			509
Value of issued shares withheld to satisfy option exercise price	$ 161	$ 1,562	$ 1,673

Share-Based Transactions - None

Share-Based Transactions - Nonemployee Share-Based Transactions, RSU Activity (Details) - Nonemployee Shares [Member] - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement [Abstract]
Shares, beginning balance	34,000	32,000	42,000
Shares, granted	105,000	124,000	156,000
Shares, vested	(115,000)	(122,000)	(166,000)
Shares, ending balance	24,000	34,000	32,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, beginning balance	$ 97.71	$ 91.88	$ 61.55
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	124.51	102.43	75.69
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, vested	115.01	101.01	68.96
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, ending balance	$ 132.68	$ 97.71	$ 91.88

Share-Based Transactions - No_2

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

Share-Based Transactions - No_3

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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction [Line Items]
Total quarterly non-employee RSUs granted	105,348	124,471	155,996
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	$ 124.51	$ 102.43	$ 75.69
Illiquidity discounts			10.00%
Total equity awards expense recognized	$ 3,441	$ 3,288	$ 980
Quarterly incentive awards expense	9,663	9,484	10,821
Tax benefit associated with incentive awards	$ 2,465	$ 2,437	$ 2,259
Minimum [Member]
Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	$ 118.11	$ 96.60	$ 67.82
Maximum [Member]
Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction [Line Items]
Weighted-average measurement-date fair value per share, granted	$ 132.68	$ 120.55	$ 91.88

Statutory Accounting and Divi_3

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2020
Primerica Life [Member] | TENNESSEE
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory net income amount	$ 508,600	$ 547,900	$ 398,800
Payments of dividends	270,000
Payments of ordinary dividends	0
Statutory accounting practices, statutory amount available for dividend payments without regulatory approval				$ 168,300
Statutory capital and surplus	666,005	674,165
Peach Re [Member] | VERMONT
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
State insurance department, statutory to NAIC, amount of reconciling item	247,600
Primerica Life Canada [Member] | CANADA
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory accounting practices, statutory amount available for dividend payments without regulatory approval				$ 107,300
Statutory capital and surplus	$ 454,600	$ 377,600

Statutory Accounting and Divi_4

Statutory Accounting and Dividend Restrictions - Statutory Accounting Practices Disclosure (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Primerica Life [Member] | TENNESSEE
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory capital and surplus	$ 666,005	$ 674,165

Commitments and Contingent Li_2

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)Jurisdiction	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Letter of credit, outstanding	$ 247.6
Number of jurisdiction | Jurisdiction	30
Letter of Credit [Member]
Commitments And Contingent Liabilities [Line Items]
Letter of credit, outstanding	$ 450	$ 507

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Deta

Benefit Plans - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Defined Contribution Pension And Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, expenses	$ 8.9	$ 8.4	$ 7.7

Revenue from Contracts with C_3

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Summary of Disaggregation of Revenues from Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers		$ 531,960	$ 520,653	$ 504,902	$ 494,987	$ 487,325	$ 484,781	$ 467,815	$ 459,923	$ 2,052,504	$ 1,899,843	$ 1,689,102
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										1,227,231	1,123,200	992,224
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										40,848	42,374	41,236
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Other, Net [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										40,848	42,374	41,236
Term Life Insurance Segment [Member] | Revenues from Sources Other Than Contracts with Customers (Segregated Funds) [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										1,186,383	1,080,826	950,988
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										691,608	655,076	572,747
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										633,910	596,719	514,117
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Other, Net [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										10,017	9,631	9,555
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Commissions and Fees [Member] | Sales-based Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										282,887	259,991	233,005
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Commissions and Fees [Member] | Asset-based Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										260,451	245,295	216,527
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Commissions and Fees [Member] | Account-based Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										80,555	81,802	55,030
Investment and Savings Products Segment [Member] | Revenues from Sources Other Than Contracts with Customers (Segregated Funds) [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										57,698	58,357	58,630
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Revenues [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										133,665	121,567	124,131
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Revenues [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										36,873	37,144	33,425
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Revenues [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Other, Net [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										4,660	4,982	5,300
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Revenues [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Commissions and Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers	[1]									32,213	32,162	28,125
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Revenues [Member] | Revenues from Sources Other Than Contracts with Customers (Segregated Funds) [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenues from contracts with customers										$ 96,792	$ 84,423	$ 90,706
[1]	Commissions and fees for the year ended December 31, 2019 to performance obligations satisfied in a previous reporting period and represent the collection of variable consideration in the transaction price that had been previously constrained.

Revenue from Contracts with C_4

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Summary of Disaggregation of Revenues from Contracts (Parenthetical) (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment Revenues [Member] | Total Segment Revenues from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Commissions and Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligation satisfied and collection of variable consideration in transaction price	$ 5.5

Revenue from Contracts with C_5

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Summary of Contract Asset Account (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018
Contract With Customer Asset And Liability [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 50,119	[1]	$ 48,533
Current period sales, net of collection of renewal commissions	1,582		1,586
Balance, at the end of period	$ 51,701		$ 50,119	[1]
[1]	Reclassed to Other assets from Agents balances, due premiums and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets to conform with current year reporting.

Revenue from Contracts with C_6

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Estimate adjustments to contract asset	$ 0
Impairment losses recognized on contract asset	0
Assets recognized for incremental costs	$ 0

Leases - Narratives (Details)

Leases - Narratives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Lease renewal term	10 years
Lease termination period	4 years
Finance lease liabilities	$ 736
Operating lease minimum rent expense		$ 8,000	$ 7,500
Operating lease contingent rent expense		$ 0	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term	11 years
Other Assets
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Finance lease right-of-use assets	$ 700
Other Liabilities
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Finance lease liabilities	$ 700

Leases - Schedule of Components

Leases - Schedule of Components of Lease Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating lease cost
Operating lease cost	$ 7,650
Variable lease cost (includes taxes, common area maintenance and insurance)	675
Finance lease cost
Depreciation of finance lease assets	277
Interest on lease liabilities	46
Total lease cost	$ 8,648

Leases - Schedule of Other Info

Leases - Schedule of Other Information Related to Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows used in operating leases	$ 7,656	[1]
Operating cash flows used in finance leases	46	[1]
Financing cash flows used in finance leases	$ 281
Operating leases weighted average remaining lease term	9 years
Finance leases weighted average remaining lease term	3 years
Operating leases weighted average discount rate	4.60%
Finance leases weighted average discount rate	6.80%
[1]	Included in change in other operating assets and liabilities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

Leases - Schedule of Future Min

Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Non-Cancellable Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Operating Leases
2020	$ 7,403
2021	7,241
2022	7,234
2023	7,242
2024	7,218
Thereafter	28,622
Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases	64,960
Less imputed interest	11,473
Operating lease liabilities	53,487
Finance Leases
2020	331
2021	284
2022	116
2023	55
2024	26
Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases	812
Less imputed interest	76
Finance lease liabilities	$ 736

Leases - Schedule of Minimum Ag

Leases - Schedule of Minimum Aggregate Rental Commitments for Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 7,459
2020	7,174
2021	7,038
2022	7,120
2023	7,094
Thereafter	34,901
Total minimum rental commitments for operating leases	$ 70,786

Unaudited Quarterly Financial_3

Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Direct premiums	$ 697,060	$ 692,258	$ 687,262	$ 677,286	$ 673,605	$ 670,222	$ 667,191	$ 656,087	$ 2,753,866	$ 2,667,104	$ 2,562,109
Ceded premiums	(390,364)	(388,982)	(400,588)	(389,795)	(392,290)	(391,175)	(403,449)	(394,249)	(1,569,729)	(1,581,164)	(1,600,771)
Net premiums	306,696	303,276	286,674	287,491	281,315	279,047	263,742	261,838	1,184,137	1,085,940	961,338
Revenues	531,960	520,653	504,902	494,987	487,325	484,781	467,815	459,923	2,052,504	1,899,843	1,689,102
Net investment income	22,418	22,675	24,868	24,111	21,760	20,622	20,030	19,017	94,073	81,430	79,017
Realized investment gains (losses), including OTTI	766	285	1,067	2,847	(1,651)	(126)	1,313	(1,656)	4,965	(2,121)	1,339
Other, net	13,778	14,698	13,825	13,223	13,941	14,359	14,790	13,897	55,525	56,987	56,091
Total benefits and expenses	409,815	395,514	377,442	392,619	379,403	373,346	354,050	376,960	1,575,393	1,483,759	1,309,582
Income before income taxes	122,145	125,139	127,460	102,368	107,922	111,435	113,765	82,963	477,111	416,084	379,520
Income taxes	28,588	28,916	30,014	23,203	21,381	26,296	27,065	17,248	110,720	91,990	29,265
Net income	$ 93,557	$ 96,223	$ 97,446	$ 79,165	$ 86,541	$ 85,139	$ 86,700	$ 65,715	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 2.25	$ 2.28	$ 2.28	$ 1.84	$ 1.99	$ 1.95	$ 1.96	$ 1.46	$ 8.65	$ 7.35	$ 7.63
Diluted earnings per share	$ 2.24	$ 2.28	$ 2.28	$ 1.83	$ 1.99	$ 1.94	$ 1.95	$ 1.46	$ 8.62	$ 7.33	$ 7.61
Commissions and Fees [Member]
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 188,302	$ 179,719	$ 178,468	$ 167,315	$ 171,960	$ 170,879	$ 167,940	$ 166,827

Schedule I Summary of Investm_2

Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	$ 3,567,971
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	3,772,942
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	3,658,210
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	273,502
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	280,682
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	280,682
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	120,000
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	122,593
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	122,593
Foreign Government Debt [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	158,052
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	164,178
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	164,178
All Other Corporate Bonds [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	2,945,372
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	3,126,013
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	3,011,281
Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	5,447
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	5,865
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	5,865
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	3,502,373
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	3,699,331
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	3,584,599
Public Utility, Equities [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	6,469
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	11,344
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	11,344
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	18,924
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	20,359
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	20,359
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	5,440
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	7,931
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	7,931
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	1,838
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	1,050
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	1,050
Equity Securities, Investment Summary [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	32,671
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	40,684
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	40,684
Policy Loans [Member]
Summary of Investments Other Than Investments In Related Parties
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, cost	32,927
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, fair value	32,927
Summary of investments, other than investments in related parties, carrying amount	$ 32,927

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	$ 2,356,996	$ 2,069,635	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value (historical cost: $32,671 in 2019 and $34,997 in 2018)	40,684	37,679
Total investments	3,658,210	3,130,986
Cash and cash equivalents	256,876	262,138
Other receivables	227,100	215,139
Income tax receivable	1,020
Deferred income taxes	69,472	59,336
Other assets	384,634	391,291
Total assets	13,688,531	12,595,048		$ 12,460,703
Liabilities:
Notes payable	374,037	373,661
Current income tax payable	20,224	22,699
Deferred income taxes	188,997	164,405
Other liabilities	510,443	486,772
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note F)
Total liabilities	12,036,040	11,133,535
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2019 and 2018; issued and outstanding 41,207 shares in 2019 and 42,694 shares in 2018)	412	427
Retained earnings	1,593,281	1,489,520
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	13,688,531	12,595,048
Parent Company [Member]
Investments:
Available-for-sale debt securities, at fair value	208,526	109,415
Short-term investments, available-for-sale, at fair value (cost: $0 in 2019 and $8,171 in 2018)		8,171
Equity securities, at fair value (historical cost: $32,671 in 2019 and $34,997 in 2018)	2,250	1,447
Total investments	210,776	119,033
Cash and cash equivalents	59,150	32,745		$ 66,226	$ 13,992
Due from affiliates	1,267	2,492
Other receivables	1,383	1,086
Income tax receivable	1,026	3,490
Deferred income taxes	12,151	12,151
Investment in subsidiaries	1,756,845	1,678,231
Other assets	608	729
Total assets	2,043,206	1,849,957
Liabilities:
Notes payable	374,037	373,661
Deferred income taxes	7,441	6,126
Interest payable	8,214	8,214
Other liabilities	1,023	443
Commitments and contingent liabilities (see Note F)
Total liabilities	390,715	388,444
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; authorized 500,000 in 2019 and 2018; issued and outstanding 41,207 shares in 2019 and 42,694 shares in 2018)	412	427
Retained earnings	1,593,281	1,489,520
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income tax	58,798	(28,434)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,652,491	1,461,513
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,043,206	$ 1,849,957
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc._2

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Financial Information Parentheticals (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, debt maturities, amortized cost Basis	$ 2,274,770	$ 2,078,822	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value, historical cost	$ 32,671	$ 34,997
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	41,207,000	42,694,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	41,207,000	42,694,000		44,251,000	45,721,000
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, debt maturities, amortized cost Basis	$ 206,550	$ 108,623
Short term investments, amortized cost basis	0	8,171
Equity securities, at fair value, historical cost	$ 2,090	$ 1,519
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	41,207,000	42,694,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	41,207,000	42,694,000
[1]	Includes $0.1 million of OTTI losses related to corporates and mortgage- and asset-backed securities recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc._3

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenues:
Net investment income	$ 22,418	$ 22,675	$ 24,868	$ 24,111	$ 21,760	$ 20,622	$ 20,030	$ 19,017	$ 94,073	$ 81,430	$ 79,017
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses	766	285	1,067	2,847	(1,651)	(126)	1,313	(1,656)	4,965	(2,121)	1,339
Revenues	531,960	520,653	504,902	494,987	487,325	484,781	467,815	459,923	2,052,504	1,899,843	1,689,102
Expenses:
Interest expense									28,811	28,809	28,488
Other operating expenses									237,144	229,607	189,300
Income taxes	28,588	28,916	30,014	23,203	21,381	26,296	27,065	17,248	110,720	91,990	29,265
Net income	$ 93,557	$ 96,223	$ 97,446	$ 79,165	$ 86,541	$ 85,139	$ 86,700	$ 65,715	366,391	324,094	350,255
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues:
Dividends from subsidiaries									398,129	302,932	256,913
Net investment income									4,973	2,306	1,484
Realized investment gains (losses), including other-than- temporary impairment losses									256	(128)	179
Revenues									403,358	305,110	258,576
Expenses:
Interest expense									18,669	18,695	18,210
Other operating expenses									9,898	7,478	8,441
Total expenses									28,567	26,173	26,651
Income before income taxes									374,791	278,937	231,925
Income taxes									(2,940)	(5,578)	(3,756)
Income before equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									377,731	284,515	235,681
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(11,340)	39,579	114,574
Net income									$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc._4

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 93,557	$ 96,223	$ 97,446	$ 79,165	$ 86,541	$ 85,139	$ 86,700	$ 65,715	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities									91,160	(59,661)	(3,950)
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income									253	(45)	(1,589)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Equity in unrealized foreign currency translation gains of subsidiaries									15,299	(25,059)	17,383
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes									106,712	(84,765)	11,844
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									19,480	(12,690)	(2,126)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes									87,232	(72,075)	13,970
Total comprehensive income									453,623	252,019	364,225
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income									366,391	324,094	350,255
Unrealized investment gains (losses):
Equity in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities held by subsidiaries									70,998	(46,382)	(3,333)
Change in unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities									1,440	(931)	356
Reclassification adjustment for realized investment (gains) losses included in net income									(256)	128	(179)
Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Equity in unrealized foreign currency translation gains of subsidiaries									15,299	(25,059)	17,383
Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes									87,481	(72,244)	14,227
Income tax expense (benefit) related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)									249	(169)	257
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes									87,232	(72,075)	13,970
Total comprehensive income									$ 453,623	$ 252,019	$ 364,225

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc._5

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flow (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 93,557	$ 96,223	$ 97,446	$ 79,165	$ 86,541	$ 85,139	$ 86,700	$ 65,715	$ 366,391	$ 324,094	$ 350,255
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Deferred tax provision									(841)	2,590	(53,788)
Change in income taxes									(5,187)	2,365	(2,159)
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments	(766)	$ (285)	$ (1,067)	(2,847)	1,651	$ 126	$ (1,313)	1,656	(4,965)	2,121	(1,339)
Accretion and amortization of investments									(720)	(1,894)	(1,596)
Share-based compensation									17,533	17,251	15,267
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net									(29,601)	(8,808)	1,137
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed maturity securities — sold									42,202	51,726	77,444
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called									403,969	362,413	223,088
Equity securities — sold											5,771
Short-term investments — matured or called									8,250
Equity securities — sold									3,136	2,093
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities									(633,106)	(626,826)	(430,452)
Short-term investments										(8,169)
Equity securities — acquired									(898)	(521)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid									(57,630)	(44,140)	(35,821)
Common stock repurchased									(225,037)	(210,146)	(150,038)
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation									(7,186)	(6,711)	(6,734)
Payment of deferred financing costs											(868)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				262,138					262,138
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	256,876				262,138				256,876	262,138
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid									28,053	27,899	27,816
Parent Company [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income									366,391	324,094	350,255
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries									(95,014)	(44,095)	(145,113)
Deferred tax provision									1,067	(1,983)	2,454
Change in income taxes									2,464	(6,151)	(1,235)
Realized investment (gains) losses, including other-than-temporary impairments									(256)	128	(179)
Accretion and amortization of investments									257	103	149
Share-based compensation									1,487	1,365	1,254
Change in due to/from affiliates									1,225	780	(4,380)
Trading securities sold, matured, or called (acquired), net											(1,377)
Change in other operating assets and liabilities, net									2,001	(120)	(1,514)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities									279,622	274,121	200,314
Available-for-sale investments sold, matured or called:
Fixed maturity securities — sold									6,481	1,603	12,204
Fixed-maturity securities — matured or called									179,950	104,836	56,678
Equity securities — sold											36
Short-term investments — matured or called									8,250
Equity securities — sold									76	150
Available-for-sale investments acquired:
Fixed-maturity securities									(157,510)	(144,760)	(23,497)
Equity securities											(40)
Short-term investments										(8,169)
Equity securities — acquired									(611)	(265)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities									36,636	(46,605)	45,381
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid									(57,630)	(44,140)	(35,821)
Common stock repurchased									(225,037)	(210,146)	(150,038)
Tax withholdings on share-based compensation									(7,186)	(6,711)	(6,734)
Payment of deferred financing costs											(868)
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities									(289,853)	(260,997)	(193,461)
Change in cash and cash equivalents									26,405	(33,481)	52,234
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				$ 32,745				$ 66,226	32,745	66,226	13,992
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 59,150				$ 32,745				59,150	32,745	66,226
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest paid									$ 18,117	$ 18,146	$ 17,813

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc._6

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flow Parenthetical (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed-maturity securities transferred	$ 127.2	$ 27.6	$ 35.5

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc._7

Schedule II - Primerica, Inc. (Parent Only) - Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 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	$ 105,600,000	80,100,000	$ 96,000,000
Life Insurance Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash dividends paid to parent company	292,500,000	$ 222,800,000	$ 160,900,000
Maximum [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	1,500,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument maturity date	Dec. 19, 2022
New unsecured revolving credit facility	$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument, frequency of commitment fee payable	quarterly
Debt instrument, outstanding amount	$ 0
Line of credit facility, Termination date	Dec. 19, 2022
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 - Supplementary _2

Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	$ 2,325,750	$ 2,133,920
Liability for future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expense reserves	6,446,569	6,168,157
Unearned and advance premiums	15,470	15,587
Policy claims and other benefits payable	339,954	313,862
Separate account liabilities	2,485,745	2,195,501
Premium revenue	1,184,137	1,085,940	$ 961,338
Net investment income	94,073	81,430	79,017
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expense	493,820	457,583	416,019
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	254,552	239,730	209,399
Other operating expense	827,021	786,446	684,164
Premiums written	741	792	821
Term Life Insurance [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	2,239,515	2,052,176
Liability for future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expense reserves	6,244,193	5,963,707
Unearned and advance premiums	14,933	15,016
Policy claims and other benefits payable	330,660	303,866
Premium revenue	1,166,461	1,067,079	941,057
Net investment income	19,922	13,747	9,931
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expense	475,330	441,775	398,212
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	248,710	228,613	201,751
Other operating expense	183,097	170,908	146,604
Investment and Savings Products [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	62,196	56,548
Separate account liabilities	2,485,683	2,195,409
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	4,549	9,766	6,168
Other operating expense	495,248	471,398	403,743
Corporate and Other Distributed Products Segment [Member]
Supplementary Insurance Information, by Segment [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs	24,039	25,196
Liability for future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expense reserves	202,376	204,450
Unearned and advance premiums	537	571
Policy claims and other benefits payable	9,294	9,996
Separate account liabilities	62	92
Premium revenue	17,676	18,861	20,281
Net investment income	74,151	67,683	69,086
Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expense	18,490	15,808	17,807
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	1,293	1,351	1,480
Other operating expense	148,676	144,140	133,817
Premiums written	$ 741	$ 792	$ 821

Schedule IV - Reinsurance (Deta

Schedule IV - Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct premiums, life insurance in force	$ 810,995,295				$ 783,979,673				$ 810,995,295	$ 783,979,673	$ 767,001,938
Direct premiums	697,060	$ 692,258	$ 687,262	$ 677,286	673,605	$ 670,222	$ 667,191	$ 656,087	2,753,866	2,667,104	2,562,109
Ceded premiums, life insurance in force	702,727,956				682,708,797				702,727,956	682,708,797	668,446,638
Ceded premiums	390,364	$ 388,982	$ 400,588	$ 389,795	392,290	$ 391,175	$ 403,449	$ 394,249	1,569,729	1,581,164	1,600,771
Net life insurance in force	$ 108,267,339				$ 101,270,876				108,267,339	101,270,876	98,555,300
Premiums earned, net									1,184,137	1,085,940	961,338
Life Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct premiums									2,752,774	2,665,947	2,560,885
Ceded premiums									1,569,403	1,580,815	1,600,399
Premiums earned, net									1,183,371	1,085,132	960,486
Accident and Health Insurance [Member]
Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies, by Product Segment [Line Items]
Direct premiums									1,092	1,157	1,224
Ceded premiums									326	349	372
Premiums earned, net									$ 766	$ 808	$ 852