Globe Life (GL) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TORCHMARK CORP
Entity Central Index Key	320335
Trading Symbol	TMK
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		126,108,193

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2015–$12,962,830; 2014–$12,823,612)	$14,894,514	$14,493,060
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2015–$776; 2014–$776)	1,474	1,477
Policy loans	474,717	472,109
Other long-term investments	10,006	10,449
Short-term investments	91,888	15,882
Total investments	15,472,599	14,992,977
Cash	3,086	66,019
Accrued investment income	213,864	204,879
Other receivables	565,965	543,988
Deferred acquisition costs	3,510,564	3,471,781
Goodwill	441,591	441,591
Other assets	488,838	493,495
Total assets	20,696,507	20,214,730
Liabilities:
Future policy benefits	11,871,991	11,750,495
Unearned and advance premiums	74,729	72,275
Policy claims and other benefits payable	222,668	212,137
Other policyholders’ funds	95,418	95,446
Total policy liabilities	12,264,806	12,130,353
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,919,471	1,797,265
Other liabilities	377,218	359,118
Short-term debt	258,921	238,398
Long-term debt (fair value: 2015–$1,152,793; 2014–$1,148,749)	992,463	992,130
Total liabilities	15,812,879	15,517,264
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share–Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2015 and in 2014	0	0
Common stock, par value $1 per share–Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2015–134,218,183 issued, less 7,716,042 held in treasury and 2014–134,218,183 issued, less 6,287,907 held in treasury)	134,218	134,218
Additional paid-in capital	462,953	457,613
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,165,641	997,452
Retained earnings	3,472,042	3,376,846
Treasury stock, at cost	-351,226	-268,663
Total shareholders’ equity	4,883,628	4,697,466
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$20,696,507	$20,214,730

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost	$12,962,830	$12,823,612
Equity securities, cost	776	776
Long-term debt, fair value	$1,152,793	$1,148,749
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	320,000,000	320,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	134,218,183	134,218,183
Common stock, shares held in treasury	7,716,042	6,287,907

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue:
Life premium	$513,342		$489,058	[1]
Health premium	316,765		329,863	[1]
Other premium	41		99	[1]
Total premium	830,148		819,020	[1]
Net investment income	191,596		188,051	[1]
Realized investment gains	119		16,619	[1]
Other income	669		481	[1]
Total revenue	1,022,532		1,024,171	[1]
Benefits and expenses:
Life policyholder benefits	339,701		320,176	[1]
Health policyholder benefits	242,151		255,718	[1]
Other policyholder benefits	10,045		10,623	[1]
Total policyholder benefits	591,897		586,517	[1]
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	111,263		104,733	[1]
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	63,268		59,378	[1]
Other operating expense	56,612		56,956	[1]
Interest expense	19,060		19,049	[1]
Total benefits and expenses	842,100		826,633	[1]
Income before income taxes	180,432		197,538	[1]
Income taxes	-58,784		-64,682	[1]
Net income	$121,648		$132,856	[1]
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.96	[2]	$1	[1],[2]
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.95	[2]	$0.98	[1],[2]
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.14	[2]	$0.13	[1],[2]
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards
[2]	All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split that was effective July 1, 2014.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$121,648	$132,856	[1]
Unrealized gains on securities:
Less applicable taxes	-92,131	-213,667
Unrealized investment gains, net of tax	171,245	396,890
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs	652	-4,228
Less applicable taxes	-228	1,480
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs, net of tax	424	-2,748
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities	-8,691	-1,177
Less applicable taxes	2,729	439
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities, net of tax	-5,962	-738
Pension adjustments	3,820	2,574
Less applicable taxes	-1,338	-901
Pension adjustments, net of tax	2,482	1,673
Other comprehensive income (loss)	168,189	395,077
Comprehensive income	289,837	527,933
Securities [Member]
Unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains arising during period	266,582	629,066
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) on securities included in net income	-119	-16,619
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) and premium	-1,672	-2,227
Foreign exchange adjustment on securities recorded at fair value	-2,558	-871
Unrealized gains on securities	262,233	609,349
Other Investments [Member]
Unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized gains on other investments	1,143	1,208
Total unrealized investment gains	$263,376	$610,557
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash provided from operations	$279,729	$274,850
Long-term investments sold or matured:
Fixed maturities available for sale—sold	11,444	16,049
Fixed maturities available for sale—matured, called, and repaid	127,554	22,288
Equity securities	0	700
Other long-term investments	51	68
Total long-term investments sold or matured	139,049	39,105
Long-term investments acquired:
Fixed maturities	-291,798	-158,344
Other long-term investments	-19	-20
Total long-term investments acquired	-291,817	-158,364
Net increase in policy loans	-2,608	-3,085
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments	-76,006	-32,175
Net change in payable or receivable for securities	0	-902
Additions to properties	-6,080	-5,075
Investment in low-income housing interests	-6,865	-15,042
Cash used for investment activities	-244,327	-175,538
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	11,823	13,954
Net borrowings (repayments) of commercial paper	20,523	35,848
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	4,952	4,366
Acquisition of treasury stock	-110,619	-125,635
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-16,210	-15,219
Net receipts (withdrawals) from deposit-type products	-15,558	-17,181
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-105,089	-103,867
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	6,754	7,628
Net (decreases) increase in cash	-62,933	3,073
Cash at beginning of year	66,019	36,943
Cash at end of period	$3,086	$40,016

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accounting Policies	Accounting Policies
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Therefore, they do not include all of the annual disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, in the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position at March 31, 2015, and the condensed consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The interim period condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements that are included in the Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2015.
	Torchmark declared a three-for-two stock split paid in the form of a 50% stock dividend on all of the Company’s outstanding common stock, having a record date of June 2, 2014. On July 1,2014, the payment date, holders of Torchmark common stock received one additional share of stock for every two shares held. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this stock split for the periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Effective January 1, 2015, Torchmark adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-01 Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (ASU 2014-01). As a result of the adoption, the Company retrospectively adjusted prior periods. See Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards for further detail.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows.
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014*
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	127,121,101	133,163,464
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding	1,465,751	1,872,075
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	128,586,852	135,035,539
	Antidilutive shares	605,188	5,210
	* All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split that was effective July 1, 2014.

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Postretirement Benefit Plans	Postretirement Benefit Plans
	The following tables present a summary of post-retirement benefit costs by component.
	Components of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs
		Three Months ended March 31,
		Pension Benefits							Other Benefits
		2015			2014				2015			2014
	Service cost	$	3,990		$	3,232			$	—		$	56
	Interest cost	5,003			4,819				203			147
	Expected return on assets	(5,323		)	(4,753		)		—			—
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost	81			528				—			—
	Actuarial (gain) loss	3,534			2,044				23			—
	Direct recognition of expense	—			—				176			(62		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	7,285		$	5,870			$	402		$	141
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at March 31, 2015 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
		31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
		Amount			%		Amount				%
	Corporate debt	$	169,188		52		$	166,825			52
	Other fixed maturities	292			—		284				—
	Equity securities	128,137			40		127,568				39
	Short-term investments	7,798			2		9,038				3
	Guaranteed annuity contract	15,144			5		15,027				5
	Other	3,684			1		4,156				1
	Total	$	324,243		100		$	322,898			100
	The liability for the funded defined-benefit pension plans was $407 million at March 31, 2015 and $403 million at December 31, 2014. No cash contributions were made to the qualified pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Torchmark expects to make cash contributions to these plans during 2015 in an amount not to exceed $20 million. With respect to the Company’s non-qualified supplemental retirement plan, life insurance policies on the lives of plan participants have been established with an unaffiliated carrier to fund a portion of the Company’s obligations under the plan. These policies, as well as investments deposited with an unaffiliated trustee, were previously placed in a Rabbi Trust to provide for payment of the plan obligations. At March 31, 2015, the combined value of the insurance policies and investments in the Rabbi Trust to support plan liabilities were $75 million, compared with $74 million at year-end 2014. Since this plan is non-qualified, the values of the insurance policies and investments are recorded as other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in the chart of plan assets above. The liability for the non-qualified pension plan was $72 million at March 31, 2015 and $71 million at December 31, 2014.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments
	Portfolio Composition:
	A summary of fixed maturities and equity securities available for sale by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value at March 31, 2015 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of March 31, 2015
		Cost or			Gross				Gross			Fair Value				% of Total
		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized							Fixed
		Cost			Gains				Losses							Maturities*
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	369,684		$	14,107			$	(791	)	$	383,000			3
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions	1,281,007			183,084				(423		)	1,463,668				10
	Foreign governments	27,372			1,918				(1		)	29,289				—
	Corporates, by sector:
	Financial	2,609,600			471,670				(13,593		)	3,067,677				20
	Utilities	2,147,011			434,773				(524		)	2,581,260				18
	Energy	1,546,541			197,320				(24,426		)	1,719,435				12
	Other corporate sectors	4,401,258			610,592				(13,139		)	4,998,711				33
	Total corporates	10,704,410			1,714,355				(51,682		)	12,367,083				83
	Collateralized debt obligations	65,642			16,784				(7,872		)	74,554				—
	Other asset-backed securities	20,384			1,555				—			21,939				—
	Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
	Financial	465,655			64,554				(4,828		)	525,381				4
	Utilities	28,676			947				(23		)	29,600				—
	Total redeemable preferred stocks	494,331			65,501				(4,851		)	554,981				4
	Total fixed maturities	12,962,830			1,997,304				(65,620		)	14,894,514				100
	Equity securities	776			698				—			1,474
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	12,963,606		$	1,998,002			$	(65,620	)	$	14,895,988
	* At fair value
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at March 31, 2015 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturity dates could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.
		Amortized			Fair Value
		Cost
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Due in one year or less	$	132,153		$	134,358
	Due from one to five years	510,813			575,083
	Due from five to ten years	931,954			1,043,718
	Due from ten to twenty years	3,739,429			4,379,923
	Due after twenty years	7,560,176			8,662,450
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	88,305			98,982
		$	12,962,830		$	14,894,514
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Proceeds from sales	$	11,444		$	16,050
	Gross realized gains	84			15,925
	Gross realized losses	—			—
	Fair Value Measurements:
	The following table represents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2015 Using:
	Description	Quoted Prices			Significant				Significant			Total Fair
		in Active			Other				Unobservable			Value
		Markets for			Observable				Inputs (Level 3)
		Identical			Inputs (Level 2)
		Assets
		(Level 1)
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	—		$	383,000			$	—		$	383,000
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions	—			1,463,668				—			1,463,668
	Foreign governments	—			29,289				—			29,289
	Corporates, by sector:
	Financial	—			2,996,597				71,080			3,067,677
	Utilities	25,426			2,413,683				142,151			2,581,260
	Energy	—			1,691,735				27,700			1,719,435
	Other corporate sectors	7,000			4,704,629				287,082			4,998,711
Total corporates	32,426			11,806,644				528,013			12,367,083
Collateralized debt obligations	—			—				74,554			74,554
Other asset-backed securities	—			21,939				—			21,939
Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
Financial	15,434			509,947				—			525,381
Utilities	—			29,600				—			29,600
Total redeemable preferred stocks	15,434			539,547				—			554,981
Total fixed maturities	47,860			14,244,087				602,567			14,894,514
Equity securities	641			—				833			1,474
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	48,501		$	14,244,087			$	603,400		$	14,895,988
Percent of total	0.3		%	95.6		%		4.1		%	100		%
The following table represents an analysis of changes in fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015
	Collateralized			Corporates (1)				Equities			Total
	debt
	obligations
Balance at January 1, 2015	$	63,232		$	512,714			$	833		$	576,779
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses	—			—				—			—
Included in other comprehensive income	13,556			8,626				—			22,182
Acquisitions	—			8,000				—			8,000
Sales	—			—				—			—
Amortization	1,410			4				—			1,414
Other (2)	(3,644		)	(1,331		)		—			(4,975		)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)	—			—				—			—
Balance at March 31, 2015	$	74,554		$	528,013			$	833		$	603,400
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.5		%	3.6		%		—		%	4.1		%
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014
	Collateralized			Corporates (1)				Equities			Total
	debt
	obligations
Balance at January 1, 2014	$	58,205		$	300,300			$	776		$	359,281
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses	15,924			1				—			15,925
Included in other comprehensive income	7,283			12,772				—			20,055
Acquisitions	—			33,791				—			33,791
Sales	(16,049		)	(1		)		—			(16,050		)
Amortization	1,307			3				—			1,310
Other (2)	(2,340		)	(836		)		—			(3,176		)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)	—			—				—			—
Balance at March 31, 2014	$	64,330		$	346,030			$	776		$	411,136
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.5		%	2.5		%		—		%	3		%
-1	Includes redeemable preferred stocks.
-2	Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments.
-3	Considered to be transferred at the end of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when observable inputs are no longer available. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when observable inputs become available.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
There were no other-than-temporary impairments during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.
Unrealized Loss Analysis:
The following table discloses information about investments in an unrealized loss position:
		Less than		Twelve			Total
		Twelve		Months
		Months		or Longer
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
As of March 31, 2015		99		63			162
As of December 31, 2014		80		173			253
Torchmark’s entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,589 issues at March 31, 2015 and 1,604 issues at December 31, 2014. The weighted average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions as of March 31, 2015 was BBB-. Although Torchmark’s fixed-maturity investments are available for sale, Torchmark’s management generally does not intend to sell and does not believe it will be required to sell any securities which are temporarily impaired before they recover due to the strong and stable cash flows generated by its insurance products.
The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at March 31, 2015 for the period of time in a loss position. Torchmark considers these investments not to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Analysis of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses
At March 31, 2015
		Less than							Twelve Months							Total
		Twelve Months							or Longer
Description of Securities		Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value		Unrealized
					Loss							Loss						Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Investment grade:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	22,803		$	(158	)		$	14,868		$	(633	)		$	37,671	$	(791	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		10,033			(169		)		1,026			(58		)		11,059		(227		)
Foreign governments		—			—				781			(1		)		781		(1		)
Corporates, by sector:
Financial		24,388			(330		)		—			—				24,388		(330		)
Utilities		44,928			(523		)		4,999			(1		)		49,927		(524		)
Energy		172,234			(12,241		)		64,968			(4,486		)		237,202		(16,727		)
Other corporate sectors		292,023			(5,321		)		49,935			(3,265		)		341,958		(8,586		)
Total corporates		533,573			(18,415		)		119,902			(7,752		)		653,475		(26,167		)
Collateralized debt obligations		—			—				—			—				—		—
Other asset-backed securities		—			—				—			—				—		—
Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
Financial		1,007			(1		)		—			—				1,007		(1		)
Utilities		—			—				1,645			(23		)		1,645		(23		)
Total redeemable preferred stocks		1,007			(1		)		1,645			(23		)		2,652		(24		)
Total investment grade		567,416			(18,743		)		138,222			(8,467		)		705,638		(27,210		)
Below investment grade:
Bonds:
States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—			—				360			(196		)		360		(196		)
Corporates, by sector:
Financial		—			—				92,540			(13,263		)		92,540		(13,263		)
Utilities		—			—				—			—				—		—
Energy		49,299			(7,699		)		—			—				49,299		(7,699		)
Other corporate sectors		16,967			(395		)		52,693			(4,158		)		69,660		(4,553		)
Total corporates		66,266			(8,094		)		145,233			(17,421		)		211,499		(25,515		)
Collateralized debt obligations		—			—				12,128			(7,872		)		12,128		(7,872		)
Other asset-backed securities		—			—				—			—				—		—
Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
Financial		—			—				57,512			(4,827		)		57,512		(4,827		)
Total redeemable preferred stocks		—			—				57,512			(4,827		)		57,512		(4,827		)
Total below investment grade		66,266			(8,094		)		215,233			(30,316		)		281,499		(38,410		)
Total fixed maturities		633,682			(26,837		)		353,455			(38,783		)		987,137		(65,620		)
Equity securities		—			—				—			—				—		—
Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	633,682		$	(26,837	)		$	353,455		$	(38,783	)		$	987,137	$	(65,620	)

Supplemental_Information_about

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	An analysis of the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	1,090,273		$	(10,758	)	$	17,386		$	(99,449	)	$	997,452
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	172,409			424			(5,962		)	117			166,988
	Reclassifications, net of tax	(1,164		)	—			—			2,365			1,201
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	171,245			424			(5,962		)	2,482			168,189
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1,261,518		$	(10,334	)	$	11,424		$	(96,967	)	$	1,165,641
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	256,196		$	(6,728	)	$	24,866		$	(63,353	)	$	210,981
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	409,139			(2,748		)	(738		)	—			405,653
	Reclassifications, net of tax	(12,249		)	—			—			1,673			(10,576		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	396,890			(2,748		)	(738		)	1,673			395,077
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	653,086		$	(9,476	)	$	24,128		$	(61,680	)	$	606,058
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Reclassification Adjustments
		Three months ended						Affected line items in the
		March 31,						Statement of Operations
		2015			2014
	Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	(119	)	$	(16,619	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium	(1,672		)	(2,227		)	Net investment income
	Total before tax	(1,791		)	(18,846		)
	Tax	627			6,597			Income Taxes
	Total after tax	(1,164		)	(12,249		)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost	81			528			Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	3,557			2,046			Other operating expenses
	Total before tax	3,638			2,574
	Tax	(1,273		)	(901		)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax	2,365			1,673
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	1,201		$	(10,576	)

Business_Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Business Segments
	Torchmark is comprised of life insurance companies which primarily market individual life and supplemental health insurance products through niche distribution channels to middle income Americans. Torchmark’s core operations are insurance marketing and underwriting, and management of its investments. Insurance marketing and underwriting is segmented by the types of insurance products offered: life, health, Medicare Part D, and annuity. Premium income for Medicare Part D health insurance is included with the premium for other health products in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Annuity revenue is classified as “Other premium.” Management’s measure of profitability for each insurance segment is insurance underwriting margin, which is underwriting income before other income and insurance administrative expenses. It represents the profit margin on insurance products before administrative expenses, and is calculated by deducting net policy obligations (claims incurred and change in reserves), commissions and other acquisition expenses from premium revenue. Torchmark further views the profitability of each insurance product segment by the marketing groups that distribute the products of that segment: direct response, independent, or captive agencies.
	Torchmark’s management prefers to evaluate the performance of its underwriting and investment activities separately, rather than allocating investment income to the underwriting results. As such, the investment function is presented as a stand-alone segment.
	The investment segment includes the management of the investment portfolio, debt, and cash flow. Management’s measure of profitability for this segment is excess investment income, which is the income earned on the investment portfolio less the required interest on net policy liabilities and financing costs. Financing costs include the interest on Torchmark’s debt. Other income and insurance administrative expense are classified in a separate “Other” segment.
	The majority of the Company’s required interest on net policy liabilities (benefit reserves less the deferred acquisition cost asset) is not credited to policyholder accounts. Instead, it is an actuarial assumption for discounting cash flows in the computation of benefit reserves and the amortization of the deferred acquisition cost asset. Investment income required to fund the required interest on net policy liabilities is removed from the investment segment and applied to the insurance segments to eliminate the effect of the required interest from the insurance segments. As a result, the investment segment measures net investment income against the required interest on net policy liabilities and financing costs, while the insurance segments simply measure premiums against benefits and expenses. We believe this presentation facilitates a more meaningful analysis of the Company’s underwriting and investment performance as the underwriting results are based on premiums, claims, and expenses and are not affected by unanticipated fluctuations in investment yields.
	As noted, Torchmark’s “core operations” are insurance and investment management. The insurance segments issue policies for which premiums are collected for the eventual payment of policy benefits. In addition to policy benefits, operating expenses are incurred including acquisition costs, administrative expenses, and taxes. Because life and health contracts can be long term, premium receipts in excess of current expenses are invested. Investment activities, conducted by the investment segment, focus on seeking quality investments with a yield and term appropriate to support the insurance product obligations. These investments generally consist of fixed maturities, and, over the long term, the expected yields are taken into account when setting insurance premium rates and product profitability expectations. As a result, fixed maturities are generally held for long periods to support the liabilities, and Torchmark generally expects to hold investments until maturity. Dispositions of investments occur from time to time, generally as a result of credit concerns, calls by issuers, or other factors usually beyond the control of management.
	Dispositions are sometimes required in order to maintain the Company’s investment policies and objectives. Investments are also occasionally written down as a result of other-than-temporary impairment. Torchmark does not actively trade investments. As a result, realized gains and losses from the disposition and write down of investments are generally incidental to operations and are not considered a material factor in insurance pricing or product profitability. While from time to time these realized gains and losses could be significant to net income in the period in which they occur, they generally have a limited effect on the yield of the total investment portfolio. Further, because the proceeds of the disposals are reinvested in the portfolio, the disposals have little effect on the size of the portfolio and the income from the reinvestments is included in net investment income. Therefore, management removes realized investment gains and losses from results of core operations when evaluating the performance of the Company. For this reason, these gains and losses are excluded from Torchmark’s operating segments.
	Torchmark accounts for its stock options and restricted stock under current accounting guidance requiring stock options and stock grants to be expensed based on fair value at the time of grant. Management considers stock compensation expense to be an expense of the Parent Company. Therefore, stock compensation expense is treated as a corporate expense in Torchmark’s segment analysis.
	Torchmark provides coverage under the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for Medicare beneficiaries. In accordance with GAAP, Part D premiums are recognized evenly throughout the year when they become due but benefit costs are recognized when the costs are incurred. Due to the design of the Part D product, premiums are evenly distributed throughout the year, but benefit costs are higher earlier in the year. As a result, under GAAP, benefit costs can exceed premiums in the first part of the year, but be less than premiums during the remainder of the year. In order to more closely match the benefit cost with the associated revenue for interim periods, Torchmark defers these excess benefits for segment reporting purposes. In addition, GAAP recognizes in each quarter a government risk-sharing premium adjustment consistent with the contract as if the quarter represented an entire contract period. These quarterly risk-sharing adjustments are removed in the segment analysis because the actual contract payments are based upon the experience of the full contract year, not the experience of interim periods. Torchmark expects its benefit ratio to be in line with pricing. Total premiums less total benefits will be the same for segment reporting purposes as they will be under GAAP for the full calendar year. The Company’s presentation results in the underwriting margin percentage in interim periods reflecting the expected margin percentage for the full year. These interim adjustments do not impact the full year results.
	An analysis of the adjustments for the difference in the interim results as presented for segment purposes and GAAP for Medicare Part D is as follows.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Benefit costs deferred	$	27,229		$	47,671
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	(8,745		)	(27,395		)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	$	18,484		$	20,276
	After tax amount	$	12,015		$	13,179
	Additionally, management does not view the risk-sharing premium for Medicare Part D as a component of premium income, and accordingly adjusts health premium income in its segment analysis. A reconciliation of health premium included in the segment analysis with health premium as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented in the following table.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014			% Change
	Premium per segment analysis:
	Medicare Part D premium	$	79,347		$	83,033		(4	)
	Other health premium	228,673			219,435			4
	Part D risk-sharing adjustment	8,745			27,395			(68	)
	Health premium per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	$	316,765		$	329,863		(4	)
	During the first three months of 2014, Torchmark accrued for certain litigation cases in the net amount of $3.7 million ($2.4 million after tax) that were not directly related to its insurance operations. Additionally, Torchmark received $1.2 million ($752 thousand after tax) in settlement of litigation regarding investments. Torchmark removes these segment analysis amounts that do not relate to its core insurance operations.
	The following tables set forth a reconciliation of Torchmark’s revenues and operations by segment to its pretax income and each significant line item in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments				Consolidated
								Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium	$	513,342		$	228,673		$	79,347		$	41								$	8,745		(1)	$	830,148
	Net investment income													$	191,596									191,596
	Other income																$	722		(53		)	(3)	669
	Total revenue	513,342			228,673			79,347			41			191,596			722			8,692				1,022,413
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits	339,701			148,029			66,893			10,045									27,229			(1)	591,897
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves	(136,185		)	(16,883		)				(13,369		)	166,437										—
	Deferred acquisition costs	42,846			5,668			214			313			(49,041		)								—
	Amortization of acquisition costs	88,528			20,184			603			1,948													111,263
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	37,049			20,098			6,163			11									(53		)	(3)	63,268
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																47,200							47,200
	Parent expense																2,173							2,173
	Stock compensation expense																7,239							7,239
	Interest expense													19,060										19,060
	Total expenses	371,939			177,096			73,873			(1,052		)	136,456			56,612			27,176				842,100
	Subtotal	141,403			51,577			5,474			1,093			55,140			(55,890		)	(18,484		)		180,313
	Nonoperating items																			18,484			(1)	18,484
	Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	141,403		$	51,577		$	5,474		$	1,093		$	55,140		$	(55,890	)	$	—			198,797
	Deduct applicable income taxes																							(65,211		)
	Segment profits after tax																							133,586
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							65,211
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							119
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																							(18,484		)
	Pretax income per Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	180,432
	-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
	-2	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
	-3	Elimination of intersegment commission.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations *
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments				Consolidated
Part D								Corporate
Revenue:
Premium	$	489,058		$	219,435		$	83,033		$	99								$	27,395		(1)	$	819,020
Net investment income													$	188,051									188,051
Other income																$	544		(63		)	(3)	481
Total revenue	489,058			219,435			83,033			99			188,051			544			27,332				1,007,552
Expenses:
Policy benefits	320,176			141,786			66,261			10,623									47,671			(1)	586,517
Required interest on:
Policy reserves	(130,511		)	(15,632		)				(13,791		)	159,934										—
Deferred acquisition costs	41,690			5,598			175			389			(47,852		)								—
Amortization of acquisition costs	83,600			18,608			705			1,820													104,733
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	33,484			19,618			6,326			13									(63		)	(3)	59,378
Insurance administrative expense (2)																44,211			2,493			(4)	46,704
Parent expense																1,743							1,743
Stock compensation expense																8,509							8,509
Interest expense													19,049										19,049
Total expenses	348,439			169,978			73,467			(946		)	131,131			54,463			50,101				826,633
Subtotal	140,619			49,457			9,566			1,045			56,920			(53,919		)	(22,769		)		180,919
Nonoperating items																			22,769			(1,4)	22,769
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	140,619		$	49,457		$	9,566		$	1,045		$	56,920		$	(53,919	)	$	—			203,688
Deduct applicable income taxes																							(66,835		)
Segment profits after tax																							136,853
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							66,835
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							16,619
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																							(20,276		)
Deduct legal settlement expenses (4)																							(2,493		)
Pretax income from continuing operations per Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	197,538
-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
-2	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
-3	Elimination of intersegment commission.
-4	Legal settlement expenses.
*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 as described in Note G-Adoption of New Accounting Standards.
The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability for comparison. It also reconciles segment profits to net income.
Analysis of Profitability by Segment
	Three months ended						Increase
	March 31,						(Decrease)
	2015			2014*			Amount			%
Life	$	141,403		$	140,619		$	784		1
Health	51,577			49,457			2,120			4
Medicare Part D	5,474			9,566			(4,092		)	(43	)
Annuity	1,093			1,045			48			5
Investment	55,140			56,920			(1,780		)	(3	)
Other and corporate:
Other income	722			544			178			33
Administrative expense	(47,200		)	(44,211		)	(2,989		)	7
Corporate	(9,412		)	(10,252		)	840			(8	)
Pretax total	198,797			203,688			(4,891		)	(2	)
Applicable taxes	(65,211		)	(66,835		)	1,624			(2	)
Total	133,586			136,853			(3,267		)	(2	)
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized gains (losses) - Investments	77			10,802			(10,725		)
Part D adjustment	(12,015		)	(13,179		)	1,164
Legal settlement expense	—			(1,620		)	1,620
Net income	$	121,648		$	132,856		$	(11,208	)	(8	)
* Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 as described in Note G-Adoption of New Accounting Standards.

Adoption_of_New_Accounting_Sta

Adoption of New Accounting Standards	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Adoption of New Accounting Standards	Adoption of New Accounting Standards
	Low-income housing tax credits: As described in Note A, the FASB issued and Torchmark adopted new guidance concerning Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (ASU 2014-01) as of January 1, 2015. The guidance replaces the effective-yield method of amortization with respect to investments in qualified affordable housing acquired after the date of adoption and, if certain conditions are present, provides for a proportional amortization method. The proportional amortization method allows an investor to amortize the cost of its investment based on the proportion of the tax credits received during the year to the total expected tax credits to be received over the life of the investment. The guidance further provides that the effective-yield method of amortization may continue to be used with respect to investments acquired before the date of adoption. Amortization, previously required to be recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of "Net investment income", will now be included in "Income tax expense."
	Torchmark will continue to use the effective-yield method of amortization with respect to its guaranteed investments acquired prior to January 1, 2015, but will retroactively adopt the new guidance and apply the proportional method of amortization with respect to its non-guaranteed investments. The proportional method of amortization is consistent with Torchmark’s historical method of amortization. As a result, the only impact of the adoption is to reclassify amortization expense from “Net investment income” to “Income tax expense” with no impact on Torchmark's historical net income, cash flows, liquidity, or statutory earnings of its insurance subsidiaries.
	The following table reflects a summary of the impact of the retrospectively adjusted balances on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Income Statement	As previously reported			Adjustments			As adjusted
	Net investment income	$	181,000		$	7,051		$	188,051
	Total revenue	1,017,120			7,051			1,024,171
	Income before income taxes	190,487			7,051			197,538
	Income taxes	(57,631		)	(7,051		)	(64,682		)
	Net income	132,856			—			132,856
	Debt Issuance Costs: In April 2015, the FASB issued Interest—Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (ASU 2015-03), to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance will require companies to change the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements by presenting such costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will still be reported as interest expense. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. Torchmark adopted this ASU upon issuance. The Company accounts for debt issuance costs consistent with the new guidance and therefore there is no impact from the adoption.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Therefore, they do not include all of the annual disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, in the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position at March 31, 2015, and the condensed consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The interim period condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements that are included in the Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2015.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding	A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows.
		For the three months ended
		March 31,
		2015	2014*
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	127,121,101	133,163,464
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding	1,465,751	1,872,075
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	128,586,852	135,035,539
	Antidilutive shares	605,188	5,210
	* All share and per share information has been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two stock split that was effective July 1, 2014.

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs	The following tables present a summary of post-retirement benefit costs by component.
	Components of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs
		Three Months ended March 31,
		Pension Benefits							Other Benefits
		2015			2014				2015			2014
	Service cost	$	3,990		$	3,232			$	—		$	56
	Interest cost	5,003			4,819				203			147
	Expected return on assets	(5,323		)	(4,753		)		—			—
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost	81			528				—			—
	Actuarial (gain) loss	3,534			2,044				23			—
	Direct recognition of expense	—			—				176			(62		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	7,285		$	5,870			$	402		$	141
Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at March 31, 2015 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
		31-Mar-15					31-Dec-14
		Amount			%		Amount				%
	Corporate debt	$	169,188		52		$	166,825			52
	Other fixed maturities	292			—		284				—
	Equity securities	128,137			40		127,568				39
	Short-term investments	7,798			2		9,038				3
	Guaranteed annuity contract	15,144			5		15,027				5
	Other	3,684			1		4,156				1
	Total	$	324,243		100		$	322,898			100

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Summary of Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities Available for Sale by Component	A summary of fixed maturities and equity securities available for sale by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value at March 31, 2015 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of March 31, 2015
		Cost or			Gross				Gross			Fair Value				% of Total
		Amortized			Unrealized				Unrealized							Fixed
		Cost			Gains				Losses							Maturities*
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	369,684		$	14,107			$	(791	)	$	383,000			3
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions	1,281,007			183,084				(423		)	1,463,668				10
	Foreign governments	27,372			1,918				(1		)	29,289				—
	Corporates, by sector:
	Financial	2,609,600			471,670				(13,593		)	3,067,677				20
	Utilities	2,147,011			434,773				(524		)	2,581,260				18
	Energy	1,546,541			197,320				(24,426		)	1,719,435				12
	Other corporate sectors	4,401,258			610,592				(13,139		)	4,998,711				33
	Total corporates	10,704,410			1,714,355				(51,682		)	12,367,083				83
	Collateralized debt obligations	65,642			16,784				(7,872		)	74,554				—
	Other asset-backed securities	20,384			1,555				—			21,939				—
	Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
	Financial	465,655			64,554				(4,828		)	525,381				4
	Utilities	28,676			947				(23		)	29,600				—
	Total redeemable preferred stocks	494,331			65,501				(4,851		)	554,981				4
	Total fixed maturities	12,962,830			1,997,304				(65,620		)	14,894,514				100
	Equity securities	776			698				—			1,474
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	12,963,606		$	1,998,002			$	(65,620	)	$	14,895,988
	* At fair value
Schedule of Fixed Maturities by Contractual Maturity	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at March 31, 2015 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturity dates could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.
		Amortized			Fair Value
		Cost
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Due in one year or less	$	132,153		$	134,358
	Due from one to five years	510,813			575,083
	Due from five to ten years	931,954			1,043,718
	Due from ten to twenty years	3,739,429			4,379,923
	Due after twenty years	7,560,176			8,662,450
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	88,305			98,982
		$	12,962,830		$	14,894,514
Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Proceeds from sales	$	11,444		$	16,050
	Gross realized gains	84			15,925
	Gross realized losses	—			—
Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table represents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2015 Using:
	Description	Quoted Prices			Significant				Significant			Total Fair
		in Active			Other				Unobservable			Value
		Markets for			Observable				Inputs (Level 3)
		Identical			Inputs (Level 2)
		Assets
		(Level 1)
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises	$	—		$	383,000			$	—		$	383,000
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions	—			1,463,668				—			1,463,668
	Foreign governments	—			29,289				—			29,289
	Corporates, by sector:
	Financial	—			2,996,597				71,080			3,067,677
	Utilities	25,426			2,413,683				142,151			2,581,260
	Energy	—			1,691,735				27,700			1,719,435
	Other corporate sectors	7,000			4,704,629				287,082			4,998,711
	Total corporates	32,426			11,806,644				528,013			12,367,083
	Collateralized debt obligations	—			—				74,554			74,554
	Other asset-backed securities	—			21,939				—			21,939
	Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
	Financial	15,434			509,947				—			525,381
	Utilities	—			29,600				—			29,600
	Total redeemable preferred stocks	15,434			539,547				—			554,981
	Total fixed maturities	47,860			14,244,087				602,567			14,894,514
	Equity securities	641			—				833			1,474
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities	$	48,501		$	14,244,087			$	603,400		$	14,895,988
	Percent of total	0.3		%	95.6		%		4.1		%	100		%
Schedule of Changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs	The following table represents an analysis of changes in fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
	Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Collateralized			Corporates (1)				Equities			Total
		debt
		obligations
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	63,232		$	512,714			$	833		$	576,779
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in realized gains/losses	—			—				—			—
	Included in other comprehensive income	13,556			8,626				—			22,182
	Acquisitions	—			8,000				—			8,000
	Sales	—			—				—			—
	Amortization	1,410			4				—			1,414
	Other (2)	(3,644		)	(1,331		)		—			(4,975		)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)	—			—				—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	74,554		$	528,013			$	833		$	603,400
	Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.5		%	3.6		%		—		%	4.1		%
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Collateralized			Corporates (1)				Equities			Total
		debt
		obligations
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	58,205		$	300,300			$	776		$	359,281
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in realized gains/losses	15,924			1				—			15,925
	Included in other comprehensive income	7,283			12,772				—			20,055
	Acquisitions	—			33,791				—			33,791
	Sales	(16,049		)	(1		)		—			(16,050		)
	Amortization	1,307			3				—			1,310
	Other (2)	(2,340		)	(836		)		—			(3,176		)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)	—			—				—			—
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	64,330		$	346,030			$	776		$	411,136
	Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.5		%	2.5		%		—		%	3		%
	-1	Includes redeemable preferred stocks.
	-2	Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments.
	-3	Considered to be transferred at the end of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when observable inputs are no longer available. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when observable inputs become available.
Schedule of Additional Information About Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	The following table discloses information about investments in an unrealized loss position:
			Less than		Twelve			Total
			Twelve		Months
			Months		or Longer
	Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
	As of March 31, 2015		99		63			162
	As of December 31, 2014		80		173			253
Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment	The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at March 31, 2015 for the period of time in a loss position. Torchmark considers these investments not to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
	Analysis of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses
	At March 31, 2015
			Less than							Twelve Months							Total
			Twelve Months							or Longer
	Description of Securities		Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value			Unrealized				Fair Value		Unrealized
						Loss							Loss						Loss
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Investment grade:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	22,803		$	(158	)		$	14,868		$	(633	)		$	37,671	$	(791	)
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		10,033			(169		)		1,026			(58		)		11,059		(227		)
	Foreign governments		—			—				781			(1		)		781		(1		)
	Corporates, by sector:
	Financial		24,388			(330		)		—			—				24,388		(330		)
	Utilities		44,928			(523		)		4,999			(1		)		49,927		(524		)
	Energy		172,234			(12,241		)		64,968			(4,486		)		237,202		(16,727		)
	Other corporate sectors		292,023			(5,321		)		49,935			(3,265		)		341,958		(8,586		)
	Total corporates		533,573			(18,415		)		119,902			(7,752		)		653,475		(26,167		)
	Collateralized debt obligations		—			—				—			—				—		—
	Other asset-backed securities		—			—				—			—				—		—
	Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
	Financial		1,007			(1		)		—			—				1,007		(1		)
	Utilities		—			—				1,645			(23		)		1,645		(23		)
	Total redeemable preferred stocks		1,007			(1		)		1,645			(23		)		2,652		(24		)
	Total investment grade		567,416			(18,743		)		138,222			(8,467		)		705,638		(27,210		)
	Below investment grade:
	Bonds:
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions		—			—				360			(196		)		360		(196		)
	Corporates, by sector:
	Financial		—			—				92,540			(13,263		)		92,540		(13,263		)
	Utilities		—			—				—			—				—		—
	Energy		49,299			(7,699		)		—			—				49,299		(7,699		)
	Other corporate sectors		16,967			(395		)		52,693			(4,158		)		69,660		(4,553		)
	Total corporates		66,266			(8,094		)		145,233			(17,421		)		211,499		(25,515		)
	Collateralized debt obligations		—			—				12,128			(7,872		)		12,128		(7,872		)
	Other asset-backed securities		—			—				—			—				—		—
	Redeemable preferred stocks, by sector:
	Financial		—			—				57,512			(4,827		)		57,512		(4,827		)
	Total redeemable preferred stocks		—			—				57,512			(4,827		)		57,512		(4,827		)
	Total below investment grade		66,266			(8,094		)		215,233			(30,316		)		281,499		(38,410		)
	Total fixed maturities		633,682			(26,837		)		353,455			(38,783		)		987,137		(65,620		)
	Equity securities		—			—				—			—				—		—
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	633,682		$	(26,837	)		$	353,455		$	(38,783	)		$	987,137	$	(65,620	)

Supplemental_Information_about1

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Change in Balance by Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	An analysis of the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2015	$	1,090,273		$	(10,758	)	$	17,386		$	(99,449	)	$	997,452
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	172,409			424			(5,962		)	117			166,988
	Reclassifications, net of tax	(1,164		)	—			—			2,365			1,201
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	171,245			424			(5,962		)	2,482			168,189
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	1,261,518		$	(10,334	)	$	11,424		$	(96,967	)	$	1,165,641
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	256,196		$	(6,728	)	$	24,866		$	(63,353	)	$	210,981
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	409,139			(2,748		)	(738		)	—			405,653
	Reclassifications, net of tax	(12,249		)	—			—			1,673			(10,576		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	396,890			(2,748		)	(738		)	1,673			395,077
	Balance at March 31, 2014	$	653,086		$	(9,476	)	$	24,128		$	(61,680	)	$	606,058
Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	Reclassification Adjustments
		Three months ended						Affected line items in the
		March 31,						Statement of Operations
		2015			2014
	Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	(119	)	$	(16,619	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium	(1,672		)	(2,227		)	Net investment income
	Total before tax	(1,791		)	(18,846		)
	Tax	627			6,597			Income Taxes
	Total after tax	(1,164		)	(12,249		)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost	81			528			Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	3,557			2,046			Other operating expenses
	Total before tax	3,638			2,574
	Tax	(1,273		)	(901		)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax	2,365			1,673
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	1,201		$	(10,576	)

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Adjustments for Difference in Interim Medicare Part D Results for Segment Purposes and Gaap Table	An analysis of the adjustments for the difference in the interim results as presented for segment purposes and GAAP for Medicare Part D is as follows.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Benefit costs deferred	$	27,229		$	47,671
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	(8,745		)	(27,395		)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	$	18,484		$	20,276
	After tax amount	$	12,015		$	13,179
Reconciliation of Health Premium Included in the Segment Analysis	A reconciliation of health premium included in the segment analysis with health premium as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented in the following table.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014			% Change
	Premium per segment analysis:
	Medicare Part D premium	$	79,347		$	83,033		(4	)
	Other health premium	228,673			219,435			4
	Part D risk-sharing adjustment	8,745			27,395			(68	)
	Health premium per Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations	$	316,765		$	329,863		(4	)
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to Consolidated Statement of Operations	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
		For the three months ended March 31, 2015
		Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments				Consolidated
								Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium	$	513,342		$	228,673		$	79,347		$	41								$	8,745		(1)	$	830,148
	Net investment income													$	191,596									191,596
	Other income																$	722		(53		)	(3)	669
	Total revenue	513,342			228,673			79,347			41			191,596			722			8,692				1,022,413
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits	339,701			148,029			66,893			10,045									27,229			(1)	591,897
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves	(136,185		)	(16,883		)				(13,369		)	166,437										—
	Deferred acquisition costs	42,846			5,668			214			313			(49,041		)								—
	Amortization of acquisition costs	88,528			20,184			603			1,948													111,263
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	37,049			20,098			6,163			11									(53		)	(3)	63,268
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																47,200							47,200
	Parent expense																2,173							2,173
	Stock compensation expense																7,239							7,239
	Interest expense													19,060										19,060
	Total expenses	371,939			177,096			73,873			(1,052		)	136,456			56,612			27,176				842,100
	Subtotal	141,403			51,577			5,474			1,093			55,140			(55,890		)	(18,484		)		180,313
	Nonoperating items																			18,484			(1)	18,484
	Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	141,403		$	51,577		$	5,474		$	1,093		$	55,140		$	(55,890	)	$	—			198,797
	Deduct applicable income taxes																							(65,211		)
	Segment profits after tax																							133,586
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							65,211
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							119
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																							(18,484		)
	Pretax income per Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	180,432
	-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
	-2	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
	-3	Elimination of intersegment commission.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations *
		For the three months ended March 31, 2014
		Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments				Consolidated
								Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium	$	489,058		$	219,435		$	83,033		$	99								$	27,395		(1)	$	819,020
	Net investment income													$	188,051									188,051
	Other income																$	544		(63		)	(3)	481
	Total revenue	489,058			219,435			83,033			99			188,051			544			27,332				1,007,552
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits	320,176			141,786			66,261			10,623									47,671			(1)	586,517
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves	(130,511		)	(15,632		)				(13,791		)	159,934										—
	Deferred acquisition costs	41,690			5,598			175			389			(47,852		)								—
	Amortization of acquisition costs	83,600			18,608			705			1,820													104,733
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	33,484			19,618			6,326			13									(63		)	(3)	59,378
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																44,211			2,493			(4)	46,704
	Parent expense																1,743							1,743
	Stock compensation expense																8,509							8,509
	Interest expense													19,049										19,049
	Total expenses	348,439			169,978			73,467			(946		)	131,131			54,463			50,101				826,633
	Subtotal	140,619			49,457			9,566			1,045			56,920			(53,919		)	(22,769		)		180,919
	Nonoperating items																			22,769			(1,4)	22,769
	Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	$	140,619		$	49,457		$	9,566		$	1,045		$	56,920		$	(53,919	)	$	—			203,688
	Deduct applicable income taxes																							(66,835		)
	Segment profits after tax																							136,853
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																							66,835
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																							16,619
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																							(20,276		)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (4)																							(2,493		)
	Pretax income from continuing operations per Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	197,538
-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
-2	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
-3	Elimination of intersegment commission.
-4	Legal settlement expenses.
*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 as described in Note G-Adoption of New Accounting Standards.
Analysis of Profitability By Segment	The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability for comparison. It also reconciles segment profits to net income.
	Analysis of Profitability by Segment
		Three months ended						Increase
		March 31,						(Decrease)
		2015			2014*			Amount			%
	Life	$	141,403		$	140,619		$	784		1
	Health	51,577			49,457			2,120			4
	Medicare Part D	5,474			9,566			(4,092		)	(43	)
	Annuity	1,093			1,045			48			5
	Investment	55,140			56,920			(1,780		)	(3	)
	Other and corporate:
	Other income	722			544			178			33
	Administrative expense	(47,200		)	(44,211		)	(2,989		)	7
	Corporate	(9,412		)	(10,252		)	840			(8	)
	Pretax total	198,797			203,688			(4,891		)	(2	)
	Applicable taxes	(65,211		)	(66,835		)	1,624			(2	)
	Total	133,586			136,853			(3,267		)	(2	)
	Reconciling items, net of tax:
	Realized gains (losses) - Investments	77			10,802			(10,725		)
	Part D adjustment	(12,015		)	(13,179		)	1,164
	Legal settlement expense	—			(1,620		)	1,620
	Net income	$	121,648		$	132,856		$	(11,208	)	(8	)
	* Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of ASU 2014-01 as described in Note G-Adoption of New Accounting Standards.

Adoption_of_New_Accounting_Sta1

Adoption of New Accounting Standards (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The following table reflects a summary of the impact of the retrospectively adjusted balances on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
	Income Statement	As previously reported			Adjustments			As adjusted
	Net investment income	$	181,000		$	7,051		$	188,051
	Total revenue	1,017,120			7,051			1,024,171
	Income before income taxes	190,487			7,051			197,538
	Income taxes	(57,631		)	(7,051		)	(64,682		)
	Net income	132,856			—			132,856

Accounting_Policies_Additional

Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2014	Jun. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 02, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Stock split conversion ratio	1.5	1.5
Stock split, description			A three-for-two stock split
Percentage of stock dividend payable				50.00%
Record date for three for two stock split			2-Jun-14
Stock split, payment date			1-Jul-14

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Weighted - Average Shares Outstanding (Detail)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jul. 01, 2014	Jun. 02, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic weighted average shares outstanding			127,121,101	133,163,464
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding			1,465,751	1,872,075
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			128,586,852	135,035,539
Antidilutive shares			605,188	5,210
Stock split conversion ratio	1.5	1.5

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_S

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Schedule of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$3,990	$3,232
Interest cost	5,003	4,819
Expected return on assets	-5,323	-4,753
Amortization:
Prior service cost	81	528
Actuarial (gain) loss	3,534	2,044
Direct recognition of expense	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	7,285	5,870
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	0	56
Interest cost	203	147
Expected return on assets	0	0
Amortization:
Prior service cost	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	23	0
Direct recognition of expense	176	-62
Net periodic benefit cost	$402	$141

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_S1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$324,243	$322,898
Percent of total pension assets	100.00%	100.00%
Other Fixed Maturities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	292	284
Percent of total pension assets	0.00%	0.00%
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	128,137	127,568
Percent of total pension assets	40.00%	39.00%
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	15,144	15,027
Percent of total pension assets	5.00%	5.00%
Other [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	3,684	4,156
Percent of total pension assets	1.00%	1.00%
Corporate Bonds [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	169,188	166,825
Percent of total pension assets	52.00%	52.00%
Short-term Investments [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$7,798	$9,038
Percent of total pension assets	2.00%	3.00%

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_A

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Liability related to funded defined-benefit pension plans	$407,000,000	$403,000,000
Contributions to benefit plans	20,000,000
Insurance cash value and Rabbi Trust investments supporting supplemental pension plan liability	75,000,000	74,000,000
Non-qualified supplemental retirement pension plan liability	$72,000,000	$71,000,000

Investments_Summary_of_Fixed_M

Investments - Summary of Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities Available for Sale by Component (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	$12,962,830	$12,823,612
Debt Securities Fair Value	14,894,514	14,493,060
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	776	776
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,474	1,477
Total Available for Sale Securities Cost	12,963,606
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,998,002
Gross Unrealized Losses	-65,620
Total Available for Sale Securities Fair Value	14,895,988
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	776
Gross Unrealized Gains	698
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,474
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	12,962,830
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,997,304
Gross Unrealized Losses	-65,620
Debt Securities Fair Value	14,894,514
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	100.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	369,684
Gross Unrealized Gains	14,107
Gross Unrealized Losses	-791
Debt Securities Fair Value	383,000
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	3.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	1,281,007
Gross Unrealized Gains	183,084
Gross Unrealized Losses	-423
Debt Securities Fair Value	1,463,668
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	10.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	27,372
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,918
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1
Debt Securities Fair Value	29,289
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	10,704,410
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,714,355
Gross Unrealized Losses	-51,682
Debt Securities Fair Value	12,367,083
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	83.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	65,642
Gross Unrealized Gains	16,784
Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,872
Debt Securities Fair Value	74,554
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	20,384
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,555
Gross Unrealized Losses	0
Debt Securities Fair Value	21,939
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	494,331
Gross Unrealized Gains	65,501
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,851
Debt Securities Fair Value	554,981
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	4.00%
Financial [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	2,609,600
Gross Unrealized Gains	471,670
Gross Unrealized Losses	-13,593
Debt Securities Fair Value	3,067,677
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	20.00%
Financial [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	465,655
Gross Unrealized Gains	64,554
Gross Unrealized Losses	-4,828
Debt Securities Fair Value	525,381
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	4.00%
Utilities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	2,147,011
Gross Unrealized Gains	434,773
Gross Unrealized Losses	-524
Debt Securities Fair Value	2,581,260
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	18.00%
Utilities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	28,676
Gross Unrealized Gains	947
Gross Unrealized Losses	-23
Debt Securities Fair Value	29,600
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%
Energy [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	1,546,541
Gross Unrealized Gains	197,320
Gross Unrealized Losses	-24,426
Debt Securities Fair Value	1,719,435
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	12.00%
Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	4,401,258
Gross Unrealized Gains	610,592
Gross Unrealized Losses	-13,139
Debt Securities Fair Value	$4,998,711
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	33.00%

Investments_Schedule_of_Fixed_

Investments - Schedule of Fixed Maturities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$132,153
Due from one to five years	510,813
Due from five to ten years	931,954
Due from ten to twenty years	3,739,429
Due after twenty years	7,560,176
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	88,305
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Amortized Cost	12,962,830	12,823,612
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Fair Value
Due in one year or less	134,358
Due from one to five years	575,083
Due from five to ten years	1,043,718
Due from ten to twenty years	4,379,923
Due after twenty years	8,662,450
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities	98,982
Fixed Maturities, Available for Sale, Fair Value	$14,894,514	$14,493,060

Investments_Schedule_of_Select

Investments - Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales	$11,444	$16,049
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Proceeds from sales	11,444	16,050
Gross realized gains	84	15,925
Gross realized losses	$0	$0

Investments_Assets_Measured_at

Investments - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	$14,894,514	$14,493,060
Equity securities	1,474	1,477
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	14,895,988
Percent of total	100.00%
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	14,894,514
Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	1,474
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	383,000
States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	1,463,668
Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	29,289
Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	12,367,083
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	74,554
Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	21,939
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	554,981
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	48,501
Percent of total	0.30%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	47,860
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	641
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	32,426
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	15,434
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	14,244,087
Percent of total	95.60%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	14,244,087
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	383,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	1,463,668
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	29,289
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	11,806,644
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	21,939
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	539,547
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	603,400
Percent of total	4.10%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	602,567
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Equity securities	833
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	528,013
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	74,554
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Financial [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	3,067,677
Financial [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	525,381
Financial [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Financial [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	15,434
Financial [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	2,996,597
Financial [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	509,947
Financial [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	71,080
Financial [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Utilities [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	2,581,260
Utilities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	29,600
Utilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	25,426
Utilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Utilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	2,413,683
Utilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	29,600
Utilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	142,151
Utilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Energy [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	1,719,435
Energy [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0
Energy [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	1,691,735
Energy [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	27,700
Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	4,998,711
Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	7,000
Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	4,704,629
Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	$287,082

Investments_Schedule_of_Change

Investments - Schedule of Changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Investment [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$576,779	$359,281
Included in realized gains/losses	0	15,925
Included in other comprehensive income	22,182	20,055
Acquisitions	8,000	33,791
Sales	0	-16,050
Amortization	1,414	1,310
Other	-4,975	-3,176
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	603,400	411,136
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	4.10%	3.00%
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	63,232	58,205
Included in realized gains/losses	0	15,924
Included in other comprehensive income	13,556	7,283
Acquisitions	0	0
Sales	0	-16,049
Amortization	1,410	1,307
Other	-3,644	-2,340
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	74,554	64,330
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.50%	0.50%
Corporates [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	512,714	300,300
Included in realized gains/losses	0	1
Included in other comprehensive income	8,626	12,772
Acquisitions	8,000	33,791
Sales	0	-1
Amortization	4	3
Other	-1,331	-836
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	528,013	346,030
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	3.60%	2.50%
Equity Securities [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	833	776
Included in realized gains/losses	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Acquisitions	0	0
Sales	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Other	0	0
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	$833	$776
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.00%	0.00%

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
			Issue
Investment [Line Items]
Total issues of fixed-maturities and equities	1,589		1,604
Additional Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member]
Investment [Line Items]
Other-than-temporary impairments	$0	$0

Investments_Schedule_of_Unreal

Investments - Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	$633,682
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	353,455
Fair Value, Total	987,137
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-26,837
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-38,783
Unrealized Loss Total	-65,620
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	633,682
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	353,455
Fair Value, Total	987,137
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-26,837
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-38,783
Unrealized Loss Total	-65,620
Equity Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	0
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	567,416
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	138,222
Fair Value, Total	705,638
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-18,743
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-8,467
Unrealized Loss Total	-27,210
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	22,803
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	14,868
Fair Value, Total	37,671
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-158
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-633
Unrealized Loss Total	-791
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	10,033
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,026
Fair Value, Total	11,059
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-169
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-58
Unrealized Loss Total	-227
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	781
Fair Value, Total	781
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-1
Unrealized Loss Total	-1
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	533,573
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	119,902
Fair Value, Total	653,475
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-18,415
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-7,752
Unrealized Loss Total	-26,167
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	0
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	0
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	1,007
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,645
Fair Value, Total	2,652
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-1
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-23
Unrealized Loss Total	-24
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Financial [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	24,388
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	24,388
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-330
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	-330
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Financial [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	1,007
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	1,007
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-1
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	-1
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Utilities [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	44,928
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	4,999
Fair Value, Total	49,927
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-523
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-1
Unrealized Loss Total	-524
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Utilities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,645
Fair Value, Total	1,645
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-23
Unrealized Loss Total	-23
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Energy [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	172,234
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	64,968
Fair Value, Total	237,202
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-12,241
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-4,486
Unrealized Loss Total	-16,727
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade [Member] | Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	292,023
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	49,935
Fair Value, Total	341,958
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-5,321
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-3,265
Unrealized Loss Total	-8,586
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	66,266
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	215,233
Fair Value, Total	281,499
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-8,094
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-30,316
Unrealized Loss Total	-38,410
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	360
Fair Value, Total	360
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-196
Unrealized Loss Total	-196
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	66,266
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	145,233
Fair Value, Total	211,499
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-8,094
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-17,421
Unrealized Loss Total	-25,515
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	12,128
Fair Value, Total	12,128
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-7,872
Unrealized Loss Total	-7,872
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	57,512
Fair Value, Total	57,512
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-4,827
Unrealized Loss Total	-4,827
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Financial [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	92,540
Fair Value, Total	92,540
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-13,263
Unrealized Loss Total	-13,263
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Financial [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	57,512
Fair Value, Total	57,512
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-4,827
Unrealized Loss Total	-4,827
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Utilities [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	0
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	0
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Energy [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	49,299
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	49,299
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-7,699
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	-7,699
External Credit Rating, Non Investment Grade [Member] | Other Corporate Sectors [Member] | Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	16,967
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	52,693
Fair Value, Total	69,660
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-395
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-4,158
Unrealized Loss Total	($4,553)

Investments_Schedule_of_Additi

Investments - Schedule of Additional Information about Investments in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Issue	Issue
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
Less than Twelve Months	99	80
Twelve Months or Longer	63	173
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Total	162	253

Supplemental_Information_about2

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Change in Balance by Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	$997,452	$210,981
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	166,988	405,653
Reclassifications, net of tax	1,201	-10,576
Other comprehensive income (loss)	168,189	395,077
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	1,165,641	606,058
Available for Sale Assets [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	1,090,273	256,196
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	172,409	409,139
Reclassifications, net of tax	-1,164	-12,249
Other comprehensive income (loss)	171,245	396,890
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	1,261,518	653,086
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-10,758	-6,728
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	424	-2,748
Reclassifications, net of tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	424	-2,748
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-10,334	-9,476
Foreign Exchange [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	17,386	24,866
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-5,962	-738
Reclassifications, net of tax	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-5,962	-738
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	11,424	24,128
Pension adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-99,449	-63,353
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	117	0
Reclassifications, net of tax	2,365	1,673
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,482	1,673
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	($96,967)	($61,680)

Supplemental_Information_about3

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Summary of Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Realized (gains) losses	($119)	($16,619)	[1]
Amortization of (discount) premium	-191,596	-188,051	[1]
Income taxes	58,784	64,682	[1]
Net income	-121,648	-132,856	[1]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Net income	1,201	-10,576
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Realized (gains) losses	-119	-16,619
Amortization of (discount) premium	-1,672	-2,227
Total before tax	-1,791	-18,846
Income taxes	627	6,597
Net income	-1,164	-12,249
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension adjustments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost	81	528
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	3,557	2,046
Total before tax	3,638	2,574
Income taxes	-1,273	-901
Net income	$2,365	$1,673
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Business_Segments_Adjustments_

Business Segments - Adjustments for Difference in Interim Medicare Part D Results for Segment Purposes and GAAP (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit costs deferred	$591,897	$586,517	[1]
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	-830,148	-819,020	[1]
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	18,484	20,276
After tax amount	12,015	13,179
Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
After tax amount	12,015	13,179
Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Benefit costs deferred	27,229	47,671
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	-8,745	-27,395
Adjustments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	-8,745	-27,395
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	$18,484	$20,276
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Business_Segments_Reconciliati

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Health Premium Included in the segment Analysis (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Health premium	$316,765	$329,863	[1]
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	-4.00%
Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Health premium	79,347	83,033
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	-4.00%
Other Health [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Health premium	228,673	219,435
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	4.00%
Part D risk sharing adjustment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Health premium	$8,745	$27,395
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	-68.00%
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount	$2,493,000
Settled Litigation Regarding Investments [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount	1,200,000
Litigation settlement expense, after tax	752,000
Settled Litigation Regarding Non-Insurance Matter [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount	3,700,000
Prior Year Litigation Matter [Member]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]
Litigation settlement expense, after tax	$2,400,000

Business_Segments_Reconciliati1

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	$830,148	$819,020	[1]
Net investment income	191,596	188,051	[1]
Other income	669	481	[1]
Total revenue	1,022,413	1,007,552
Policy benefits	591,897	586,517	[1]
Policy reserves	0	0
Deferred acquisition costs	0	0
Amortization of acquisition costs	111,263	104,733	[1]
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	63,268	59,378	[1]
Insurance administrative expense	47,200	46,704
Parent expense	2,173	1,743
Stock compensation expense	7,239	8,509
Interest expense	19,060	19,049	[1]
Total benefits and expenses	842,100	826,633	[1]
Subtotal	180,313	180,919
Nonoperating items	18,484	22,769
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	198,797	203,688
Deduct applicable income taxes	-65,211	-66,835
Segment profits after tax	133,586	136,853
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)	119	16,619
Deduct Part D adjustment	-18,484	-20,276
Deduct legal settlement expenses		-2,493
Income before income taxes	180,432	197,538	[1]
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	513,342	489,058
Total revenue	513,342	489,058
Policy benefits	339,701	320,176
Policy reserves	-136,185	-130,511
Deferred acquisition costs	42,846	41,690
Amortization of acquisition costs	88,528	83,600
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	37,049	33,484
Total benefits and expenses	371,939	348,439
Subtotal	141,403	140,619
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	141,403	140,619
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	228,673	219,435
Total revenue	228,673	219,435
Policy benefits	148,029	141,786
Policy reserves	-16,883	-15,632
Deferred acquisition costs	5,668	5,598
Amortization of acquisition costs	20,184	18,608
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	20,098	19,618
Total benefits and expenses	177,096	169,978
Subtotal	51,577	49,457
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	51,577	49,457
Operating Segments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	79,347	83,033
Total revenue	79,347	83,033
Policy benefits	66,893	66,261
Policy reserves
Deferred acquisition costs	214	175
Amortization of acquisition costs	603	705
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	6,163	6,326
Total benefits and expenses	73,873	73,467
Subtotal	5,474	9,566
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	5,474	9,566
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	41	99
Total revenue	41	99
Policy benefits	10,045	10,623
Policy reserves	-13,369	-13,791
Deferred acquisition costs	313	389
Amortization of acquisition costs	1,948	1,820
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	11	13
Total benefits and expenses	-1,052	-946
Subtotal	1,093	1,045
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	1,093	1,045
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net investment income	191,596	188,051
Total revenue	191,596	188,051
Policy reserves	166,437	159,934
Deferred acquisition costs	-49,041	-47,852
Interest expense	19,060	19,049
Total benefits and expenses	136,456	131,131
Subtotal	55,140	56,920
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	55,140	56,920
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other income	722	544
Total revenue	722	544
Insurance administrative expense	47,200	44,211
Parent expense	2,173	1,743
Stock compensation expense	7,239	8,509
Total benefits and expenses	56,612	54,463
Subtotal	-55,890	-53,919
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	-55,890	-53,919
Adjustments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	8,745	27,395
Net investment income
Other income	-53	-63
Total revenue	8,692	27,332
Policy benefits	27,229	47,671
Amortization of acquisition costs
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	-53	-63
Insurance administrative expense		2,493
Parent expense
Total benefits and expenses	27,176	50,101
Subtotal	-18,484	-22,769
Nonoperating items	18,484	22,769
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	0	0
Adjustments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Premiums Earned, Net	8,745	27,395
Deduct Part D adjustment	($18,484)	($20,276)
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Business_Segments_Analysis_of_

Business Segments - Analysis of Profitability by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	$198,797	$203,688
Applicable taxes	-65,211	-66,835
Net operating income	133,586	136,853
Realized gains (losses)-Investments	77	10,802
Part D adjustment	-12,015	-13,179
Legal settlement expense	0	-1,620
Net income	121,648	132,856	[1]
Pretax operating income, Change	-4,891
Applicable taxes, Increase (Decrease)	1,624
Net operating income, Increase (Decrease)	-3,267
Realized gains (losses) - Investments net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	-10,725
Part D adjustment net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	1,164
Legal settlement expenses net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	1,620
Net income, Increase (Decrease)	-11,208
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	-2.00%
Applicable taxes, Change %	-2.00%
Net operating income, Change %	-2.00%
Net income, Change %	-8.00%
Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Part D adjustment	-12,015	-13,179
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	141,403	140,619
Pretax operating income, Change	784
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	1.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	51,577	49,457
Pretax operating income, Change	2,120
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	4.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	5,474	9,566
Pretax operating income, Change	-4,092
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	-43.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	1,093	1,045
Pretax operating income, Change	48
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	5.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	55,140	56,920
Pretax operating income, Change	-1,780
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	-3.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	-55,890	-53,919
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	722	544
Pretax operating income, Change	178
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	33.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Administrative Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	-47,200	-44,211
Pretax operating income, Change	-2,989
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	7.00%
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pretax operating income	-9,412	-10,252
Pretax operating income, Change	$840
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	-8.00%
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards

Adoption_of_New_Accounting_Sta2

Adoption of New Accounting Standards (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net investment income	$191,596	$188,051	[1]
Total revenue	1,022,532	1,024,171	[1]
Income before income taxes	180,432	197,538	[1]
Income taxes	-58,784	-64,682	[1]
Net income	121,648	132,856	[1]
As Previously Reported [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net investment income		181,000
Total revenue		1,017,120
Income before income taxes		190,487
Income taxes		-57,631
Net income		132,856
Adjustments [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net investment income		7,051
Total revenue		7,051
Income before income taxes		7,051
Income taxes		-7,051
Net income		$0
[1]	Certain balances were retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the adoption of new accounting guidance as described in Note G- Adoption of New Accounting Standards