Globe Life (GL) 10-Q 8 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 25, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'TMK	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TORCHMARK CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000320335	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	90,419,611

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2013 - $12,267,490 ; 2012 - $11,963,406)	$12,756,917	$13,541,193	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2013 - $875 ; 2012 - $14,875)	1,654	15,567	[1]
Policy loans	441,867	424,050	[1]
Other long-term investments	14,539	18,539	[1]
Short-term investments	135,988	94,860	[1]
Total investments	13,350,965	14,094,209	[1]
Cash	38,792	61,710	[1]
Accrued investment income	203,473	195,497	[1]
Other receivables	412,972	383,709	[1]
Deferred acquisition costs	3,306,417	3,198,431	[1]
Goodwill	441,591	441,591	[1]
Other assets	383,504	401,763	[1]
Total assets	18,137,714	18,776,910	[1]
Liabilities:	'	'
Future policy benefits	11,118,833	10,706,219	[1]
Unearned and advance premiums	78,098	76,088	[1]
Policy claims and other benefits payable	248,821	228,470	[1]
Other policyholders' funds	94,348	93,288	[1]
Total policy liabilities	11,540,100	11,104,065	[1]
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,272,175	1,609,828	[1]
Other liabilities	330,070	392,502	[1]
Short-term debt	227,927	319,043	[1]
Long-term debt (fair value: 2013 - $1,145,499 ; 2012 - $1,191,320)	990,566	989,686	[1]
Total liabilities	14,360,838	14,415,124	[1]
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share - Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2013 and in 2012	0	0	[1]
Common stock, par value $1 per share - Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2013 - 105,812,123 issued, less 15,058,017 held in treasury and 2012 - 105,812,123 issued, less 11,576,487 held in treasury)	105,812	105,812	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	471,566	439,782	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	237,143	925,275	[1]
Retained earnings	3,724,146	3,403,338	[1]
Treasury stock, at cost	-761,791	-512,421	[1]
Total shareholders' equity	3,776,876	4,361,786	[1]
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$18,137,714	$18,776,910	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost	$12,267,490	$11,963,406	[1]
Equity securities, cost	875	14,875	[1]
Long-term debt, fair value	$1,145,499	$1,191,320	[1]
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1	[1]
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000,000	5,000,000	[1]
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0	[1]
Common stock, par value	$1	$1	[1]
Common stock, shares authorized	320,000,000	320,000,000	[1]
Common stock, shares issued	105,812,123	105,812,123	[1]
Common stock, shares held in treasury	15,058,017	11,576,487	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Life premium	$470,936	$453,699	$1,416,859	$1,356,527
Health premium	279,948	246,000	884,403	766,950
Other premium	114	161	401	440
Total premium	750,998	699,860	2,301,663	2,123,917
Net investment income	176,656	169,400	531,459	518,697
Realized investment gains (losses)	4,459	7,283	9,143	16,950
Other-than-temporary impairments	0	0	-2,678	0
Other income	676	557	1,757	1,254
Total revenue	932,789	877,100	2,841,344	2,660,818
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Life policyholder benefits	305,931	295,845	921,921	879,317
Health policyholder benefits	199,983	172,130	638,971	564,259
Other policyholder benefits	10,869	11,144	32,393	32,997
Total policyholder benefits	516,783	479,119	1,593,285	1,476,573
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	98,444	94,016	302,646	287,115
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	53,791	46,898	166,490	148,254
Other operating expense	53,245	48,433	160,845	144,307
Interest expense	19,676	19,843	61,381	59,163
Total benefits and expenses	741,939	688,309	2,284,647	2,115,412
Income before income taxes	190,850	188,791	556,697	545,406
Income taxes	-58,728	-58,119	-171,042	-167,069
Net income	$132,122	$130,672	$385,655	$378,337
Basic net income per share	$1.45	$1.37	$4.18	$3.89
Diluted net income per share	$1.43	$1.36	$4.12	$3.84
Dividends declared per common share	$0.17	$0.15	$0.51	$0.45

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$132,122	$130,672	$385,655	$378,337
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	-152,039	352,906	-1,077,967	631,743
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income	-4,520	-6,900	-7,871	-16,609
Less: reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) and premium	-1,478	1,348	-4,939	1,224
Less: foreign exchange adjustment on securities marked to market	-4,097	-6,966	6,036	-6,569
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities	-162,134	340,388	-1,084,741	609,789
Unrealized gains (losses) on other assets	1,754	1,814	-1,115	2,828
Total unrealized gains (losses)	-160,380	342,202	-1,085,856	612,617
Less applicable taxes	56,150	-119,771	381,262	-214,417
Unrealized gains (losses), net of tax	-104,230	222,431	-704,594	398,200
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs	2,565	-1,219	13,128	5,352
Less applicable taxes	-898	427	-4,595	-1,873
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs, net of tax	1,667	-792	8,533	3,479
Foreign exchange translation adjustments	4,138	3,707	-1,698	3,619
Less applicable taxes	-1,324	-1,154	686	-1,265
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, net of tax	2,814	2,553	-1,012	2,354
Amortization of pension costs	4,605	3,569	13,756	10,678
Less applicable taxes	-1,613	-1,250	-4,815	-3,737
Amortization of pension costs, net of tax	2,992	2,319	8,941	6,941
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-96,757	226,511	-688,132	410,974
Comprehensive income (loss)	$35,365	$357,183	($302,477)	$789,311

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash provided from operations	$771,003	$697,668
Long-term investments sold or matured:	'	'
Fixed maturities available for sale - sold	78,751	148,597
Fixed maturities available for sale - matured, called, and repaid	453,216	624,815
Equities and other long-term investments	14,067	1,525
Total long-term investments sold or matured	546,034	774,937
Long-term investments acquired:	'	'
Fixed maturities	-792,562	-747,008
Other long-term investments	-571	-1,750
Total long-term investments acquired	-793,133	-748,758
Net increase in policy loans	-17,817	-16,297
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments	-41,128	-364,781
Net change in payable or receivable for securities	-43,989	12,496
Disposition of properties	557	56
Additions to properties	-4,364	-3,856
Investment in low-income housing interests	-34,463	-62,453
Cash used for investment activities	-388,303	-408,656
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	73,122	138,308
Issue expenses of debt offerings	0	-7,101
Net borrowings (repayments) of commercial paper	2,840	946
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	14,669	14,651
Acquisition of treasury stock	-342,680	-466,099
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-45,487	-41,293
Net receipts (withdrawals) from deposit product operations	-16,734	11,141
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-408,320	-74,447
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	2,702	153
Net increase (decrease) in cash	-22,918	214,718
Cash at beginning of year	61,710	84,113
Cash at end of period	38,792	298,831
7.375% Notes [Member]	'	'
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'	'
Repayment of Notes	-94,050	0
3.80% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]	'	'
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	0	150,000
5.875% Junior subordinated debentures due 2052 [Member]	'	'
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	$0	$125,000

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Accounting Policies	'
	Note A—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 consolidated financial position at September 30, 2013, and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. 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 28, 2013.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note B—Earnings Per Share
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows.
		For the three months ended				For the nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		91,269,169		95,125,843		92,339,971		97,355,334
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,404,205		1,216,279		1,318,386		1,282,764
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		92,673,374		96,342,122		93,658,357		98,638,098
	Antidilutive shares		0		0		35,000		0

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
	Note C—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 September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Service cost	$	3,746		$	2,928		$	69	$	81
	Interest cost		4,260			4,100			258		254
	Expected return on assets		(4,357	)		(4,242	)		0		0
	Prior service cost		569			516			0		0
	Net actuarial (gain)/loss		4,060			3,434			74		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,278		$	6,736		$	401	$	335
		Nine Months ended September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Service cost	$	11,238		$	8,309		$	271	$	325
	Interest cost		12,783			12,397			775		767
	Expected return on assets		(13,072	)		(12,479	)		0		0
	Prior service cost		1,707			1,547			0		0
	Net actuarial (gain)/loss		12,184			9,392			149		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	24,840		$	19,166		$	1,195	$	1,092
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at September 30, 2013 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
			September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
			Amount			%			Amount		%
	Corporate debt	$	159,000			55.9		$	169,817		61.2
	Other fixed maturities		275			0.1			327		0.1
	Equity securities		104,076			36.6			89,833		32.4
	Short-term investments		5,448			1.9			2,218		0.8
	Guaranteed annuity contract		13,169			4.6			13,277		4.8
	Other		2,567			0.9			2,169		0.7
	Total	$	284,535			100		$	277,641		100
	The liability for the funded defined-benefit pension plans was $359 million at September 30, 2013 and $353 million at December 31, 2012. Cash contributions in the amount of $9 million were made to the qualified pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Torchmark does not expect to make any additional cash contributions during the remainder of 2013. 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 September 30, 2013, the combined value of the insurance policies and investments in the Rabbi Trust to support plan liabilities were $63 million, compared with $54 million at year end 2012. This plan is unqualified. Therefore, the value of the insurance policies and investments are recorded as other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are not included in the chart of plan assets above. The liability for the unqualified pension plan was $61 million at September 30, 2013 and $59 million at December 31, 2012.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments Schedule [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Note D—Investments
	Portfolio Composition:
	A summary of fixed maturities and equity securities available for sale by cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value at September 30, 2013 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of September 30, 2013
			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		$	449,177		$	414		$	(55,301	)	$	394,290			3	%
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			1,277,916			84,528			(10,428	)		1,352,016			11
	Foreign governments			31,161			521			(46	)		31,636			0
	Corporates			9,882,319			748,720			(278,103	)		10,352,936			81
	Collateralized debt obligations			67,950			0			(14,877	)		53,073			1
	Other asset-backed securities			36,113			2,592			(277	)		38,428			0
	Redeemable preferred stocks			522,854			28,423			(16,739	)		534,538			4
	Total fixed maturities			12,267,490			865,198			(375,771	)		12,756,917			100	%
	Equity securities			875			779			0			1,654
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	12,268,365		$	865,977		$	(375,771	)	$	12,758,571
	*	At fair value
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at September 30, 2013 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
			Cost			Value
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Due in one year or less		$	106,594		$	108,669
	Due from one to five years			500,210			547,597
	Due from five to ten years			908,195			983,269
	Due from ten to twenty years			2,923,264			3,166,802
	Due after twenty years			7,721,773			7,855,364
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			107,454			95,216
			$	12,267,490		$	12,756,917
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the nine months ended September 30,
			2013			2012
	Proceeds from sales		$	78,751		$	148,597
	Gross realized gains			4,310			12,606
	Gross realized losses			(788	)		(240	)
	Fair Value Measurements:
	The following table represents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013 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		$	0		$	394,290		$	0		$	394,290
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			0			1,352,016			0			1,352,016
	Foreign governments			0			31,636			0			31,636
	Corporates			53,532			10,059,649			239,755			10,352,936
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			53,073			53,073
	Other asset-backed securities			0			38,428			0			38,428
	Redeemable preferred stocks			22,320			512,218			0			534,538
	Total fixed maturities			75,852			12,388,237			292,828			12,756,917
	Equity securities			878			0			776			1,654
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	76,730		$	12,388,237		$	293,604		$	12,758,571
	Percent of total			0.6	%		97.1	%		2.3	%		100	%
	As of September 30, 2013, fair value measurements classified as Level 3 represented 2.3% of total fixed maturities and equity securities, compared with 2.1% at December 31, 2012.
	Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
	During the early part of 2013, Torchmark wrote down investment real estate in the amount of $2.7 million pretax ($1.7 million after tax) because of other-than-temporary impairment. In the third quarter of 2013, this real estate was sold for an additional pretax loss of $245 thousand ($159 thousand after tax). There were no additional other-than-temporary impairments during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.
	Unrealized Loss Analysis:
The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at September 30, 2013. Torchmark considers these investments not to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Analysis of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses
At September 30, 2013
		Less than						Twelve Months						Total
		Twelve Months						or Longer
Description of Securities		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		Value			Loss			Value			Loss			Value			Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	371,080		$	(55,299	)	$	127		$	(2	)	$	371,207		$	(55,301	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions			145,656			(10,428	)		0			0			145,656			(10,428	)
Foreign governments			10,612			(46	)		0			0			10,612			(46	)
Corporates			2,746,725			(234,356	)		280,220			(43,747	)		3,026,945			(278,103	)
Collateralized debt obligations			125			0			52,948			(14,877	)		53,073			(14,877	)
Other asset-backed securities			6,790			(210	)		3,961			(67	)		10,751			(277	)
Redeemable preferred stocks			110,365			(4,284	)		71,948			(12,455	)		182,313			(16,739	)
Total fixed maturities			3,391,353			(304,623	)		409,204			(71,148	)		3,800,557			(375,771	)
Equity securities			0			0			0			0			0			0
Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	3,391,353		$	(304,623	)	$	409,204		$	(71,148	)	$	3,800,557		$	(375,771	)
Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows.
		Less than			Twelve			Total
		Twelve			Months
		Months			or Longer
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
As of September 30, 2013			466			73			539
As of December 31, 2012			195			95			290
Torchmark’s entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,615 issues at September 30, 2013 and 1,630 issues at December 31, 2012. The weighted average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions as of September 30, 2013 was BBB+. Even though 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.
Torchmark’s balances related to bifurcated credit loss positions included in accumulated other comprehensive income were $22 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, with no change to this balance during the period.

Supplemental_Information_about

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Note E—Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	An analysis in the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at July 1, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(100,348	)		1,667			2,814			0			(95,867	)
	Reclassifications		(3,882	)		0			0			2,992			(890	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(104,230	)		1,667			2,814			2,992			(96,757	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
		For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	1,024,367		$	(16,417	)	$	26,608		$	(109,283	)	$	925,275
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(697,480	)		8,533			(1,012	)		0			(689,959	)
	Reclassifications		(7,114	)		0			0			8,941			1,827
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(704,594	)		8,533			(1,012	)		8,941			(688,132	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Reclassification Adjustments
	Component Line Item	Three months			Nine months			Affected line items in the
		ended			ended			Statement of Operations
		September  30,			September 30,
		2013			2013
	Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	(4,520	)	$	(7,871	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium		(1,478	)		(4,939	)	Net investment income
	Total before tax		(5,998	)		(12,810	)
	Tax		2,116			5,696		Income Taxes
	Total after tax		(3,882	)		(7,114	)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost		569			1,707		Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)		4,036			12,049		Other operating expenses
	Total before tax		4,605			13,756
	Tax		(1,613	)		(4,815	)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax		2,992			8,941
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	(890	)	$	1,827

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	NOTE F—Business Segments
	Torchmark is comprised of life insurance companies which primarily market individual life and supplemental health insurance products through niche distribution systems to middle income Americans. To a limited extent, the Company also markets fixed annuities. 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, and annuity. 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.
	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. Required interest related to the net policy liabilities is not included in the various insurance underwriting segments but is shown in the investment segment as a reduction to net investment income. 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. For the entire year, Torchmark expects its benefit ratio to be in line with pricing and does not expect to receive any government risk-sharing premium. For the full year of 2012, the total premiums and benefits were the same under this alternative method as they were under GAAP and are expected to be essentially the same in 2013. The Company’s presentation results in the underwriting margin percentage of each interim period reflecting the expected margin percentage for the full year.
	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.
			Nine months ended
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Benefit costs deferred		$	21,279		$	25,047
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment			(8,706	)		(6,125	)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income		$	12,573		$	18,922
	After tax amount		$	8,172		$	12,299
	Torchmark has invested in various limited partnerships that provide investment returns through the provision of low-income housing tax credits and other related Federal income tax benefits to the Company. The investment returns from a portion of the interests are guaranteed by unrelated third-parties. Under GAAP, expenses associated with the amortization of the guaranteed interests are required to be reflected in income tax expense. In contrast, GAAP requires the expenses associated with the amortization of non-guaranteed interests to be reflected as a component of “Net investment income.” All of the investment returns from investing in these guaranteed and non-guaranteed limited partnerships interests are in the form of income tax benefits reflected in income tax expense. Management believes including the amortization expense associated with the non-guaranteed as well as the guaranteed interests in income tax expense provides a more appropriate matching of the expense with the related income. For this reason, amortization expense of the non-guaranteed interests is included in “Income taxes” and not “Net investment income” for segment reporting purposes.
	During 2013, Torchmark incurred four non-operating charges: (1) a state guaranty fund assessment in the amount of $1.2 million ($751 thousand after tax), resulting from events in years prior to 2012, (2) a legal settlement related to a non-insurance matter in the amount of $500 thousand ($325 thousand after tax), (3) the settlement of a litigation matter related to prior years in the amount of $8.6 million ($5.6 million after tax), and (4) a one-time adjustment related to the finalization of accounting for the insurance assets and liabilities of the Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America (Family Heritage) acquisition which closed on November 1, 2012. This adjustment increased after-tax earnings in the amount of $522 thousand. Additionally, in the third quarter of 2012, Torchmark incurred $615 thousand of expenses ($400 thousand after tax) in connection with the Family Heritage acquisition.
	The 2013 Family Heritage adjustment was included in its pretax amount of $1.5 million under the caption “Amortization of deferred acquisition costs” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The $8.6 million litigation matter in 2013 was recorded as an increase in “Health policyholder benefits” expense. The remaining items above are included in “Other operating expense” in those statements. The Company removes items related to prior years and non-operating items such as all of the above items when analyzing its segment profitability, because management does not view such items as part of its core insurance operating results.
	The following tables total the components of Torchmark’s operating segments and reconcile these operating results to its pretax income and each significant line item in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
			For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
			Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
															Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	1,416,859		$	875,697		$	401								$	8,706	(1)	$	2,301,663
	Net investment income											$	550,015						(18,556	)(4)		531,459
	Other income														$	1,970			(213	)(3)		1,757
	Total revenue			1,416,859			875,697			401			550,015			1,970			(10,063	)		2,834,879
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			921,921			609,067			32,393									29,904	(1,6)		1,593,285
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(379,163	)		(44,602	)		(43,298	)		467,063									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			123,599			17,503			1,399			(142,501	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			243,259			54,051			6,855									(1,519	)(7)		302,646
	Commissions, premium taxes,			99,398			67,259			46									(213	)(3)		166,490
	and non-deferred acquisition
	costs
	Insurance administrative															133,080			1,155	(5)		134,235
	expense (2)
	Parent expense															6,734			500	(6)		7,234
	Stock compensation expense															19,376						19,376
	Interest expense												61,381									61,381
	Total expenses			1,009,014			703,278			(2,605	)		385,943			159,190			29,827			2,284,647
	Subtotal			407,845			172,419			3,006			164,072			(157,220	)		(39,890	)		550,232
	Nonoperating items																		21,334	(1,5,6,7)		21,334
	Amortization of low-income																		18,556	(4)		18,556
	housing
	Measure of segment profitability (pretax)		$	407,845		$	172,419		$	3,006		$	164,072		$	(157,220	)	$	0			590,122
	Deduct applicable income taxes																					(193,109	)
	Segment profits after tax																					397,013
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability			193,109
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)			6,465
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)			(12,573	)
	Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)			(18,556	)
	Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment (5)			(1,155	)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (6)			(9,125	)
	Add Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments (7)			1,519
	Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations		$	556,697
	-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	Amortization of low-income housing expense, considered a component of income tax expense in the segment analysis.
-5	Guaranty Fund Assessment.
-6	Legal settlement expenses.
-7	Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments.
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
		For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
		Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
														Corporate
Revenue:
Premium		$	1,356,527		$	760,825		$	440								$	6,125	(1)	$	2,123,917
Net investment income											$	535,325						(16,628	)(2,5)		518,697
Other income														$	1,501			(247	)(4)		1,254
Total revenue			1,356,527			760,825			440			535,325			1,501			(10,750	)		2,643,868
Expenses:
Policy benefits			879,317			539,212			32,997									25,047	(1)		1,476,573
Required interest on:
Policy reserves			(360,454	)		(28,242	)		(44,690	)		433,386									0
Deferred acquisition costs			122,453			13,710			1,721			(137,884	)								0
Amortization of acquisition costs			231,926			47,536			7,653												287,115
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			102,696			45,752			53									(247	)(4)		148,254
Insurance administrative expense (3)															120,942						120,942
Parent expense															6,203			615	(6)		6,818
Stock compensation expense															16,547						16,547
Interest expense												58,965						198	(2)		59,163
Total expenses			975,938			617,968			(2,266	)		354,467			143,692			25,613			2,115,412
Subtotal			380,589			142,857			2,706			180,858			(142,191	)		(36,363	)		528,456
Nonoperating items																		19,537	(1,6)		19,537
Amortization of low-income housing																		16,826	(5)		16,826
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)		$	380,589		$	142,857		$	2,706		$	180,858		$	(142,191	)	$	0			564,819
Deduct applicable income taxes																					(184,800	)
Segment profits after tax																					380,019
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability			184,800
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)			16,950
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)			(18,922	)
Deduct amortization of low-income housing (5)			(16,826	)
Deduct Family Heritage Life acquisition expense (6)			(615	)
Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations		$	545,406
-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
-2	Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities. Management views the Trust Preferreds as consolidated debt.
-3	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
-4	Elimination of intersegment commission.
-5	Amortization of low-income housing expense, considered a component of income tax expense in the segment analysis.
-6	Family Heritage Life acquisition expense.
The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability for comparison. It also reconciles segment profits to net income.
Analysis of Profitability by Segment
		Nine months ended						Increase
		September 30,						(Decrease)
		2013			2012			Amount			%
Life insurance		$	407,845		$	380,589		$	27,256			7
Health insurance			172,419			142,857			29,562			21
Annuity			3,006			2,706			300
Investment			164,072			180,858			(16,786	)		(9	)
Other and corporate:
Other income			1,970			1,501			469			31
Administrative expense			(133,080	)		(120,942	)		(12,138	)		10
Corporate			(26,110	)		(22,750	)		(3,360	)		15
Pretax total			590,122			564,819			25,303			4
Applicable taxes			(193,109	)		(184,800	)		(8,309	)		4
Total			397,013			380,019			16,994			4
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized gains (losses)–Investments			2,974			11,017			(8,043	)
Part D adjustment			(8,172	)		(12,299	)		4,127
Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense			522			(400	)		922
Guaranty fund assessment			(751	)		0			(751	)
Legal settlement expenses			(5,931	)		0			(5,931	)
Net income		$	385,655		$	378,337		$	7,318			2

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows.
		For the three months ended				For the nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		91,269,169		95,125,843		92,339,971		97,355,334
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,404,205		1,216,279		1,318,386		1,282,764
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		92,673,374		96,342,122		93,658,357		98,638,098
	Antidilutive shares		0		0		35,000		0

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
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 September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Service cost	$	3,746		$	2,928		$	69	$	81
	Interest cost		4,260			4,100			258		254
	Expected return on assets		(4,357	)		(4,242	)		0		0
	Prior service cost		569			516			0		0
	Net actuarial (gain)/loss		4,060			3,434			74		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,278		$	6,736		$	401	$	335
		Nine Months ended September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Service cost	$	11,238		$	8,309		$	271	$	325
	Interest cost		12,783			12,397			775		767
	Expected return on assets		(13,072	)		(12,479	)		0		0
	Prior service cost		1,707			1,547			0		0
	Net actuarial (gain)/loss		12,184			9,392			149		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	24,840		$	19,166		$	1,195	$	1,092
Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at September 30, 2013 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
			September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
			Amount			%			Amount		%
	Corporate debt	$	159,000			55.9		$	169,817		61.2
	Other fixed maturities		275			0.1			327		0.1
	Equity securities		104,076			36.6			89,833		32.4
	Short-term investments		5,448			1.9			2,218		0.8
	Guaranteed annuity contract		13,169			4.6			13,277		4.8
	Other		2,567			0.9			2,169		0.7
	Total	$	284,535			100		$	277,641		100

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments Schedule [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 September 30, 2013 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of September 30, 2013
			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		$	449,177		$	414		$	(55,301	)	$	394,290			3	%
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			1,277,916			84,528			(10,428	)		1,352,016			11
	Foreign governments			31,161			521			(46	)		31,636			0
	Corporates			9,882,319			748,720			(278,103	)		10,352,936			81
	Collateralized debt obligations			67,950			0			(14,877	)		53,073			1
	Other asset-backed securities			36,113			2,592			(277	)		38,428			0
	Redeemable preferred stocks			522,854			28,423			(16,739	)		534,538			4
	Total fixed maturities			12,267,490			865,198			(375,771	)		12,756,917			100	%
	Equity securities			875			779			0			1,654
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	12,268,365		$	865,977		$	(375,771	)	$	12,758,571
	*	At fair value
Schedule of Fixed Maturities by Contractual Maturity	'
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at September 30, 2013 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
			Cost			Value
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Due in one year or less		$	106,594		$	108,669
	Due from one to five years			500,210			547,597
	Due from five to ten years			908,195			983,269
	Due from ten to twenty years			2,923,264			3,166,802
	Due after twenty years			7,721,773			7,855,364
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			107,454			95,216
			$	12,267,490		$	12,756,917
Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities	'
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the nine months ended September 30,
			2013			2012
	Proceeds from sales		$	78,751		$	148,597
	Gross realized gains			4,310			12,606
	Gross realized losses			(788	)		(240	)
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 September 30, 2013 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		$	0		$	394,290		$	0		$	394,290
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			0			1,352,016			0			1,352,016
	Foreign governments			0			31,636			0			31,636
	Corporates			53,532			10,059,649			239,755			10,352,936
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			53,073			53,073
	Other asset-backed securities			0			38,428			0			38,428
	Redeemable preferred stocks			22,320			512,218			0			534,538
	Total fixed maturities			75,852			12,388,237			292,828			12,756,917
	Equity securities			878			0			776			1,654
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	76,730		$	12,388,237		$	293,604		$	12,758,571
	Percent of total			0.6	%		97.1	%		2.3	%		100	%
Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment	'
	The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at September 30, 2013. Torchmark considers these investments not to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
	Analysis of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses
	At September 30, 2013
			Less than						Twelve Months						Total
			Twelve Months						or Longer
	Description of Securities		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
			Value			Loss			Value			Loss			Value			Loss
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	371,080		$	(55,299	)	$	127		$	(2	)	$	371,207		$	(55,301	)
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			145,656			(10,428	)		0			0			145,656			(10,428	)
	Foreign governments			10,612			(46	)		0			0			10,612			(46	)
	Corporates			2,746,725			(234,356	)		280,220			(43,747	)		3,026,945			(278,103	)
	Collateralized debt obligations			125			0			52,948			(14,877	)		53,073			(14,877	)
	Other asset-backed securities			6,790			(210	)		3,961			(67	)		10,751			(277	)
	Redeemable preferred stocks			110,365			(4,284	)		71,948			(12,455	)		182,313			(16,739	)
	Total fixed maturities			3,391,353			(304,623	)		409,204			(71,148	)		3,800,557			(375,771	)
	Equity securities			0			0			0			0			0			0
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	3,391,353		$	(304,623	)	$	409,204		$	(71,148	)	$	3,800,557		$	(375,771	)
Schedule of Additional Information About Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	'
	Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows.
			Less than			Twelve			Total
			Twelve			Months
			Months			or Longer
	Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
	As of September 30, 2013			466			73			539
	As of December 31, 2012			195			95			290

Supplemental_Information_about1

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Change in Balance by Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	An analysis in the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at July 1, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(100,348	)		1,667			2,814			0			(95,867	)
	Reclassifications		(3,882	)		0			0			2,992			(890	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(104,230	)		1,667			2,814			2,992			(96,757	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
		For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	1,024,367		$	(16,417	)	$	26,608		$	(109,283	)	$	925,275
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(697,480	)		8,533			(1,012	)		0			(689,959	)
	Reclassifications		(7,114	)		0			0			8,941			1,827
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(704,594	)		8,533			(1,012	)		8,941			(688,132	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Reclassification Adjustments
	Component Line Item	Three months			Nine months			Affected line items in the
		ended			ended			Statement of Operations
		September  30,			September 30,
		2013			2013
	Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	(4,520	)	$	(7,871	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium		(1,478	)		(4,939	)	Net investment income
	Total before tax		(5,998	)		(12,810	)
	Tax		2,116			5,696		Income Taxes
	Total after tax		(3,882	)		(7,114	)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost		569			1,707		Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)		4,036			12,049		Other operating expenses
	Total before tax		4,605			13,756
	Tax		(1,613	)		(4,815	)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax		2,992			8,941
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	(890	)	$	1,827

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
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.
			Nine months ended
			September 30,
			2013			2012
	Benefit costs deferred		$	21,279		$	25,047
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment			(8,706	)		(6,125	)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income		$	12,573		$	18,922
	After tax amount		$	8,172		$	12,299
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to Consolidated Statement of Operations	'
	The following tables total the components of Torchmark’s operating segments and reconcile these operating results to its pretax income and each significant line item in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
			For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
			Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
															Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	1,416,859		$	875,697		$	401								$	8,706	(1)	$	2,301,663
	Net investment income											$	550,015						(18,556	)(4)		531,459
	Other income														$	1,970			(213	)(3)		1,757
	Total revenue			1,416,859			875,697			401			550,015			1,970			(10,063	)		2,834,879
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			921,921			609,067			32,393									29,904	(1,6)		1,593,285
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(379,163	)		(44,602	)		(43,298	)		467,063									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			123,599			17,503			1,399			(142,501	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			243,259			54,051			6,855									(1,519	)(7)		302,646
	Commissions, premium taxes,			99,398			67,259			46									(213	)(3)		166,490
	and non-deferred acquisition
	costs
	Insurance administrative															133,080			1,155	(5)		134,235
	expense (2)
	Parent expense															6,734			500	(6)		7,234
	Stock compensation expense															19,376						19,376
	Interest expense												61,381									61,381
	Total expenses			1,009,014			703,278			(2,605	)		385,943			159,190			29,827			2,284,647
	Subtotal			407,845			172,419			3,006			164,072			(157,220	)		(39,890	)		550,232
	Nonoperating items																		21,334	(1,5,6,7)		21,334
	Amortization of low-income																		18,556	(4)		18,556
	housing
	Measure of segment profitability (pretax)		$	407,845		$	172,419		$	3,006		$	164,072		$	(157,220	)	$	0			590,122
	Deduct applicable income taxes																					(193,109	)
	Segment profits after tax																					397,013
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability			193,109
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)			6,465
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)			(12,573	)
	Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)			(18,556	)
	Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment (5)			(1,155	)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (6)			(9,125	)
	Add Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments (7)			1,519
	Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations		$	556,697
	-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	Amortization of low-income housing expense, considered a component of income tax expense in the segment analysis.
	-5	Guaranty Fund Assessment.
	-6	Legal settlement expenses.
	-7	Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations
			For the nine months ended September 30, 2012
			Life			Health			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
															Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	1,356,527		$	760,825		$	440								$	6,125	(1)	$	2,123,917
	Net investment income											$	535,325						(16,628	)(2,5)		518,697
	Other income														$	1,501			(247	)(4)		1,254
	Total revenue			1,356,527			760,825			440			535,325			1,501			(10,750	)		2,643,868
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			879,317			539,212			32,997									25,047	(1)		1,476,573
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(360,454	)		(28,242	)		(44,690	)		433,386									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			122,453			13,710			1,721			(137,884	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			231,926			47,536			7,653												287,115
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			102,696			45,752			53									(247	)(4)		148,254
Insurance administrative expense (3)															120,942						120,942
Parent expense															6,203			615	(6)		6,818
Stock compensation expense															16,547						16,547
Interest expense												58,965						198	(2)		59,163
Total expenses			975,938			617,968			(2,266	)		354,467			143,692			25,613			2,115,412
Subtotal			380,589			142,857			2,706			180,858			(142,191	)		(36,363	)		528,456
Nonoperating items																		19,537	(1,6)		19,537
Amortization of low-income housing																		16,826	(5)		16,826
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)		$	380,589		$	142,857		$	2,706		$	180,858		$	(142,191	)	$	0			564,819
Deduct applicable income taxes																					(184,800	)
Segment profits after tax																					380,019
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability			184,800
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)			16,950
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)			(18,922	)
Deduct amortization of low-income housing (5)			(16,826	)
Deduct Family Heritage Life acquisition expense (6)			(615	)
Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations		$	545,406
-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
-2	Reclassification of interest amount due to accounting rule requiring deconsolidation of Trust Preferred Securities. Management views the Trust Preferreds as consolidated debt.
-3	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
-4	Elimination of intersegment commission.
-5	Amortization of low-income housing expense, considered a component of income tax expense in the segment analysis.
-6	Family Heritage Life acquisition expense.
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
			Nine months ended						Increase
			September 30,						(Decrease)
			2013			2012			Amount			%
	Life insurance		$	407,845		$	380,589		$	27,256			7
	Health insurance			172,419			142,857			29,562			21
	Annuity			3,006			2,706			300
	Investment			164,072			180,858			(16,786	)		(9	)
	Other and corporate:
	Other income			1,970			1,501			469			31
	Administrative expense			(133,080	)		(120,942	)		(12,138	)		10
	Corporate			(26,110	)		(22,750	)		(3,360	)		15
	Pretax total			590,122			564,819			25,303			4
	Applicable taxes			(193,109	)		(184,800	)		(8,309	)		4
	Total			397,013			380,019			16,994			4
	Reconciling items, net of tax:
	Realized gains (losses)–Investments			2,974			11,017			(8,043	)
	Part D adjustment			(8,172	)		(12,299	)		4,127
	Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense			522			(400	)		922
	Guaranty fund assessment			(751	)		0			(751	)
	Legal settlement expenses			(5,931	)		0			(5,931	)
	Net income		$	385,655		$	378,337		$	7,318			2

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	91,269,169	95,125,843	92,339,971	97,355,334
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding	1,404,205	1,216,279	1,318,386	1,282,764
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	92,673,374	96,342,122	93,658,357	98,638,098
Antidilutive shares	0	0	35,000	0

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_C

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Components of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$3,746	$2,928	$11,238	$8,309
Interest cost	4,260	4,100	12,783	12,397
Expected return on assets	-4,357	-4,242	-13,072	-12,479
Prior service cost	569	516	1,707	1,547
Net actuarial (gain)/loss	4,060	3,434	12,184	9,392
Net periodic benefit cost	8,278	6,736	24,840	19,166
Other Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	69	81	271	325
Interest cost	258	254	775	767
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Net actuarial (gain)/loss	74	0	149	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$401	$335	$1,195	$1,092

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_P

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Pension Assets by Component (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$284,535	$277,641
Percent of total pension assets	100.00%	100.00%
Corporate Debt [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	159,000	169,817
Percent of total pension assets	55.90%	61.20%
Other Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	275	327
Percent of total pension assets	0.10%	0.10%
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	104,076	89,833
Percent of total pension assets	36.60%	32.40%
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	5,448	2,218
Percent of total pension assets	1.90%	0.80%
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	13,169	13,277
Percent of total pension assets	4.60%	4.80%
Other [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$2,567	$2,169
Percent of total pension assets	0.90%	0.70%

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_A

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Liability related to funded defined-benefit pension plans	$359	$353
Contributions to benefit plans	9	'
Insurance cash value and Rabbi Trust investments supporting supplemental pension plan liability	63	54
Unqualified supplemental retirement pension plan liability	$61	$59

Investments_Summary_of_Fixed_M

Investments - Summary of Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities Available for Sale by Component (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	$12,267,490	$11,963,406	[1]
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	12,756,917	13,541,193	[1]
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	875	14,875	[1]
Total Available for Sale Securities Cost	12,268,365	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	865,977	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-375,771	'
Total Available for Sale Securities Fair Value	12,758,571	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	875	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	779	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,654	'
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	12,267,490	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	865,198	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-375,771	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	12,756,917	'
% 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]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	449,177	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	414	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-55,301	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	394,290	'
% 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]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	1,277,916	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	84,528	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-10,428	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	1,352,016	'
% of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	11.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	31,161	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	521	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-46	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	31,636	'
% of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	9,882,319	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	748,720	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-278,103	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	10,352,936	'
% of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	81.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	67,950	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	0	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-14,877	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	53,073	'
% of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	1.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	36,113	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	2,592	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-277	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	38,428	'
% of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	522,854	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	28,423	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-16,739	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	$534,538	'
% of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	4.00%	'
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Investments_Schedule_of_Fixed_

Investments - Schedule of Fixed Maturities by Contractual Maturity (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due in one year or less	$106,594	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from one to five years	500,210	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from five to ten years	908,195	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from ten to twenty years	2,923,264	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due after twenty years	7,721,773	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Amortized Cost	107,454	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost	12,267,490	11,963,406	[1]
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due in one year or less	108,669	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from one to five years	547,597	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from five to ten years	983,269	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from ten to twenty years	3,166,802	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due after twenty years	7,855,364	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Fair Value	95,216	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	$12,756,917	$13,541,193	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Investments_Schedule_of_Select

Investments - Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Proceeds from sales	$78,751	$148,597
Gross realized gains	4,310	12,606
Gross realized losses	($788)	($240)

Investments_Assets_Measured_at

Investments - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	$12,756,917	$13,541,193	[1]
Equity securities	1,654	15,567	[1]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	12,758,571	'
Percent of total	100.00%	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	1,654	'
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	12,756,917	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	394,290	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	1,352,016	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	31,636	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	10,352,936	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	53,073	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	38,428	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	534,538	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	76,730	'
Percent of total	0.60%	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	878	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	75,852	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	53,532	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	22,320	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	12,388,237	'
Percent of total	97.10%	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	12,388,237	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	394,290	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	1,352,016	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	31,636	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	10,059,649	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	38,428	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	512,218	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	293,604	'
Percent of total	2.30%	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	776	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	292,828	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	239,755	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	53,073	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	0	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	$0	'
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Level 3 Proportion to fixed maturities and equity securities	2.30%	'	2.30%	'	2.10%
Other-than-temporary impairments	$0	$0	$2,678,000	$0	'
Total issues of fixed-maturities and equities	1,615	'	1,615	'	1,630
Balances related to bifurcated credit loss positions included in other comprehensive income	22,000,000	'	22,000,000	'	22,000,000
Loss In Excess Of Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on sale of real estate pretax	'	'	245,000	'	'
Loss on sale of real estate, after tax	'	'	159,000	'	'
Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	'	'	0	0	'
Real Estate [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	'	'	2,700,000	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments, after tax	'	'	$1,700,000	'	'

Investments_Schedule_of_Unreal

Investments - Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	$3,391,353
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	409,204
Fair Value, Total	3,800,557
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-304,623
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-71,148
Unrealized Loss Total	-375,771
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, And Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	371,080
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	127
Fair Value, Total	371,207
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-55,299
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-2
Unrealized Loss Total	-55,301
States, Municipalities, And Political Subdivisions [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	145,656
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	145,656
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-10,428
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	-10,428
Foreign Governments [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	10,612
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	10,612
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-46
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	-46
Corporates [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	2,746,725
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	280,220
Fair Value, Total	3,026,945
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-234,356
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-43,747
Unrealized Loss Total	-278,103
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	125
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	52,948
Fair Value, Total	53,073
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-14,877
Unrealized Loss Total	-14,877
Other Asset-Backed Securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	6,790
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	3,961
Fair Value, Total	10,751
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-210
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-67
Unrealized Loss Total	-277
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	110,365
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	71,948
Fair Value, Total	182,313
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-4,284
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-12,455
Unrealized Loss Total	-16,739
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	3,391,353
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	409,204
Fair Value, Total	3,800,557
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-304,623
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-71,148
Unrealized Loss Total	-375,771
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

Investments_Schedule_of_Additi

Investments - Schedule of Additional Information about Investments in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Less than Twelve Months	466	195
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Twelve Months or Longer	73	95
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Total	539	290

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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	$333,900	'	$925,275	[1]	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-95,867	'	-689,959		'
Reclassifications	-890	'	1,827		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-96,757	226,511	-688,132		410,974
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	237,143	'	237,143		'
Pension Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-103,334	'	-109,283		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	'	0		'
Reclassifications	2,992	'	8,941		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,992	'	8,941		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-100,342	'	-100,342		'
Foreign Exchange [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	22,782	'	26,608		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2,814	'	-1,012		'
Reclassifications	0	'	0		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,814	'	-1,012		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	25,596	'	25,596		'
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-9,551	'	-16,417		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1,667	'	8,533		'
Reclassifications	0	'	0		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,667	'	8,533		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-7,884	'	-7,884		'
Available for Sale Assets [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	424,003	'	1,024,367		'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-100,348	'	-697,480		'
Reclassifications	-3,882	'	-7,114		'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-104,230	'	-704,594		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	$319,773	'	$319,773		'
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Realized (gains) losses	($4,520)	($6,900)	($7,871)	($16,609)
Amortization of (discount) premium	-1,478	1,348	-4,939	1,224
Total before tax	4,605	3,569	13,756	10,678
Tax	-1,613	-1,250	-4,815	-3,737
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total after tax	-890	'	1,827	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Realized (gains) losses	-4,520	'	-7,871	'
Amortization of (discount) premium	-1,478	'	-4,939	'
Total before tax	-5,998	'	-12,810	'
Tax	2,116	'	5,696	'
Total after tax	-3,882	'	-7,114	'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	569	'	1,707	'
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	4,036	'	12,049	'
Total before tax	4,605	'	13,756	'
Tax	-1,613	'	-4,815	'
Total after tax	$2,992	'	$8,941	'

Business_Segments_Adjustments_

Business Segments - Adjustments for Difference in Interim Medicare Part D Results for Segment Purposes and GAAP (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	$21,279	$25,047
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	-8,706	-6,125
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	12,573	18,922
After tax amount	$8,172	$12,299

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Guaranty fund assessment	'	'	$1,155	'
Guaranty fund assessment, after tax	'	'	751	0
Legal settlement related to a non insurance matter	'	'	500	'
Legal settlement related to a non insurance matter, after tax	'	'	325	'
Litigation related charges	'	'	8,625	'
Litigation related charges, After tax	'	'	5,606	'
Family Heritage Life acquisition expense, after tax	'	-400	522	-400
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	98,444	94,016	302,646	287,115
Family Heritage Life acquisition expense	'	615	'	615
Family Heritage Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	'	'	$1,519	'

Business_Segments_Reconciliati

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	$750,998	$699,860	$2,301,663	$2,123,917
Net investment income	176,656	169,400	531,459	518,697
Other income	676	557	1,757	1,254
Total revenue	'	'	2,834,879	2,643,868
Policy benefits	516,783	479,119	1,593,285	1,476,573
Required interest on policy reserves	'	'	0	0
Required interest on deferred acquisition costs	'	'	0	0
Amortization of acquisition costs	98,444	94,016	302,646	287,115
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	53,791	46,898	166,490	148,254
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	134,235	120,942
Parent expense	'	'	7,234	6,818
Stock compensation expense	'	'	19,376	16,547
Interest expense	19,676	19,843	61,381	59,163
Total benefits and expenses	741,939	688,309	2,284,647	2,115,412
Subtotal	'	'	550,232	528,456
Nonoperating items	'	'	21,334	19,537
Amortization of low-income housing	'	'	18,556	16,826
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	590,122	564,819
Deduct applicable income taxes	'	'	-193,109	-184,800
Segment profits after tax	'	'	397,013	380,019
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability	'	'	193,109	184,800
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)	'	'	6,465	16,950
Deduct Part D adjustment	'	'	-12,573	-18,922
Deduct amortization of low-income housing	'	'	-18,556	-16,826
Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment	'	'	-1,155	'
Deduct Family Heritage Life acquisition expense	'	-615	'	-615
Deduct legal settlement expenses	'	'	-9,125	'
Income before income taxes	190,850	188,791	556,697	545,406
Family Heritage Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	1,519	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	1,416,859	1,356,527
Total revenue	'	'	1,416,859	1,356,527
Policy benefits	'	'	921,921	879,317
Required interest on policy reserves	'	'	-379,163	-360,454
Required interest on deferred acquisition costs	'	'	123,599	122,453
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	243,259	231,926
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	99,398	102,696
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	1,009,014	975,938
Subtotal	'	'	407,845	380,589
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	407,845	380,589
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	875,697	760,825
Total revenue	'	'	875,697	760,825
Policy benefits	'	'	609,067	539,212
Required interest on policy reserves	'	'	-44,602	-28,242
Required interest on deferred acquisition costs	'	'	17,503	13,710
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	54,051	47,536
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	67,259	45,752
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	703,278	617,968
Subtotal	'	'	172,419	142,857
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	172,419	142,857
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	401	440
Total revenue	'	'	401	440
Policy benefits	'	'	32,393	32,997
Required interest on policy reserves	'	'	-43,298	-44,690
Required interest on deferred acquisition costs	'	'	1,399	1,721
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	6,855	7,653
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	46	53
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	-2,605	-2,266
Subtotal	'	'	3,006	2,706
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	3,006	2,706
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	550,015	535,325
Total revenue	'	'	550,015	535,325
Required interest on policy reserves	'	'	467,063	433,386
Required interest on deferred acquisition costs	'	'	-142,501	-137,884
Interest expense	'	'	61,381	58,965
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	385,943	354,467
Subtotal	'	'	164,072	180,858
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	164,072	180,858
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other income	'	'	1,970	1,501
Total revenue	'	'	1,970	1,501
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	133,080	120,942
Parent expense	'	'	6,734	6,203
Stock compensation expense	'	'	19,376	16,547
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	159,190	143,692
Subtotal	'	'	-157,220	-142,191
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	-157,220	-142,191
Adjustments [Member] | Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	8,706	6,125
Net investment income	'	'	-18,556	-16,628
Other income	'	'	-213	-247
Total revenue	'	'	-10,063	-10,750
Policy benefits	'	'	29,904	25,047
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	-1,519	'
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	-213	-247
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	1,155	'
Parent expense	'	'	500	615
Interest expense	'	'	'	198
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	29,827	25,613
Subtotal	'	'	-39,890	-36,363
Nonoperating items	'	'	21,334	19,537
Amortization of low-income housing	'	'	18,556	16,826
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	0	0
Deduct amortization of low-income housing	'	'	($18,556)	($16,826)

Business_Segments_Analysis_of_

Business Segments - Analysis of Profitability by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	$590,122	$564,819
Applicable taxes	'	'	-193,109	-184,800
Net operating income	'	'	397,013	380,019
Realized gains (losses) - Investments	'	'	2,974	11,017
Part D adjustment	'	'	-8,172	-12,299
Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense	'	-400	522	-400
Guaranty fund assessment	'	'	-751	0
Legal settlement expenses	'	'	-5,931	0
Net income	132,122	130,672	385,655	378,337
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	25,303	'
Applicable taxes, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-8,309	'
Net operating income, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	16,994	'
Realized gains (losses) - Investments net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-8,043	'
Part D adjustment net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	4,127	'
Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	922	'
Guaranty fund assessment Net of Tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-751	'
Legal settlement expenses net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-5,931	'
Net income, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	7,318	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	4.00%	'
Applicable taxes, Change %	'	'	4.00%	'
Net operating income, Change %	'	'	4.00%	'
Net income, Change %	'	'	2.00%	'
Life Insurance [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	407,845	380,589
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	27,256	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	7.00%	'
Health Insurance [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	172,419	142,857
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	29,562	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	21.00%	'
Annuity [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	3,006	2,706
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	300	'
Investment [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	164,072	180,858
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	-16,786	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	-9.00%	'
Other and Corporate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-157,220	-142,191
Other and Corporate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Other Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	1,970	1,501
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	469	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	31.00%	'
Other and Corporate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-133,080	-120,942
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	-12,138	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	10.00%	'
Other and Corporate [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-26,110	-22,750
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	($3,360)	'
Pretax operating income, Change %	'	'	15.00%	'