Globe Life (GL) 10-Q 8 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 28, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
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	'	130,589,470

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014-$12,699,242 ; 2013-$12,488,875)	$14,128,324	$12,879,133	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2014-$776 ; 2013-$875)	1,427	1,884	[1]
Policy loans	457,824	448,887	[1]
Other long-term investments	12,134	13,207	[1]
Short-term investments	48,561	76,890	[1]
Total investments	14,648,270	13,420,001	[1]
Cash	45,803	36,943	[1]
Accrued investment income	202,465	200,038	[1]
Other receivables	425,425	331,103	[1]
Deferred acquisition costs	3,398,379	3,337,649	[1]
Goodwill	441,591	441,591	[1]
Other assets	489,868	424,419	[1]
Total assets	19,651,801	18,191,744	[1]
Liabilities:	'	'
Future policy benefits	11,521,630	11,256,155	[1]
Unearned and advance premiums	74,973	74,174	[1]
Policy claims and other benefits payable	213,553	223,380	[1]
Other policyholders' funds	96,542	94,286	[1]
Total policy liabilities	11,906,698	11,647,995	[1]
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,647,571	1,285,574	[1]
Other liabilities	322,149	261,898	[1]
Short-term debt	274,944	229,070	[1]
Long-term debt (fair value: 2014-$1,161,442 ; 2013-$1,360,461)	991,491	990,865	[1]
Total liabilities	15,142,853	14,415,402	[1]
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 5,000,000 shares; outstanding: -0- in 2014 and in 2013	0	0	[1]
Common stock, par value $1 per share-Authorized 320,000,000 shares; outstanding: (2014-139,218,183 issued, less 8,185,698 held in treasury and 2013-151,218,183 issued, less 16,965,802 held in treasury)	139,218	151,218	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	450,734	462,058	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	887,974	210,981	[1]
Retained earnings	3,329,397	3,495,533	[1]
Treasury stock, at cost	-298,375	-543,448	[1]
Total shareholders' equity	4,508,948	3,776,342	[1]
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$19,651,801	$18,191,744	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities, available for sale, amortized cost	$12,699,242	$12,488,875	[1]
Equity securities, cost	776	875	[1]
Long-term debt, fair value	$1,161,442	$1,360,461	[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	139,218,183	151,218,183	[1]
Common stock, shares held in treasury	8,185,698	16,965,802	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Life premium	$491,952	$475,110	$981,010	$945,923
Health premium	307,791	290,584	637,654	604,455
Other premium	123	157	222	287
Total premium	799,866	765,851	1,618,886	1,550,665
Net investment income	182,877	177,964	363,877	354,803
Realized investment gains (losses)	577	5,913	17,196	4,684
Other-than-temporary impairments	0	0	0	-2,678
Other income	663	611	1,144	1,081
Total revenue	983,983	950,339	2,001,103	1,908,555
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Life policyholder benefits	324,192	310,849	644,368	615,990
Health policyholder benefits	220,554	202,861	476,272	438,988
Other policyholder benefits	10,461	10,789	21,084	21,524
Total policyholder benefits	555,207	524,499	1,141,724	1,076,502
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	104,561	102,488	209,294	204,202
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	62,020	54,448	121,398	112,699
Other operating expense	56,400	55,292	113,356	107,600
Interest expense	19,037	20,828	38,086	41,705
Total benefits and expenses	797,225	757,555	1,623,858	1,542,708
Income before income taxes	186,758	192,784	377,245	365,847
Income taxes	-55,835	-58,883	-113,466	-112,314
Net income	$130,923	$133,901	$263,779	$253,533
Basic net income per share	$1	$0.97	$1.99	$1.82
Diluted net income per share	$0.98	$0.96	$1.97	$1.80
Dividends declared per common share	$0.13	$0.11	$0.25	$0.23

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net income	$130,923	$133,901	$263,779	$253,533
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Less applicable taxes	-150,683	280,479	-364,350	325,112
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax	279,929	-520,994	676,819	-600,364
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs	-3,045	7,606	-7,273	10,563
Less applicable taxes	1,066	-2,662	2,546	-3,697
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs, net of tax	-1,979	4,944	-4,727	6,866
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities	3,185	-4,803	2,008	-5,836
Less applicable taxes	-1,189	1,726	-750	2,010
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities, net of tax	1,996	-3,077	1,258	-3,826
Pension adjustments	3,031	4,608	5,605	9,151
Less applicable taxes	-1,061	-1,611	-1,962	-3,202
Pension adjustments, net of tax	1,970	2,997	3,643	5,949
Other comprehensive income (loss)	281,916	-516,130	676,993	-591,375
Comprehensive income (loss)	412,839	-382,229	940,772	-337,842
Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	431,271	-796,807	1,060,337	-925,928
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income	-577	-5,912	-17,196	-3,351
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) and premium	-2,317	-1,579	-4,544	-3,461
Foreign exchange adjustment on securities recorded at fair value	740	4,921	-131	10,133
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities	429,117	-799,377	1,038,466	-922,607
Other Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on other investments	1,495	-2,096	2,703	-2,869
Total unrealized investment gains (losses)	$430,612	($801,473)	$1,041,169	($925,476)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract]	'		'
Cash provided from operations	$419,383		$492,620
Long-term investments sold or matured:	'		'
Fixed maturities available for sale-sold	28,194		75,096
Fixed maturities available for sale-matured, called, and repaid	107,394		369,962
Equities	700		14,000
Other long-term investments	23		266
Total long-term investments sold or matured	136,311		459,324
Long-term investments acquired:	'		'
Fixed maturities	-325,574		-691,955
Other long-term investments	0		-550
Total long-term investments acquired	-325,574		-692,505
Net increase in policy loans	-8,937		-9,281
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments	28,329		-8,152
Net change in payable or receivable for securities	0		-43,991
Disposition of properties	19		247
Additions to properties	-10,006		-2,247
Investment in low-income housing interests	-22,030		-19,990
Cash used for investment activities	-201,888		-316,595
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	35,015		53,383
Net borrowings (repayments) of commercial paper	45,874		29,797
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	11,098		9,758
Acquisition of treasury stock	-238,313		-246,403
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-31,980		-29,916
Net receipts (withdrawals) from deposit-type products	-33,104		-13,541
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-211,410		-196,922
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	2,775		4,124
Net increase (decrease) in cash	8,860		-16,773
Cash at beginning of year	36,943	[1]	61,710
Cash at end of period	$45,803		$44,937
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30, 2014, and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. 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, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note B—Earnings Per Share
	Stock Split: Torchmark declared a three-for-two stock split paid in the form of a 50% stock dividend on all of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The record date for the three-for-two stock split was the close of business on June 2, 2014. On July 1, 2014, the payment date, holders of Torchmark common stock received one additional share of stock for every two shares held. The Company also paid $26 thousand in cash to acquire 642 fractional shares as a result of the stock split. Upon completion of the transaction, Torchmark had 139,218,183 shares issued at a par value of $1 per share and 131,031,843 shares outstanding after giving effect to the purchase of the fractional shares on July 1, 2014. All share and per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect this stock split for all periods presented in these consolidated financial statements.
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows.
		For the three months ended				For the six months ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		131,491,182		138,293,052		132,322,704		139,326,368
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,823,640		1,652,852		1,856,496		1,739,299
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		133,314,822		139,945,904		134,179,200		141,065,667
	Antidilutive shares		0		19,038		0		9,572

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3,231		$	3,727		$	(7	)	$	117
	Interest cost		4,819			4,259			150			257
	Expected return on assets		(4,752	)		(4,359	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		529			567			0			0
	Actuarial (gain) loss		2,047			4,061			0			75
	Direct recognition of (gain) loss		0			0			(42	)		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	5,874		$	8,255		$	101		$	449
		Six Months ended June 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	6,463		$	7,492		$	49		$	202
	Interest cost		9,638			8,523			297			517
	Expected return on assets		(9,505	)		(8,715	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		1,057			1,138			0			0
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		4,092			8,124			0			75
	Direct recognition of (gain) loss		0			0			(104	)		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,745		$	16,562		$	242		$	794
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at June 30, 2014 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
		June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Amount			%			Amount			%
	Corporate debt	$	165,429			54		$	147,445			51
	Other fixed maturities		280			0			267			0
	Equity securities		123,293			40			115,287			38
	Short-term investments		1,120			0			13,318			5
	Guaranteed annuity contract		13,676			5			13,769			5
	Other		3,654			1			1,667			1
	Total	$	307,452			100		$	291,753			100
	The liability for the funded defined-benefit pension plans was $327 million at June 30, 2014 and $322 million at December 31, 2013. No cash contributions were made to the qualified pension plans during the six months ended June 30, 2014. Torchmark expects cash contributions to not exceed $20 million during the remainder of 2014. 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 June 30, 2014, the combined value of the insurance policies and investments in the Rabbi Trust to support plan liabilities were $69 million, compared with $66 million at year-end 2013. Since this plan is non-qualified, the values 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 non-qualified pension plan was $60 million at June 30, 2014 and $58 million at December 31, 2013.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30, 2014 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of June 30, 2014
			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		$	430,771		$	315		$	(32,107	)	$	398,979			3	%
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			1,277,652			133,288			(1,689	)		1,409,251			10
	Foreign governments			38,223			752			(3	)		38,972			0
	Corporates			10,358,725			1,359,627			(80,644	)		11,637,708			82
	Collateralized debt obligations			65,485			7,944			(7,210	)		66,219			1
	Other asset-backed securities			31,131			3,024			(21	)		34,134			0
	Redeemable preferred stocks			497,255			52,208			(6,402	)		543,061			4
	Total fixed maturities			12,699,242			1,557,158			(128,076	)		14,128,324			100	%
	Equity securities			776			651			0			1,427
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	12,700,018		$	1,557,809		$	(128,076	)	$	14,129,751
	*	At fair value
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at June 30, 2014 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturity dates could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.
			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Due in one year or less		$	216,276		$	222,165
	Due from one to five years			384,841			432,168
	Due from five to ten years			984,396			1,092,148
	Due from ten to twenty years			3,326,103			3,780,778
	Due after twenty years			7,688,216			8,497,665
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			99,410			103,400
			$	12,699,242		$	14,128,324
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the six months ended June 30,
			2014			2013
	Proceeds from sales		$	28,194		$	75,096
	Gross realized gains			16,286			4,302
	Gross realized losses			(3	)		(776	)
	Fair Value Measurements:
	The following table represents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Fair Value Measurements at June 30, 2014 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		$	398,979		$	0		$	398,979
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			0			1,409,251			0			1,409,251
	Foreign governments			0			38,972			0			38,972
	Corporates			52,116			11,176,259			409,333			11,637,708
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			66,219			66,219
	Other asset-backed securities			0			34,134			0			34,134
	Redeemable preferred stocks			23,373			519,688			0			543,061
	Total fixed maturities			75,489			13,577,283			475,552			14,128,324
	Equity securities			594			0			833			1,427
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	76,083		$	13,577,283		$	476,385		$	14,129,751
	Percent of total			0.5	%		96.1	%		3.4	%		100	%
	The following table represents an analysis of changes in fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
	Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
			For the six months ended June 30, 2014
		Asset-			Collateralized			Corporates (1)			Equities			Total
		backed			debt
		securities			obligations
Balance at January 1, 2014		$	0		$	58,205		$	300,300		$	776		$	359,281
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses			0			15,924			1			0			15,925
Included in other comprehensive income			0			8,702			19,513			57			28,272
Acquisitions			0			0			90,680			0			90,680
Sales			0			(16,049	)		(1	)		0			(16,050	)
Amortization			0			2,668			5			0			2,673
Other (2)			0			(3,231	)		(1,165	)		0			(4,396	)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			0			0			0			0			0
Balance at June 30, 2014		$	0		$	66,219		$	409,333		$	833		$	476,385
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.5	%		2.9	%		0	%		3.4	%
		For the six months ended June 30, 2013
		Asset-			Collateralized			Corporates (1)			Equities			Total
		backed			debt
		securities			obligations
Balance at January 1, 2013		$	7,981		$	46,571		$	231,072		$	739		$	286,363
Total gains or losses:
Included in realized gains/losses			0			0			0			0			0
Included in other comprehensive income			426			3,446			(16,879	)		37			(12,970	)
Acquisitions			0			0			65,507			0			65,507
Sales			0			0			0			0			0
Amortization			(57	)		2,200			(1	)		0			2,142
Other (2)			0			0			(313	)		0			(313	)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			(8,350	)		0			(124,212	)		0			(132,562	)
Balance at June 30, 2013		$	0		$	52,217		$	155,174		$	776		$	208,167
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.4	%		1.2	%		0	%		1.6	%
-1	Includes redeemable preferred stocks.
-2	Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments.
-3	Considered to be transferred at the end of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when observable inputs are no longer available. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when observable inputs become available.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
During the first quarter 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. There were no additional other-than-temporary impairments during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 or 2013.
Unrealized Loss Analysis:
The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at June 30, 2014 for the period of time in a loss position. Torchmark considers these investments not to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Analysis of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses
At June 30, 2014
		Less than						Twelve Months						Total
		Twelve Months						or Longer
Description of Securities		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
					Loss						Loss			Value			Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	2,504		$	(1	)	$	369,854		$	(32,106	)	$	372,358		$	(32,107	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions			5,096			(73	)		47,379			(1,616	)		52,475			(1,689	)
Foreign governments			901			(2	)		4,589			(1	)		5,490			(3	)
Corporates			197,051			(964	)		1,507,916			(79,680	)		1,704,967			(80,644	)
Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			13,250			(7,210	)		13,250			(7,210	)
Other asset-backed securities			0			0			2,913			(21	)		2,913			(21	)
Redeemable preferred stocks			4,179			(22	)		67,645			(6,380	)		71,824			(6,402	)
Total fixed maturities			209,731			(1,062	)		2,013,546			(127,014	)		2,223,277			(128,076	)
Equity securities			0			0			0			0			0			0
Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	209,731		$	(1,062	)	$	2,013,546		$	(127,014	)	$	2,223,277		$	(128,076	)
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 June 30, 2014			56			328			384
As of December 31, 2013			462			130			592
Torchmark’s entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,604 issues at June 30, 2014 and 1,619 issues at December 31, 2013. The weighted average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions as of June 30, 2014 was A-. Although Torchmark’s fixed-maturity investments are available for sale, Torchmark’s management generally does not intend to sell and does not believe it will be required to sell any securities which are temporarily impaired before they recover due to the strong and stable cash flows generated by its insurance products.

Supplemental_Information_about

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Note E—Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	An analysis of the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended June 30, 2014
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at April 1, 2014	$	653,086		$	(9,476	)	$	24,128		$	(61,680	)	$	606,058
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		281,810			(1,979	)		1,996			297			282,124
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(1,881	)		0			0			1,673			(208	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		279,929			(1,979	)		1,996			1,970			281,916
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	933,015		$	(11,455	)	$	26,124		$	(59,710	)	$	887,974
		For the three months ended June 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at April 1, 2013	$	944,997		$	(14,495	)	$	25,859		$	(106,331	)	$	850,030
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(516,091	)		4,944			(3,077	)		0			(514,224	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(4,903	)		0			0			2,997			(1,906	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(520,994	)		4,944			(3,077	)		2,997			(516,130	)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the six months ended June 30, 2014
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	256,196		$	(6,728	)	$	24,866		$	(63,353	)	$	210,981
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		690,949			(4,727	)		1,258			297			687,777
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(14,130	)		0			0			3,346			(10,784	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		676,819			(4,727	)		1,258			3,643			676,993
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	933,015		$	(11,455	)	$	26,124		$	(59,710	)	$	887,974
		For the six months ended June 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, net of tax		(597,131	)		6,866			(3,826	)		0			(594,091	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(3,233	)		0			0			5,949			2,716
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(600,364	)		6,866			(3,826	)		5,949			(591,375	)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Reclassification Adjustments
		Three months						Six months						Affected line items in the
		ended						ended						Statement of Operations
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	(577	)	$	(5,912	)	$	(17,196	)	$	(3,351	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium		(2,317	)		(1,579	)		(4,544	)		(3,461	)	Net investment income
	Total before tax		(2,894	)		(7,491	)		(21,740	)		(6,812	)
	Tax		1,013			2,588			7,610			3,579		Income Taxes
	Total after tax		(1,881	)		(4,903	)		(14,130	)		(3,233	)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost		528			567			1,056			1,138		Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)		2,046			4,041			4,092			8,013		Other operating expenses
	Total before tax		2,574			4,608			5,148			9,151
	Tax		(901	)		(1,611	)		(1,802	)		(3,202	)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax		1,673			2,997			3,346			5,949
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	(208	)	$	(1,906	)	$	(10,784	)	$	2,716

Business_Segments

Business Segments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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. Torchmark’s core operations are insurance marketing and underwriting, and management of its investments. Insurance marketing and underwriting is segmented by the types of insurance products offered: life, health, Medicare Part D, and annuity. Effective January 1, 2014, Torchmark reorganized its segment structure to separate its Medicare Part D health insurance business from its other health insurance activities as a stand-alone segment. Management has concluded that Medicare Part D meets the criteria of a distinct segment. Previously, Part D was included in the health segment. Prior periods’ segment results have been retrospectively adjusted for comparability. Premium income for Medicare Part D health insurance is included with the premium for other health products in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Annuity revenue is classified as “Other premium.” Management’s measure of profitability for each insurance segment is insurance underwriting margin, which is underwriting income before other income and insurance administrative expenses. It represents the profit margin on insurance products before administrative expenses, and is calculated by deducting net policy obligations (claims incurred and change in reserves), commissions and other acquisition expenses from premium revenue. Torchmark further views the profitability of each insurance product segment by the marketing groups that distribute the products of that segment: direct response, independent, or captive agencies.
	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 generally 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 2013, the total premiums and benefits were the same under this alternative method as they were under GAAP and are expected to be the same in 2014. 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.
			Six months ended
			June 30,
			2014			2013
	Benefit costs deferred		$	60,899		$	29,945
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment			(35,131	)		(14,895	)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income		$	25,768		$	15,050
	After tax amount		$	16,749		$	9,782
	The significant increases in the risk-sharing adjustments in 2014 were caused by the increase in volume of business and certain benefit design changes.
	Additionally, management does not view the risk-sharing premium for Medicare Part D as a component of premium income, and accordingly adjusts health premium income in its segment analysis. A reconciliation of health premium included in the segment analysis with health premium as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented in the following table.
			Six months ended
			June 30,
			2014			2013			% Change
	Premium per segment analysis:
	Medicare Part D premium		$	167,990		$	149,809			12
	Other health premium			434,533			439,751			(1	)
	Part D risk sharing adjustment			35,131			14,895			136
	Health premium per Consolidated Statements of Operations		$	637,654		$	604,455			5
	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. As described in Note G—New Unadopted Accounting Guidance, new accounting guidance related to low-income housing investments will conform more closely with Torchmark’s segment reporting once adopted in future periods.
	During the first six months of 2014, Torchmark accrued for certain litigation cases in the net amount of $3.7 million ($2.4 million after tax) that were not directly related to its insurance operations. Additionally, Torchmark received $1.3 million ($853 thousand after tax) in settlement of litigation regarding investments. Also in the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded $3.1 million in administrative settlements ($2.0 million after tax) related to benefits paid for deaths occurring in prior years where claims had not been filed. These administrative settlements are the result of the Company’s program of matching policyholder information against the Social Security death master file and obtaining due proof of loss. While more settlements under this program are expected during the next few months, the Company is not able to estimate the extent of such additional settlements at this time. These administrative settlements were included in “Policyholder benefits” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2014.
	During the second quarter of 2013, Torchmark incurred two non-operating charges: (1) a state guaranty fund assessment in the amount of $1.2 million ($751 thousand after tax) and (2) a legal settlement related to a non-insurance matter in the amount of $500 thousand ($325 thousand after tax). The assessment related to Torchmark’s share of state guaranty fund assessments resulting from events in years prior to 2012. With the exception of the administrative settlements above, all of these items are included in “Other operating expense” in the Consolidated Statements of  Operations for the appropriate year. The Company removes items related to prior years and non-operating items such as these from its segment analysis because management does not view such expenses as part of its ongoing 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 six months ended June 30, 2014
			Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
									Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	981,010		$	434,533		$	167,990		$	222								$	35,131	(1)	$	1,618,886
	Net investment income														$	377,981						(14,104	)(4)		363,877
	Other income																	$	1,266			(122	)(3)		1,144
	Total revenue			981,010			434,533			167,990			222			377,981			1,266			20,905			1,983,907
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			641,311			280,140			135,233			21,084									63,956	(1,6)		1,141,724
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(262,328	)		(31,758	)					(27,616	)		321,702									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			83,633			11,223			354			764			(95,974	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			167,991			36,072			1,377			3,854												209,294
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			69,068			39,611			12,815			26									(122	)(3)		121,398
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																		89,573			2,337	(5)		91,910
	Parent expense																		4,045						4,045
	Stock compensation expense																		17,401						17,401
	Interest expense															38,086									38,086
	Total expenses			699,675			335,288			149,779			(1,888	)		263,814			111,019			66,171			1,623,858
	Subtotal			281,335			99,245			18,211			2,110			114,167			(109,753	)		(45,266	)		360,049
	Nonoperating items																					31,162	(1,5,6)		31,162
	Amortization of low-income housing																					14,104	(4)		14,104
	Measure of segment profitability		$	281,335		$	99,245		$	18,211		$	2,110		$	114,167		$	(109,753	)	$	0			405,315
	(pretax)
	Deduct applicable income taxes																								(132,458	)
	Segment profits after tax																								272,857
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								132,458
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								17,196
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(25,768	)
	Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(14,104	)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (5)																								(2,337	)
Deduct administrative settlements (6)																								(3,057	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	377,245
-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	Legal settlement expenses.
-6	Administrative settlements.
Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations *
		For the six months ended June 30, 2013
		Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
								Part D									Corporate
Revenue:
Premium		$	945,923		$	439,751		$	149,809		$	287								$	14,895	(1)	$	1,550,665
Net investment income														$	367,204						(12,401	)(4)		354,803
Other income																	$	1,227			(146	)(3)		1,081
Total revenue			945,923			439,751			149,809			287			367,204			1,227			2,348			1,906,549
Expenses:
Policy benefits			615,990			283,852			125,191			21,524									29,945	(1)		1,076,502
Required interest on:
Policy reserves			(251,356	)		(29,372	)					(29,105	)		309,833									0
Deferred acquisition costs			82,340			11,169			335			959			(94,803	)								0
Amortization of acquisition costs			162,534			35,528			1,257			4,883												204,202
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			67,575			38,450			6,790			30									(146	)(3)		112,699
Insurance administrative expense (2)																		88,062			1,155	(5)		89,217
Parent expense																		4,927			500	(6)		5,427
Stock compensation expense																		12,956						12,956
Interest expense															41,705									41,705
Total expenses			677,083			339,627			133,573			(1,709	)		256,735			105,945			31,454			1,542,708
Subtotal			268,840			100,124			16,236			1,996			110,469			(104,718	)		(29,106	)		363,841
Nonoperating items																					16,705	(1,5,6)		16,705
Amortization of low-income housing																					12,401	(4)		12,401
Measure of segment profitability		$	268,840		$	100,124		$	16,236		$	1,996		$	110,469		$	(104,718	)	$	0			392,947
(pretax)
Deduct applicable income taxes																								(128,632	)
Segment profits after tax																								264,315
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								128,632
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								2,006
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(15,050	)
Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(12,401	)
Deduct Guaranty Fund assessment (5)																								(1,155	)
Deduct legal settlement expense (6)																								(500	)
Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	365,847
-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 expense.
*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the reorganization of segments described earlier in this Note.
The following table summarizes the measures of segment profitability for comparison. It also reconciles segment profits to net income.
Analysis of Profitability by Segment
		Six months ended						Increase
		June 30,						(Decrease)
		2014			2013*			Amount			%
Life		$	281,335		$	268,840		$	12,495			5
Health			99,245			100,124			(879	)		(1	)
Medicare Part D			18,211			16,236			1,975			12
Annuity			2,110			1,996			114
Investment			114,167			110,469			3,698			3
Other and corporate:
Other income			1,266			1,227			39			3
Administrative expense			(89,573	)		(88,062	)		(1,511	)		2
Corporate			(21,446	)		(17,883	)		(3,563	)		20
Pretax total			405,315			392,947			12,368			3
Applicable taxes			(132,458	)		(128,632	)		(3,826	)		3
Total			272,857			264,315			8,542			3
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized gains (losses) - Investments			11,177			76			11,101
Part D adjustment			(16,749	)		(9,782	)		(6,967	)
Guaranty Fund assessment			0			(751	)		751
Administrative settlements			(1,987	)		0			(1,987	)
Legal settlement expense			(1,519	)		(325	)		(1,194	)
Net income		$	263,779		$	253,533		$	10,246			4
*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the reorganization of segments described earlier in this Note.

New_Unadopted_Accounting_Guida

New Unadopted Accounting Guidance	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
New Unadopted Accounting Guidance	'
	Note G—New Unadopted Accounting Guidance
	Revenue recognition: The FASB issued Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue, to provide more consistency and comparability in revenue recognition practices, and to simplify recognition requirements along with other improvements. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for Torchmark beginning in calendar year 2017. The Company is currently evaluating this new guidance. Torchmark’s revenues consist of insurance premium and revenues related to financial instruments. These forms of revenue are not within the scope of ASC 2014-09 because they are addressed by other guidance. Therefore, Torchmark does not expect that the implementation of this guidance will result in any significant change in the manner it recognizes its revenue.
	Low income housing tax credits: The FASB has issued new accounting guidance, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (ASU 2014-01). This accounting guidance replaces the effective yield method of accounting with respect to investments in qualified affordable housing projects and, if certain conditions are present, provides for a new method of accounting. The new method of accounting allows an investor to amortize the cost of its investment based on the proportion of the tax credits/benefits received during the year to the total expected tax credits/benefits to be received over the life of the investment and will be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of “Income tax expense.” Additional disclosures are required concerning investments in qualified affordable housing.
	The new guidance is effective for Torchmark beginning January 1, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The guidance continues to permit the effective-yield method for investments held as of the date of adoption. Adoption is required on a retrospective basis. Torchmark is currently evaluating the impact of adoption but does not expect that adoption will have a material impact on net income or shareholders’ equity.
	Share-based performance awards: New accounting guidance has also been issued pertaining to share awards with performance targets. This standard, entitled Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period (ASU 2014-12), is effective for Torchmark beginning in calendar year 2016, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance provides that the Company must take into account the performance target in the recognition of compensation expense once the achievement of the performance target is probable. Torchmark has a limited number of such instruments, but currently accounts for these items consistent with the new guidance. Therefore, no material impact is expected from adoption.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Therefore, they do not include all of the annual disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). However, in the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position at June 30, 2014, and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. 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, 2014.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding	'
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding is as follows.
		For the three months ended				For the six months ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		131,491,182		138,293,052		132,322,704		139,326,368
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,823,640		1,652,852		1,856,496		1,739,299
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		133,314,822		139,945,904		134,179,200		141,065,667
	Antidilutive shares		0		19,038		0		9,572

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3,231		$	3,727		$	(7	)	$	117
	Interest cost		4,819			4,259			150			257
	Expected return on assets		(4,752	)		(4,359	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		529			567			0			0
	Actuarial (gain) loss		2,047			4,061			0			75
	Direct recognition of (gain) loss		0			0			(42	)		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	5,874		$	8,255		$	101		$	449
		Six Months ended June 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	6,463		$	7,492		$	49		$	202
	Interest cost		9,638			8,523			297			517
	Expected return on assets		(9,505	)		(8,715	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		1,057			1,138			0			0
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		4,092			8,124			0			75
	Direct recognition of (gain) loss		0			0			(104	)		0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	11,745		$	16,562		$	242		$	794
Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at June 30, 2014 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
		June 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Amount			%			Amount			%
	Corporate debt	$	165,429			54		$	147,445			51
	Other fixed maturities		280			0			267			0
	Equity securities		123,293			40			115,287			38
	Short-term investments		1,120			0			13,318			5
	Guaranteed annuity contract		13,676			5			13,769			5
	Other		3,654			1			1,667			1
	Total	$	307,452			100		$	291,753			100

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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 June 30, 2014 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of June 30, 2014
			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		$	430,771		$	315		$	(32,107	)	$	398,979			3	%
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			1,277,652			133,288			(1,689	)		1,409,251			10
	Foreign governments			38,223			752			(3	)		38,972			0
	Corporates			10,358,725			1,359,627			(80,644	)		11,637,708			82
	Collateralized debt obligations			65,485			7,944			(7,210	)		66,219			1
	Other asset-backed securities			31,131			3,024			(21	)		34,134			0
	Redeemable preferred stocks			497,255			52,208			(6,402	)		543,061			4
	Total fixed maturities			12,699,242			1,557,158			(128,076	)		14,128,324			100	%
	Equity securities			776			651			0			1,427
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	12,700,018		$	1,557,809		$	(128,076	)	$	14,129,751
	*	At fair value
Schedule of Fixed Maturities by Contractual Maturity	'
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at June 30, 2014 is shown below on an amortized cost basis and on a fair value basis. Actual maturity dates could differ from contractual maturities due to call or prepayment provisions.
			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Due in one year or less		$	216,276		$	222,165
	Due from one to five years			384,841			432,168
	Due from five to ten years			984,396			1,092,148
	Due from ten to twenty years			3,326,103			3,780,778
	Due after twenty years			7,688,216			8,497,665
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			99,410			103,400
			$	12,699,242		$	14,128,324
Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities	'
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the six months ended June 30,
			2014			2013
	Proceeds from sales		$	28,194		$	75,096
	Gross realized gains			16,286			4,302
	Gross realized losses			(3	)		(776	)
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 June 30, 2014 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		$	398,979		$	0		$	398,979
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			0			1,409,251			0			1,409,251
	Foreign governments			0			38,972			0			38,972
	Corporates			52,116			11,176,259			409,333			11,637,708
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			66,219			66,219
	Other asset-backed securities			0			34,134			0			34,134
	Redeemable preferred stocks			23,373			519,688			0			543,061
	Total fixed maturities			75,489			13,577,283			475,552			14,128,324
	Equity securities			594			0			833			1,427
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	76,083		$	13,577,283		$	476,385		$	14,129,751
	Percent of total			0.5	%		96.1	%		3.4	%		100	%
Schedule of Changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs	'
	The following table represents an analysis of changes in fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).
	Analysis of Changes in Fair Value Measurements Using
	Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
			For the six months ended June 30, 2014
			Asset-			Collateralized			Corporates (1)			Equities			Total
			backed			debt
			securities			obligations
	Balance at January 1, 2014		$	0		$	58,205		$	300,300		$	776		$	359,281
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in realized gains/losses			0			15,924			1			0			15,925
	Included in other comprehensive income			0			8,702			19,513			57			28,272
	Acquisitions			0			0			90,680			0			90,680
	Sales			0			(16,049	)		(1	)		0			(16,050	)
	Amortization			0			2,668			5			0			2,673
	Other (2)			0			(3,231	)		(1,165	)		0			(4,396	)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			0			0			0			0			0
	Balance at June 30, 2014		$	0		$	66,219		$	409,333		$	833		$	476,385
	Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.5	%		2.9	%		0	%		3.4	%
			For the six months ended June 30, 2013
			Asset-			Collateralized			Corporates (1)			Equities			Total
			backed			debt
			securities			obligations
	Balance at January 1, 2013		$	7,981		$	46,571		$	231,072		$	739		$	286,363
	Total gains or losses:
	Included in realized gains/losses			0			0			0			0			0
	Included in other comprehensive income			426			3,446			(16,879	)		37			(12,970	)
	Acquisitions			0			0			65,507			0			65,507
	Sales			0			0			0			0			0
	Amortization			(57	)		2,200			(1	)		0			2,142
	Other (2)			0			0			(313	)		0			(313	)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			(8,350	)		0			(124,212	)		0			(132,562	)
	Balance at June 30, 2013		$	0		$	52,217		$	155,174		$	776		$	208,167
	Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.4	%		1.2	%		0	%		1.6	%
	-1	Includes redeemable preferred stocks.
	-2	Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments.
	-3	Considered to be transferred at the end of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when observable inputs are no longer available. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when observable inputs become available.
Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment	'
	Unrealized Loss Analysis:
	The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at June 30, 2014 for the period of time in a loss position. Torchmark considers these investments not to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
	Analysis of Gross Unrealized Investment Losses
	At June 30, 2014
			Less than						Twelve Months						Total
			Twelve Months						or Longer
	Description of Securities		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
						Loss						Loss			Value			Loss
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	2,504		$	(1	)	$	369,854		$	(32,106	)	$	372,358		$	(32,107	)
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			5,096			(73	)		47,379			(1,616	)		52,475			(1,689	)
	Foreign governments			901			(2	)		4,589			(1	)		5,490			(3	)
	Corporates			197,051			(964	)		1,507,916			(79,680	)		1,704,967			(80,644	)
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			13,250			(7,210	)		13,250			(7,210	)
	Other asset-backed securities			0			0			2,913			(21	)		2,913			(21	)
	Redeemable preferred stocks			4,179			(22	)		67,645			(6,380	)		71,824			(6,402	)
	Total fixed maturities			209,731			(1,062	)		2,013,546			(127,014	)		2,223,277			(128,076	)
	Equity securities			0			0			0			0			0			0
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	209,731		$	(1,062	)	$	2,013,546		$	(127,014	)	$	2,223,277		$	(128,076	)
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 June 30, 2014			56			328			384
	As of December 31, 2013			462			130			592

Supplemental_Information_about1

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Change in Balance by Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	An analysis of the change in balance by component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income is as follows for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended June 30, 2014
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at April 1, 2014	$	653,086		$	(9,476	)	$	24,128		$	(61,680	)	$	606,058
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		281,810			(1,979	)		1,996			297			282,124
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(1,881	)		0			0			1,673			(208	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		279,929			(1,979	)		1,996			1,970			281,916
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	933,015		$	(11,455	)	$	26,124		$	(59,710	)	$	887,974
		For the three months ended June 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at April 1, 2013	$	944,997		$	(14,495	)	$	25,859		$	(106,331	)	$	850,030
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(516,091	)		4,944			(3,077	)		0			(514,224	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(4,903	)		0			0			2,997			(1,906	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(520,994	)		4,944			(3,077	)		2,997			(516,130	)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the six months ended June 30, 2014
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	256,196		$	(6,728	)	$	24,866		$	(63,353	)	$	210,981
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		690,949			(4,727	)		1,258			297			687,777
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(14,130	)		0			0			3,346			(10,784	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		676,819			(4,727	)		1,258			3,643			676,993
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	933,015		$	(11,455	)	$	26,124		$	(59,710	)	$	887,974
		For the six months ended June 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, net of tax		(597,131	)		6,866			(3,826	)		0			(594,091	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(3,233	)		0			0			5,949			2,716
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(600,364	)		6,866			(3,826	)		5,949			(591,375	)
	Balance at June 30, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Reclassification Adjustments
		Three months						Six months						Affected line items in the
		ended						ended						Statement of Operations
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	(577	)	$	(5,912	)	$	(17,196	)	$	(3,351	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium		(2,317	)		(1,579	)		(4,544	)		(3,461	)	Net investment income
	Total before tax		(2,894	)		(7,491	)		(21,740	)		(6,812	)
	Tax		1,013			2,588			7,610			3,579		Income Taxes
	Total after tax		(1,881	)		(4,903	)		(14,130	)		(3,233	)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost		528			567			1,056			1,138		Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)		2,046			4,041			4,092			8,013		Other operating expenses
	Total before tax		2,574			4,608			5,148			9,151
	Tax		(901	)		(1,611	)		(1,802	)		(3,202	)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax		1,673			2,997			3,346			5,949
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	(208	)	$	(1,906	)	$	(10,784	)	$	2,716

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
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.
			Six months ended
			June 30,
			2014			2013
	Benefit costs deferred		$	60,899		$	29,945
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment			(35,131	)		(14,895	)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income		$	25,768		$	15,050
	After tax amount		$	16,749		$	9,782
Reconciliation of Health Premium Included in the Segment Analysis	'
	A reconciliation of health premium included in the segment analysis with health premium as reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is presented in the following table.
			Six months ended
			June 30,
			2014			2013			% Change
	Premium per segment analysis:
	Medicare Part D premium		$	167,990		$	149,809			12
	Other health premium			434,533			439,751			(1	)
	Part D risk sharing adjustment			35,131			14,895			136
	Health premium per Consolidated Statements of Operations		$	637,654		$	604,455			5
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 six months ended June 30, 2014
			Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
									Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	981,010		$	434,533		$	167,990		$	222								$	35,131	(1)	$	1,618,886
	Net investment income														$	377,981						(14,104	)(4)		363,877
	Other income																	$	1,266			(122	)(3)		1,144
	Total revenue			981,010			434,533			167,990			222			377,981			1,266			20,905			1,983,907
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			641,311			280,140			135,233			21,084									63,956	(1,6)		1,141,724
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(262,328	)		(31,758	)					(27,616	)		321,702									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			83,633			11,223			354			764			(95,974	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			167,991			36,072			1,377			3,854												209,294
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			69,068			39,611			12,815			26									(122	)(3)		121,398
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																		89,573			2,337	(5)		91,910
	Parent expense																		4,045						4,045
	Stock compensation expense																		17,401						17,401
	Interest expense															38,086									38,086
	Total expenses			699,675			335,288			149,779			(1,888	)		263,814			111,019			66,171			1,623,858
	Subtotal			281,335			99,245			18,211			2,110			114,167			(109,753	)		(45,266	)		360,049
	Nonoperating items																					31,162	(1,5,6)		31,162
	Amortization of low-income housing																					14,104	(4)		14,104
	Measure of segment profitability		$	281,335		$	99,245		$	18,211		$	2,110		$	114,167		$	(109,753	)	$	0			405,315
	(pretax)
	Deduct applicable income taxes																								(132,458	)
	Segment profits after tax																								272,857
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								132,458
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								17,196
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(25,768	)
	Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(14,104	)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (5)																								(2,337	)
	Deduct administrative settlements (6)																								(3,057	)
	Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	377,245
	-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	Legal settlement expenses.
	-6	Administrative settlements.
	Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to the Consolidated Statement of Operations *
			For the six months ended June 30, 2013
			Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
									Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	945,923		$	439,751		$	149,809		$	287								$	14,895	(1)	$	1,550,665
	Net investment income														$	367,204						(12,401	)(4)		354,803
	Other income																	$	1,227			(146	)(3)		1,081
	Total revenue			945,923			439,751			149,809			287			367,204			1,227			2,348			1,906,549
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			615,990			283,852			125,191			21,524									29,945	(1)		1,076,502
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(251,356	)		(29,372	)					(29,105	)		309,833									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			82,340			11,169			335			959			(94,803	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			162,534			35,528			1,257			4,883												204,202
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			67,575			38,450			6,790			30									(146	)(3)		112,699
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																		88,062			1,155	(5)		89,217
	Parent expense																		4,927			500	(6)		5,427
	Stock compensation expense																		12,956						12,956
	Interest expense															41,705									41,705
	Total expenses			677,083			339,627			133,573			(1,709	)		256,735			105,945			31,454			1,542,708
Subtotal			268,840			100,124			16,236			1,996			110,469			(104,718	)		(29,106	)		363,841
Nonoperating items																					16,705	(1,5,6)		16,705
Amortization of low-income housing																					12,401	(4)		12,401
Measure of segment profitability		$	268,840		$	100,124		$	16,236		$	1,996		$	110,469		$	(104,718	)	$	0			392,947
(pretax)
Deduct applicable income taxes																								(128,632	)
Segment profits after tax																								264,315
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								128,632
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								2,006
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(15,050	)
Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(12,401	)
Deduct Guaranty Fund assessment (5)																								(1,155	)
Deduct legal settlement expense (6)																								(500	)
Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	365,847
-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 expense.
*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the reorganization of segments described earlier in this Note.
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
			Six months ended						Increase
			June 30,						(Decrease)
			2014			2013*			Amount			%
	Life		$	281,335		$	268,840		$	12,495			5
	Health			99,245			100,124			(879	)		(1	)
	Medicare Part D			18,211			16,236			1,975			12
	Annuity			2,110			1,996			114
	Investment			114,167			110,469			3,698			3
	Other and corporate:
	Other income			1,266			1,227			39			3
	Administrative expense			(89,573	)		(88,062	)		(1,511	)		2
	Corporate			(21,446	)		(17,883	)		(3,563	)		20
	Pretax total			405,315			392,947			12,368			3
	Applicable taxes			(132,458	)		(128,632	)		(3,826	)		3
	Total			272,857			264,315			8,542			3
	Reconciling items, net of tax:
	Realized gains (losses) - Investments			11,177			76			11,101
	Part D adjustment			(16,749	)		(9,782	)		(6,967	)
	Guaranty Fund assessment			0			(751	)		751
	Administrative settlements			(1,987	)		0			(1,987	)
	Legal settlement expense			(1,519	)		(325	)		(1,194	)
	Net income		$	263,779		$	253,533		$	10,246			4
	*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the reorganization of segments described earlier in this Note.

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013		Jul. 01, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
						Fractional Shares [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'		'	'
Stock split, description	'A three for two stock split	'	'		'	'
Percentage of stock dividend payable	50.00%	'	'		'	'
Record date for three for two stock split	2-Jun-14	'	'		'	'
Stock split, payment date	1-Jul-14	'	'		'	'
Cash paid to acquire fractional shares	$238,313	$246,403	'		'	$26
Fractional shares acquired	'	'	'		'	642
Common stock, shares issued	139,218,183	'	151,218,183	[1]	139,218,183	'
Common stock, par value	$1	'	$1	[1]	$1	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	'	'		131,031,843	'
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Weighted - Average Shares Outstanding (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	131,491,182	138,293,052	132,322,704	139,326,368
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding	1,823,640	1,652,852	1,856,496	1,739,299
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	133,314,822	139,945,904	134,179,200	141,065,667
Antidilutive shares	0	19,038	0	9,572

Postretirement_Benefits_Schedu

Postretirement Benefits - Schedule of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$3,231	$3,727	$6,463	$7,492
Interest cost	4,819	4,259	9,638	8,523
Expected return on assets	-4,752	-4,359	-9,505	-8,715
Prior service cost	529	567	1,057	1,138
Actuarial (gain)/loss	2,047	4,061	4,092	8,124
Direct recognition of (gain) loss	0	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	5,874	8,255	11,745	16,562
Other Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	-7	117	49	202
Interest cost	150	257	297	517
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Actuarial (gain)/loss	0	75	0	75
Direct recognition of (gain) loss	-42	0	-104	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$101	$449	$242	$794

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_S

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$307,452	$291,753
Percent of total pension assets	100.00%	100.00%
Other Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	280	267
Percent of total pension assets	0.00%	0.00%
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	123,293	115,287
Percent of total pension assets	40.00%	38.00%
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	13,676	13,769
Percent of total pension assets	5.00%	5.00%
Other [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	3,654	1,667
Percent of total pension assets	1.00%	1.00%
Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	165,429	147,445
Percent of total pension assets	54.00%	51.00%
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$1,120	$13,318
Percent of total pension assets	0.00%	5.00%

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_A

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Liability related to funded defined-benefit pension plans	$327	$322
Contributions to benefit plans	0	'
Insurance cash value and Rabbi Trust investments supporting supplemental pension plan liability	69	66
Non-qualified supplemental retirement pension plan liability	60	58
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Contributions to benefit plans	$20	'

Investments_Summary_of_Fixed_M

Investments - Summary of Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities Available for Sale by Component (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	$12,699,242	$12,488,875	[1]
Total Available for Sale Securities Cost	12,700,018	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,557,809	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-128,076	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	14,128,324	12,879,133	[1]
Total Available for Sale Securities Fair Value	14,129,751	'
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	776	875	[1]
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,427	1,884	[1]
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	776	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	651	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,427	'
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	12,699,242	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,557,158	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-128,076	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	14,128,324	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	100.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	430,771	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	315	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-32,107	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	398,979	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	3.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	1,277,652	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	133,288	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,689	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	1,409,251	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	10.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	38,223	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	752	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-3	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	38,972	'
Percentage 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	10,358,725	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,359,627	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-80,644	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	11,637,708	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	82.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	65,485	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	7,944	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-7,210	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	66,219	'
Percentage 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	31,131	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,024	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-21	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	34,134	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	0.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	497,255	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	52,208	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-6,402	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	$543,061	'
Percentage 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 $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due in one year or less	$216,276	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from one to five years	384,841	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from five to ten years	984,396	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from ten to twenty years	3,326,103	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due after twenty years	7,688,216	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Amortized Cost	99,410	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost	12,699,242	12,488,875	[1]
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due in one year or less	222,165	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from one to five years	432,168	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from five to ten years	1,092,148	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from ten to twenty years	3,780,778	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due after twenty years	8,497,665	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Fair Value	103,400	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	$14,128,324	$12,879,133	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Investments_Schedule_of_Select

Investments - Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from sales	$28,194	$75,096
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from sales	28,194	75,096
Gross realized gains	16,286	4,302
Gross realized losses	($3)	($776)

Investments_Assets_Measured_at

Investments - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	$14,128,324	$12,879,133	[1]
Equity securities	1,427	1,884	[1]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	14,129,751	'
Percent of total	100.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	14,128,324	'
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	398,979	'
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	1,409,251	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	38,972	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	11,637,708	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	66,219	'
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	34,134	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	543,061	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	1,427	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	76,083	'
Percent of total	0.50%	'
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	75,489	'
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	52,116	'
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	23,373	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	594	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	13,577,283	'
Percent of total	96.10%	'
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	13,577,283	'
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	398,979	'
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	1,409,251	'
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	38,972	'
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	11,176,259	'
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	34,134	'
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	519,688	'
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 3 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	476,385	'
Percent of total	3.40%	'
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	475,552	'
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	409,333	'
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	66,219	'
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	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	$833	'
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Investments_Schedule_of_Change

Investments - Schedule of Changes in Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$359,281	$286,363
Included in realized gains/losses	15,925	0
Included in other comprehensive income	28,272	-12,970
Acquisitions	90,680	65,507
Sales	-16,050	0
Amortization	2,673	2,142
Other	-4,396	-313
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	-132,562
Ending Balance	476,385	208,167
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	3.40%	1.60%
Asset-backed Securities [Member]	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	0	7,981
Included in realized gains/losses	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income	0	426
Acquisitions	0	0
Sales	0	0
Amortization	0	-57
Other	0	0
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	-8,350
Ending Balance	0	0
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.00%	0.00%
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	58,205	46,571
Included in realized gains/losses	15,924	0
Included in other comprehensive income	8,702	3,446
Acquisitions	0	0
Sales	-16,049	0
Amortization	2,668	2,200
Other	-3,231	0
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	66,219	52,217
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.50%	0.40%
Corporates [Member]	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	300,300	231,072
Included in realized gains/losses	1	0
Included in other comprehensive income	19,513	-16,879
Acquisitions	90,680	65,507
Sales	-1	0
Amortization	5	-1
Other	-1,165	-313
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	-124,212
Ending Balance	409,333	155,174
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	2.90%	1.20%
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	776	739
Included in realized gains/losses	0	0
Included in other comprehensive income	57	37
Acquisitions	0	0
Sales	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Other	0	0
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	$833	$776
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.00%	0.00%

Investments_Additional_Informa

Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
	Issues		Issues		Issues	Additional Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member]	Additional Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member]	Real Estate [Member]
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	$0	$0	$0	$2,678,000	'	$0	$0	$2,700,000
Other-than-temporary impairments, after tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,700,000
Total issues of fixed-maturities and equities	1,604	'	1,604	'	1,619	'	'	'

Investments_Schedule_of_Unreal

Investments - Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	$209,731
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	2,013,546
Fair Value, Total	2,223,277
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-1,062
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-127,014
Unrealized Loss Total	-128,076
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	209,731
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	2,013,546
Fair Value, Total	2,223,277
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-1,062
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-127,014
Unrealized Loss Total	-128,076
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
U.S. Government Direct, Guaranteed, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	2,504
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	369,854
Fair Value, Total	372,358
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-1
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-32,106
Unrealized Loss Total	-32,107
States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	5,096
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	47,379
Fair Value, Total	52,475
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-73
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-1,616
Unrealized Loss Total	-1,689
Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	901
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	4,589
Fair Value, Total	5,490
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-2
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-1
Unrealized Loss Total	-3
Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	197,051
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,507,916
Fair Value, Total	1,704,967
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-964
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-79,680
Unrealized Loss Total	-80,644
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	13,250
Fair Value, Total	13,250
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-7,210
Unrealized Loss Total	-7,210
Other Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	2,913
Fair Value, Total	2,913
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-21
Unrealized Loss Total	-21
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	4,179
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	67,645
Fair Value, Total	71,824
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-22
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-6,380
Unrealized Loss Total	($6,402)

Investments_Schedule_of_Additi

Investments - Schedule of Additional Information about Investments in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Issues	Issues
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Less than Twelve Months	56	462
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Twelve Months or Longer	328	130
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Total	384	592

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		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	$606,058	$850,030	$210,981	[1]	$925,275
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	282,124	-514,224	687,777		-594,091
Reclassifications, net of tax	-208	-1,906	-10,784		2,716
Other comprehensive income (loss)	281,916	-516,130	676,993		-591,375
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	887,974	333,900	887,974		333,900
Pension adjustments [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-61,680	-106,331	-63,353		-109,283
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	297	0	297		0
Reclassifications, net of tax	1,673	2,997	3,346		5,949
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,970	2,997	3,643		5,949
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-59,710	-103,334	-59,710		-103,334
Foreign Exchange [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	24,128	25,859	24,866		26,608
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	1,996	-3,077	1,258		-3,826
Reclassifications, net of tax	0	0	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,996	-3,077	1,258		-3,826
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	26,124	22,782	26,124		22,782
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-9,476	-14,495	-6,728		-16,417
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-1,979	4,944	-4,727		6,866
Reclassifications, net of tax	0	0	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,979	4,944	-4,727		6,866
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-11,455	-9,551	-11,455		-9,551
Available for Sale Assets [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	653,086	944,997	256,196		1,024,367
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	281,810	-516,091	690,949		-597,131
Reclassifications, net of tax	-1,881	-4,903	-14,130		-3,233
Other comprehensive income (loss)	279,929	-520,994	676,819		-600,364
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	$933,015	$424,003	$933,015		$424,003
[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		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total before tax	$3,031	$4,608	$5,605	$9,151
Tax	-1,061	-1,611	-1,962	-3,202
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total after tax	-208	-1,906	-10,784	2,716
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Realized (gains) losses	-577	-5,912	-17,196	-3,351
Amortization of (discount) premium	-2,317	-1,579	-4,544	-3,461
Total before tax	-2,894	-7,491	-21,740	-6,812
Tax	1,013	2,588	7,610	3,579
Total after tax	-1,881	-4,903	-14,130	-3,233
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	528	567	1,056	1,138
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	2,046	4,041	4,092	8,013
Total before tax	2,574	4,608	5,148	9,151
Tax	-901	-1,611	-1,802	-3,202
Total after tax	$1,673	$2,997	$3,346	$5,949

Business_Segments_Adjustments_

Business Segments - Adjustments for Difference in Interim Medicare Part D Results for Segment Purposes and GAAP (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	$555,207	$524,499	$1,141,724	$1,076,502
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	-799,866	-765,851	-1,618,886	-1,550,665
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	'	'	25,768	15,050
After tax amount	'	'	16,749	9,782
Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
After tax amount	'	'	16,749	9,782
Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	'	'	63,956	29,945
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	'	'	-35,131	-14,895
Adjustments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	'	'	60,899	29,945
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	'	'	-35,131	-14,895
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	'	'	$25,768	$15,050

Business_Segments_Reconciliati

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Health Premium Included in the segment Analysis (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	$307,791	$290,584	$637,654	$604,455
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	5.00%	'
Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	'	'	167,990	149,809
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	12.00%	'
Other Health [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	'	'	434,533	439,751
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	-1.00%	'
Part D risk sharing adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	'	'	$35,131	$14,895
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	136.00%	'

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	$2,337	$500
Administrative settlements	-3,057	'
Administrative settlement, after tax	-1,987	0
Guaranty fund assessment	'	-1,155
Guaranty fund assessment, after tax	0	751
Litigation Matters [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	3,700	'
Litigation settlement expense (after tax)	2,400	'
Settled Litigation Regarding Investments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	1,300	'
Litigation settlement expense (after tax)	853	'
Settled Litigation Regarding Non-Insurance Matter [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	'	500
Litigation settlement amount (after tax)	'	$325

Business_Segments_Reconciliati1

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	$799,866	$765,851	$1,618,886	$1,550,665
Net investment income	182,877	177,964	363,877	354,803
Other income	663	611	1,144	1,081
Total revenue	'	'	1,983,907	1,906,549
Policy benefits	555,207	524,499	1,141,724	1,076,502
Policy reserves	'	'	0	0
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	0	0
Amortization of acquisition costs	104,561	102,488	209,294	204,202
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	62,020	54,448	121,398	112,699
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	91,910	89,217
Parent expense	'	'	4,045	5,427
Stock compensation expense	'	'	17,401	12,956
Interest expense	19,037	20,828	38,086	41,705
Total benefits and expenses	797,225	757,555	1,623,858	1,542,708
Subtotal	'	'	360,049	363,841
Nonoperating items	'	'	31,162	16,705
Amortization of low-income housing	'	'	14,104	12,401
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	405,315	392,947
Deduct applicable income taxes	'	'	-132,458	-128,632
Segment profits after tax	'	'	272,857	264,315
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability	'	'	132,458	128,632
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)	'	'	17,196	2,006
Deduct Part D adjustment	'	'	-25,768	-15,050
Deduct amortization of low-income housing	'	'	-14,104	-12,401
Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment	'	'	'	-1,155
Deduct legal settlement expenses	'	'	-2,337	-500
Deduct administrative settlements	'	'	-3,057	'
Income before income taxes	186,758	192,784	377,245	365,847
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	981,010	945,923
Total revenue	'	'	981,010	945,923
Policy benefits	'	'	641,311	615,990
Policy reserves	'	'	-262,328	-251,356
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	83,633	82,340
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	167,991	162,534
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	69,068	67,575
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	699,675	677,083
Subtotal	'	'	281,335	268,840
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	281,335	268,840
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	434,533	439,751
Total revenue	'	'	434,533	439,751
Policy benefits	'	'	280,140	283,852
Policy reserves	'	'	-31,758	-29,372
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	11,223	11,169
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	36,072	35,528
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	39,611	38,450
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	335,288	339,627
Subtotal	'	'	99,245	100,124
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	99,245	100,124
Operating Segments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	167,990	149,809
Total revenue	'	'	167,990	149,809
Policy benefits	'	'	135,233	125,191
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	354	335
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	1,377	1,257
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	12,815	6,790
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	149,779	133,573
Subtotal	'	'	18,211	16,236
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	18,211	16,236
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	222	287
Total revenue	'	'	222	287
Policy benefits	'	'	21,084	21,524
Policy reserves	'	'	-27,616	-29,105
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	764	959
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	3,854	4,883
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	26	30
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	-1,888	-1,709
Subtotal	'	'	2,110	1,996
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	2,110	1,996
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	377,981	367,204
Total revenue	'	'	377,981	367,204
Policy reserves	'	'	321,702	309,833
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	-95,974	-94,803
Interest expense	'	'	38,086	41,705
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	263,814	256,735
Subtotal	'	'	114,167	110,469
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	114,167	110,469
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other income	'	'	1,266	1,227
Total revenue	'	'	1,266	1,227
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	89,573	88,062
Parent expense	'	'	4,045	4,927
Stock compensation expense	'	'	17,401	12,956
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	111,019	105,945
Subtotal	'	'	-109,753	-104,718
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	-109,753	-104,718
Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	35,131	14,895
Net investment income	'	'	-14,104	-12,401
Other income	'	'	-122	-146
Total revenue	'	'	20,905	2,348
Policy benefits	'	'	63,956	29,945
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	-122	-146
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	2,337	1,155
Parent expense	'	'	'	500
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	66,171	31,454
Subtotal	'	'	-45,266	-29,106
Nonoperating items	'	'	31,162	16,705
Amortization of low-income housing	'	'	14,104	12,401
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	0	0
Deduct amortization of low-income housing	'	'	-14,104	-12,401
Adjustments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	35,131	14,895
Policy benefits	'	'	60,899	29,945
Deduct Part D adjustment	'	'	($25,768)	($15,050)

Business_Segments_Analysis_of_

Business Segments - Analysis of Profitability by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	$405,315	$392,947
Applicable taxes	'	'	-132,458	-128,632
Net operating income	'	'	272,857	264,315
Realized gains (losses)-Investments	'	'	11,177	76
Part D adjustment	'	'	-16,749	-9,782
Guaranty Fund assessment	'	'	0	-751
Administrative settlements	'	'	-1,987	0
Legal settlement expense	'	'	-1,519	-325
Net income	130,923	133,901	263,779	253,533
Applicable taxes, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-3,826	'
Net operating income, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	8,542	'
Realized gains (losses) - Investments net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	11,101	'
Part D adjustment net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-6,967	'
Guaranty Fund assessment, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	751	'
Administrative settlements, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-1,987	'
Legal settlement expenses net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-1,194	'
Net income, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	10,246	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	3.00%	'
Applicable taxes, Change %	'	'	3.00%	'
Net operating income, Change %	'	'	3.00%	'
Net income, Change %	'	'	4.00%	'
Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Part D adjustment	'	'	-16,749	-9,782
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	12,368	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	281,335	268,840
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	12,495	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	5.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	99,245	100,124
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	-879	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	-1.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	18,211	16,236
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	1,975	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	12.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	2,110	1,996
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	114	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	'	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	114,167	110,469
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	3,698	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	3.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-109,753	-104,718
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Other Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	1,266	1,227
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	39	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	3.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-89,573	-88,062
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	-1,511	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	2.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-21,446	-17,883
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	($3,563)	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	20.00%	'