Globe Life (GL) 10-Q 7 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 27, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'TMK	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TORCHMARK CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000320335	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	128,643,163

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (amortized cost: 2014-$12,728,196 ; 2013-$12,488,875)	$14,153,044	$12,879,133	[1]
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: 2014-$776 ; 2013-$875	1,417	1,884	[1]
Policy loans	464,999	448,887	[1]
Other long-term investments	11,613	13,207	[1]
Short-term investments	79,097	76,890	[1]
Total investments	14,710,170	13,420,001	[1]
Cash	66,998	36,943	[1]
Accrued investment income	211,250	200,038	[1]
Other receivables	499,876	331,103	[1]
Deferred acquisition costs	3,433,890	3,337,649	[1]
Goodwill	441,591	441,591	[1]
Other assets	506,732	424,419	[1]
Total assets	19,870,507	18,191,744	[1]
Liabilities:	'	'
Future policy benefits	11,638,992	11,256,155	[1]
Unearned and advance premiums	74,202	74,174	[1]
Policy claims and other benefits payable	227,421	223,380	[1]
Other policyholders' funds	96,558	94,286	[1]
Total policy liabilities	12,037,173	11,647,995	[1]
Current and deferred income taxes payable	1,695,854	1,285,574	[1]
Other liabilities	325,458	261,898	[1]
Short-term debt	290,422	229,070	[1]
Long-term debt (fair value: 2014-$1,144,199 ; 2013-$1,131,391)	991,808	990,865	[1]
Total liabilities	15,340,715	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 9,950,088 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	460,022	462,058	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	882,827	210,981	[1]
Retained earnings	3,443,803	3,495,533	[1]
Treasury stock, at cost	-396,078	-543,448	[1]
Total shareholders' equity	4,529,792	3,776,342	[1]
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$19,870,507	$18,191,744	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 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	$12,728,196	$12,488,875	[1]
Equity securities, cost	776	875	[1]
Long-term debt, fair value	$1,144,199	$1,131,391	[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	9,950,088	16,965,802	[1]
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenue:	'	'	'	'
Life premium	$491,724	$470,936	$1,472,734	$1,416,859
Health premium	293,879	279,948	931,533	884,403
Other premium	112	114	334	401
Total premium	785,715	750,998	2,404,601	2,301,663
Net investment income	182,101	176,656	545,978	531,459
Realized investment gains (losses)	-1,483	4,459	15,713	9,143
Other-than-temporary impairments	0	0	0	-2,678
Other income	668	676	1,812	1,757
Total revenue	967,001	932,789	2,968,104	2,841,344
Benefits and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Life policyholder benefits	328,116	305,931	972,484	921,921
Health policyholder benefits	196,901	199,983	673,173	638,971
Other policyholder benefits	10,515	10,869	31,599	32,393
Total policyholder benefits	535,532	516,783	1,677,256	1,593,285
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	103,834	98,444	313,128	302,646
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	63,636	53,791	185,034	166,490
Other operating expense	55,402	53,245	168,758	160,845
Interest expense	19,033	19,676	57,119	61,381
Total benefits and expenses	777,437	741,939	2,401,295	2,284,647
Income before income taxes	189,564	190,850	566,809	556,697
Income taxes	-57,152	-58,728	-170,618	-171,042
Net income	$132,412	$132,122	$396,191	$385,655
Basic net income per share	$1.02	$0.97	$3.01	$2.78
Diluted net income per share	$1	$0.95	$2.97	$2.75
Dividends declared per common share	$0.13	$0.11	$0.38	$0.34

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income	$132,412	$132,122	$396,191	$385,655
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Less applicable taxes	1,478	56,150	-362,872	381,262
Unrealized investment gains (losses), net of tax	-2,702	-104,230	674,117	-704,594
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs	693	2,565	-6,580	13,128
Less applicable taxes	-243	-898	2,303	-4,595
Unrealized gains (losses) attributable to deferred acquisition costs, net of tax	450	1,667	-4,277	8,533
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities	-6,650	4,138	-4,642	-1,698
Less applicable taxes	2,084	-1,324	1,334	686
Foreign exchange translation adjustments, other than securities, net of tax	-4,566	2,814	-3,308	-1,012
Pension adjustments	2,571	4,605	8,176	13,756
Less applicable taxes	-900	-1,613	-2,862	-4,815
Pension adjustments, net of tax	1,671	2,992	5,314	8,941
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-5,147	-96,757	671,846	-688,132
Comprehensive income (loss)	127,265	35,365	1,068,037	-302,477
Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	-2,627	-152,039	1,057,710	-1,077,967
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses on securities included in net income	1,261	-4,520	-15,935	-7,871
Reclassification adjustment for amortization of (discount) and premium	-2,354	-1,478	-6,898	-4,939
Foreign exchange adjustment on securities recorded at fair value	-523	-4,097	-654	6,036
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities	-4,243	-162,134	1,034,223	-1,084,741
Other Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on other investments, before tax	63	1,754	2,766	-1,115
Total unrealized investment gains (losses)	($4,180)	($160,380)	$1,036,989	($1,085,856)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash provided from operations	$644,398		$771,143
Long-term investments sold or matured:	'		'
Fixed maturities available for sale-sold	56,447		78,751
Fixed maturities available for sale-matured, called, and repaid	217,929		453,216
Equity securities	700		14,000
Other long-term investments	70		67
Total long-term investments sold or matured	275,146		546,034
Long-term investments acquired:	'		'
Fixed maturities	-499,950		-792,562
Other long-term investments	0		-571
Total long-term investments acquired	-499,950		-793,133
Net increase in policy loans	-16,112		-17,817
Net (increase) decrease in short-term investments	-2,207		-41,128
Net change in payable or receivable for securities	0		-43,989
Disposition of properties	54		557
Additions to properties	-14,482		-4,364
Investment in low-income housing interests	-39,279		-34,463
Cash used for investment activities	-296,830		-388,303
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	39,557		73,122
Net borrowings (repayments) of commercial paper	61,352		2,840
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	12,484		14,669
Acquisition of treasury stock	-342,084		-342,820
Cash dividends paid to shareholders	-48,628		-45,487
Net receipts (withdrawals) from deposit-type products	-49,431		-16,734
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-326,750		-408,460
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash	9,237		2,702
Net increase (decrease) in cash	30,055		-22,918
Cash at beginning of year	36,943	[1]	61,710
Cash at end of period	66,998		38,792
7.375% Notes [Member]	'		'
Cash provided from (used for) financing activities:	'		'
Repayment of Notes	$0		($94,050)
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014, and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended September 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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, having a record date of June 2, 2014. On July 1, 2014, the payment date, holders of Torchmark common stock received one additional share of stock for every two shares held. 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 $26 thousand in fractional shares on July 1, 2014. Shareholders’ equity component amounts as of December 31, 2013 were retrospectively adjusted to reflect this stock dividend. 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 nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		129,969,902		136,903,754		131,529,818		138,509,957
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,907,303		2,106,307		1,901,522		1,977,579
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		131,877,205		139,010,061		133,431,340		140,487,536
	Antidilutive shares		0		0		0		52,500

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3,231		$	3,746		$	25		$	69
	Interest cost		4,695			4,260			(63	)		258
	Expected return on assets		(4,768	)		(4,357	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		529			569			0			0
	Actuarial (gain) loss		2,035			4,060			3			74
	Actuarial valuation adjustment		0			0			460			0
	Direct recognition of expense		131			0			114			0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	5,853		$	8,278		$	539		$	401
		Nine Months ended September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	9,694		$	11,238		$	74		$	271
	Interest cost		14,333			12,783			234			775
	Expected return on assets		(14,273	)		(13,072	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		1,586			1,707			0			0
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		6,127			12,184			3			149
	Actuarial valuation adjustment		0			0			460			0
	Direct recognition of expense		131			0			10			0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	17,598		$	24,840		$	781		$	1,195
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at September 30, 2014 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Amount			%			Amount			%
	Corporate debt	$	165,079			52		$	147,445			51
	Other fixed maturities		277			0			267			0
	Equity securities		123,690			39			115,287			38
	Short-term investments		10,403			3			13,318			5
	Guaranteed annuity contract		14,934			5			13,769			5
	Other		3,706			1			1,667			1
	Total	$	318,089			100		$	291,753			100
	The liability for the funded defined-benefit pension plans was $342 million at September 30, 2014 and $322 million at December 31, 2013. Cash contributions of $12.8 million were made to the qualified pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Torchmark does not expect to make further cash contributions to these plans during 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 September 30, 2014, the combined value of the insurance policies and investments in the Rabbi Trust to support plan liabilities were $70 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 $61 million at September 30, 2014 and $58 million at December 31, 2013.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of September 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		$	367,261		$	310		$	(21,059	)	$	346,512			2
																	%
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			1,277,882			147,783			(1,438	)		1,424,227			10
	Foreign governments			32,441			939			(1	)		33,379			0
	Corporates			10,455,610			1,334,690			(83,030	)		11,707,270			83
	Collateralized debt obligations			66,889			4,313			(8,352	)		62,850			1
	Other asset-backed securities			30,996			3,033			(31	)		33,998			0
	Redeemable preferred stocks			497,117			53,677			(5,986	)		544,808			4
	Total fixed maturities			12,728,196			1,544,745			(119,897	)		14,153,044			100	%
	Equity securities			776			641			0			1,417
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	12,728,972		$	1,545,386		$	(119,897	)	$	14,154,461
	*	At fair value
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at September 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		$	208,876		$	213,937
	Due from one to five years			507,648			571,735
	Due from five to ten years			928,917			1,014,462
	Due from ten to twenty years			3,480,370			3,953,820
	Due after twenty years			7,501,878			8,299,386
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			100,507			99,704
			$	12,728,196		$	14,153,044
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014			2013
	Proceeds from sales		$	56,447		$	78,751
	Gross realized gains			16,473			4,310
	Gross realized losses			(1,701	)		(788	)
	Fair Value Measurements:
	The following table represents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Fair Value Measurements at September 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		$	346,512		$	0		$	346,512
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			0			1,424,227			0			1,424,227
	Foreign governments			0			33,379			0			33,379
	Corporates			51,852			11,150,849			504,569			11,707,270
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			62,850			62,850
	Other asset-backed securities			0			33,998			0			33,998
	Redeemable preferred stocks			23,073			521,735			0			544,808
	Total fixed maturities			74,925			13,510,700			567,419			14,153,044
	Equity securities			584			0			833			1,417
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	75,509		$	13,510,700		$	568,252		$	14,154,461
	Percent of total			0.5	%		95.5	%		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 nine months ended September 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			3,929			19,667			57			23,653
Acquisitions			0			0			186,365			0			186,365
Sales			0			(16,049	)		(1	)		0			(16,050	)
Amortization			0			4,072			10			0			4,082
Other (2)			0			(3,231	)		(1,773	)		0			(5,004	)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			0			0			0			0			0
Balance at September 30, 2014		$	0		$	62,850		$	504,569		$	833		$	568,252
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.4	%		3.6	%		0	%		4	%
		For the nine months ended September 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			3,173			(13,613	)		37			(9,977	)
Acquisitions			0			0			65,507			0			65,507
Sales			0			0			0			0			0
Amortization			(57	)		3,329			3			0			3,275
Other (2)			0			0			(759	)		0			(759	)
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			(8,350	)		0			(42,455	)		0			(50,805	)
Balance at September 30, 2013		$	0		$	53,073		$	239,755		$	776		$	293,604
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.4	%		1.9	%		0	%		2.3	%
-1	Includes redeemable preferred stocks.
-2	Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments.
-3	Considered to be transferred at the end of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when observable inputs are no longer available. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when observable inputs become available.
Other-Than-Temporary Impairments:
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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 or 2013.
Unrealized Loss Analysis:
The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at September 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 September 30, 2014
		Less than						Twelve Months						Total
		Twelve Months						or Longer
Description of Securities		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized
					Loss						Loss						Loss
Fixed maturities available for sale:
Bonds:
U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	15,478		$	(229	)	$	301,161		$	(20,830	)	$	316,639		$	(21,059	)
States, municipalities and political subdivisions			10,847			(253	)		35,852			(1,185	)		46,699			(1,438	)
Foreign governments			834			(1	)		0			0			834			(1	)
Corporates			767,413			(12,446	)		1,058,596			(70,584	)		1,826,009			(83,030	)
Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			12,107			(8,352	)		12,107			(8,352	)
Other asset-backed securities			0			0			2,852			(31	)		2,852			(31	)
Redeemable preferred stocks			9,962			(38	)		60,045			(5,948	)		70,007			(5,986	)
Total fixed maturities			804,534			(12,967	)		1,470,613			(106,930	)		2,275,147			(119,897	)
Equity securities			0			0			0			0			0			0
Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	804,534		$	(12,967	)	$	1,470,613		$	(106,930	)	$	2,275,147		$	(119,897	)
Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows.
		Less than			Twelve			Total
		Twelve			Months
		Months			or Longer
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
As of September 30, 2014			133			267			400
As of December 31, 2013			462			130			592
Torchmark’s entire fixed-maturity and equity portfolio consisted of 1,604 issues at September 30, 2014 and 1,619 issues at December 31, 2013. The weighted average quality rating of all unrealized loss positions as of September 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended September 30, 2014
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at July 1, 2014	$	933,015		$	(11,455	)	$	26,124		$	(59,710	)	$	887,974
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(1,991	)		450			(4,566	)		2			(6,105	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(711	)		0			0			1,669			958
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,702	)		450			(4,566	)		1,671			(5,147	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	930,313		$	(11,005	)	$	21,558		$	(58,039	)	$	882,827
		For the three months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at July 1, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(100,348	)		1,667			2,814			0			(95,867	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(3,882	)		0			0			2,992			(890	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(104,230	)		1,667			2,814			2,992			(96,757	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the nine months ended September 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		688,958			(4,277	)		(3,308	)		299			681,672
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(14,841	)		0			0			5,015			(9,826	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		674,117			(4,277	)		(3,308	)		5,314			671,846
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	930,313		$	(11,005	)	$	21,558		$	(58,039	)	$	882,827
		For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	1,024,367		$	(16,417	)	$	26,608		$	(109,283	)	$	925,275
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(697,480	)		8,533			(1,012	)		0			(689,959	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(7,114	)		0			0			8,941			1,827
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(704,594	)		8,533			(1,012	)		8,941			(688,132	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Reclassification Adjustments
		Three months						Nine months						Affected line items in the
		ended						ended						Statement of Operations
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	1,261		$	(4,520	)	$	(15,935	)	$	(7,871	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium		(2,354	)		(1,478	)		(6,898	)		(4,939	)	Net investment income
	Total before tax		(1,093	)		(5,998	)		(22,833	)		(12,810	)
	Tax		382			2,116			7,992			5,696		Income Taxes
	Total after tax		(711	)		(3,882	)		(14,841	)		(7,114	)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost		529			569			1,586			1,707		Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)		2,038			4,036			6,130			12,049		Other operating expenses
	Total before tax		2,567			4,605			7,716			13,756
	Tax		(898	)		(1,613	)		(2,701	)		(4,815	)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax		1,669			2,992			5,015			8,941
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	958		$	(890	)	$	(9,826	)	$	1,827

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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. Generally, Torchmark expects its benefit ratio to be in line with pricing and generally does not expect to receive any government risk-sharing premium. Total premiums and benefits were the same for segment reporting purposes as they were under GAAP in 2013. For the year 2014, due to unexpected claims on Hepatitis C drugs, Torchmark expects its benefit ratio to exceed pricing and expects to receive government risk sharing premium. Total premiums and benefits for the full year 2014 are still anticipated to be the same under this alternative method as under GAAP. The Company’s presentation results in the underwriting margin percentage of each interim period reflecting the expected margin percentage for the full year.
	An analysis of the adjustments for the difference in the interim results as presented for segment purposes and GAAP for Medicare Part D is as follows.
			Nine months ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Benefit costs deferred		$	45,382		$	21,279
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment			(28,532	)		(8,706	)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income		$	16,850		$	12,573
	After tax amount		$	10,952		$	8,172
	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.
			Nine months ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013			% Change
	Premium per segment analysis:
	Medicare Part D premium		$	258,243		$	226,779			14
	Other health premium			644,758			648,918			(1	)
	Part D risk sharing adjustment			28,532			8,706			228
	Health premium per Consolidated Statements of Operations		$	931,533		$	884,403			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 nine months of 2014, Torchmark accrued for certain litigation 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 2014, the Company recorded $8.2 million in administrative settlements ($5.3 million after tax) related to benefits paid for deaths occurring in prior years where claims had not been filed. These administrative settlements were included in “Policyholder benefits” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2014.
	During the first nine months of 2013, Torchmark incurred four non-operating charges: (1) a state guaranty fund assessment in the amount of $1.2 million ($751 thousand after tax), resulting from events in years prior to 2012, (2) a legal settlement related to a non-insurance matter in the amount of $500 thousand ($325 thousand after tax), (3) the settlement of a litigation matter related to prior years in the amount of $8.6 million ($5.6 million after tax), and (4) a one-time adjustment related to the finalization of accounting for the insurance assets and liabilities of the Family Heritage Life Insurance Company of America (Family Heritage) acquisition which closed on November 1, 2012. The Family Heritage adjustment increased after-tax earnings in the amount of $522 thousand. With the exception of the administrative settlements in the paragraph 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 nine months ended September 30, 2014
			Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
									Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	1,472,734		$	644,758		$	258,243		$	334								$	28,532	(1)	$	2,404,601
	Net investment income														$	567,569						(21,591	)(4)		545,978
	Other income																	$	1,990			(178	)(3)		1,812
	Total revenue			1,472,734			644,758			258,243			334			567,569			1,990			6,763			2,952,391
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			964,305			414,607			213,184			31,599									53,561	(1,6)		1,677,256
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(395,595	)		(48,018	)		0			(41,576	)		485,189									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			125,758			16,823			534			1,120			(144,235	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			251,954			53,088			2,127			5,959												313,128
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			105,724			59,787			19,664			37									(178	)(3)		185,034
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																		134,918			2,337	(5)		137,255
	Parent expense																		6,284						6,284
	Stock compensation expense																		25,219						25,219
	Interest expense															57,119									57,119
	Total expenses			1,052,146			496,287			235,509			(2,861	)		398,073			166,421			55,720			2,401,295
	Subtotal			420,588			148,471			22,734			3,195			169,496			(164,431	)		(48,957	)		551,096
	Nonoperating items																					27,366	(1,5,6)		27,366
	Amortization of low-income housing																					21,591	(4)		21,591
	Measure of segment profitability		$	420,588		$	148,471		$	22,734		$	3,195		$	169,496		$	(164,431	)	$	0			600,053
	(pretax)
	Deduct applicable income taxes																								(196,288	)
	Segment profits after tax																								403,765
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								196,288
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								15,713
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(16,850	)
	Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(21,591	)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (5)																								(2,337	)
Deduct administrative settlements (6)																								(8,179	)
Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	566,809
-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 nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
								Part D									Corporate
Revenue:
Premium		$	1,416,859		$	648,918		$	226,779		$	401								$	8,706	(1)	$	2,301,663
Net investment income														$	550,015						(18,556	)(4)		531,459
Other income																	$	1,970			(213	)(3)		1,757
Total revenue			1,416,859			648,918			226,779			401			550,015			1,970			(10,063	)		2,834,879
Expenses:
Policy benefits			921,921			420,251			188,816			32,393									29,904	(1,6)		1,593,285
Required interest on:
Policy reserves			(379,163	)		(44,602	)		0			(43,298	)		467,063									0
Deferred acquisition costs			123,599			17,006			497			1,399			(142,501	)								0
Amortization of acquisition costs			243,259			52,139			1,912			6,855									(1,519	)(7)		302,646
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			99,398			57,025			10,234			46									(213	)(3)		166,490
Insurance administrative expense (2)																		133,080			1,155	(5)		134,235
Parent expense																		6,734			500	(6)		7,234
Stock compensation expense																		19,376						19,376
Interest expense															61,381									61,381
Total expenses			1,009,014			501,819			201,459			(2,605	)		385,943			159,190			29,827			2,284,647
Subtotal			407,845			147,099			25,320			3,006			164,072			(157,220	)		(39,890	)		550,232
Nonoperating items																					21,334	(1,5,6,7)		21,334
Amortization of low-income housing																					18,556	(4)		18,556
Measure of segment profitability		$	407,845		$	147,099		$	25,320		$	3,006		$	164,072		$	(157,220	)	$	0			590,122
(pretax)
Deduct applicable income taxes																								(193,109	)
Segment profits after tax																								397,013
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								193,109
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								6,465
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(12,573	)
Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(18,556	)
Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment (5)																								(1,155	)
Deduct legal settlement expenses (6)																								(9,125	)
Add Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments (7)																								1,519
Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	556,697
-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
-2	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
-3	Elimination of intersegment commission.
-4	Amortization of low-income housing expense, considered a component of income tax expense in the segment analysis.
-5	Guaranty Fund Assessment.
-6	Legal settlement expenses.
-7	Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments.
*	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
		Nine months ended						Increase
		September						(Decrease)
		2014			2013*			Amount			%
Life		$	420,588		$	407,845		$	12,743			3
Health			148,471			147,099			1,372			1
Medicare Part D			22,734			25,320			(2,586	)		(10	)
Annuity			3,195			3,006			189			6
Investment			169,496			164,072			5,424			3
Other and corporate:
Other income			1,990			1,970			20			1
Administrative expense			(134,918	)		(133,080	)		(1,838	)		1
Corporate			(31,503	)		(26,110	)		(5,393	)		21
Pretax total			600,053			590,122			9,931			2
Applicable taxes			(196,288	)		(193,109	)		(3,179	)		2
Total			403,765			397,013			6,752			2
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized gains (losses) - Investments			10,213			2,974			7,239
Part D adjustment			(10,952	)		(8,172	)		(2,780	)
Guaranty Fund assessment			0			(751	)		751
Administrative settlements			(5,316	)		0			(5,316	)
Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense			0			522			(522	)
Legal settlement expense			(1,519	)		(5,931	)		4,412
Net income		$	396,191		$	385,655		$	10,536			3
*	Retrospectively adjusted to give effect to the reorganization of segments described earlier in this Note.

New_Unadopted_Accounting_Guida

New Unadopted Accounting Guidance	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 the Company 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 the consolidated financial statements.
	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 awards, but currently accounts for these items consistent with the new guidance. Therefore, no material impact is expected from adoption.
	Going concern: The FASB has issued Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (ASU 2014-15). This new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of the entity’s ability to continue its business operations within one year of the date of issuance of its financial statements. The Company must then provide certain disclosures if there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 is effective for Torchmark for the year 2016 and for interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted.

Accounting_Policies_Policies

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014, and the consolidated results of operations, comprehensive income, and cash flows for the periods ended September 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding		129,969,902		136,903,754		131,529,818		138,509,957
	Weighted average dilutive options outstanding		1,907,303		2,106,307		1,901,522		1,977,579
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		131,877,205		139,010,061		133,431,340		140,487,536
	Antidilutive shares		0		0		0		52,500

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	3,231		$	3,746		$	25		$	69
	Interest cost		4,695			4,260			(63	)		258
	Expected return on assets		(4,768	)		(4,357	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		529			569			0			0
	Actuarial (gain) loss		2,035			4,060			3			74
	Actuarial valuation adjustment		0			0			460			0
	Direct recognition of expense		131			0			114			0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	5,853		$	8,278		$	539		$	401
		Nine Months ended September 30,
		Pension Benefits						Other Benefits
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	9,694		$	11,238		$	74		$	271
	Interest cost		14,333			12,783			234			775
	Expected return on assets		(14,273	)		(13,072	)		0			0
	Amortization:
	Prior service cost		1,586			1,707			0			0
	Actuarial (gain)/loss		6,127			12,184			3			149
	Actuarial valuation adjustment		0			0			460			0
	Direct recognition of expense		131			0			10			0
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	17,598		$	24,840		$	781		$	1,195
Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures	'
	The following chart presents assets at fair value for the defined-benefit pension plans at September 30, 2014 and the prior-year end.
	Pension Assets by Component
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
		Amount			%			Amount			%
	Corporate debt	$	165,079			52		$	147,445			51
	Other fixed maturities		277			0			267			0
	Equity securities		123,690			39			115,287			38
	Short-term investments		10,403			3			13,318			5
	Guaranteed annuity contract		14,934			5			13,769			5
	Other		3,706			1			1,667			1
	Total	$	318,089			100		$	291,753			100

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 September 30, 2014 is as follows.
	Portfolio Composition as of September 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		$	367,261		$	310		$	(21,059	)	$	346,512			2
																	%
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			1,277,882			147,783			(1,438	)		1,424,227			10
	Foreign governments			32,441			939			(1	)		33,379			0
	Corporates			10,455,610			1,334,690			(83,030	)		11,707,270			83
	Collateralized debt obligations			66,889			4,313			(8,352	)		62,850			1
	Other asset-backed securities			30,996			3,033			(31	)		33,998			0
	Redeemable preferred stocks			497,117			53,677			(5,986	)		544,808			4
	Total fixed maturities			12,728,196			1,544,745			(119,897	)		14,153,044			100	%
	Equity securities			776			641			0			1,417
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	12,728,972		$	1,545,386		$	(119,897	)	$	14,154,461
	*	At fair value
Schedule of Fixed Maturities by Contractual Maturity	'
	A schedule of fixed maturities by contractual maturity date at September 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		$	208,876		$	213,937
	Due from one to five years			507,648			571,735
	Due from five to ten years			928,917			1,014,462
	Due from ten to twenty years			3,480,370			3,953,820
	Due after twenty years			7,501,878			8,299,386
	Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities			100,507			99,704
			$	12,728,196		$	14,153,044
Schedule of Selected Information about Sales of Fixed Maturities	'
	Selected information about sales of fixed maturities is as follows.
	For the nine months ended September 30,
			2014			2013
	Proceeds from sales		$	56,447		$	78,751
	Gross realized gains			16,473			4,310
	Gross realized losses			(1,701	)		(788	)
Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table represents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
	Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 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		$	346,512		$	0		$	346,512
	States, municipalities, and political subdivisions			0			1,424,227			0			1,424,227
	Foreign governments			0			33,379			0			33,379
	Corporates			51,852			11,150,849			504,569			11,707,270
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			62,850			62,850
	Other asset-backed securities			0			33,998			0			33,998
	Redeemable preferred stocks			23,073			521,735			0			544,808
	Total fixed maturities			74,925			13,510,700			567,419			14,153,044
	Equity securities			584			0			833			1,417
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	75,509		$	13,510,700		$	568,252		$	14,154,461
	Percent of total			0.5	%		95.5	%		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 nine months ended September 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			3,929			19,667			57			23,653
	Acquisitions			0			0			186,365			0			186,365
	Sales			0			(16,049	)		(1	)		0			(16,050	)
	Amortization			0			4,072			10			0			4,082
	Other (2)			0			(3,231	)		(1,773	)		0			(5,004	)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			0			0			0			0			0
	Balance at September 30, 2014		$	0		$	62,850		$	504,569		$	833		$	568,252
	Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.4	%		3.6	%		0	%		4	%
			For the nine months ended September 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			3,173			(13,613	)		37			(9,977	)
	Acquisitions			0			0			65,507			0			65,507
	Sales			0			0			0			0			0
	Amortization			(57	)		3,329			3			0			3,275
	Other (2)			0			0			(759	)		0			(759	)
	Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 (3)			(8,350	)		0			(42,455	)		0			(50,805	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013		$	0		$	53,073		$	239,755		$	776		$	293,604
	Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities			0	%		0.4	%		1.9	%		0	%		2.3	%
	-1	Includes redeemable preferred stocks.
	-2	Includes capitalized interest, foreign exchange adjustments, and principal repayments.
	-3	Considered to be transferred at the end of the period. Transfers into Level 3 occur when observable inputs are no longer available. Transfers out of Level 3 occur when observable inputs become available.
Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment	'
	The following table discloses unrealized investment losses by class of investment at September 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 September 30, 2014
			Less than						Twelve Months						Total
			Twelve Months						or Longer
	Description of Securities		Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized			Fair Value			Unrealized
						Loss						Loss						Loss
	Fixed maturities available for sale:
	Bonds:
	U.S. Government direct, guaranteed, and government-sponsored enterprises		$	15,478		$	(229	)	$	301,161		$	(20,830	)	$	316,639		$	(21,059	)
	States, municipalities and political subdivisions			10,847			(253	)		35,852			(1,185	)		46,699			(1,438	)
	Foreign governments			834			(1	)		0			0			834			(1	)
	Corporates			767,413			(12,446	)		1,058,596			(70,584	)		1,826,009			(83,030	)
	Collateralized debt obligations			0			0			12,107			(8,352	)		12,107			(8,352	)
	Other asset-backed securities			0			0			2,852			(31	)		2,852			(31	)
	Redeemable preferred stocks			9,962			(38	)		60,045			(5,948	)		70,007			(5,986	)
	Total fixed maturities			804,534			(12,967	)		1,470,613			(106,930	)		2,275,147			(119,897	)
	Equity securities			0			0			0			0			0			0
	Total fixed maturities and equity securities		$	804,534		$	(12,967	)	$	1,470,613		$	(106,930	)	$	2,275,147		$	(119,897	)
Schedule of Additional Information About Investments in Unrealized Loss Position	'
	Additional information about investments in an unrealized loss position is as follows.
			Less than			Twelve			Total
			Twelve			Months
			Months			or Longer
	Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held:
	As of September 30, 2014			133			267			400
	As of December 31, 2013			462			130			592

Supplemental_Information_about1

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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 nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the three months ended September 30, 2014
		Available for			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		Sale Assets			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
					Costs
	Balance at July 1, 2014	$	933,015		$	(11,455	)	$	26,124		$	(59,710	)	$	887,974
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(1,991	)		450			(4,566	)		2			(6,105	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(711	)		0			0			1,669			958
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(2,702	)		450			(4,566	)		1,671			(5,147	)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	930,313		$	(11,005	)	$	21,558		$	(58,039	)	$	882,827
		For the three months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at July 1, 2013	$	424,003		$	(9,551	)	$	22,782		$	(103,334	)	$	333,900
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(100,348	)		1,667			2,814			0			(95,867	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(3,882	)		0			0			2,992			(890	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(104,230	)		1,667			2,814			2,992			(96,757	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
	Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
		For the nine months ended September 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		688,958			(4,277	)		(3,308	)		299			681,672
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(14,841	)		0			0			5,015			(9,826	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		674,117			(4,277	)		(3,308	)		5,314			671,846
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	930,313		$	(11,005	)	$	21,558		$	(58,039	)	$	882,827
		For the nine months ended September 30, 2013
		Available			Deferred			Foreign			Pension			Total
		for Sale			Acquisition			Exchange			Adjustments
		Assets			Costs
	Balance at January 1, 2013	$	1,024,367		$	(16,417	)	$	26,608		$	(109,283	)	$	925,275
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax		(697,480	)		8,533			(1,012	)		0			(689,959	)
	Reclassifications, net of tax		(7,114	)		0			0			8,941			1,827
	Other comprehensive income (loss)		(704,594	)		8,533			(1,012	)		8,941			(688,132	)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	319,773		$	(7,884	)	$	25,596		$	(100,342	)	$	237,143
Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are presented below for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Reclassification Adjustments
		Three months						Nine months						Affected line items in the
		ended						ended						Statement of Operations
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Unrealized investment gains (losses) on available for sale assets:
	Realized (gains) losses	$	1,261		$	(4,520	)	$	(15,935	)	$	(7,871	)	Realized investment gains (losses)
	Amortization of (discount) premium		(2,354	)		(1,478	)		(6,898	)		(4,939	)	Net investment income
	Total before tax		(1,093	)		(5,998	)		(22,833	)		(12,810	)
	Tax		382			2,116			7,992			5,696		Income Taxes
	Total after tax		(711	)		(3,882	)		(14,841	)		(7,114	)
	Pension adjustments:
	Amortization of prior service cost		529			569			1,586			1,707		Other operating expenses
	Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)		2,038			4,036			6,130			12,049		Other operating expenses
	Total before tax		2,567			4,605			7,716			13,756
	Tax		(898	)		(1,613	)		(2,701	)		(4,815	)	Income Taxes
	Total after tax		1,669			2,992			5,015			8,941
	Total reclassifications (after tax)	$	958		$	(890	)	$	(9,826	)	$	1,827

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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.
			Nine months ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013
	Benefit costs deferred		$	45,382		$	21,279
	Government risk-sharing premium adjustment			(28,532	)		(8,706	)
	Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income		$	16,850		$	12,573
	After tax amount		$	10,952		$	8,172
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.
			Nine months ended
			September 30,
			2014			2013			% Change
	Premium per segment analysis:
	Medicare Part D premium		$	258,243		$	226,779			14
	Other health premium			644,758			648,918			(1	)
	Part D risk sharing adjustment			28,532			8,706			228
	Health premium per Consolidated Statements of Operations		$	931,533		$	884,403			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 nine months ended September 30, 2014
			Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
									Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	1,472,734		$	644,758		$	258,243		$	334								$	28,532	(1)	$	2,404,601
	Net investment income														$	567,569						(21,591	)(4)		545,978
	Other income																	$	1,990			(178	)(3)		1,812
	Total revenue			1,472,734			644,758			258,243			334			567,569			1,990			6,763			2,952,391
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			964,305			414,607			213,184			31,599									53,561	(1,6)		1,677,256
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(395,595	)		(48,018	)		0			(41,576	)		485,189									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			125,758			16,823			534			1,120			(144,235	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			251,954			53,088			2,127			5,959												313,128
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			105,724			59,787			19,664			37									(178	)(3)		185,034
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																		134,918			2,337	(5)		137,255
	Parent expense																		6,284						6,284
	Stock compensation expense																		25,219						25,219
	Interest expense															57,119									57,119
	Total expenses			1,052,146			496,287			235,509			(2,861	)		398,073			166,421			55,720			2,401,295
	Subtotal			420,588			148,471			22,734			3,195			169,496			(164,431	)		(48,957	)		551,096
	Nonoperating items																					27,366	(1,5,6)		27,366
	Amortization of low-income housing																					21,591	(4)		21,591
	Measure of segment profitability		$	420,588		$	148,471		$	22,734		$	3,195		$	169,496		$	(164,431	)	$	0			600,053
	(pretax)
	Deduct applicable income taxes																								(196,288	)
	Segment profits after tax																								403,765
	Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								196,288
	Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								15,713
	Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(16,850	)
	Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(21,591	)
	Deduct legal settlement expenses (5)																								(2,337	)
	Deduct administrative settlements (6)																								(8,179	)
	Pretax income per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	566,809
	-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 nine months ended September 30, 2013
			Life			Health			Medicare			Annuity			Investment			Other &			Adjustments			Consolidated
									Part D									Corporate
	Revenue:
	Premium		$	1,416,859		$	648,918		$	226,779		$	401								$	8,706	(1)	$	2,301,663
	Net investment income														$	550,015						(18,556	)(4)		531,459
	Other income																	$	1,970			(213	)(3)		1,757
	Total revenue			1,416,859			648,918			226,779			401			550,015			1,970			(10,063	)		2,834,879
	Expenses:
	Policy benefits			921,921			420,251			188,816			32,393									29,904	(1,6)		1,593,285
	Required interest on:
	Policy reserves			(379,163	)		(44,602	)		0			(43,298	)		467,063									0
	Deferred acquisition costs			123,599			17,006			497			1,399			(142,501	)								0
	Amortization of acquisition costs			243,259			52,139			1,912			6,855									(1,519	)(7)		302,646
	Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs			99,398			57,025			10,234			46									(213	)(3)		166,490
	Insurance administrative expense (2)																		133,080			1,155	(5)		134,235
	Parent expense																		6,734			500	(6)		7,234
	Stock compensation expense																		19,376						19,376
	Interest expense															61,381									61,381
	Total expenses			1,009,014			501,819			201,459			(2,605	)		385,943			159,190			29,827			2,284,647
Subtotal			407,845			147,099			25,320			3,006			164,072			(157,220	)		(39,890	)		550,232
Nonoperating items																					21,334	(1,5,6,7)		21,334
Amortization of low-income housing																					18,556	(4)		18,556
Measure of segment profitability		$	407,845		$	147,099		$	25,320		$	3,006		$	164,072		$	(157,220	)	$	0			590,122
(pretax)
Deduct applicable income taxes																								(193,109	)
Segment profits after tax																								397,013
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability																								193,109
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)																								6,465
Deduct Part D adjustment (1)																								(12,573	)
Deduct amortization of low-income housing (4)																								(18,556	)
Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment (5)																								(1,155	)
Deduct legal settlement expenses (6)																								(9,125	)
Add Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments (7)																								1,519
Pretax income from continuing operations per Consolidated Statement of Operations																							$	556,697
-1	Medicare Part D items adjusted to GAAP from the segment analysis, which matches expected benefits with policy premium.
-2	Administrative expense is not allocated to insurance segments.
-3	Elimination of intersegment commission.
-4	Amortization of low-income housing expense, considered a component of income tax expense in the segment analysis.
-5	Guaranty Fund Assessment.
-6	Legal settlement expenses.
-7	Family Heritage Life acquisition adjustments.
*	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
			Nine months ended						Increase
			September						(Decrease)
			2014			2013*			Amount			%
	Life		$	420,588		$	407,845		$	12,743			3
	Health			148,471			147,099			1,372			1
	Medicare Part D			22,734			25,320			(2,586	)		(10	)
	Annuity			3,195			3,006			189			6
	Investment			169,496			164,072			5,424			3
	Other and corporate:
	Other income			1,990			1,970			20			1
	Administrative expense			(134,918	)		(133,080	)		(1,838	)		1
	Corporate			(31,503	)		(26,110	)		(5,393	)		21
	Pretax total			600,053			590,122			9,931			2
	Applicable taxes			(196,288	)		(193,109	)		(3,179	)		2
	Total			403,765			397,013			6,752			2
	Reconciling items, net of tax:
	Realized gains (losses) - Investments			10,213			2,974			7,239
	Part D adjustment			(10,952	)		(8,172	)		(2,780	)
	Guaranty Fund assessment			0			(751	)		751
	Administrative settlements			(5,316	)		0			(5,316	)
	Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense			0			522			(522	)
	Legal settlement expense			(1,519	)		(5,931	)		4,412
	Net income		$	396,191		$	385,655		$	10,536			3
	*	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 $)	9 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013		Jul. 01, 2014
						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	$342,084	$342,820	'	'		$26
Common stock, shares issued	139,218,183	'	139,218,183	151,218,183	[1]	'
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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	129,969,902	136,903,754	131,529,818	138,509,957
Weighted average dilutive options outstanding	1,907,303	2,106,307	1,901,522	1,977,579
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	131,877,205	139,010,061	133,431,340	140,487,536
Antidilutive shares	0	0	0	52,500

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_S

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Schedule of Post-Retirement Benefit Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Pension Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$3,231	$3,746	$9,694	$11,238
Interest cost	4,695	4,260	14,333	12,783
Expected return on assets	-4,768	-4,357	-14,273	-13,072
Prior service cost	529	569	1,586	1,707
Actuarial (gain) loss	2,035	4,060	6,127	12,184
Actuarial valuation adjustment	0	0	0	0
Direct recognition of expense	131	0	131	0
Net periodic benefit cost	5,853	8,278	17,598	24,840
Other Benefits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Service cost	25	69	74	271
Interest cost	-63	258	234	775
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Actuarial (gain) loss	3	74	3	149
Actuarial valuation adjustment	460	0	460	0
Direct recognition of expense	114	0	10	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$539	$401	$781	$1,195

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_S1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Schedule of Defined-Benefit Plans Disclosures (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 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	$318,089	$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	277	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	123,690	115,287
Percent of total pension assets	39.00%	38.00%
Guaranteed Annuity Contract [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	14,934	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	3,706	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	165,079	147,445
Percent of total pension assets	52.00%	51.00%
Short-term Investments [Member]	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Defined benefit pension plans-fair value of plan assets	$10,403	$13,318
Percent of total pension assets	3.00%	5.00%

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_A

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Liability related to funded defined-benefit pension plans	$342	$322
Contributions to benefit plans	12.8	'
Insurance cash value and Rabbi Trust investments supporting supplemental pension plan liability	70	66
Non-qualified supplemental retirement pension plan liability	$61	$58

Investments_Summary_of_Fixed_M

Investments - Summary of Fixed Maturities and Equity Securities Available for Sale by Component (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	$12,728,196	$12,488,875	[1]
Debt Securities Fair Value	14,153,044	12,879,133	[1]
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	776	875	[1]
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,417	1,884	[1]
Total Available for Sale Securities Cost	12,728,972	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,545,386	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-119,897	'
Total Available for Sale Securities Fair Value	14,154,461	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Equity Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	776	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	641	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	'
Equity Securities Fair Value	1,417	'
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	12,728,196	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,544,745	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-119,897	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	14,153,044	'
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	367,261	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	310	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-21,059	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	346,512	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	2.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	1,277,882	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	147,783	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1,438	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	1,424,227	'
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	32,441	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	939	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-1	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	33,379	'
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	10,455,610	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,334,690	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-83,030	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	11,707,270	'
Percentage of Total Fixed Maturities At Fair Value	83.00%	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	66,889	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	4,313	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-8,352	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	62,850	'
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	30,996	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	3,033	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-31	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	33,998	'
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	497,117	'
Gross Unrealized Gains	53,677	'
Gross Unrealized Losses	-5,986	'
Debt Securities Fair Value	$544,808	'
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 $)	Sep. 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	$208,876	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from one to five years	507,648	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from five to ten years	928,917	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due from ten to twenty years	3,480,370	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Amortized Cost - Due after twenty years	7,501,878	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Amortized Cost	100,507	'
Debt Securities Cost or Amortized Cost	12,728,196	12,488,875	[1]
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due in one year or less	213,937	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from one to five years	571,735	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from five to ten years	1,014,462	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due from ten to twenty years	3,953,820	'
Fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value - Due after twenty years	8,299,386	'
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, Fair Value	99,704	'
Total fixed maturities available for sale, Fair Value	$14,153,044	$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 $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from sales	$56,447	$78,751
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from sales	56,447	78,751
Gross realized gains	16,473	4,310
Gross realized losses	($1,701)	($788)

Investments_Assets_Measured_at

Investments - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 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	$14,153,044	$12,879,133	[1]
Equity securities	1,417	1,884	[1]
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	14,154,461	'
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	14,153,044	'
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	346,512	'
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	1,424,227	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Foreign Governments [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	33,379	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Corporates [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	11,707,270	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	62,850	'
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	33,998	'
Fixed Maturities [Member] | Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value fixed maturities measured on recurring basis	544,808	'
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	1,417	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	75,509	'
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	74,925	'
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	51,852	'
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	23,073	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Equity securities	584	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total fixed maturities and equity securities	13,510,700	'
Percent of total	95.50%	'
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	13,510,700	'
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	346,512	'
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	1,424,227	'
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	33,379	'
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	11,150,849	'
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	33,998	'
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	521,735	'
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	568,252	'
Percent of total	4.00%	'
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	567,419	'
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	504,569	'
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	62,850	'
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 $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Investment [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$359,281	$286,363
Included in realized gains/losses	15,925	0
Included in other comprehensive income	23,653	-9,977
Acquisitions	186,365	65,507
Sales	-16,050	0
Amortization	4,082	3,275
Other	-5,004	-759
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	-50,805
Ending Balance	568,252	293,604
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	4.00%	2.30%
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	3,929	3,173
Acquisitions	0	0
Sales	-16,049	0
Amortization	4,072	3,329
Other	-3,231	0
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	0
Ending Balance	62,850	53,073
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	0.40%	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	19,667	-13,613
Acquisitions	186,365	65,507
Sales	-1	0
Amortization	10	3
Other	-1,773	-759
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3	0	-42,455
Ending Balance	504,569	239,755
Percent of total fixed maturity and equity securities	3.60%	1.90%
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			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Issues			Issues		Issues
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	$0	$0	$2,678,000	$0	$2,678,000	'
Other-than-temporary impairments, after tax	'	'	1,700,000	'	'	'
Total issues of fixed-maturities and equities	1,604	'	'	1,604	'	1,619
Additional Other Than Temporary Impairment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Investment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other-than-temporary impairments	'	'	'	$0	$0	'

Investments_Schedule_of_Unreal

Investments - Schedule of Unrealized Investment Losses by Class of Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	$804,534
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,470,613
Fair Value, Total	2,275,147
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-12,967
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-106,930
Unrealized Loss Total	-119,897
Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	804,534
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,470,613
Fair Value, Total	2,275,147
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-12,967
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-106,930
Unrealized Loss Total	-119,897
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	15,478
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	301,161
Fair Value, Total	316,639
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-229
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-20,830
Unrealized Loss Total	-21,059
States, Municipalities, and Political Subdivisions [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	10,847
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	35,852
Fair Value, Total	46,699
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-253
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-1,185
Unrealized Loss Total	-1,438
Foreign Governments [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	834
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	0
Fair Value, Total	834
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-1
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	0
Unrealized Loss Total	-1
Corporates [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	767,413
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	1,058,596
Fair Value, Total	1,826,009
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-12,446
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-70,584
Unrealized Loss Total	-83,030
Collateralized Debt Obligations [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	0
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	12,107
Fair Value, Total	12,107
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-8,352
Unrealized Loss Total	-8,352
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	2,852
Fair Value, Total	2,852
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	0
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-31
Unrealized Loss Total	-31
Redeemable Preferred Stocks [Member] | Fixed Maturities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Fair Value, Less than Twelve Months	9,962
Fair Value, Twelve Months or Longer	60,045
Fair Value, Total	70,007
Unrealized Loss Less Than Twelve Months	-38
Unrealized Loss Twelve Months or Longer	-5,948
Unrealized Loss Total	($5,986)

Investments_Schedule_of_Additi

Investments - Schedule of Additional Information about Investments in Unrealized Loss Position (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Issues	Issues
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Less than Twelve Months	133	462
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Twelve Months or Longer	267	130
Number of issues (Cusip numbers) held, Total	400	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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	$887,974	$333,900	$210,981	[1]	$925,275
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-6,105	-95,867	681,672		-689,959
Reclassifications, net of tax	958	-890	-9,826		1,827
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-5,147	-96,757	671,846		-688,132
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	882,827	237,143	882,827		237,143
Pension adjustments [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-59,710	-103,334	-63,353		-109,283
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	2	0	299		0
Reclassifications, net of tax	1,669	2,992	5,015		8,941
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,671	2,992	5,314		8,941
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-58,039	-100,342	-58,039		-100,342
Foreign Exchange [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	26,124	22,782	24,866		26,608
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-4,566	2,814	-3,308		-1,012
Reclassifications, net of tax	0	0	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-4,566	2,814	-3,308		-1,012
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	21,558	25,596	21,558		25,596
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	-11,455	-9,551	-6,728		-16,417
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	450	1,667	-4,277		8,533
Reclassifications, net of tax	0	0	0		0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	450	1,667	-4,277		8,533
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	-11,005	-7,884	-11,005		-7,884
Available for Sale Assets [Member]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'		'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning Balance	933,015	424,003	256,196		1,024,367
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	-1,991	-100,348	688,958		-697,480
Reclassifications, net of tax	-711	-3,882	-14,841		-7,114
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,702	-104,230	674,117		-704,594
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending Balance	$930,313	$319,773	$930,313		$319,773
[1]	Derived from audited financial statements

Supplemental_Information_about3

Supplemental Information about Changes to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Summary of Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total before tax	$2,571	$4,605	$8,176	$13,756
Tax	-900	-1,613	-2,862	-4,815
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total after tax	958	-890	-9,826	1,827
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	1,261	-4,520	-15,935	-7,871
Amortization of (discount) premium	-2,354	-1,478	-6,898	-4,939
Total before tax	-1,093	-5,998	-22,833	-12,810
Tax	382	2,116	7,992	5,696
Total after tax	-711	-3,882	-14,841	-7,114
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	529	569	1,586	1,707
Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)	2,038	4,036	6,130	12,049
Total before tax	2,567	4,605	7,716	13,756
Tax	-898	-1,613	-2,701	-4,815
Total after tax	$1,669	$2,992	$5,015	$8,941

Business_Segments_Adjustments_

Business Segments - Adjustments for Difference in Interim Medicare Part D Results for Segment Purposes and GAAP (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	$535,532	$516,783	$1,677,256	$1,593,285
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	-785,715	-750,998	-2,404,601	-2,301,663
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	'	'	16,850	12,573
After tax amount	'	'	10,952	8,172
Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
After tax amount	'	'	10,952	8,172
Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	'	'	53,561	29,904
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	'	'	-28,532	-8,706
Adjustments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Benefit costs deferred	'	'	45,382	21,279
Government risk-sharing premium adjustment	'	'	-28,532	-8,706
Pre-tax addition to segment interim period income	'	'	$16,850	$12,573

Business_Segments_Reconciliati

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Health Premium Included in the segment Analysis (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	$293,879	$279,948	$931,533	$884,403
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	5.00%	'
Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	'	'	258,243	226,779
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	14.00%	'
Other Health [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	'	'	644,758	648,918
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	-1.00%	'
Part D risk sharing adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Health premium	'	'	$28,532	$8,706
Health premium earned per segment, Change %	'	'	228.00%	'

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	$2,337,000	$9,125,000
Administrative settlements	8,179,000	'
Administrative settlement, after tax	5,316,000	0
Guaranty fund assessment	'	1,155,000
Guaranty fund assessment, after tax	0	751,000
Family Heritage [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Acquisition adjustment, after tax	0	522,000
Litigation Matters [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	3,700,000	'
Litigation settlement expense, after tax	2,400,000	'
Settled Litigation Regarding Investments [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	1,300,000	'
Litigation settlement expense, after tax	853,000	'
Settled Litigation Regarding Non-Insurance Matter [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement amount	'	500,000
Litigation settlement amount, after tax	'	325,000
Prior Year Litigation Matter [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'
Litigation settlement expense, after tax	'	5,600,000
Litigation settlement amount	'	$8,600,000

Business_Segments_Reconciliati1

Business Segments - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Information to Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	$785,715	$750,998	$2,404,601	$2,301,663
Net investment income	182,101	176,656	545,978	531,459
Other income	668	676	1,812	1,757
Total revenue	'	'	2,952,391	2,834,879
Policy benefits	535,532	516,783	1,677,256	1,593,285
Policy reserves	'	'	0	0
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	0	0
Amortization of acquisition costs	103,834	98,444	313,128	302,646
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	63,636	53,791	185,034	166,490
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	137,255	134,235
Parent expense	'	'	6,284	7,234
Stock compensation expense	'	'	25,219	19,376
Interest expense	19,033	19,676	57,119	61,381
Total benefits and expenses	777,437	741,939	2,401,295	2,284,647
Subtotal	'	'	551,096	550,232
Nonoperating items	'	'	27,366	21,334
Amortization of low-income housing	'	'	21,591	18,556
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	600,053	590,122
Deduct applicable income taxes	'	'	-196,288	-193,109
Segment profits after tax	'	'	403,765	397,013
Add back income taxes applicable to segment profitability	'	'	196,288	193,109
Add (deduct) realized investment gains (losses)	'	'	15,713	6,465
Deduct Part D adjustment	'	'	-16,850	-12,573
Deduct amortization of low-income housing	'	'	-21,591	-18,556
Deduct Guaranty Fund Assessment	'	'	'	-1,155
Deduct legal settlement expenses	'	'	-2,337	-9,125
Deduct administrative settlements	'	'	-8,179	'
Income before income taxes	189,564	190,850	566,809	556,697
Family Heritage [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	'	1,519
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	1,472,734	1,416,859
Total revenue	'	'	1,472,734	1,416,859
Policy benefits	'	'	964,305	921,921
Policy reserves	'	'	-395,595	-379,163
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	125,758	123,599
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	251,954	243,259
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	105,724	99,398
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	1,052,146	1,009,014
Subtotal	'	'	420,588	407,845
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	420,588	407,845
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	644,758	648,918
Total revenue	'	'	644,758	648,918
Policy benefits	'	'	414,607	420,251
Policy reserves	'	'	-48,018	-44,602
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	16,823	17,006
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	53,088	52,139
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	59,787	57,025
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	496,287	501,819
Subtotal	'	'	148,471	147,099
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	148,471	147,099
Operating Segments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	258,243	226,779
Total revenue	'	'	258,243	226,779
Policy benefits	'	'	213,184	188,816
Policy reserves	'	'	0	0
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	534	497
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	2,127	1,912
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	19,664	10,234
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	235,509	201,459
Subtotal	'	'	22,734	25,320
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	22,734	25,320
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	334	401
Total revenue	'	'	334	401
Policy benefits	'	'	31,599	32,393
Policy reserves	'	'	-41,576	-43,298
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	1,120	1,399
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	5,959	6,855
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	37	46
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	-2,861	-2,605
Subtotal	'	'	3,195	3,006
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	3,195	3,006
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net investment income	'	'	567,569	550,015
Total revenue	'	'	567,569	550,015
Policy reserves	'	'	485,189	467,063
Deferred acquisition costs	'	'	-144,235	-142,501
Interest expense	'	'	57,119	61,381
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	398,073	385,943
Subtotal	'	'	169,496	164,072
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	169,496	164,072
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other income	'	'	1,990	1,970
Total revenue	'	'	1,990	1,970
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	134,918	133,080
Parent expense	'	'	6,284	6,734
Stock compensation expense	'	'	25,219	19,376
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	166,421	159,190
Subtotal	'	'	-164,431	-157,220
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	-164,431	-157,220
Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	28,532	8,706
Net investment income	'	'	-21,591	-18,556
Other income	'	'	-178	-213
Total revenue	'	'	6,763	-10,063
Policy benefits	'	'	53,561	29,904
Amortization of acquisition costs	'	'	'	-1,519
Commissions, premium taxes, and non-deferred acquisition costs	'	'	-178	-213
Insurance administrative expense	'	'	2,337	1,155
Parent expense	'	'	'	500
Total benefits and expenses	'	'	55,720	29,827
Subtotal	'	'	-48,957	-39,890
Nonoperating items	'	'	27,366	21,334
Amortization of low-income housing	'	'	21,591	18,556
Measure of segment profitability (pretax)	'	'	0	0
Deduct amortization of low-income housing	'	'	-21,591	-18,556
Adjustments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Premium	'	'	28,532	8,706
Policy benefits	'	'	45,382	21,279
Deduct Part D adjustment	'	'	($16,850)	($12,573)

Business_Segments_Analysis_of_

Business Segments - Analysis of Profitability by Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	$600,053	$590,122
Applicable taxes	'	'	-196,288	-193,109
Net operating income	'	'	403,765	397,013
Realized gains (losses)-Investments	'	'	10,213	2,974
Part D adjustment	'	'	-10,952	-8,172
Guaranty Fund assessment	'	'	0	-751
Administrative settlements	'	'	-5,316	0
Legal settlement expense	'	'	-1,519	-5,931
Net income	132,412	132,122	396,191	385,655
Applicable taxes, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-3,179	'
Net operating income, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	6,752	'
Realized gains (losses) - Investments net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	7,239	'
Part D adjustment net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-2,780	'
Guaranty Fund assessment, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	751	'
Administrative settlements, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-5,316	'
Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	-522	'
Legal settlement expenses net of tax, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	4,412	'
Net income, Increase (Decrease)	'	'	10,536	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	2.00%	'
Applicable taxes, Change %	'	'	2.00%	'
Net operating income, Change %	'	'	2.00%	'
Net income, Change %	'	'	3.00%	'
Family Heritage [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Family Heritage acquisition adjustments and expense	'	'	0	522
Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Part D adjustment	'	'	-10,952	-8,172
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	9,931	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Life Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	420,588	407,845
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	12,743	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	3.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Health Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	148,471	147,099
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	1,372	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	1.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Medicare Part D [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	22,734	25,320
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	-2,586	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	-10.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Annuity [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	3,195	3,006
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	189	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	6.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Investment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	169,496	164,072
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	5,424	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	3.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-164,431	-157,220
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Other Income [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	1,990	1,970
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	20	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	1.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-134,918	-133,080
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	-1,838	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	1.00%	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Other and Corporate [Member] | Corporate [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax operating income	'	'	-31,503	-26,110
Pretax operating income, Change	'	'	($5,393)	'
Pretax operating income, Increase (Decrease) %	'	'	21.00%	'