| **Stockholder's Equity and Dividend Restrictions (Details) (USD $)In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified**                                                             | 12 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                          |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
||
| **Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]**                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                                                                                                     |   |   |
| Preferred stock, shares authorized                                                                                                                                                          | 50,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized                                                                                                                         | 50,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized |   |
| Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                           | $ 1us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare                                                                                                                        | $ 1us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare |   |
| Common stock, shares authorized                                                                                                                                                             | 50,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized                                                                                                                            | 50,000,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized |   |
| Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)                                                                                                                                              | $ 1us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare                                                                                                                           | $ 1us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShare |   |
| Common stock, shares issued                                                                                                                                                                 | 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued                                                                                                                                 | 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued |   |
| Common stock, shares outstanding                                                                                                                                                            | 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding                                                                                                                            | 7,032,000us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding |   |
| **Net income and capital and surplus, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles and practices as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners** |                                                                                                                                                                     |   |   |
| Net income                                                                                                                                                                                  | $ 134,091us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount                                                                                                    | $ 175,292us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount | $ 147,741us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryNetIncomeAmount |
| Capital and surplus                                                                                                                                                                         | 1,000,938us-gaap_StatutoryCapitalAndSurplusApplyingNationalAssociationOfInsuranceCommissionersNAICPractices                                                              | 1,200,609us-gaap_StatutoryCapitalAndSurplusApplyingNationalAssociationOfInsuranceCommissionersNAICPractices |   |
| Percentage of ACL as minimum level of TAC before corrective action commences                                                                                                                | 200.00%us-gaap_CapitalRequiredForCapitalAdequacyToRiskWeightedAssets                                                                                                     |   |   |
| Dividends paid to the parent company, GWL&A Financial                                                                                                                                   | 316,401us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompany                                                                                                                          | 102,436us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompany | 184,401us-gaap_CashDividendsPaidToParentCompany |
| Dividends available for distribution without prior approval                                                                                                                                 | 209,163us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesStatutoryAmountAvailableForDividendPaymentsWithoutRegulatoryApproval                                                          |   |   |
| Colorado Division of Insurance                                                                                                                                                              |                                                                                                                                                                     |   |   |
| **Net income and capital and surplus, as determined in accordance with statutory accounting principles and practices as prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners** |                                                                                                                                                                     |   |   |
| Capital and surplus                                                                                                                                                                         | 2,000us-gaap_StatutoryCapitalAndSurplusApplyingNationalAssociationOfInsuranceCommissionersNAICPractices/ us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis= stpr_CO |   |   |
| Net gain from operations                                                                                                                                                                    | $ 209,163us-gaap_ExcessCapital/ us-gaap_StatutoryAccountingPracticesByJurisdictionAxis= stpr_CO                                                                          |   |   |

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|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The minimum Total risk based capital ratio (total capital divided by risk weighted assets) required for capital adequacy purposes under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
This element represents disclosure of the total aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries, by unconsolidated subsidiaries, and by 50% or less owned persons accounted for using the equity method.
+ References
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|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Face amount or stated value per share of common stock.
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.
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|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Total number of common shares of an entity that have been sold or granted to shareholders (includes common shares that were issued, repurchased and remain in the treasury). These shares represent capital invested by the firm's shareholders and owners, and may be all or only a portion of the number of shares authorized. Shares issued include shares outstanding and shares held in the treasury.
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|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation.
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount by which the company's Total Capital exceeds the minimum required for capital adequacy purposes.
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| - Definition
Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer.
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| - Definition
The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.
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| - Definition
Amount of dividends that can be declared or paid without approval of regulatory agency.
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| - Definition
Amount of net income for the period determined using accounting principles prescribed or permitted by insurance regulators.
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| - Definition
Amount of statutory capital and surplus computed using statutory accounting practices prescribed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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