EXHIBIT 23(a) - INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
National Western Life Group, Inc.
Austin, Texas
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of National Western Life Group Inc. (formerly National Western Life Insurance Company) (the Company) on Form S-8 (No. 333-153341 and 333-38549) of our report dated March 1, 2018, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of National Western Life Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2017, which is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated March 1, 2018, on our audit of the internal control over financial reporting of National Western Life Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2017, which is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.
/s/BKD, LLP
Little Rock, Arkansas
March 1, 2018