National Western Life Group Inc - Ordinary Shares (NWLI) 10-Q 7 Nov 18 2018 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 06, 2018
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,635,984
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Class A
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,436,166
Class B
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		200,000

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Debt securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $7,186,631 and $7,434,104)	$ 7,281,031	$ 7,247,024
Debt securities available for sale, at fair value (cost: $3,013,889 and $2,964,510)	2,965,788	3,041,131
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for possible losses ($650 and $650)	200,876	208,249
Policy loans	54,474	56,405
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Equity securities, at fair value (cost: $13,962 and $12,890)	19,661	18,478
Other long-term investments	54,861	51,828
Total investments	10,713,126	10,817,846
Cash and cash equivalents	155,381	217,624
Deferred policy acquisition costs	842,601	819,511
Deferred sales inducements	137,488	135,570
Accrued investment income	101,063	96,818
Federal income tax receivable	0	0
Other assets	142,181	137,725
Total assets	12,091,840	12,225,094
Future policy benefits:
Universal life and annuity contracts	9,799,833	9,962,589
Traditional life reserves	135,522	135,895
Other policyholder liabilities	129,529	128,009
Deferred Federal income tax liability	18,356	25,408
Federal income tax payable	2,005	2,701
Other liabilities	123,578	138,318
Total liabilities	10,208,823	10,392,920
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)
Common stock:
Additional paid-in capital	41,716	41,716
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(34,272)	14,281
Retained earnings	1,875,537	1,776,141
Total stockholders’ equity	1,883,017	1,832,174
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	12,091,840	12,225,094
Class A
Common stock:
Common stock, value outstanding	34	34
Class B
Common stock:
Common stock, value outstanding	$ 2	$ 2

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt securities held to maturity - fair value	$ 7,186,631	$ 7,434,104
Debt securities available for sale - cost	3,013,889	2,964,510
Mortgage loans - allowance for possible losses	650	650
Equity securities - cost	$ 13,962	$ 12,890
Class A
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	7,500,000	7,500,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	3,436,166	3,436,166
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	3,436,166	3,436,166
Class B
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	200,000	200,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	200,000	200,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Premiums and other revenues:
Universal life and annuity contract charges	$ 38,287	$ 40,268	$ 116,753	$ 122,329
Traditional life premiums	4,209	5,285	13,282	13,639
Net investment income	175,553	151,691	358,100	466,045
Other revenues	5,111	4,672	15,396	13,714
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) gains (losses)	3	26	9	69
Portion of OTTI (gains) losses recognized in other comprehensive income	(3)	(26)	(9)	(69)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Other net investment gains (losses)	2,275	2,074	5,582	10,906
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	2,275	2,074	5,582	10,906
Total revenues	225,435	203,990	509,113	626,633
Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	5,744	21,015	44,607	58,626
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	26,775	18,722	90,073	85,992
Universal life and annuity contract interest	124,145	107,799	183,316	299,862
Other operating expenses	24,037	22,596	72,467	74,031
Total benefits and expenses	180,701	170,132	390,463	518,511
Earnings before Federal income taxes	44,734	33,858	118,650	108,122
Federal income taxes	9,093	12,045	23,668	37,288
Net earnings	35,641	21,813	94,982	70,834
Class A
Benefits and expenses:
Net earnings	$ 34,633	$ 21,196	$ 92,296	$ 68,831
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 10.08	$ 6.17	$ 26.86	$ 20.03
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 10.08	$ 6.17	$ 26.86	$ 20.03
Class B
Benefits and expenses:
Net earnings	$ 1,008	$ 617	$ 2,686	$ 2,003
Basic earnings per share:
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 5.04	$ 3.08	$ 13.43	$ 10.02
Diluted earnings per share:
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 5.04	$ 3.08	$ 13.43	$ 10.02

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 35,641	$ 21,813	$ 94,982	$ 70,834
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	(1,416)	2,212	(51,238)	15,479
Net unrealized liquidity gains (losses)	0	9	2	22
Reclassification adjustment for net amounts included in net earnings	(936)	(988)	(2,533)	(2,746)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	(2,352)	1,233	(53,769)	12,755
Foreign currency translation adjustments	20	166	1,227	(5)
Benefit plans:
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain (loss)	2,801	(910)	8,403	(2,730)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	469	489	(44,139)	10,020
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 36,110	$ 22,302	$ 50,843	$ 80,854

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Unrealized gains on non-impaired securities	Unrealized losses on impaired held to maturity securities	Unrealized losses on impaired available for sale securities	Foreign currency translation adjustments	Benefit plan liability adjustment	Retained earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax (See Note 2)					$ 0					$ 0
Total stockholders’ equity, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2016		$ 36	$ 41,716		22,813	$ (203)	$ (1)	$ 2,661	$ (14,718)	1,669,524
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares exercised under stock option plan		0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) during period, net of tax	$ 15,479				12,733
Amortization						45
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax						0
Additional credit loss on previously impaired securities						0
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax							0
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs						(23)	0
Recoveries, net of tax							0
Change in translation adjustments during period	(5)							(5)
Amortization of net prior service cost and net loss, net of tax	(2,730)								(2,730)
Net earnings	70,834									70,834
Stockholder dividends										0
Total stockholders’ equity, end of period at Sep. 30, 2017	1,802,682	36	41,716	$ 20,572	35,546	(181)	(1)	2,656	(17,448)	1,740,358
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax (See Note 2)					(4,414)					4,414
Total stockholders’ equity, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	1,832,174	36	41,716		33,664	(10)	(1)	3,223	(22,595)	1,776,141
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Shares exercised under stock option plan		0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) during period, net of tax	(51,238)				(53,771)
Amortization						7
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax						0
Additional credit loss on previously impaired securities						0
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax							0
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs						(4)	(1)
Recoveries, net of tax							0
Change in translation adjustments during period	1,227							1,227
Amortization of net prior service cost and net loss, net of tax	8,403								8,403
Net earnings	94,982									94,982
Stockholder dividends										0
Total stockholders’ equity, end of period at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 1,883,017	$ 36	$ 41,716	$ (34,272)	$ (24,521)	$ (7)	$ (2)	$ 4,450	$ (14,192)	$ 1,875,537

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 94,982	$ 70,834
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Universal life and annuity contract interest	183,316	299,862
Surrender charges and other policy revenues	(28,429)	(33,682)
Realized (gains) losses on investments	(5,582)	(10,905)
Accretion/amortization of discounts and premiums, investments	(86)	308
Depreciation and amortization	8,769	7,379
(Increase) decrease in value of equity securities	(254)	0
(Increase) decrease in value of derivatives	(35,581)	(138,552)
(Increase) decrease in deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs	31,645	19,895
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income	(4,245)	(3,793)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(12,489)	(7,762)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for future policy benefits	(11,566)	6,616
Increase (decrease) in other policyholder liabilities	1,520	(6,319)
Increase (decrease) in Federal income tax liability	(696)	(8,647)
Increase (decrease) in deferred Federal income tax	4,680	(14,370)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(3,882)	12,530
Net cash provided by operating activities	222,102	193,394
Proceeds from sales of:
Debt securities held to maturity	0	0
Debt securities available for sale	13,098	22,184
Other investments	2,749	5,405
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of:
Debt securities held to maturity	360,036	303,081
Debt securities available for sale	168,638	222,379
Derivatives, index options	160,094	151,298
Property and equipment	8	2,731
Purchases of:
Debt securities held to maturity	(391,548)	(377,821)
Debt securities available for sale	(228,172)	(191,510)
Equity securities	(1,678)	(1,160)
Derivatives, index options	(63,524)	(55,780)
Other investments	(5,581)	(329)
Property and equipment	(3,070)	(1,697)
Principal payments on mortgage loans	32,374	24,199
Cost of mortgage loans acquired	(24,803)	(38,166)
Decrease (increase) in policy loans	1,931	1,233
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	20,552	66,047
Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits to account balances for universal life and annuity contracts	442,795	546,966
Return of account balances on universal life and annuity contracts	(749,245)	(687,087)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(306,450)	(140,121)
Effect of foreign exchange	1,553	(7)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(62,243)	119,313
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	217,624	51,247
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	155,381	170,560
Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	30	30
Income taxes	19,683	60,304
Noncash operating activities:
Deferral of sales inducements	$ (8,152)	$ (9,696)

Consolidation and Basis of Pres

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation	CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of National Western Life Group, Inc. ("NWLGI") and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Company”) as of September 30, 2018 , and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 . Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. It is recommended that these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 which is accessible free of charge through the Company's internet site at www.nwlgi.com or the Securities and Exchange Commission internet site at www.sec.gov . The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NWLGI and its wholly owned subsidiaries: National Western Life Insurance Company ("NWLIC" or "National Western"), Regent Care San Marcos Holdings, LLC, NWL Investments, Inc., and NWL Services, Inc. National Western's wholly owned subsidiaries include The Westcap Corporation, NWL Financial, Inc., NWLSM, Inc., and Braker P III, LLC. Where comments or disclosures are made specifically in reference to the insurance operations of National Western, the "company" is used in order to distinguish such comments from the consolidated entity. All significant intercorporate transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include: (1) liabilities for future policy benefits, (2) valuation of derivative instruments, (3) recoverability and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, (4) valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, (5) other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities, (6) commitments and contingencies, and (7) valuation allowances for mortgage loans and real estate. The table below shows the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 . Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Other net investment gains (losses) $ 1,185 1,519 3,206 4,224 Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings — — — — Earnings before Federal income taxes 1,185 1,519 3,206 4,224 Federal income taxes 249 532 673 1,478 Net earnings $ 936 987 2,533 2,746

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted In August, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12 Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944) - Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts. This update aimed at improving the Codification as it relates to long-duration contracts which will improve the timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits, simplify accounting for certain market-based options, simplify the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and improve the effectiveness of required disclosures. Amendments include the following: A. Require insurance entity to (1) review and update assumptions used to measure cash flows at least annually (with changes recognized in net income) and (2) update discount rate assumption at each reporting date (with changes recognized in other comprehensive income). B. Require insurance entity to measure all market risk benefits associated with deposit (i.e. account balance) contracts at fair value, with change in fair value attributable to change in instrument-specific credit risk recognized in other comprehensive income. C. Simplify amortization of deferred acquisition costs and other balances amortized in proportion to premiums, gross profits, or gross margins and require those balances be amortized on constant level basis over expected term of related contract. Deferred acquisition costs are required to be written off for unexpected contract terminations but are not subject to impairment test. D. Require insurance entity to add disclosures of disaggregated rollforwards of beginning to ending balances of the liability for future policy benefits, policyholder account balances, market risk benefits, separate account liabilities, and deferred acquisition costs. Insurance entity must also disclose information about significant inputs, judgments, assumptions, and methods used in measurement, including changes in those inputs, judgments, and assumptions, and the effect of those changes on measurement. These update will need to be applied retrospectively to the earliest period presented in the financial statements for periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In August, the FASB issued a new Concepts Statement No. 8 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting - Chapter 8, Notes to Financial Statements . This was issued as part of a disclosure framework project aimed at improving disclosures in financial statements. This issuance provides conceptual guidance that may be followed when determining items to include as disclosures in the notes to financial statements. In conjunction with this issuance, the FASB also issued two accounting standard updates (“ASU”) which identified a particular FASB Topic and evaluated its disclosures through the new conceptual framework of Concepts Statement No. 8, Chapter 8. This process resulted in the issuance of the following two ASUs. In August, FASB issued ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This update removed disclosures for 1) amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for fair value hierarchy, 2) policy for timing of transfers between levels, 3) valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. This update also added disclosure requirement as follows: 1) changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in OCI for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at end of reporting period; 2) range and weighted average (or other reasonable quantitative measurement) of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. In August, FASB issued ASU 2018-14 Compensation-Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20) Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update removed disclosures for 1) amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, 2) amount and timing of plan assets expected to be returned to the employer, 3) related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan, 4) the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the (a) aggregate of the service and interest cost components of the net periodic benefit costs and (b) benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. This update also added disclosures as follow: 1) weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised crediting rates, 2) explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. Finally, this update clarified that the following information for defined benefit pension plans should be disclosed: 1) projected benefit obligation (PBO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBO in excess of plan assets. 2) accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets. In August, the SEC released a final rule updating disclosure requirements, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which resulted in the additional interim disclosure of an analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity to be required for the current and comparative quarter and year-to-date interim periods. Registrants will be required to provide an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests, which will need to be accompanied by dividends per share and in the aggregate for each class of shares. The disclosure must be presented in the form of a reconciliation, either as a separate statement or in the footnotes. The amendments will be effective for interim periods beginning after November 5, 2018. In June 2016, the FASB released Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses , which revises the credit loss recognition criteria for certain financial assets measured at amortized cost. The new guidance replaces the existing incurred loss recognition model with an expected loss recognition model. The objective of the expected credit loss model is for the reporting entity to recognize its estimate of expected credit losses for affected financial assets in a valuation allowance deducted from the amortized cost basis of the related financial assets that results in presenting the net carrying value of the financial assets at the amount expected to be collected. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and for most affected instruments must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to beginning retained income. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities , which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amortization period for premiums is being shortened to the earliest call date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In July 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share; Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity; and, Derivatives and Hedging . This update includes: (I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, and (II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest with a Scope Exception. Part I of this update changes the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. Part II of this update recharacterizes the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect a material effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU. In June 2018, the FASB released ASU 2018-07 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting . This update largely aligns the accounting for share-based payment awards issued to employees and nonemployees. Previously, nonemployee stock compensation was accounted for under Subtopic 505-50 but will now fall under Topic 718. Changes to the accounting for nonemployee awards include 1) measurement based on fair value of the equity instrument at grant date, rather than previous requirement to measure based on the more reliable option of the fair value of the consideration or the fair value of the equity instrument, 2) initial measurement at grant date, rather than the earlier of the date at which commitment for performance is reached or performance is complete, and 3) when performance conditions are present, the probability of satisfying performance conditions should be considered in measurement rather than the previous requirement to measure at the lowest aggregate fair value. The amendments in the new guidance are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal period. The Company does not expect a material effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on leasing transactions (ASU 2016-02, Leases - Topic 842 ). The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach (subject to optional practical expedients). The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases would be classified as finance or operating leases and both types of leases will be recognized on the balance sheet. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged from current guidance except for certain targeted changes. The new guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect a significant impact to the financial statements resulting from this change. Recent accounting pronouncements adopted In January 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-07 Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 615): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The new guidance requires that an employer that offers to its employees defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. If a separate line item is not used, the line item used in the income statement to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost must be disclosed. In addition, the guidance allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB released ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . The update addresses certain stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income caused by the Tax Cuts and Job Act ("Tax Act") which was passed in December 2017. Under the new FASB rules, financial statement preparers are provided the option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act is recorded. Companies must apply the new guidance for fiscal years, including interim periods within such years, starting after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are to be applied in either the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the federal corporate income tax rate from the Tax Act is recognized. The Company's accounting policy for the release of stranded tax effects in AOCI is on an aggregate portfolio basis. The Company elected to adopt the requirements of this update in its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and has reported the resultant reclassification amount, $2.5 million , as a charge to Retained Earnings in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . The guidance requires companies to recognize revenue that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. As an insurance enterprise, the primary sources of revenue are excluded from this guidance, including insurance premiums, contract charges, and investment revenues. We have certain types of non-insurance and non-investment revenue from contracts with customers that fall under this guidance. These revenues are recognized when obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services. For these revenues, the performance obligation is fulfilled as services are rendered. Revenues from contracts with customers identified under Topic 606 are not material, approximately 2% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. The guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company. In January 2016, the FASB released ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities . The main provisions of the update eliminate the available for sale classification of accounting for equity securities and to adjust the fair value disclosures for financial instruments carried at amortized costs such that the disclosed fair values represent an exit price as opposed to an entry price. The provisions of this update require that equity securities be carried at fair market value on the balance sheet and any periodic changes in value be recorded as adjustments directly to the income statement. The provisions of this update became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The prospective adoption of this update resulted in the reclassification of $4.4 million pertaining to unrealized gains, net of tax, out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Retained Earnings as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, as shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. Equity securities, previously included in Securities Available for Sale are now reported as a separate line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The change in fair value of equity securities, previously reported in Other Comprehensive income, is now included in net investment income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As the Company's equity securities holdings are not significant, the adoption of the requirements of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation . The update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718. An entity shall account for the effects of a modification described in ASC paragraphs 718-20-35-3 through 35-9, unless all the following are met: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The provisions of this update became effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company. Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company’s present or future Consolidated Financial Statements.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY NWLIC is restricted by state insurance laws as to dividend amounts which may be paid to stockholders without prior approval from the Colorado Division of Insurance. The restrictions are based on the lesser of statutory earnings from operations, excluding capital gains, from the prior calendar year or 10% of statutory surplus of the company as of the previous calendar year-end. The maximum dividend payment which may be made without prior approval in 2018 is $127.3 million . As the sole owner of NWLIC, all dividends declared by National Western are payable entirely to NWLGI and are eliminated in consolidation. In the first quarter of 2018, National Western declared and paid a $3.0 million dividend to NWLGI. In the third quarter of 2018, National Western declared a $3.0 million dividend to NWLGI which was subsequently paid on October 17, 2018. During the second quarter of 2017 National Western declared and paid a $4.0 million dividend to NWLGI. During the third quarter of 2017 National Western declared a $3.0 million dividend payable to NWLGI which was subsequently paid on October 16, 2017. NWLGI did not declare or pay cash dividends on its common shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed by dividing net income available to each class of common stockholders on an as if distributed basis by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share, by definition, reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock, that then shared in the distributed earnings of each class of common stock. U.S. GAAP requires a two-class presentation for the Company's two classes of common stock. The Company currently has no share-based compensation awards outstanding that could be redeemed for shares of common stock. Net income for the periods shown below is allocated between Class A shares and Class B shares based upon (1) the proportionate number of shares issued and outstanding as of the end of the period, and (2) the per share dividend rights of the two classes under the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Class B dividend per share is equal to one-half the Class A dividend per share). Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Class A Class B Class A Class B (In thousands except per share amounts) Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share: Net income $ 35,641 21,813 Dividends - Class A shares — — Dividends - Class B shares — — Undistributed income $ 35,641 21,813 Allocation of net income: Dividends $ — — — — Allocation of undistributed income 34,633 1,008 21,196 617 Net income $ 34,633 1,008 21,196 617 Denominator: Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares 3,436 200 3,436 200 Effect of dilutive stock options — — — — Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions 3,436 200 3,436 200 Basic Earnings Per Share $ 10.08 5.04 6.17 3.08 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 10.08 5.04 6.17 3.08 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Class A Class B Class A Class B (In thousands except per share amounts) Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share: Net income $ 94,982 70,834 Dividends - Class A shares — — Dividends - Class B shares — — Undistributed income $ 94,982 70,834 Allocation of net income: Dividends $ — — — — Allocation of undistributed income 92,296 2,686 68,831 2,003 Net income $ 92,296 2,686 68,831 2,003 Denominator: Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares 3,436 200 3,436 200 Effect of dilutive stock options — — — — Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions 3,436 200 3,436 200 Basic Earnings Per Share $ 26.86 13.43 20.03 10.02 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 26.86 13.43 20.03 10.02

Pension and Other Postretiremen

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS (A) Defined Benefit Pension Plans National Western sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering employees enrolled prior to 2008. The plan provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The company makes annual contributions to the plan that comply with the minimum funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). On October 19, 2007, National Western's Board of Directors approved an amendment to freeze the pension plan as of December 31, 2007. The freeze ceased future benefit accruals to all participants and closed the plan to any new participants. In addition, all participants became immediately 100% vested in their accrued benefits as of that date. As participants are no longer earning a credit for service, future qualified defined benefit plan expense is projected to be minimal. Fair values of plan assets and liabilities are measured as of the prior December 31 for each year. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Service cost $ 28 27 84 81 Interest cost 225 240 675 718 Expected return on plan assets (325 ) (306 ) (975 ) (920 ) Amortization of prior service cost — — — — Amortization of net loss 131 159 393 477 Net periodic benefit cost $ 59 120 177 356 The service cost shown above for each period represents plan expenses expected to be paid out of plan assets. Under the clarified rules of the Pension Protection Act, plan expenses paid from plan assets are to be included in the plan's service cost component. The company's minimum required contribution for the 2018 plan year is $0.1 million . There was no remaining contribution payable for the 2017 plan year as of September 30, 2018 . As of September 30, 2018 , the company had $0.1 million contributions to the plan for the 2018 plan year. National Western also sponsors three non-qualified defined benefit pension plans. The first plan covers certain senior officers and provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The primary pension obligations and administrative responsibilities of the plan are maintained by a pension administration firm, which is a subsidiary of American National Insurance Company ("ANICO"), a related party. ANICO has guaranteed the payment of pension obligations under the plan. However, the company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan should these entities be unable to meet their obligations under the existing agreements. Also, the company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan in the event that a plan participant continues employment with National Western beyond age seventy, the aggregate average annual participant salary increases exceed 10% per year, or any additional employees become eligible to participate in the plan. If any of these conditions are met, the company would be responsible for any additional pension obligations resulting from these items. Amendments were made to the plan to allow an additional employee to participate and to change the benefit formula for the then Chairman of the company. As previously mentioned, these additional obligations are a liability to the company. Effective December 31, 2004, this plan was frozen with respect to the continued accrual of benefits of the then Chairman and the then President of the company in order to comply with law changes under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("Act"). Effective July 1, 2005, National Western established a second non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the then Chairman of the company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that mirror and supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the previously discussed non-qualified plan, while complying with the requirements of the Act. Effective November 1, 2005, National Western established a third non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the then President of the company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the first non-qualified plan as previously discussed, while complying with the requirements of the Act. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs for the non-qualified defined benefit plans. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Service cost $ 90 204 270 612 Interest cost 213 347 639 1,041 Amortization of prior service cost 15 15 45 45 Amortization of net loss 176 818 528 2,455 Net periodic benefit cost $ 494 1,384 1,482 4,153 The company expects to contribute $2.0 million to these plans in 2018 . As of September 30, 2018 , the company has contributed $1.6 million to the plans. (B) Postretirement Employment Plans Other Than Pension National Western sponsors two healthcare plans that were amended in 2004 to provide postretirement benefits to certain fully-vested individuals. The plan is unfunded. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Interest cost $ 40 35 120 104 Amortization of prior service cost 26 25 78 77 Amortization of net loss 38 10 113 31 Net periodic benefit cost $ 104 70 311 212 The company expects to contribute minimal amounts to the plan in 2018 .

Segment and Other Operating Inf

Segment and Other Operating Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment and Other Operating Information	SEGMENT AND OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION The Company defines its reportable operating segments as domestic life insurance, international life insurance, and annuities. These segments are organized based on product types and geographic marketing areas. As disclosed in the Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, National Western discontinued accepting applications for the company's international products from foreign residents in May 2018. A summary of segment information as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet items and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 for the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings is provided below. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items: September 30, 2018 Domestic International Annuities All Totals (In thousands) Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements $ 117,900 241,823 620,366 — 980,089 Total segment assets 1,217,781 1,227,365 8,922,137 365,195 11,732,478 Future policy benefits 1,045,922 918,658 7,970,775 — 9,935,355 Other policyholder liabilities 14,556 21,898 93,075 — 129,529 December 31, 2017 Domestic International Annuities All Totals (In thousands) Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements $ 101,253 250,128 603,700 — 955,081 Total segment assets 1,106,410 1,236,733 9,269,956 398,597 12,011,696 Future policy benefits 950,884 915,384 8,232,216 — 10,098,484 Other policyholder liabilities 13,643 11,318 103,048 — 128,009 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 10,060 26,839 5,597 — 42,496 Net investment income 26,912 19,731 123,525 5,385 175,553 Other revenues 11 5 11 5,084 5,111 Total revenues 36,983 46,575 129,133 10,469 223,160 Life and other policy benefits 5,839 6,609 (6,704 ) — 5,744 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 2,978 6,307 17,490 — 26,775 Universal life and annuity contract interest 22,355 30,596 71,194 — 124,145 Other operating expenses 5,215 4,982 8,719 5,121 24,037 Federal income taxes (benefit) 122 (322 ) 7,714 1,101 8,615 Total expenses 36,509 48,172 98,413 6,222 189,316 Segment earnings (loss) $ 474 (1,597 ) 30,720 4,247 33,844 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 29,775 82,218 18,042 — 130,035 Net investment income 41,131 32,305 263,983 20,681 358,100 Other revenues 12 39 48 15,297 15,396 Total revenues 70,918 114,562 282,073 35,978 503,531 Life and other policy benefits 15,751 16,872 11,984 — 44,607 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 8,362 21,023 60,688 — 90,073 Universal life and annuity contract interest 29,401 37,046 116,869 — 183,316 Other operating expenses 15,368 15,991 25,741 15,367 72,467 Federal income taxes (benefit) 405 4,701 13,290 4,100 22,496 Total expenses 69,287 95,633 228,572 19,467 412,959 Segment earnings (loss) $ 1,631 18,929 53,501 16,511 90,572 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 9,907 30,353 5,293 — 45,553 Net investment income 17,385 15,711 114,123 4,472 151,691 Other revenues 11 26 26 4,609 4,672 Total revenues 27,303 46,090 119,442 9,081 201,916 Life and other policy benefits 3,483 8,437 9,095 — 21,015 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 2,517 (21,585 ) 37,790 — 18,722 Universal life and annuity contract interest 14,119 9,112 84,568 — 107,799 Other operating expenses 4,086 5,661 8,714 4,135 22,596 Federal income taxes (benefit) 1,061 15,473 (7,007 ) 1,792 11,319 Total expenses 25,266 17,098 133,160 5,927 181,451 Segment earnings (loss) $ 2,037 28,992 (13,718 ) 3,154 20,465 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 27,822 91,563 16,583 — 135,968 Net investment income 51,998 48,581 346,031 19,435 466,045 Other revenues 30 73 90 13,521 13,714 Total revenues 79,850 140,217 362,704 32,956 615,727 Life and other policy benefits 13,850 19,399 25,377 — 58,626 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 8,300 (7,874 ) 85,566 — 85,992 Universal life and annuity contract interest 41,576 36,871 221,415 — 299,862 Other operating expenses 13,975 18,846 28,588 12,622 74,031 Federal income taxes (benefit) 740 25,125 605 7,001 33,471 Total expenses 78,441 92,367 361,551 19,623 551,982 Segment earnings (loss) $ 1,409 47,850 1,153 13,333 63,745 Reconciliations of segment information to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are provided below. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Premiums and Other Revenues : Premiums and contract revenues $ 42,496 45,553 130,035 135,968 Net investment income 175,553 151,691 358,100 466,045 Other revenues 5,111 4,672 15,396 13,714 Realized gains (losses) on investments 2,275 2,074 5,582 10,906 Total condensed consolidated premiums and other revenues $ 225,435 203,990 509,113 626,633 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Federal Income Taxes : Total segment Federal income taxes $ 8,615 11,319 22,496 33,471 Taxes on realized gains (losses) on investments 478 726 1,172 3,817 Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes $ 9,093 12,045 23,668 37,288 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net Earnings : Total segment earnings $ 33,844 20,465 90,572 63,745 Realized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes 1,797 1,348 4,410 7,089 Total condensed consolidated net earnings $ 35,641 21,813 94,982 70,834 September 30, December 31, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Assets : Total segment assets $ 11,732,478 12,011,696 Other unallocated assets 359,362 213,398 Total condensed consolidated assets $ 12,091,840 12,225,094

Share-Based Payments

Share-Based Payments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-Based Payments	SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS The Company had a stock and incentive plan ("1995 Plan") which provided for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards to eligible employees: (1) stock options, including incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options; (2) stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), in tandem with stock options or freestanding; (3) restricted stock or restricted stock units; and, (4) performance awards. The 1995 Plan began on April 21, 1995, and was amended on June 25, 2004 to extend the termination date to April 20, 2010. The number of shares of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stock which were allowed to be issued under the 1995 Plan, or as to which SARs or other awards were allowed to be granted, could not exceed 300,000 . Effective June 20, 2008, the Company's shareholders approved a 2008 Incentive Plan (“2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan is substantially similar to the 1995 Plan and authorized an additional number of Class A common stock shares eligible for issue not to exceed 300,000 . These plans were assumed by NWLGI from National Western pursuant to the terms of the holding company reorganization in 2015. On June 15, 2016, stockholders of NWLGI approved the Incentive Plan, which is a stock and incentive plan essentially similar to the 2008 Plan. The Incentive Plan includes additional provisions, most notably regarding the definition of performance objectives which could be used in the issuance of the fourth type of award noted above (performance awards). All of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the current Incentive Plan. In addition, directors of the Company are eligible to receive the same types of awards as employees except that they are not eligible to receive incentive stock options. Company directors, including members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, are eligible for nondiscretionary stock options. All stock options granted were under the 1995 Plan and 2008 Plan. Employee stock options and SARs granted prior to 2016 vest 20% annually following three years of service following the grant date. Employee SARs granted 2016 forward vest 33.3% annually following one year of service from the date of the grant. Directors' stock options and SARs grants vest 20% annually following one year of service from the date of grant. Effective during March 2006, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program with respect to the 1995 Plan which provides stock option holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company. Option holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election. The buy-back program did not alter the terms and conditions of the 1995 Plan; however, the program necessitated a change in accounting from the equity classification to the liability classification. In August 2008, the Company implemented another limited stock buy-back program, substantially similar to the 2006 program, for shares issued under the 2008 Plan. These plans were assumed as well by NWLGI from National Western pursuant to the terms of the holding company reorganization. The Incentive Plan allows for certain other share or unit awards which are solely paid out in cash based on the value of the Company's shares, or changes therein, as well as the financial performance of the Company under pre-determined target performance metrics. Certain awards, such as restricted stock units ("RSUs") provide solely for cash settlement based upon the market price of the Company's Class A common shares, often referred to as "phantom stock-based awards". Unlike share-settled awards, which have a fixed grant-date fair value, the fair value of unsettled or unvested liability awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period based on the change in fair value of a share. The liability and corresponding expense are adjusted accordingly until the award is settled. For employees, the vesting period for RSUs is 100% at the end of three years from the grant date. The RSUs are payable in cash at the vesting date equal to the closing price of the Company's Class A common shares at that time. Other awards may involve performance share units ("PSUs") which are units granted at a specified dollar amount per unit, typically linked to the Company's Class A common share price, that are subsequently multiplied by an attained performance factor to derive the number of PSUs to be paid as cash compensation at the vesting date. PSUs also vest three years from the date of grant. For PSUs, the performance period begins the first day of the calendar year in which the PSUs are granted and runs three calendar years. At that time, the three-year performance outcome will be measured against the pre-defined target amounts to determine the number of PSUs earned as compensation. Directors of the Company are eligible to receive RSUs under the Incentive Plan. Unlike RSUs granted to officers, the RSUs granted to directors vest one year from the date of grant. They are payable in cash at the vesting date equal to the closing price of the Company's Class A common shares at that time. The following table shows all grants issued to officers and directors for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . These grants were made based upon closing market price per Class A common share at the time of the grant. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Officer Director Officer Director SARs — — — — RSUs — — — — PSUs — — — — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Officer Director Officer Director SARs — — 11,715 — RSUs — — 2,725 1,660 PSUs — — 4,526 — The Company uses the current fair value method to measure compensation cost for awards granted under the share-based plans. As of September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the liability balance was $15.5 million and $16.6 million , respectively. A summary of awards by type and related activity is detailed below. Options Outstanding Shares Available For Grant Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Stock Options: Balance at January 1, 2018 291,000 18,018 $ 242.07 Exercised — (18,018 ) $ 242.07 Forfeited — — $ — Expired — — $ — Stock options granted — — $ — Balance at September 30, 2018 291,000 — $ — Liability Awards SAR RSU PSU Other Share/Unit Awards: Balance at January 1, 2018 92,667 11,721 14,052 Exercised (2,984 ) (1,494 ) — Forfeited (1,780 ) (556 ) — Granted — — — Balance at September 30, 2018 87,903 9,671 14,052 Stock options, SARs, and RSUs shown as forfeited in the above tables represent vested and unvested awards not exercised by plan participants prior to their termination from the Company. Forfeited stock options, if any, are not shown as being added back to the "Shares Available For Grant" balance as they were awarded under the 1995 Plan which was terminated during calendar year 2010. The total intrinsic value of share-based compensation exercised was $2.2 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The total share-based compensation paid was $2.2 million and $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The total fair value of stock options and SARs vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $0.8 million and $0.6 million , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 , the total cash received from the exercise of stock options under the Plans was $0.0 million and $0.0 million , respectively. The following table summarizes information about SARs outstanding at September 30, 2018 . There were no options outstanding as of September 30, 2018. SARs Outstanding Number Outstanding Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Number Exercisable Exercise prices: 114.64 (SARs) 10,500 0.4 years 10,500 132.56 (SARs) 19,818 3.2 years 15,915 210.22 (SARs) 25,300 5.2 years 10,800 216.48 (SARs) 11,649 7.4 years 7,589 311.16 (SARs) 10,427 8.4 years 3,444 310.55 (SARs) 203 8.6 years 67 334.34 (SARs) 10,006 9.2 years — Totals 87,903 48,315 Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) $ 9,886 $ 7,103 The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above is based on the closing Class A stock price of $ 319.20 per share on September 30, 2018 . The SARs shown above with exercise price of $114.64 have a remaining contractual life of less than one year. The holders for this grant have until the end of the contractual life of February 19, 2019 to exercise these holdings or otherwise forfeit the grants held. In estimating the fair value of the share-based awards outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company employed the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions detailed below. September 30, December 31, Expected term 0.4 to 9.2 years 0.3 to 10.0 years Expected volatility weighted-average 21.55 % 21.55 % Expected dividend yield 0.11 % 0.11 % Risk-free rate weighted-average 2.63 % 1.82 % The Company reviewed the contractual term relative to the options as well as perceived future behavior patterns of exercise. Volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility over the expected term of the option/SARs expected exercise date. The pre-tax compensation cost/(benefit) recognized in the financial statements related to these plans was $1.7 million and $2.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $1.3 million and $5.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The related tax expense/(benefit) recognized was $(0.4) million and $(0.5) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $(0.5) million and $(2.0) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018 , the total compensation cost related to non-vested share-based awards not yet recognized was $4.0 million . This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years . The Company recognizes compensation cost over the graded vesting periods.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (A) Legal Proceedings In the normal course of business, the Company is involved or may become involved in various legal actions in which claims for alleged economic and punitive damages have been or may be asserted, some for substantial amounts. In recent years, carriers offering life insurance and annuity products have faced litigation, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper product design, improper sales practices, and similar claims. Given the uncertainty involved in these types of actions, the ability to make a reliable evaluation of the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or an estimate of the amount of or range of potential loss is endemic to the particular circumstances and evolving developments of each individual matter on its own merits. National Western was the named defendant in the case of Damaris Maldonado Vinas, et al. vs. National Western Life Insurance , in which the plaintiffs, after National Western had paid the death benefits to the beneficiary (Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez) upon the annuitant’s (Carlos Iglesias-Alvarez) death, sought to annul two annuity policies issued by National Western at the behest of Carlos Iglesias-Alvarez and which named Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez as their beneficiary. On March 31, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (the “Court”) issued its Opinion and Order on the pending Motions for Summary Judgment submitted by the parties, and therein denied National Western’s motion and granted plaintiffs’ motion voiding the two annuities and requesting a refund of the premiums paid ( $2.9 million ). National Western vigorously defended the case and believes that the Court’s Opinion and Order is contrary to applicable law. As such, National Western filed a Motion for Reconsideration of Opinion and Order and Corresponding Judgment with the Court on April 27, 2016, which the Court denied on May 5, 2016. National Western filed a Notice of Appeal on June 10, 2016, filed its Appeal Brief on September 12, 2016, and oral arguments with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit were held on March 9, 2017. On June 29, 2017, the Court of Appeals vacated the district court's judgment and remanded to the district court to determine whether it is nevertheless equitable for the case to proceed without Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez. Plaintiffs filed a Motion in Support of Determination in Equity and Good Conscience That Action Should Proceed Among Existing Parties Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 19(B) on September 14, 2017, and National Western filed its Opposition to Plaintiffs' Motion on October 27, 2017. On April 2, 2018 the Court asked the parties for additional briefing regarding the Court's jurisdiction over Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez, which the parties filed on April 30, 2018. On May 14, 2018, National Western filed its Opposition to Plaintiffs' Brief. Plaintiffs filed a Motion to Strike on May 22, 2018, which National Western opposed on June 4, 2018. On August 6, 2018, the Court issued an Opinion and Order dismissing plaintiffs’ case without prejudice and plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals on September 4, 2018. The company continues to hold an accrual of $2.9 million for this matter as of September 30, 2018. On September 28, 2017, a purported shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the 122nd District Court of Galveston County, State of Texas entitled Robert L. Moody, Jr. derivatively on behalf of National Western Life Insurance Company and National Western Life Group, Inc. v. Ross Rankin Moody, et al., naming certain current and former directors and current officers as defendants. The complaint challenges the directors’ oversight of insurance sales to non-U.S. residents and alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties in the conduct of their duties as board members by failing to act (i) on an informed basis and (ii) in good faith or with the honest belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Company. The complaint seeks an undetermined amount of damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and equitable relief, including the removal of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and other board members and/or officers of the Company. The Company believes that the claims in the complaint are baseless and without merit, will vigorously defend this lawsuit, and will seek reimbursement of all legal costs and expenses from plaintiff. The Company believes, based on information currently available, that the final outcome of this lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, or consolidated financial position. The companies and directors filed their respective Pleas to the Jurisdiction ("Pleas") contesting the plaintiff's standing to even pursue this action, along with their Answers, on October 27, 2017. On December 14, 2017, plaintiff filed a Response to the Pleas and on December 21, 2017, the Court heard oral argument on the Pleas. Plaintiff then filed a First Amended Petition on January 11, 2018. The companies and directors filed a Supplement to the Pleas on January 30, 2018, to which plaintiff responded on February 1, 2018, and the companies and directors replied on February 9, 2018. On May 3, 2018, the Court issued a memorandum to all attorneys of record stating that the Court will grant the defendants' Pleas and asking the attorney for defendants to prepare and submit proposed orders/judgments granting the requested relief for consideration by the Court. The defendants filed such proposed order granting the Pleas on May 7, 2018. On May 16, 2018 the Court issued an Order granting the Pleas and dismissing Robert L. Moody, Jr.’s claims with prejudice, and plaintiff then filed a Motion to Transfer Venue (“MTTV”). Defendants filed an Application for Fees, seeking to recover defendants’ legal costs and expenses from plaintiff, and a Response to the MTTV on June 8, 2018. In response plaintiff filed a Motion to Vacate, a Response to the Application for Fees, and their own Request for Attorney’s Fees on July 5, 2018. Defendants filed a Response to the Motion to Vacate and to plaintiff’s Request for Attorney’s Fees on July 11, 2018, and the Court heard oral arguments on July 16, 2018. Plaintiff filed supplemental briefing in support of their July 5, 2018 filings on July 25, 2018, and defendants filed their response to plaintiff's supplemental briefing on July 27, 2018. On August 8, 2018 the Court issued an Order denying plaintiff's Motion to Vacate. Pursuant to the Court’s instructions, on October 5, 2018, defendants filed an Order Granting Application for Expenses. Defendants then filed a Motion for Entry of Final Judgment and a Request for Submission Date on Motion for Entry of Final Judgment on October 11, 2018, which the Court set as October 30, 2018. Plaintiff filed his Objection to Proposed Final Judgment and Objection to Proposed Order on Attorneys’ Fees on October 25, 2018, to which defendants filed a response on October 30, 2018. Although there can be no assurances, at the present time, the Company does not anticipate that the ultimate liability arising from such other potential, pending, or threatened legal actions will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operating results of the Company. Separately, Brazilian authorities commenced an investigation into possible violations of Brazilian criminal law in connection with the issuance of National Western insurance policies to Brazilian residents, and in assistance of such investigation a Commissioner appointed by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas issued a subpoena in March of 2015 upon the company to provide information relating to such possible violations. No conclusion can be drawn at this time as to its outcome or how such outcome may impact the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition. National Western has been cooperating with the relevant governmental authorities in regard to this matter. (B) Financial Instruments In order to meet the financing needs of its customers in the normal course of business, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments are commitments to extend credit which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amounts, assuming that the amounts are fully advanced and that collateral or other security is of no value. Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to a customer that generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Commitments do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements, as some could expire without being drawn upon. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The Company controls the credit risk of these transactions through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures. The Company had $4.3 million commitments to fund new loans and $6.2 million in commitments to extend credit relating to existing loans at September 30, 2018 . The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	INVESTMENTS (A) Investment Gains and Losses The table below presents realized investment gains and losses, excluding impairment losses, for the periods indicated. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Available for sale debt securities: Realized gains on disposal $ 1,191 1,529 3,212 4,137 Realized losses on disposal (6 ) — (6 ) — Held to maturity debt securities: Realized gains on disposal 1,090 555 2,395 4,059 Realized losses on disposal — — (19 ) (34 ) Equity securities realized gains (losses) — (10 ) — 87 Real estate gains (losses) — — — 2,657 Totals $ 2,275 2,074 5,582 10,906 Disposals in the held to maturity category during the periods shown primarily represent calls initiated by the credit issuer of the debt security. It is the Company's policy to initiate disposals of debt securities in the held to maturity category only in instances in which the credit status of the issuer comes into question and the realization of all or a significant portion of the investment principal of the holding is deemed to be in jeopardy. The Company uses the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 the percentage of gains on bonds due to the call of securities was 97.3% and 100.0% , respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 the percentage of gains on bonds due to the call of securities was 98.7% and 88.0% , respectively. This includes calls out of the Company's available for sale portfolio of debt securities. The table below presents net impairment losses recognized in earnings for the periods indicated. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Total other-than-temporary impairment gains (losses) on debt securities $ 3 26 9 69 Portion of loss (gain) recognized in comprehensive income (3 ) (26 ) (9 ) (69 ) Net impairment losses on debt securities recognized in earnings — — — — Equity securities impairments — — — — Totals $ — — — — The table below presents a roll forward of credit losses on securities for which the Company also recorded non-credit other-than-temporary impairments in other comprehensive loss. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Year Ended (In thousands) Beginning balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments $ 627 627 1,440 Reductions for securities sold during current period — — (813 ) Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in other-than-temporary impairments — — — Ending balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments $ 627 627 627 (B) Debt Securities The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of debt securities held to maturity at September 30, 2018 . Debt Securities Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 1,341 113 — 1,454 States and political subdivisions 457,379 8,136 (5,147 ) 460,368 Public utilities 964,889 5,251 (16,305 ) 953,835 Corporate 4,655,058 26,262 (92,282 ) 4,589,038 Residential mortgage-backed 1,198,121 8,228 (28,752 ) 1,177,597 Home equity 3,496 53 (9 ) 3,540 Manufactured housing 747 52 — 799 Totals $ 7,281,031 48,095 (142,495 ) 7,186,631 The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of debt securities available for sale at September 30, 2018 . As indicated in Note (2) New Accounting Pronouncements, effective January 1, 2018, equity securities are no longer included in the Securities Available for Sale category. Debt Securities Available for Sale Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 571 5 — 576 Foreign governments 9,971 36 — 10,007 Public utilities 84,947 1,119 (609 ) 85,457 Corporate 2,895,100 17,156 (66,875 ) 2,845,381 Residential mortgage-backed 16,854 836 (59 ) 17,631 Home equity 6,446 290 — 6,736 Totals $ 3,013,889 19,442 (67,543 ) 2,965,788 The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2017 . Securities Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 1,337 177 — 1,514 States and political subdivisions 467,437 21,907 (100 ) 489,244 Public utilities 1,062,545 30,527 (894 ) 1,092,178 Corporate 4,430,099 121,978 (7,876 ) 4,544,201 Residential mortgage-backed 1,280,307 27,445 (6,216 ) 1,301,536 Home equity 4,262 57 (4 ) 4,315 Manufactured housing 1,037 79 — 1,116 Totals $ 7,247,024 202,170 (15,090 ) 7,434,104 The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2017 . Securities Available for Sale Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 575 — (29 ) 546 Foreign governments 9,964 326 — 10,290 Public utilities 83,466 3,640 — 87,106 Corporate 2,842,381 81,737 (10,744 ) 2,913,374 Residential mortgage-backed 20,246 1,376 (52 ) 21,570 Home equity 7,878 367 — 8,245 Manufactured housing — — — — 2,964,510 87,446 (10,825 ) 3,041,131 Equity securities 12,890 5,708 (120 ) 18,478 Totals $ 2,977,400 93,154 (10,945 ) 3,059,609 The Company does not consider securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired when the market decline is attributable to factors such as market volatility, liquidity, spread widening and credit quality where it is anticipated that a recovery of all amounts due under the contractual terms of the security will occur and the Company has the intent and ability to hold until recovery or maturity. Based on its review, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2018 . The Company will monitor the investment portfolio for future changes in issuer facts and circumstances that could result in future impairments beyond those currently identified. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company recorded no other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities. Unrealized losses for debt securities held to maturity and debt securities available for sale increased during the first nine months of 2018 primarily due to the upward movement in market interest rates during this period (which decreases the market price of debt securities). The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity debt securities by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2018 . Debt Securities Held to Maturity Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 113,773 (4,819 ) 6,297 (328 ) 120,070 (5,147 ) Public utilities 530,455 (13,676 ) 39,437 (2,629 ) 569,892 (16,305 ) Corporate 2,499,421 (65,166 ) 471,244 (27,116 ) 2,970,665 (92,282 ) Residential mortgage-backed 649,298 (14,345 ) 215,053 (14,407 ) 864,351 (28,752 ) Home equity — — 2,218 (9 ) 2,218 (9 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 3,792,947 (98,006 ) 734,249 (44,489 ) 4,527,196 (142,495 ) The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale debt securities by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2018 . Debt Securities Available for Sale Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ — — — — — — Public utilities 38,807 (609 ) — — 38,807 (609 ) Corporate 1,570,824 (42,632 ) 357,876 (24,243 ) 1,928,700 (66,875 ) Residential mortgage-backed — — 933 (59 ) 933 (59 ) Home equity — — — — — — Total temporarily impaired securities $ 1,609,631 (43,241 ) 358,809 (24,302 ) 1,968,440 (67,543 ) The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 . Securities Held to Maturity Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 6,308 (14 ) 4,869 (86 ) 11,177 (100 ) Public utilities 68,368 (407 ) 34,091 (487 ) 102,459 (894 ) Corporate 248,844 (1,296 ) 431,591 (6,580 ) 680,435 (7,876 ) Residential mortgage-backed 130,015 (738 ) 192,399 (5,478 ) 322,414 (6,216 ) Home equity 2,830 (4 ) — — 2,830 (4 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 456,365 (2,459 ) 662,950 (12,631 ) 1,119,315 (15,090 ) The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale investments by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 . Securities Available for Sale Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 546 (29 ) — — 546 (29 ) Corporate 201,575 (1,134 ) 296,845 (9,610 ) 498,420 (10,744 ) Residential mortgage-backed 1,325 (14 ) 1,085 (38 ) 2,410 (52 ) Home equity 1,653 — — — 1,653 — 205,099 (1,177 ) 297,930 (9,648 ) 503,029 (10,825 ) Equity securities 1,246 (77 ) 289 (43 ) 1,535 (120 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 206,345 (1,254 ) 298,219 (9,691 ) 504,564 (10,945 ) Debt securities. The gross unrealized losses for debt securities are made up of 723 individual issues, or 55.8% of the total debt securities held by the Company at September 30, 2018 . The market value of these bonds as a percent of amortized cost approximates 96.9% . Of the 723 securities, 142 , or 19.6% , fall in the 12 months or greater aging category; and 714 were rated investment grade at September 30, 2018 . The amortized cost and fair value of investments in debt securities at September 30, 2018 , by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Debt Securities Available for Sale Debt Securities Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value (In thousands) Due in 1 year or less $ 103,995 106,063 326,104 331,101 Due after 1 year through 5 years 1,137,368 1,141,487 2,729,171 2,727,219 Due after 5 years through 10 years 1,663,318 1,609,872 2,646,213 2,570,349 Due after 10 years 85,909 83,999 377,179 376,026 2,990,590 2,941,421 6,078,667 6,004,695 Mortgage and asset-backed securities 23,299 24,367 1,202,364 1,181,936 Total $ 3,013,889 2,965,788 7,281,031 7,186,631 (C) Transfer of Securities During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 the Company made no transfers from the held to maturity category to securities available for sale. (D) Mortgage Loans and Real Estate A financing receivable is a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in a company's statement of financial position. The Company's mortgage, participation and mezzanine loans on real estate are the only financing receivables included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Credit and default risk is minimized through strict underwriting guidelines and diversification of underlying property types and geographic locations. In addition to being secured by the property, mortgage loans with leases on the underlying property are often guaranteed by the lease payments and also by the borrower. This approach has proved to result in quality mortgage loans with few defaults. Mortgage loan interest income is recognized on an accrual basis with any premium or discount amortized over the life of the loan. Prepayment and late fees are recorded on the date of collection. Loans in foreclosure, loans considered impaired or loans past due 90 days or more are placed on a non-accrual status. If a mortgage loan is determined to be on non-accrual status, the mortgage loan does not accrue any revenue into the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The loan is independently monitored and evaluated as to potential impairment or foreclosure. If delinquent payments are made and the loan is brought current, then the Company returns the loan to active status and accrues income accordingly. The Company had no mortgage loans past due 90 days or more at September 30, 2018 or 2017 and as a result all interest income was recognized at September 30, 2018 and 2017 . The following table represents the mortgage loan portfolio by loan-to-value ratio. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Amount % Amount % (In thousands) (In thousands) Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio (1): Less than 50% $ 67,837 33.7 $ 82,224 39.4 50% to 60% 23,666 11.7 27,395 13.1 60% to 70% 97,899 48.6 86,849 41.6 70% to 80% 6,716 3.3 — — 80% to 90% 5,408 2.7 6,929 3.3 Greater than 90% — — 5,502 2.6 Gross balance 201,526 100.0 208,899 100.0 Allowance for possible losses (650 ) (0.3 ) (650 ) (0.3 ) Totals $ 200,876 99.7 $ 208,249 99.7 (1) Loan-to-Value Ratio is determined using the most recent appraised value. Appraisals are required at the time of funding and may be updated if a material change occurs from the original loan agreement. All mortgage loans are analyzed quarterly in order to monitor the financial quality of these assets. Based on ongoing monitoring, mortgage loans with a likelihood of becoming delinquent are identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that may indicate a potential problem include: major tenant vacancies or bankruptcies, late payments, and loan relief/restructuring requests. The mortgage loan portfolio is analyzed for the need for a valuation allowance on any loan that is on the internal watch list, in the process of foreclosure or that currently has a valuation allowance. Mortgage loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When it is determined that a loan is impaired, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value is typically based on the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Impairments and changes in the valuation allowance are reported in net realized investment gains (losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The following table represents the mortgage loan allowance for the periods shown. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 650 650 Provision — — Releases — — Balance, end of period $ 650 650 The Company's direct investments in real estate are not a significant portion of its total investment portfolio and totaled approximately $36.8 million and $37.4 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The Company recognized operating income on real estate properties of approximately $1.7 million and $2.1 million for the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Fair Values of Financial Instru

Fair Values of Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Values of Financial Instruments	FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS For financial instruments, the FASB provides guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. In compliance with this GAAP guidance, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three level hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities ("Level 1") and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs ("Level 3"). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows: Level 1: Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Company for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available. The Company's Level 1 assets are equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets. Level 2: Fair value is based upon significant inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data as of the reporting date. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable and other observable inputs. The Company’s Level 2 assets include fixed maturity debt securities (corporate and private bonds, government or agency securities, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities). Valuations are generally obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or determined through use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs. Level 3: Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs which reflect the entity’s or third party pricing service’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company’s Level 3 assets are over-the-counter derivative contracts and the Company’s Level 3 liabilities consist of share-based compensation obligations and certain product-related embedded derivatives. Valuations are estimated based on non-binding broker prices or internally developed valuation models or methodologies, discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques. The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the date indicated: September 30, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale $ 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Equity securities 19,661 19,661 — — Derivatives, index options 136,435 — — 136,435 Total assets $ 3,121,884 19,661 2,965,788 136,435 Policyholder account balances (a) $ 147,357 — — 147,357 Other liabilities (b) 15,479 — — 15,479 Total liabilities $ 162,836 — — 162,836 During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company made no transfers into or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3. December 31, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale $ 3,041,131 — 3,041,131 — Equity securities, available for sale 18,478 18,478 — — Derivatives, index options 194,731 — — 194,731 Total assets $ 3,254,340 18,478 3,041,131 194,731 Policyholder account balances (a) $ 211,159 — — 211,159 Other liabilities (b) 15,242 — — 15,242 Total liabilities $ 226,401 — — 226,401 (a) Represents the fair value of certain product-related embedded derivatives that were recorded at fair value. (b) Represents the liability for share-based compensation. The following tables present, by pricing source and fair value hierarchy level, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: September 30, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale: Priced by third-party vendors $ 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Equity securities: Priced by third-party vendors 19,661 19,661 — — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 19,661 19,661 — — Derivatives, index options: Priced by third-party vendors 136,435 — — 136,435 Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 136,435 — — 136,435 Total $ 3,121,884 19,661 2,965,788 136,435 Percent of total 100.0 % 0.6 % 95.0 % 4.4 % December 31, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale: Priced by third-party vendors $ 3,041,131 — 3,041,131 — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 3,041,131 — 3,041,131 — Equity securities, available for sale: Priced by third-party vendors 18,478 18,478 — — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 18,478 18,478 — — Derivatives, index options: Priced by third-party vendors 194,731 — — 194,731 Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 194,731 — — 194,731 Total $ 3,254,340 18,478 3,041,131 194,731 Percent of total 100.0 % 0.6 % 93.4 % 6.0 % The following tables provide additional information about fair value measurements for which significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs were utilized to determine fair value. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Balance at July 1, 2018 $ — — 102,007 102,007 133,013 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 69,683 69,683 65,316 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 19,026 19,026 19,026 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — — Settlements — — (54,281 ) (54,281 ) (54,519 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 136,435 136,435 162,836 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 65,927 65,927 — Benefits and expenses — — — — 67,640 Total $ — — 65,927 65,927 67,640 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities, Available for Sale Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Balance at July 1, 2017 $ — — 149,341 149,341 173,356 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 45,130 45,130 48,927 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 19,847 19,847 19,847 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — 531 Settlements — — (50,782 ) (50,782 ) (50,799 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 163,536 163,536 191,862 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 16,436 16,436 — Benefits and expenses — — — — 17,195 Total $ — — 16,436 16,436 17,195 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Beginning balance, January 1, 2018 $ — — 194,731 194,731 226,401 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 35,581 35,581 32,496 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 63,303 63,303 63,303 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — — Settlements — — (157,180 ) (157,180 ) (159,364 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 136,435 136,435 162,836 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 42,200 42,200 — Other operating expenses — — — — 44,621 Total $ — — 42,200 42,200 44,621 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities, Available for Sale Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Beginning balance, January 1, 2017 $ — — 120,644 120,644 134,693 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 138,552 138,552 152,569 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 55,226 55,226 55,226 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — 1,275 Settlements — — (150,886 ) (150,886 ) (151,901 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 163,536 163,536 191,862 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 83,540 83,540 — Other operating expenses — — — — 87,894 Total $ — — 83,540 83,540 87,894 The following table presents the valuation method for financial assets and liabilities categorized as level 3, as well as the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of those financial instruments: September 30, 2018 Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (In thousands) Derivatives, index options $ 136,435 Broker prices Implied volatility Inputs from broker proprietary models Total assets $ 136,435 Policyholder account balances $ 147,357 Deterministic cash flow model Projected option cost Other liabilities 15,479 Black-Scholes model Expected term Forfeiture assumptions Total liabilities $ 162,836 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (In thousands) Derivatives, index options $ 194,731 Broker prices Implied volatility Inputs from broker proprietary models Total assets $ 194,731 Policyholder account balances $ 211,159 Deterministic cash flow model Projected option cost Other liabilities 15,242 Black-Scholes model Expected term Forfeiture assumptions Total liabilities $ 226,401 Realized gains (losses) on debt securities are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as net investment gains (losses) with liabilities reported as expenses. Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale debt securities are reported as other comprehensive income (loss) within the stockholders' equity section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Effective January 1, 2018, the change in fair value of equity securities is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings as net investment income. The fair value hierarchy classifications are reviewed each reporting period. Reclassification of certain financial assets and liabilities may result based on changes in the observability of valuation attributes. Reclassifications are reported as transfers into and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur. The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as follows: September 30, 2018 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Values Fair Values Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) ASSETS Debt securities held to maturity $ 7,281,031 7,186,631 — 7,184,713 1,918 Debt securities available for sale 2,965,788 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Cash and cash equivalents 155,381 155,381 155,381 — — Mortgage loans 200,876 200,591 — — 200,591 Policy loans 54,474 87,686 — — 87,686 Other loans 9,053 9,429 — — 9,429 Derivatives, index options 136,435 136,435 — — 136,435 Equity securities 19,661 19,661 19,661 — — Life interest in Trust 8,676 12,775 — — 12,775 LIABILITIES Deferred annuity contracts $ 7,611,248 7,127,224 — — 7,127,224 Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts 415,905 417,079 — — 417,079 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Values Fair Values Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) ASSETS Investments in debt and equity securities: Securities held to maturity $ 7,247,024 7,434,104 — 7,431,810 2,294 Securities available for sale 3,059,609 3,059,609 18,478 3,041,131 — Cash and cash equivalents 217,624 217,624 217,624 — — Mortgage loans 208,249 208,815 — — 208,815 Policy loans 56,405 100,230 — — 100,230 Other loans 5,431 5,603 — — 5,603 Derivatives, index options 194,731 194,731 — — 194,731 Life interest in Trust 8,676 12,775 — — 12,775 LIABILITIES Deferred annuity contracts $ 7,865,786 7,338,637 — — 7,338,637 Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts 430,494 443,437 — — 443,437 Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Derivative Investments

Derivative Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Investments	DERIVATIVE INVESTMENTS Fixed-index products provide traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts with the option to have credited interest rates linked in part to an underlying equity index or a combination of equity indices. The equity return component of such policy contracts is identified separately and accounted for in future policy benefits as embedded derivatives on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under debt instrument type accounting in which future policy benefits are recorded as discounted debt instruments and accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates. The company purchases over-the-counter index options, which are derivative financial instruments, to hedge the equity return component of its fixed-index annuity and life products. The index options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying index or indices. The amounts which may be credited to policyholders are linked, in part, to the returns of the underlying index or indices. As a result, changes to policyholders' liabilities are substantially offset by changes in the value of the options. Cash is exchanged upon purchase of the index options and no principal or interest payments are made by either party during the option periods. Upon maturity or expiration of the options, cash may be paid to the company depending on the performance of the underlying index or indices and terms of the contract. The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to these derivative instruments. The index options are reported at fair value in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The changes in the values of the index options and the changes in the policyholder liabilities are both reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Any changes relative to the embedded derivatives associated with policy contracts are reflected in contract interest in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in values, are reflected as net investment income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Although there is credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the index options, the company does not expect any of its counterparties to fail to meet their obligations, given their high credit ratings. In addition, credit support agreements are in place with all counterparties for option holdings in excess of specific limits, which may further reduce the company's credit exposure. The tables below present the fair value of derivative instruments as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. September 30, 2018 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Equity index options Derivatives, Index Options $ 136,435 Fixed-index products Universal Life and Annuity Contracts $ 147,357 Total $ 136,435 $ 147,357 December 31, 2017 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Equity index options Derivatives, Index Options $ 194,731 Fixed-index products Universal Life and Annuity Contracts $ 211,159 Total $ 194,731 $ 211,159 The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . September 30, September 30, Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (In thousands) Equity index options Net investment income $ 69,683 45,131 Fixed-index products Universal life and annuity contract interest (63,602 ) (48,168 ) $ 6,081 (3,037 ) The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . September 30, September 30, Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (In thousands) Equity index options Net investment income $ 35,581 138,552 Fixed-index products Universal life and annuity contract interest (30,074 ) (148,214 ) $ 5,507 (9,662 )

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On October 4, 2018, NWLGI announced that National Western had entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement to acquire Ozark National Life Insurance Company and its affiliate, N.I.S. Financial Services, Inc. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2019 subject to obtaining the appropriate regulatory approvals. The cash purchase price to be paid by National Western at closing is approximately $203 million in exchange for all of the outstanding stock of the two entities. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date of filing and no other reportable items were identified.

New Accounting Pronouncements (

New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted In August, the FASB issued ASU 2018-12 Financial Services-Insurance (Topic 944) - Targeted Improvements to the Accounting for Long-Duration Contracts. This update aimed at improving the Codification as it relates to long-duration contracts which will improve the timeliness of recognizing changes in the liability for future policy benefits, simplify accounting for certain market-based options, simplify the amortization of deferred acquisition costs, and improve the effectiveness of required disclosures. Amendments include the following: A. Require insurance entity to (1) review and update assumptions used to measure cash flows at least annually (with changes recognized in net income) and (2) update discount rate assumption at each reporting date (with changes recognized in other comprehensive income). B. Require insurance entity to measure all market risk benefits associated with deposit (i.e. account balance) contracts at fair value, with change in fair value attributable to change in instrument-specific credit risk recognized in other comprehensive income. C. Simplify amortization of deferred acquisition costs and other balances amortized in proportion to premiums, gross profits, or gross margins and require those balances be amortized on constant level basis over expected term of related contract. Deferred acquisition costs are required to be written off for unexpected contract terminations but are not subject to impairment test. D. Require insurance entity to add disclosures of disaggregated rollforwards of beginning to ending balances of the liability for future policy benefits, policyholder account balances, market risk benefits, separate account liabilities, and deferred acquisition costs. Insurance entity must also disclose information about significant inputs, judgments, assumptions, and methods used in measurement, including changes in those inputs, judgments, and assumptions, and the effect of those changes on measurement. These update will need to be applied retrospectively to the earliest period presented in the financial statements for periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In August, the FASB issued a new Concepts Statement No. 8 Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting - Chapter 8, Notes to Financial Statements . This was issued as part of a disclosure framework project aimed at improving disclosures in financial statements. This issuance provides conceptual guidance that may be followed when determining items to include as disclosures in the notes to financial statements. In conjunction with this issuance, the FASB also issued two accounting standard updates (“ASU”) which identified a particular FASB Topic and evaluated its disclosures through the new conceptual framework of Concepts Statement No. 8, Chapter 8. This process resulted in the issuance of the following two ASUs. In August, FASB issued ASU 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This update removed disclosures for 1) amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for fair value hierarchy, 2) policy for timing of transfers between levels, 3) valuation process for Level 3 fair value measurements. This update also added disclosure requirement as follows: 1) changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in OCI for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at end of reporting period; 2) range and weighted average (or other reasonable quantitative measurement) of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. In August, FASB issued ASU 2018-14 Compensation-Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20) Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update removed disclosures for 1) amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year, 2) amount and timing of plan assets expected to be returned to the employer, 3) related party disclosures about the amount of future annual benefits covered by insurance and annuity contracts and significant transactions between the employer or related parties and the plan, 4) the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the (a) aggregate of the service and interest cost components of the net periodic benefit costs and (b) benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. This update also added disclosures as follow: 1) weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and other plans with promised crediting rates, 2) explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. Finally, this update clarified that the following information for defined benefit pension plans should be disclosed: 1) projected benefit obligation (PBO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with PBO in excess of plan assets. 2) accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and fair value of plan assets for plans with ABOs in excess of plan assets. In August, the SEC released a final rule updating disclosure requirements, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which resulted in the additional interim disclosure of an analysis of changes in stockholders’ equity to be required for the current and comparative quarter and year-to-date interim periods. Registrants will be required to provide an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders’ equity and noncontrolling interests, which will need to be accompanied by dividends per share and in the aggregate for each class of shares. The disclosure must be presented in the form of a reconciliation, either as a separate statement or in the footnotes. The amendments will be effective for interim periods beginning after November 5, 2018. In June 2016, the FASB released Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses , which revises the credit loss recognition criteria for certain financial assets measured at amortized cost. The new guidance replaces the existing incurred loss recognition model with an expected loss recognition model. The objective of the expected credit loss model is for the reporting entity to recognize its estimate of expected credit losses for affected financial assets in a valuation allowance deducted from the amortized cost basis of the related financial assets that results in presenting the net carrying value of the financial assets at the amount expected to be collected. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and for most affected instruments must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to beginning retained income. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities , which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amortization period for premiums is being shortened to the earliest call date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of the guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In July 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share; Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity; and, Derivatives and Hedging . This update includes: (I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, and (II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest with a Scope Exception. Part I of this update changes the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. Part II of this update recharacterizes the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect a material effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU. In June 2018, the FASB released ASU 2018-07 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting . This update largely aligns the accounting for share-based payment awards issued to employees and nonemployees. Previously, nonemployee stock compensation was accounted for under Subtopic 505-50 but will now fall under Topic 718. Changes to the accounting for nonemployee awards include 1) measurement based on fair value of the equity instrument at grant date, rather than previous requirement to measure based on the more reliable option of the fair value of the consideration or the fair value of the equity instrument, 2) initial measurement at grant date, rather than the earlier of the date at which commitment for performance is reached or performance is complete, and 3) when performance conditions are present, the probability of satisfying performance conditions should be considered in measurement rather than the previous requirement to measure at the lowest aggregate fair value. The amendments in the new guidance are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal period. The Company does not expect a material effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on leasing transactions (ASU 2016-02, Leases - Topic 842 ). The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and requires a modified retrospective transition approach (subject to optional practical expedients). The new guidance requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases would be classified as finance or operating leases and both types of leases will be recognized on the balance sheet. Lessor accounting will remain largely unchanged from current guidance except for certain targeted changes. The new guidance will also require new qualitative and quantitative disclosures. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect a significant impact to the financial statements resulting from this change. Recent accounting pronouncements adopted In January 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2017-07 Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 615): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The new guidance requires that an employer that offers to its employees defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. If a separate line item is not used, the line item used in the income statement to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost must be disclosed. In addition, the guidance allows only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB released ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . The update addresses certain stranded income tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income caused by the Tax Cuts and Job Act ("Tax Act") which was passed in December 2017. Under the new FASB rules, financial statement preparers are provided the option to reclassify stranded tax effects within accumulated other comprehensive income in each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act is recorded. Companies must apply the new guidance for fiscal years, including interim periods within such years, starting after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendments are to be applied in either the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the federal corporate income tax rate from the Tax Act is recognized. The Company's accounting policy for the release of stranded tax effects in AOCI is on an aggregate portfolio basis. The Company elected to adopt the requirements of this update in its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and has reported the resultant reclassification amount, $2.5 million , as a charge to Retained Earnings in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) . The guidance requires companies to recognize revenue that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. As an insurance enterprise, the primary sources of revenue are excluded from this guidance, including insurance premiums, contract charges, and investment revenues. We have certain types of non-insurance and non-investment revenue from contracts with customers that fall under this guidance. These revenues are recognized when obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services. For these revenues, the performance obligation is fulfilled as services are rendered. Revenues from contracts with customers identified under Topic 606 are not material, approximately 2% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017. The guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company. In January 2016, the FASB released ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities . The main provisions of the update eliminate the available for sale classification of accounting for equity securities and to adjust the fair value disclosures for financial instruments carried at amortized costs such that the disclosed fair values represent an exit price as opposed to an entry price. The provisions of this update require that equity securities be carried at fair market value on the balance sheet and any periodic changes in value be recorded as adjustments directly to the income statement. The provisions of this update became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018. The prospective adoption of this update resulted in the reclassification of $4.4 million pertaining to unrealized gains, net of tax, out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Retained Earnings as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, as shown in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity. Equity securities, previously included in Securities Available for Sale are now reported as a separate line item on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The change in fair value of equity securities, previously reported in Other Comprehensive income, is now included in net investment income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. As the Company's equity securities holdings are not significant, the adoption of the requirements of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation . The update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718. An entity shall account for the effects of a modification described in ASC paragraphs 718-20-35-3 through 35-9, unless all the following are met: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The provisions of this update became effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company. Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the AICPA, and the SEC did not, or are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company’s present or future Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidation and Basis of Pr_2

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income	The table below shows the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 . Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Other net investment gains (losses) $ 1,185 1,519 3,206 4,224 Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings — — — — Earnings before Federal income taxes 1,185 1,519 3,206 4,224 Federal income taxes 249 532 673 1,478 Net earnings $ 936 987 2,533 2,746

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of earnings per share	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Class A Class B Class A Class B (In thousands except per share amounts) Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share: Net income $ 35,641 21,813 Dividends - Class A shares — — Dividends - Class B shares — — Undistributed income $ 35,641 21,813 Allocation of net income: Dividends $ — — — — Allocation of undistributed income 34,633 1,008 21,196 617 Net income $ 34,633 1,008 21,196 617 Denominator: Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares 3,436 200 3,436 200 Effect of dilutive stock options — — — — Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions 3,436 200 3,436 200 Basic Earnings Per Share $ 10.08 5.04 6.17 3.08 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 10.08 5.04 6.17 3.08 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 Class A Class B Class A Class B (In thousands except per share amounts) Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share: Net income $ 94,982 70,834 Dividends - Class A shares — — Dividends - Class B shares — — Undistributed income $ 94,982 70,834 Allocation of net income: Dividends $ — — — — Allocation of undistributed income 92,296 2,686 68,831 2,003 Net income $ 92,296 2,686 68,831 2,003 Denominator: Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares 3,436 200 3,436 200 Effect of dilutive stock options — — — — Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions 3,436 200 3,436 200 Basic Earnings Per Share $ 26.86 13.43 20.03 10.02 Diluted Earnings Per Share $ 26.86 13.43 20.03 10.02

Pension and Other Postretirem_2

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Schedule of net periodic benefit costs	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Service cost $ 28 27 84 81 Interest cost 225 240 675 718 Expected return on plan assets (325 ) (306 ) (975 ) (920 ) Amortization of prior service cost — — — — Amortization of net loss 131 159 393 477 Net periodic benefit cost $ 59 120 177 356
Chairman and President Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Schedule of net periodic benefit costs	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs for the non-qualified defined benefit plans. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Service cost $ 90 204 270 612 Interest cost 213 347 639 1,041 Amortization of prior service cost 15 15 45 45 Amortization of net loss 176 818 528 2,455 Net periodic benefit cost $ 494 1,384 1,482 4,153
Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Schedule of net periodic benefit costs	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Interest cost $ 40 35 120 104 Amortization of prior service cost 26 25 78 77 Amortization of net loss 38 10 113 31 Net periodic benefit cost $ 104 70 311 212

Segment and Other Operating I_2

Segment and Other Operating Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of segment information, by quarter	A summary of segment information as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet items and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 for the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings is provided below. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items: September 30, 2018 Domestic International Annuities All Totals (In thousands) Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements $ 117,900 241,823 620,366 — 980,089 Total segment assets 1,217,781 1,227,365 8,922,137 365,195 11,732,478 Future policy benefits 1,045,922 918,658 7,970,775 — 9,935,355 Other policyholder liabilities 14,556 21,898 93,075 — 129,529 December 31, 2017 Domestic International Annuities All Totals (In thousands) Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements $ 101,253 250,128 603,700 — 955,081 Total segment assets 1,106,410 1,236,733 9,269,956 398,597 12,011,696 Future policy benefits 950,884 915,384 8,232,216 — 10,098,484 Other policyholder liabilities 13,643 11,318 103,048 — 128,009 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 10,060 26,839 5,597 — 42,496 Net investment income 26,912 19,731 123,525 5,385 175,553 Other revenues 11 5 11 5,084 5,111 Total revenues 36,983 46,575 129,133 10,469 223,160 Life and other policy benefits 5,839 6,609 (6,704 ) — 5,744 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs 2,978 6,307 17,490 — 26,775 Universal life and annuity contract interest 22,355 30,596 71,194 — 124,145 Other operating expenses 5,215 4,982 8,719 5,121 24,037 Federal income taxes (benefit) 122 (322 ) 7,714 1,101 8,615 Total expenses 36,509 48,172 98,413 6,222 189,316 Segment earnings (loss) $ 474 (1,597 ) 30,720 4,247 33,844 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 29,775 82,218 18,042 — 130,035 Net investment income 41,131 32,305 263,983 20,681 358,100 Other revenues 12 39 48 15,297 15,396 Total revenues 70,918 114,562 282,073 35,978 503,531 Life and other policy benefits 15,751 16,872 11,984 — 44,607 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 8,362 21,023 60,688 — 90,073 Universal life and annuity contract interest 29,401 37,046 116,869 — 183,316 Other operating expenses 15,368 15,991 25,741 15,367 72,467 Federal income taxes (benefit) 405 4,701 13,290 4,100 22,496 Total expenses 69,287 95,633 228,572 19,467 412,959 Segment earnings (loss) $ 1,631 18,929 53,501 16,511 90,572 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 9,907 30,353 5,293 — 45,553 Net investment income 17,385 15,711 114,123 4,472 151,691 Other revenues 11 26 26 4,609 4,672 Total revenues 27,303 46,090 119,442 9,081 201,916 Life and other policy benefits 3,483 8,437 9,095 — 21,015 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 2,517 (21,585 ) 37,790 — 18,722 Universal life and annuity contract interest 14,119 9,112 84,568 — 107,799 Other operating expenses 4,086 5,661 8,714 4,135 22,596 Federal income taxes (benefit) 1,061 15,473 (7,007 ) 1,792 11,319 Total expenses 25,266 17,098 133,160 5,927 181,451 Segment earnings (loss) $ 2,037 28,992 (13,718 ) 3,154 20,465 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Domestic Life Insurance International Life Insurance Annuities All Others Totals (In thousands) Premiums and contract revenues $ 27,822 91,563 16,583 — 135,968 Net investment income 51,998 48,581 346,031 19,435 466,045 Other revenues 30 73 90 13,521 13,714 Total revenues 79,850 140,217 362,704 32,956 615,727 Life and other policy benefits 13,850 19,399 25,377 — 58,626 Amortization of deferred acquisition costs 8,300 (7,874 ) 85,566 — 85,992 Universal life and annuity contract interest 41,576 36,871 221,415 — 299,862 Other operating expenses 13,975 18,846 28,588 12,622 74,031 Federal income taxes (benefit) 740 25,125 605 7,001 33,471 Total expenses 78,441 92,367 361,551 19,623 551,982 Segment earnings (loss) $ 1,409 47,850 1,153 13,333 63,745
Reconciliation of segment premiums and other revenues to condensed consolidated financial statements	Reconciliations of segment information to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are provided below. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Premiums and Other Revenues : Premiums and contract revenues $ 42,496 45,553 130,035 135,968 Net investment income 175,553 151,691 358,100 466,045 Other revenues 5,111 4,672 15,396 13,714 Realized gains (losses) on investments 2,275 2,074 5,582 10,906 Total condensed consolidated premiums and other revenues $ 225,435 203,990 509,113 626,633
Reconciliation of segment federal income taxes to condensed consolidated financial statements	Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Federal Income Taxes : Total segment Federal income taxes $ 8,615 11,319 22,496 33,471 Taxes on realized gains (losses) on investments 478 726 1,172 3,817 Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes $ 9,093 12,045 23,668 37,288
Reconciliation of segment net earnings to condensed consolidated financial statements	Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Net Earnings : Total segment earnings $ 33,844 20,465 90,572 63,745 Realized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes 1,797 1,348 4,410 7,089 Total condensed consolidated net earnings $ 35,641 21,813 94,982 70,834
Reconciliation of segment assets to condensed consolidated financial statements	September 30, December 31, 2018 2017 (In thousands) Assets : Total segment assets $ 11,732,478 12,011,696 Other unallocated assets 359,362 213,398 Total condensed consolidated assets $ 12,091,840 12,225,094

Share-Based Payments (Tables)

Share-Based Payments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of shares available for grant and stock option activity	The following table shows all grants issued to officers and directors for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . These grants were made based upon closing market price per Class A common share at the time of the grant. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Officer Director Officer Director SARs — — — — RSUs — — — — PSUs — — — — Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 Officer Director Officer Director SARs — — 11,715 — RSUs — — 2,725 1,660 PSUs — — 4,526 — A summary of awards by type and related activity is detailed below. Options Outstanding Shares Available For Grant Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Stock Options: Balance at January 1, 2018 291,000 18,018 $ 242.07 Exercised — (18,018 ) $ 242.07 Forfeited — — $ — Expired — — $ — Stock options granted — — $ — Balance at September 30, 2018 291,000 — $ —
Schedule of activity	Liability Awards SAR RSU PSU Other Share/Unit Awards: Balance at January 1, 2018 92,667 11,721 14,052 Exercised (2,984 ) (1,494 ) — Forfeited (1,780 ) (556 ) — Granted — — — Balance at September 30, 2018 87,903 9,671 14,052
Summary of information about stock options and SARs outstanding	The following table summarizes information about SARs outstanding at September 30, 2018 . There were no options outstanding as of September 30, 2018. SARs Outstanding Number Outstanding Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Number Exercisable Exercise prices: 114.64 (SARs) 10,500 0.4 years 10,500 132.56 (SARs) 19,818 3.2 years 15,915 210.22 (SARs) 25,300 5.2 years 10,800 216.48 (SARs) 11,649 7.4 years 7,589 311.16 (SARs) 10,427 8.4 years 3,444 310.55 (SARs) 203 8.6 years 67 334.34 (SARs) 10,006 9.2 years — Totals 87,903 48,315 Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) $ 9,886 $ 7,103
Summary of assumptions employed using Black-Scholes option pricing model	In estimating the fair value of the share-based awards outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company employed the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions detailed below. September 30, December 31, Expected term 0.4 to 9.2 years 0.3 to 10.0 years Expected volatility weighted-average 21.55 % 21.55 % Expected dividend yield 0.11 % 0.11 % Risk-free rate weighted-average 2.63 % 1.82 %

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Realized investment gains and losses, excluding impairment losses	The table below presents realized investment gains and losses, excluding impairment losses, for the periods indicated. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Available for sale debt securities: Realized gains on disposal $ 1,191 1,529 3,212 4,137 Realized losses on disposal (6 ) — (6 ) — Held to maturity debt securities: Realized gains on disposal 1,090 555 2,395 4,059 Realized losses on disposal — — (19 ) (34 ) Equity securities realized gains (losses) — (10 ) — 87 Real estate gains (losses) — — — 2,657 Totals $ 2,275 2,074 5,582 10,906
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings	The table below presents net impairment losses recognized in earnings for the periods indicated. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2018 2017 2018 2017 (In thousands) Total other-than-temporary impairment gains (losses) on debt securities $ 3 26 9 69 Portion of loss (gain) recognized in comprehensive income (3 ) (26 ) (9 ) (69 ) Net impairment losses on debt securities recognized in earnings — — — — Equity securities impairments — — — — Totals $ — — — —
Credit losses on securities, also recorded non-credit other-than-temporary impairments in other comprehensive loss.	The table below presents a roll forward of credit losses on securities for which the Company also recorded non-credit other-than-temporary impairments in other comprehensive loss. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Year Ended (In thousands) Beginning balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments $ 627 627 1,440 Reductions for securities sold during current period — — (813 ) Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in other-than-temporary impairments — — — Ending balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments $ 627 627 627
Schedule of held-to-maturity securities	The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of debt securities held to maturity at September 30, 2018 . Debt Securities Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 1,341 113 — 1,454 States and political subdivisions 457,379 8,136 (5,147 ) 460,368 Public utilities 964,889 5,251 (16,305 ) 953,835 Corporate 4,655,058 26,262 (92,282 ) 4,589,038 Residential mortgage-backed 1,198,121 8,228 (28,752 ) 1,177,597 Home equity 3,496 53 (9 ) 3,540 Manufactured housing 747 52 — 799 Totals $ 7,281,031 48,095 (142,495 ) 7,186,631 The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2017 . Securities Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 1,337 177 — 1,514 States and political subdivisions 467,437 21,907 (100 ) 489,244 Public utilities 1,062,545 30,527 (894 ) 1,092,178 Corporate 4,430,099 121,978 (7,876 ) 4,544,201 Residential mortgage-backed 1,280,307 27,445 (6,216 ) 1,301,536 Home equity 4,262 57 (4 ) 4,315 Manufactured housing 1,037 79 — 1,116 Totals $ 7,247,024 202,170 (15,090 ) 7,434,104
Schedule of debt securities, available-for-sale securities	The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of debt securities available for sale at September 30, 2018 . As indicated in Note (2) New Accounting Pronouncements, effective January 1, 2018, equity securities are no longer included in the Securities Available for Sale category. Debt Securities Available for Sale Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 571 5 — 576 Foreign governments 9,971 36 — 10,007 Public utilities 84,947 1,119 (609 ) 85,457 Corporate 2,895,100 17,156 (66,875 ) 2,845,381 Residential mortgage-backed 16,854 836 (59 ) 17,631 Home equity 6,446 290 — 6,736 Totals $ 3,013,889 19,442 (67,543 ) 2,965,788
Schedule of available-for-sale securities	The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2017 . Securities Available for Sale Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 575 — (29 ) 546 Foreign governments 9,964 326 — 10,290 Public utilities 83,466 3,640 — 87,106 Corporate 2,842,381 81,737 (10,744 ) 2,913,374 Residential mortgage-backed 20,246 1,376 (52 ) 21,570 Home equity 7,878 367 — 8,245 Manufactured housing — — — — 2,964,510 87,446 (10,825 ) 3,041,131 Equity securities 12,890 5,708 (120 ) 18,478 Totals $ 2,977,400 93,154 (10,945 ) 3,059,609
Schedule of gross unrealized losses and fair values of held-to-maturity investments, continuous unrealized loss position	The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity debt securities by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2018 . Debt Securities Held to Maturity Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 113,773 (4,819 ) 6,297 (328 ) 120,070 (5,147 ) Public utilities 530,455 (13,676 ) 39,437 (2,629 ) 569,892 (16,305 ) Corporate 2,499,421 (65,166 ) 471,244 (27,116 ) 2,970,665 (92,282 ) Residential mortgage-backed 649,298 (14,345 ) 215,053 (14,407 ) 864,351 (28,752 ) Home equity — — 2,218 (9 ) 2,218 (9 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 3,792,947 (98,006 ) 734,249 (44,489 ) 4,527,196 (142,495 ) The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 . Securities Held to Maturity Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 6,308 (14 ) 4,869 (86 ) 11,177 (100 ) Public utilities 68,368 (407 ) 34,091 (487 ) 102,459 (894 ) Corporate 248,844 (1,296 ) 431,591 (6,580 ) 680,435 (7,876 ) Residential mortgage-backed 130,015 (738 ) 192,399 (5,478 ) 322,414 (6,216 ) Home equity 2,830 (4 ) — — 2,830 (4 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 456,365 (2,459 ) 662,950 (12,631 ) 1,119,315 (15,090 )
Schedule of gross unrealized losses and fair values of debt securities, available-for-sale investments, continuous unrealized loss position	The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale debt securities by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2018 . Debt Securities Available for Sale Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ — — — — — — Public utilities 38,807 (609 ) — — 38,807 (609 ) Corporate 1,570,824 (42,632 ) 357,876 (24,243 ) 1,928,700 (66,875 ) Residential mortgage-backed — — 933 (59 ) 933 (59 ) Home equity — — — — — — Total temporarily impaired securities $ 1,609,631 (43,241 ) 358,809 (24,302 ) 1,968,440 (67,543 )
Schedule of gross unrealized losses and fair values of available-for-sale investments, continuous unrealized loss position	The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale investments by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017 . Securities Available for Sale Less than 12 Months 12 Months or Greater Total Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses Fair Value Unrealized Losses (In thousands) Debt securities: States and political subdivisions $ 546 (29 ) — — 546 (29 ) Corporate 201,575 (1,134 ) 296,845 (9,610 ) 498,420 (10,744 ) Residential mortgage-backed 1,325 (14 ) 1,085 (38 ) 2,410 (52 ) Home equity 1,653 — — — 1,653 — 205,099 (1,177 ) 297,930 (9,648 ) 503,029 (10,825 ) Equity securities 1,246 (77 ) 289 (43 ) 1,535 (120 ) Total temporarily impaired securities $ 206,345 (1,254 ) 298,219 (9,691 ) 504,564 (10,945 )
Investments classified by contractual maturity date	The amortized cost and fair value of investments in debt securities at September 30, 2018 , by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Debt Securities Available for Sale Debt Securities Held to Maturity Amortized Cost Fair Value Amortized Cost Fair Value (In thousands) Due in 1 year or less $ 103,995 106,063 326,104 331,101 Due after 1 year through 5 years 1,137,368 1,141,487 2,729,171 2,727,219 Due after 5 years through 10 years 1,663,318 1,609,872 2,646,213 2,570,349 Due after 10 years 85,909 83,999 377,179 376,026 2,990,590 2,941,421 6,078,667 6,004,695 Mortgage and asset-backed securities 23,299 24,367 1,202,364 1,181,936 Total $ 3,013,889 2,965,788 7,281,031 7,186,631
Schedule of mortgage loans by loan-to-value ratio	The following table represents the mortgage loan portfolio by loan-to-value ratio. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Amount % Amount % (In thousands) (In thousands) Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio (1): Less than 50% $ 67,837 33.7 $ 82,224 39.4 50% to 60% 23,666 11.7 27,395 13.1 60% to 70% 97,899 48.6 86,849 41.6 70% to 80% 6,716 3.3 — — 80% to 90% 5,408 2.7 6,929 3.3 Greater than 90% — — 5,502 2.6 Gross balance 201,526 100.0 208,899 100.0 Allowance for possible losses (650 ) (0.3 ) (650 ) (0.3 ) Totals $ 200,876 99.7 $ 208,249 99.7 (1) Loan-to-Value Ratio is determined using the most recent appraised value. Appraisals are required at the time of funding and may be updated if a material change occurs from the original loan agreement.
Schedule of allowance for mortgage loans	The following table represents the mortgage loan allowance for the periods shown. September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (In thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 650 650 Provision — — Releases — — Balance, end of period $ 650 650

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis	The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the date indicated: September 30, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale $ 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Equity securities 19,661 19,661 — — Derivatives, index options 136,435 — — 136,435 Total assets $ 3,121,884 19,661 2,965,788 136,435 Policyholder account balances (a) $ 147,357 — — 147,357 Other liabilities (b) 15,479 — — 15,479 Total liabilities $ 162,836 — — 162,836 During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , the Company made no transfers into or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3. December 31, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale $ 3,041,131 — 3,041,131 — Equity securities, available for sale 18,478 18,478 — — Derivatives, index options 194,731 — — 194,731 Total assets $ 3,254,340 18,478 3,041,131 194,731 Policyholder account balances (a) $ 211,159 — — 211,159 Other liabilities (b) 15,242 — — 15,242 Total liabilities $ 226,401 — — 226,401 (a) Represents the fair value of certain product-related embedded derivatives that were recorded at fair value. (b) Represents the liability for share-based compensation.
Schedule of assets by by pricing source and fair value hierarchy level	The following tables present, by pricing source and fair value hierarchy level, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis: September 30, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale: Priced by third-party vendors $ 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Equity securities: Priced by third-party vendors 19,661 19,661 — — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 19,661 19,661 — — Derivatives, index options: Priced by third-party vendors 136,435 — — 136,435 Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 136,435 — — 136,435 Total $ 3,121,884 19,661 2,965,788 136,435 Percent of total 100.0 % 0.6 % 95.0 % 4.4 % December 31, 2017 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) Debt securities, available for sale: Priced by third-party vendors $ 3,041,131 — 3,041,131 — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 3,041,131 — 3,041,131 — Equity securities, available for sale: Priced by third-party vendors 18,478 18,478 — — Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 18,478 18,478 — — Derivatives, index options: Priced by third-party vendors 194,731 — — 194,731 Priced internally — — — — Subtotal 194,731 — — 194,731 Total $ 3,254,340 18,478 3,041,131 194,731 Percent of total 100.0 % 0.6 % 93.4 % 6.0 %
Schedule of significant unobservable inputs for fair value measurements	The following tables provide additional information about fair value measurements for which significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs were utilized to determine fair value. Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Balance at July 1, 2018 $ — — 102,007 102,007 133,013 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 69,683 69,683 65,316 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 19,026 19,026 19,026 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — — Settlements — — (54,281 ) (54,281 ) (54,519 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 136,435 136,435 162,836 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 65,927 65,927 — Benefits and expenses — — — — 67,640 Total $ — — 65,927 65,927 67,640 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities, Available for Sale Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Balance at July 1, 2017 $ — — 149,341 149,341 173,356 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 45,130 45,130 48,927 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 19,847 19,847 19,847 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — 531 Settlements — — (50,782 ) (50,782 ) (50,799 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 163,536 163,536 191,862 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 16,436 16,436 — Benefits and expenses — — — — 17,195 Total $ — — 16,436 16,436 17,195 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Beginning balance, January 1, 2018 $ — — 194,731 194,731 226,401 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 35,581 35,581 32,496 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 63,303 63,303 63,303 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — — Settlements — — (157,180 ) (157,180 ) (159,364 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 136,435 136,435 162,836 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 42,200 42,200 — Other operating expenses — — — — 44,621 Total $ — — 42,200 42,200 44,621 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Debt Securities, Available for Sale Equity Securities, Available for Sale Derivatives, Index Options Total Assets Other Liabilities (In thousands) Beginning balance, January 1, 2017 $ — — 120,644 120,644 134,693 Total realized and unrealized gains (losses): Included in net income — — 138,552 138,552 152,569 Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net: Purchases — — 55,226 55,226 55,226 Sales — — — — — Issuances — — — — 1,275 Settlements — — (150,886 ) (150,886 ) (151,901 ) Transfers into (out of) Level 3 — — — — — Balance at end of period $ — — 163,536 163,536 191,862 Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period: Net investment income $ — — 83,540 83,540 — Other operating expenses — — — — 87,894 Total $ — — 83,540 83,540 87,894
Schedule of quantitative information of Level 3 assets	The following table presents the valuation method for financial assets and liabilities categorized as level 3, as well as the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of those financial instruments: September 30, 2018 Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (In thousands) Derivatives, index options $ 136,435 Broker prices Implied volatility Inputs from broker proprietary models Total assets $ 136,435 Policyholder account balances $ 147,357 Deterministic cash flow model Projected option cost Other liabilities 15,479 Black-Scholes model Expected term Forfeiture assumptions Total liabilities $ 162,836 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (In thousands) Derivatives, index options $ 194,731 Broker prices Implied volatility Inputs from broker proprietary models Total assets $ 194,731 Policyholder account balances $ 211,159 Deterministic cash flow model Projected option cost Other liabilities 15,242 Black-Scholes model Expected term Forfeiture assumptions Total liabilities $ 226,401 The following table presents the valuation method for financial assets and liabilities categorized as level 3, as well as the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of those financial instruments: September 30, 2018 Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (In thousands) Derivatives, index options $ 136,435 Broker prices Implied volatility Inputs from broker proprietary models Total assets $ 136,435 Policyholder account balances $ 147,357 Deterministic cash flow model Projected option cost Other liabilities 15,479 Black-Scholes model Expected term Forfeiture assumptions Total liabilities $ 162,836 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (In thousands) Derivatives, index options $ 194,731 Broker prices Implied volatility Inputs from broker proprietary models Total assets $ 194,731 Policyholder account balances $ 211,159 Deterministic cash flow model Projected option cost Other liabilities 15,242 Black-Scholes model Expected term Forfeiture assumptions Total liabilities $ 226,401
Schedule of carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments	The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as follows: September 30, 2018 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Values Fair Values Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) ASSETS Debt securities held to maturity $ 7,281,031 7,186,631 — 7,184,713 1,918 Debt securities available for sale 2,965,788 2,965,788 — 2,965,788 — Cash and cash equivalents 155,381 155,381 155,381 — — Mortgage loans 200,876 200,591 — — 200,591 Policy loans 54,474 87,686 — — 87,686 Other loans 9,053 9,429 — — 9,429 Derivatives, index options 136,435 136,435 — — 136,435 Equity securities 19,661 19,661 19,661 — — Life interest in Trust 8,676 12,775 — — 12,775 LIABILITIES Deferred annuity contracts $ 7,611,248 7,127,224 — — 7,127,224 Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts 415,905 417,079 — — 417,079 December 31, 2017 Fair Value Hierarchy Level Carrying Values Fair Values Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 (In thousands) ASSETS Investments in debt and equity securities: Securities held to maturity $ 7,247,024 7,434,104 — 7,431,810 2,294 Securities available for sale 3,059,609 3,059,609 18,478 3,041,131 — Cash and cash equivalents 217,624 217,624 217,624 — — Mortgage loans 208,249 208,815 — — 208,815 Policy loans 56,405 100,230 — — 100,230 Other loans 5,431 5,603 — — 5,603 Derivatives, index options 194,731 194,731 — — 194,731 Life interest in Trust 8,676 12,775 — — 12,775 LIABILITIES Deferred annuity contracts $ 7,865,786 7,338,637 — — 7,338,637 Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts 430,494 443,437 — — 443,437

Derivative Investments (Tables)

Derivative Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of derivative instruments	The tables below present the fair value of derivative instruments as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. September 30, 2018 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Equity index options Derivatives, Index Options $ 136,435 Fixed-index products Universal Life and Annuity Contracts $ 147,357 Total $ 136,435 $ 147,357 December 31, 2017 Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Balance Sheet Location Fair Value Balance Sheet Location Fair Value (In thousands) (In thousands) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Equity index options Derivatives, Index Options $ 194,731 Fixed-index products Universal Life and Annuity Contracts $ 211,159 Total $ 194,731 $ 211,159
Schedule of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings	The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . September 30, September 30, Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (In thousands) Equity index options Net investment income $ 69,683 45,131 Fixed-index products Universal life and annuity contract interest (63,602 ) (48,168 ) $ 6,081 (3,037 ) The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . September 30, September 30, Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (In thousands) Equity index options Net investment income $ 35,581 138,552 Fixed-index products Universal life and annuity contract interest (30,074 ) (148,214 ) $ 5,507 (9,662 )

Consolidation and Basis of Pr_3

Consolidation and Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other net investment gains (losses)	$ 2,275	$ 2,074	$ 5,582	$ 10,906
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Earnings before Federal income taxes	44,734	33,858	118,650	108,122
Federal income taxes	9,093	12,045	23,668	37,288
Net earnings	35,641	21,813	94,982	70,834
Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-sale Securities | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Other net investment gains (losses)	1,185	1,519	3,206	4,224
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Earnings before Federal income taxes	1,185	1,519	3,206	4,224
Federal income taxes	249	532	673	1,478
Net earnings	$ 936	$ 987	$ 2,533	$ 2,746

New Accounting Pronouncements_2

New Accounting Pronouncements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenue from contracts with customers, percentage of total revenue	2.00%
Accumulated other comprehensive income
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Stranded tax reclassification	$ 2,500
Accumulated other comprehensive income | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax	(4,400)
Retained earnings
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Stranded tax reclassification	(2,500)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax	4,414	$ 0
Retained earnings | Accounting Standards Update 2016-01
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax	$ 4,400

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - National Western - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Maximum dividend payment which may be paid without prior approval from Colorado Division of Insurance	$ 127.3
Dividends declared and paid	$ 3	$ 3	$ 3	$ 4

Earnings Per Share (EPS Calcula

Earnings Per Share (EPS Calculation) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	$ 35,641	$ 21,813	$ 94,982	$ 70,834
Undistributed income	35,641	21,813	94,982	70,834
Allocation of net income:
Allocation of undistributed income	35,641	21,813	94,982	70,834
Net earnings	35,641	21,813	94,982	70,834
Class A
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	34,633	21,196	92,296	68,831
Dividends	0	0	0	0
Undistributed income	34,633	21,196	92,296	68,831
Allocation of net income:
Dividends	0	0	0	0
Allocation of undistributed income	34,633	21,196	92,296	68,831
Net earnings	$ 34,633	$ 21,196	$ 92,296	$ 68,831
Denominator:
Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares (in shares)	3,436	3,436	3,436	3,436
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)	0	0	0	0
Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions (in shares)	3,436	3,436	3,436	3,436
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 10.08	$ 6.17	$ 26.86	$ 20.03
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 10.08	$ 6.17	$ 26.86	$ 20.03
Class B
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income	$ 1,008	$ 617	$ 2,686	$ 2,003
Dividends	0	0	0	0
Undistributed income	1,008	617	2,686	2,003
Allocation of net income:
Dividends	0	0	0	0
Allocation of undistributed income	1,008	617	2,686	2,003
Net earnings	$ 1,008	$ 617	$ 2,686	$ 2,003
Denominator:
Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares (in shares)	200	200	200	200
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)	0	0	0	0
Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions (in shares)	200	200	200	200
Basic Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.04	$ 3.08	$ 13.43	$ 10.02
Diluted Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 5.04	$ 3.08	$ 13.43	$ 10.02

Pension and Other Postretirem_3

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)benefit_plan	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)benefit_plan	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2007
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Number of healthcare plans | benefit_plan	2		2
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Vesting percentage in accrued benefits from plan freeze					100.00%
Service cost	$ 28,000	$ 27,000	$ 84,000	$ 81,000
Interest cost	225,000	240,000	675,000	718,000
Expected return on plan assets	(325,000)	(306,000)	(975,000)	(920,000)
Amortization of prior service cost	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss	131,000	159,000	393,000	477,000
Net periodic benefit cost	59,000	120,000	177,000	356,000
Minimum required contribution	100,000		100,000
Contributions payable	0		0
Company contributions to plan			100,000
Chairman and President Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Service cost	90,000	204,000	270,000	612,000
Interest cost	213,000	347,000	639,000	1,041,000
Amortization of prior service cost	15,000	15,000	45,000	45,000
Amortization of net loss	176,000	818,000	528,000	2,455,000
Net periodic benefit cost	494,000	1,384,000	1,482,000	4,153,000
Company contributions to plan			1,600,000
Company expected contributions to plans in fiscal year	2,000,000		2,000,000
Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Interest cost	40,000	35,000	120,000	104,000
Amortization of prior service cost	26,000	25,000	78,000	77,000
Amortization of net loss	38,000	10,000	113,000	31,000
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 104,000	$ 70,000	$ 311,000	$ 212,000
Minimum | Chairman and President Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
Aggregate average annual participant salary increase			10.00%

Segment and Other Operating I_3

Segment and Other Operating Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Total segment assets	$ 12,091,840		$ 12,091,840		$ 12,225,094
Other policyholder liabilities	129,529		129,529		128,009
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	42,496	$ 45,553	130,035	$ 135,968
Net investment income	175,553	151,691	358,100	466,045
Other revenues	5,111	4,672	15,396	13,714
Realized gains (losses) on investments	2,275	2,074	5,582	10,906
Total revenues	225,435	203,990	509,113	626,633
Life and other policy benefits	5,744	21,015	44,607	58,626
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	26,775	18,722	90,073	85,992
Universal life and annuity contract interest	124,145	107,799	183,316	299,862
Other operating expenses	24,037	22,596	72,467	74,031
Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	9,093	12,045	23,668	37,288
Net earnings	35,641	21,813	94,982	70,834
Segments
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	980,089		980,089		955,081
Total segment assets	11,732,478		11,732,478		12,011,696
Future policy benefits	9,935,355		9,935,355		10,098,484
Other policyholder liabilities	129,529		129,529		128,009
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	42,496	45,553	130,035	135,968
Net investment income	175,553	151,691	358,100	466,045
Other revenues	5,111	4,672	15,396	13,714
Total revenues	223,160	201,916	503,531	615,727
Life and other policy benefits	5,744	21,015	44,607	58,626
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	26,775	18,722	90,073	85,992
Universal life and annuity contract interest	124,145	107,799	183,316	299,862
Other operating expenses	24,037	22,596	72,467	74,031
Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	8,615	11,319	22,496	33,471
Total expenses	189,316	181,451	412,959	551,982
Net earnings	33,844	20,465	90,572	63,745
Segments | Domestic Life Insurance
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	117,900		117,900		101,253
Total segment assets	1,217,781		1,217,781		1,106,410
Future policy benefits	1,045,922		1,045,922		950,884
Other policyholder liabilities	14,556		14,556		13,643
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	10,060	9,907	29,775	27,822
Net investment income	26,912	17,385	41,131	51,998
Other revenues	11	11	12	30
Total revenues	36,983	27,303	70,918	79,850
Life and other policy benefits	5,839	3,483	15,751	13,850
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	2,978	2,517	8,362	8,300
Universal life and annuity contract interest	22,355	14,119	29,401	41,576
Other operating expenses	5,215	4,086	15,368	13,975
Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	122	1,061	405	740
Total expenses	36,509	25,266	69,287	78,441
Net earnings	474	2,037	1,631	1,409
Segments | International Life Insurance
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	241,823		241,823		250,128
Total segment assets	1,227,365		1,227,365		1,236,733
Future policy benefits	918,658		918,658		915,384
Other policyholder liabilities	21,898		21,898		11,318
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	26,839	30,353	82,218	91,563
Net investment income	19,731	15,711	32,305	48,581
Other revenues	5	26	39	73
Total revenues	46,575	46,090	114,562	140,217
Life and other policy benefits	6,609	8,437	16,872	19,399
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	6,307	(21,585)	21,023	(7,874)
Universal life and annuity contract interest	30,596	9,112	37,046	36,871
Other operating expenses	4,982	5,661	15,991	18,846
Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	(322)	15,473	4,701	25,125
Total expenses	48,172	17,098	95,633	92,367
Net earnings	(1,597)	28,992	18,929	47,850
Segments | Annuities
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	620,366		620,366		603,700
Total segment assets	8,922,137		8,922,137		9,269,956
Future policy benefits	7,970,775		7,970,775		8,232,216
Other policyholder liabilities	93,075		93,075		103,048
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	5,597	5,293	18,042	16,583
Net investment income	123,525	114,123	263,983	346,031
Other revenues	11	26	48	90
Total revenues	129,133	119,442	282,073	362,704
Life and other policy benefits	(6,704)	9,095	11,984	25,377
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	17,490	37,790	60,688	85,566
Universal life and annuity contract interest	71,194	84,568	116,869	221,415
Other operating expenses	8,719	8,714	25,741	28,588
Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	7,714	(7,007)	13,290	605
Total expenses	98,413	133,160	228,572	361,551
Net earnings	30,720	(13,718)	53,501	1,153
Segments | All Others
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	0		0		0
Total segment assets	365,195		365,195		398,597
Future policy benefits	0		0		0
Other policyholder liabilities	0		0		0
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	0	0	0	0
Net investment income	5,385	4,472	20,681	19,435
Other revenues	5,084	4,609	15,297	13,521
Total revenues	10,469	9,081	35,978	32,956
Life and other policy benefits	0	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	0	0	0	0
Universal life and annuity contract interest	0	0	0	0
Other operating expenses	5,121	4,135	15,367	12,622
Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	1,101	1,792	4,100	7,001
Total expenses	6,222	5,927	19,467	19,623
Net earnings	4,247	3,154	16,511	13,333
Other unallocated
Selected Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Total segment assets	359,362		359,362		$ 213,398
Segment Reconciling Items
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Taxes on realized gains (losses) on investments	478	726	1,172	3,817
Realized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes	$ 1,797	$ 1,348	$ 4,410	$ 7,089

Share-Based Payments (General D

Share-Based Payments (General Descriptions) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 17, 2016	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Jun. 20, 2008	Jun. 25, 2004
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Requisite service period of awards (in years)				1 year
Period in force, from which option holders may elect to sell back acquired shares				90 days
Compensation cost not yet recognized		$ 15.5		$ 15.5		$ 16.6
Pre-tax compensation cost (benefit) recognized		1.7	$ 1.3	2.4	$ 5.6
Compensation cost (benefit), tax expense (benefit)		(0.4)	$ (0.5)	(0.5)	$ (2)
Compensation cost related to nonvested options not yet recognized		$ 4		$ 4
Weighted average period over which the compensation is expected to be recognized				1 year 2 months 12 days
Class A
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (usd per share)		$ 0.01		$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Requisite service period of awards (in years)				3 years
Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Requisite service period of awards (in years)				1 year	1 year
1995 Plan | Class A
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock, par value (usd per share)								$ 1
Share-based payments, number of shares authorized under plans (in shares)								300,000
2008 Plan | Class A
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based payments, number of shares authorized under plans (in shares)							300,000
SAR | Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)		0	0	0	11,715
SAR | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)		0	0	0	0
RSU
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				100.00%
Vesting period (in years)	3 years			3 years
RSU | Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)		0	0	0	2,725
RSU | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)		0	0	0	1,660
PSU
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)				3 years
Performance period (in years)				3 years
PSU | Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)		0	0	0	4,526
PSU | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Grants in period (in shares)		0	0	0	0
Vesting After Service Period, Year One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				33.30%
Vesting After Service Period, Year One | Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year One | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Two | Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Two | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Three | Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Three | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Four | Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Four | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Five | Employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Vesting After Service Period, Year Five | Director
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting percentage (in percentage)				20.00%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expected Term				10 years

Share-Based Payments (Options a

Share-Based Payments (Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Outstanding) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Shares Available For Grant
Shares Available For Grant, Beginning Balance (in shares)	291,000
Shares Available For Grant, Exercised (in shares)	0
Shares Available For Grant, Forfeited (in shares)	0
Shares Available For Grant, Expired (in shares)	0
Shares Available For Grant, Granted (in shares)	0
Shares Available For Grant, Ending Balance (in shares)	291,000
Shares/Awards
Opening Balance (in shares)	18,018
Exercised (in shares)	(18,018)
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Expired (in shares)	0
Granted (in shares)	0
Ending Balance (in shares)	0
Weighted-Average Exercise Price (usd per share)
Beginning Balance (in usd per share)	$ 242.07
Exercised (in usd per share)	242.07
Forfeited (in usd per share)	0
Expired (in usd per share)	0
Granted (in usd per share)	0
Ending Balance (in usd per share)	$ 0
Liability Awards
Fair value of vested awards	$ 0.8	$ 0.6
Cash received from exercise of stock options	$ 0	0
SAR
Liability Awards
Opening balance (in shares)	92,667
Exercised (in shares)	(2,984)
Forfeited (in shares)	(1,780)
Granted (in shares)	0
Closing balance (in shares)	87,903
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 2.2	1
Total share-based liabilities paid	$ 2.2	$ 1
RSU
Liability Awards
Opening balance (in shares)	11,721
Exercised (in shares)	(1,494)
Forfeited (in shares)	(556)
Granted (in shares)	0
Closing balance (in shares)	9,671
PSU
Liability Awards
Opening balance (in shares)	14,052
Exercised (in shares)	0
Forfeited (in shares)	0
Granted (in shares)	0
Closing balance (in shares)	14,052

Share-Based Payments (Exercise

Share-Based Payments (Exercise Range) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number Outstanding (in shares)	87,903
Number Outstanding, Aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 9,886
Number Exercisable (in shares)	48,315
Options Exercisable, Aggregate intrinsic value | $	$ 7,103
Closing stock price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 319.20
Contractual life (in years)	1 year
114.64 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 114.64
SAR | 114.64 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 114.64
Number Outstanding (in shares)	10,500
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 months 24 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	10,500
SAR | 132.56 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 132.56
Number Outstanding (in shares)	19,818
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years 2 months 12 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	15,915
SAR | 210.22 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 210.22
Number Outstanding (in shares)	25,300
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 2 months 12 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	10,800
SAR | 216.48 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 216.48
Number Outstanding (in shares)	11,649
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 years 4 months 24 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	7,589
SAR | 311.16 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 311.16
Number Outstanding (in shares)	10,427
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	8 years 4 months 24 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	3,444
SAR | 310.55 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 310.55
Number Outstanding (in shares)	203
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	8 years 7 months 6 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	67
SAR | 334.34 (SARs)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 334.34
Number Outstanding (in shares)	10,006
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	9 years 2 months 12 days
Number Exercisable (in shares)	0

Share-Based Payments (Black Sch

Share-Based Payments (Black Scholes Option Pricing Model Assumptions) (Details)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected dividend yield	0.11%		0.11%
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period of awards	4 months 24 days	3 months 18 days
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period of awards	9 years 2 months 12 days	10 years
Weighted-average
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility, weighted-average	21.55%		21.55%
Risk-free rate, weighted-average	2.63%		1.82%

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)Annuity_Policy
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of annuity policies | Annuity_Policy	2
New Loans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other commitment	$ 4.3
Existing Loans
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other commitment	6.2
Pending Litigation | Damaris Maldonado Vinas Et Al
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency accrual	$ 2.9

Investments (Investment Gains a

Investments (Investment Gains and Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Available for sale debt securities:
Realized gains on disposal	$ 1,191	$ 1,529	$ 3,212	$ 4,137
Realized losses on disposal	(6)	0	(6)	0
Held to maturity debt securities:
Realized gains on disposal	1,090	555	2,395	4,059
Realized losses on disposal	0	0	(19)	(34)
Equity securities realized gains (losses)	0	(10)	0	87
Real estate gains (losses)	0	0	0	2,657
Totals	$ 2,275	$ 2,074	$ 5,582	$ 10,906
Investments, percentage of gains on bonds, due to calls of securities (in percentage)	97.30%	100.00%	98.70%	88.00%
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) gains (losses)	$ 3	$ 26	$ 9	$ 69
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Non-Credit Other-than-Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	627		627	1,440	$ 1,440
Reductions for securities sold during current period	0		0		(813)
Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in other-than-temporary impairments	0		0		0
Ending balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	627		627		$ 627
Debt Securities
Held to maturity debt securities:
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) gains (losses)	3	26	9	69
Portion of loss (gain) recognized in comprehensive income	(3)	(26)	(9)	(69)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	0	0	0	0
Equity securities
Held to maturity debt securities:
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Investments (Securities Held to

Investments (Securities Held to Maturity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	$ 7,281,031	$ 7,247,024
Gross Unrealized Gains	48,095	202,170
Gross Unrealized Losses	(142,495)	(15,090)
Fair Value	7,186,631	7,434,104
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	3,792,947	456,365
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(98,006)	(2,459)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	734,249	662,950
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(44,489)	(12,631)
Total, Fair Value	4,527,196	1,119,315
Total, Unrealized Losses	(142,495)	(15,090)
U.S. Treasury
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	1,341	1,337
Gross Unrealized Gains	113	177
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	1,454	1,514
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Total, Unrealized Losses	0	0
States and political subdivisions
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	457,379	467,437
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,136	21,907
Gross Unrealized Losses	(5,147)	(100)
Fair Value	460,368	489,244
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	113,773	6,308
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(4,819)	(14)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	6,297	4,869
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(328)	(86)
Total, Fair Value	120,070	11,177
Total, Unrealized Losses	(5,147)	(100)
Public utilities
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	964,889	1,062,545
Gross Unrealized Gains	5,251	30,527
Gross Unrealized Losses	(16,305)	(894)
Fair Value	953,835	1,092,178
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	530,455	68,368
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(13,676)	(407)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	39,437	34,091
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(2,629)	(487)
Total, Fair Value	569,892	102,459
Total, Unrealized Losses	(16,305)	(894)
Corporate
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	4,655,058	4,430,099
Gross Unrealized Gains	26,262	121,978
Gross Unrealized Losses	(92,282)	(7,876)
Fair Value	4,589,038	4,544,201
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	2,499,421	248,844
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(65,166)	(1,296)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	471,244	431,591
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(27,116)	(6,580)
Total, Fair Value	2,970,665	680,435
Total, Unrealized Losses	(92,282)	(7,876)
Residential mortgage-backed
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	1,198,121	1,280,307
Gross Unrealized Gains	8,228	27,445
Gross Unrealized Losses	(28,752)	(6,216)
Fair Value	1,177,597	1,301,536
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	649,298	130,015
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	(14,345)	(738)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	215,053	192,399
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(14,407)	(5,478)
Total, Fair Value	864,351	322,414
Total, Unrealized Losses	(28,752)	(6,216)
Home equity
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	3,496	4,262
Gross Unrealized Gains	53	57
Gross Unrealized Losses	(9)	(4)
Fair Value	3,540	4,315
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Less than 12 Months, Fair Value	0	2,830
Less than 12 Months, Unrealized Losses	0	(4)
12 Months or Greater, Fair Value	2,218	0
12 Months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	(9)	0
Total, Fair Value	2,218	2,830
Total, Unrealized Losses	(9)	(4)
Manufactured housing
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Total	747	1,037
Gross Unrealized Gains	52	79
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	799	1,116
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Total, Unrealized Losses	$ 0	$ 0

Investments (Securities Availab

Investments (Securities Available for Sale) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt securities:
Total	$ 3,013,889	$ 2,964,510
Gross Unrealized Gains	19,442	87,446
Gross Unrealized Losses	(67,543)	(10,825)
Fair Value	2,965,788	3,041,131
Equity securities
Amortized Cost		12,890
Gross Unrealized Gains		5,708
Gross Unrealized Losses		(120)
Fair Value		18,478
Amortized Cost		2,977,400
Gross Unrealized Gains		93,154
Gross Unrealized Losses		(10,945)
Fair Value		3,059,609
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	1,609,631
12 Months or Greater	358,809
Total	1,968,440
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	(43,241)
12 Months or Greater	(24,302)
Total	(67,543)
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		206,345
12 Months or Greater		298,219
Total		504,564
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		(1,254)
12 Months or Greater		(9,691)
Total		(10,945)
Debt Securities
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		205,099
12 Months or Greater		297,930
Total		503,029
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		(1,177)
12 Months or Greater		(9,648)
Total		(10,825)
States and political subdivisions
Debt securities:
Total	571	575
Gross Unrealized Gains	5	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	(29)
Fair Value	576	546
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or Greater	0
Total	0
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or Greater	0
Total	0
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		546
12 Months or Greater		0
Total		546
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		(29)
12 Months or Greater		0
Total		(29)
Foreign governments
Debt securities:
Total	9,971	9,964
Gross Unrealized Gains	36	326
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	10,007	10,290
Public utilities
Debt securities:
Total	84,947	83,466
Gross Unrealized Gains	1,119	3,640
Gross Unrealized Losses	(609)	0
Fair Value	85,457	87,106
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	38,807
12 Months or Greater	0
Total	38,807
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	(609)
12 Months or Greater	0
Total	(609)
Corporate
Debt securities:
Total	2,895,100	2,842,381
Gross Unrealized Gains	17,156	81,737
Gross Unrealized Losses	(66,875)	(10,744)
Fair Value	2,845,381	2,913,374
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	1,570,824
12 Months or Greater	357,876
Total	1,928,700
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	(42,632)
12 Months or Greater	(24,243)
Total	(66,875)
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		201,575
12 Months or Greater		296,845
Total		498,420
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		(1,134)
12 Months or Greater		(9,610)
Total		(10,744)
Residential mortgage-backed
Debt securities:
Total	16,854	20,246
Gross Unrealized Gains	836	1,376
Gross Unrealized Losses	(59)	(52)
Fair Value	17,631	21,570
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or Greater	933
Total	933
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or Greater	(59)
Total	(59)
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		1,325
12 Months or Greater		1,085
Total		2,410
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		(14)
12 Months or Greater		(38)
Total		(52)
Home equity
Debt securities:
Total	6,446	7,878
Gross Unrealized Gains	290	367
Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Fair Value	6,736	8,245
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or Greater	0
Total	0
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months	0
12 Months or Greater	0
Total	$ 0
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		1,653
12 Months or Greater		0
Total		1,653
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		0
12 Months or Greater		0
Total		0
Manufactured housing
Debt securities:
Total		0
Gross Unrealized Gains		0
Gross Unrealized Losses		0
Fair Value		0
Equity securities
Fair Value
Less than 12 Months		1,246
12 Months or Greater		289
Total		1,535
Unrealized Losses
Less than 12 Months		(77)
12 Months or Greater		(43)
Total		$ (120)

Investments (Unrealized Losses)

Investments (Unrealized Losses) (Details)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)security	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)security
Asset-backed Securities
Available-for-Sale Securities and Held-to-Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Securities, other-than-temporarily impaired | $	$ 0	$ 0
Debt Securities
Available-for-Sale Securities and Held-to-Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Gross unrealized losses, number of issues	723	723
Gross unrealized losses, percentage of total debt	55.80%	55.80%
Gross unrealized losses, market value as a percent of amortized cost	96.90%	96.90%
Gross unrealized losses, number of securities with maturities of 12 months or greater	142	142
Gross unrealized losses, number of securities with maturities of 12 months or greater (as a percentage)	19.60%	19.60%
External Credit Rating, Investment Grade | Debt Securities
Available-for-Sale Securities and Held-to-Maturity Securities [Line Items]
Gross unrealized losses, number of securities rated investment grade	714	714

Investments (Contractual Maturi

Investments (Contractual Maturity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Securities Available for Sale- Amortized Cost
Due in 1 year or less	$ 103,995
Due after 1 year through 5 years	1,137,368
Due after 5 years through 10 years	1,663,318
Due after 10 years	85,909
Amortized Cost	2,990,590
Mortgage and asset-backed securities	23,299
Total	3,013,889	$ 2,964,510
Debt Securities Available for Sale- Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less	106,063
Due after 1 year through 5 years	1,141,487
Due after 5 years through 10 years	1,609,872
Due after 10 years	83,999
Fair Value	2,941,421
Mortgage and asset-backed securities	24,367
Total	2,965,788	3,041,131
Debt Securities Held to Maturity - Amortized Costs
Due in 1 year or less	326,104
Due after 1 year through 5 years	2,729,171
Due after 5 years through 10 years	2,646,213
Due after 10 years	377,179
Amortized Cost	6,078,667
Mortgage and asset-backed securities	1,202,364
Total	7,281,031	7,247,024
Debt Securities Held to Maturity - Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less	331,101
Due after 1 year through 5 years	2,727,219
Due after 5 years through 10 years	2,570,349
Due after 10 years	376,026
Fair Value	6,004,695
Mortgage and asset-backed securities	1,181,936
Total	$ 7,186,631	$ 7,434,104

Investments (Mortgage Loans and

Investments (Mortgage Loans and Real Estate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 201,526	$ 208,899
Allowance for possible losses, amount	(650)	(650)
Totals, amount	$ 200,876	$ 208,249
Mortgage loans, percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Allowance for possible losses, percentage	(0.30%)	(0.30%)
Totals, percentage	99.70%	99.70%
Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 650	$ 650
Provision	0	0
Releases	0	0
Balance, end of period	650	650
Less than 50%
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 67,837	$ 82,224
Mortgage loans, percentage	33.70%	39.40%
50% to 60%
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 23,666	$ 27,395
Mortgage loans, percentage	11.70%	13.10%
60% to 70%
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 97,899	$ 86,849
Mortgage loans, percentage	48.60%	41.60%
70% to 80%
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 6,716	$ 0
Mortgage loans, percentage	3.30%	0.00%
80% to 90%
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 5,408	$ 6,929
Mortgage loans, percentage	2.70%	3.30%
Greater than 90%
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Mortgage loan, amount	$ 0	$ 5,502
Mortgage loans, percentage	0.00%	2.60%

Investments (Real Estate) (Deta

Investments (Real Estate) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	$ 54,861		$ 51,828
Real Estate
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	36,800		$ 37,400
Operating income from real estate	$ 1,700	$ 2,100

Fair Value of Financial Instr_2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	$ 2,965,788	$ 3,041,131
Equity securities	19,661	18,478
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Total assets	3,121,884	3,254,340
Policyholder account balances	147,357	211,159
Other liabilities	15,479	15,242
Total liabilities	$ 162,836	$ 226,401
Percent of total	100.00%	100.00%
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	$ 0	$ 0
Equity securities	19,661	18,478
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Total assets	19,661	18,478
Policyholder account balances	0	0
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	$ 0	$ 0
Percent of total	0.60%	0.60%
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	$ 2,965,788	$ 3,041,131
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Total assets	2,965,788	3,041,131
Policyholder account balances	0	0
Other liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	$ 0	$ 0
Percent of total	95.00%	93.40%
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	$ 0	$ 0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Total assets	136,435	194,731
Policyholder account balances	147,357	211,159
Other liabilities	15,479	15,242
Total liabilities	$ 162,836	$ 226,401
Percent of total	4.40%	6.00%
Priced by Third-Party Vendors
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	$ 2,965,788	$ 3,041,131
Equity securities	19,661	18,478
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Priced by Third-Party Vendors | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Equity securities	19,661	18,478
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Priced by Third-Party Vendors | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	2,965,788	3,041,131
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Priced by Third-Party Vendors | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Priced Internally
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Priced Internally | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Priced Internally | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Priced Internally | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Derivatives, index options	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr_3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Fair Value Measurements for Level 3 Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 102,007	$ 149,341	$ 194,731	$ 120,644
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	69,683	45,130	35,581	138,552
Purchases	19,026	19,847	63,303	55,226
Sales	0	0	0	0
Issuances	0	0	0	0
Settlements	(54,281)	(50,782)	(157,180)	(150,886)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	136,435	163,536	136,435	163,536
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	65,927	16,436	42,200	83,540
Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	133,013	173,356	226,401	134,693
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	65,316	48,927	32,496	152,569
Purchases	19,026	19,847	63,303	55,226
Sales	0	0	0	0
Issuances	0	531	0	1,275
Settlements	(54,519)	(50,799)	(159,364)	(151,901)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	162,836	191,862	162,836	191,862
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	67,640	17,195	44,621	87,894
Debt Securities, Available for Sale
Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	0	0	0	0
Purchases	0	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	0	0
Issuances	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Equity Securities
Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	0	0	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	0	0	0	0
Purchases	0	0	0	0
Sales	0	0	0	0
Issuances	0	0	0	0
Settlements	0	0	0	0
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	0	0	0	0
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Derivatives, Index Options
Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	102,007	149,341	194,731	120,644
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	69,683	45,130	35,581	138,552
Purchases	19,026	19,847	63,303	55,226
Sales	0	0	0	0
Issuances	0	0	0	0
Settlements	(54,281)	(50,782)	(157,180)	(150,886)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	0	0	0	0
Balance at end of period	136,435	163,536	136,435	163,536
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	65,927	16,436	42,200	83,540
Net investment income
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	65,927	16,436	42,200	83,540
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Net investment income | Debt Securities, Available for Sale
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Net investment income | Equity Securities
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Net investment income | Derivatives, Index Options
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	65,927	16,436	42,200	83,540
Benefits and expenses
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	67,640	17,195	44,621	87,894
Benefits and expenses | Debt Securities, Available for Sale
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Benefits and expenses | Equity Securities
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	0	0	0	0
Benefits and expenses | Derivatives, Index Options
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Values of Financial Inst_2

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Quantitative Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value disclosure	$ 3,121,884	$ 3,254,340
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	162,836	226,401
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value disclosure	136,435	194,731
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	162,836	226,401
Derivatives, Index Options | Broker prices | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets, fair value disclosure	136,435	194,731
Policyholder account balances | Deterministic cash flow model | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	147,357	211,159
Other liabilities | Black-Scholes model | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	$ 15,479	$ 15,242

Fair Values of Financial Inst_3

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Fair Value by Balance Sheet Grouping) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS
Debt securities held to maturity	$ 7,186,631	$ 7,434,104
Debt securities available for sale	2,965,788	3,041,131
Securities available for sale		3,059,609
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Equity securities	19,661	18,478
Carrying Values
ASSETS
Debt securities held to maturity	7,281,031	7,247,024
Debt securities available for sale	2,965,788
Securities available for sale		3,059,609
Cash and cash equivalents	155,381	217,624
Mortgage loans	200,876	208,249
Policy loans	54,474	56,405
Other loans	9,053	5,431
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Equity securities	19,661
Life interest in Trust	8,676	8,676
LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	7,611,248	7,865,786
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	415,905	430,494
Fair Values
ASSETS
Debt securities held to maturity	7,186,631	7,434,104
Debt securities available for sale	2,965,788
Securities available for sale		3,059,609
Cash and cash equivalents	155,381	217,624
Mortgage loans	200,591	208,815
Policy loans	87,686	100,230
Other loans	9,429	5,603
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Equity securities	19,661
Life interest in Trust	12,775	12,775
LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	7,127,224	7,338,637
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	417,079	443,437
Level 1
ASSETS
Debt securities held to maturity	0	0
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Securities available for sale		18,478
Cash and cash equivalents	155,381	217,624
Mortgage loans	0	0
Policy loans	0	0
Other loans	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Equity securities	19,661	18,478
Life interest in Trust	0	0
LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	0	0
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	0	0
Level 2
ASSETS
Debt securities held to maturity	7,184,713	7,431,810
Debt securities available for sale	2,965,788	3,041,131
Securities available for sale		3,041,131
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Mortgage loans	0	0
Policy loans	0	0
Other loans	0	0
Derivatives, index options	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Life interest in Trust	0	0
LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	0	0
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	0	0
Level 3
ASSETS
Debt securities held to maturity	1,918	2,294
Debt securities available for sale	0	0
Securities available for sale		0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Mortgage loans	200,591	208,815
Policy loans	87,686	100,230
Other loans	9,429	5,603
Derivatives, index options	136,435	194,731
Equity securities	0	0
Life interest in Trust	12,775	12,775
LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	7,127,224	7,338,637
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	$ 417,079	$ 443,437

Derivative Investments (Balance

Derivative Investments (Balance Sheet) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	$ 136,435	$ 194,731
Liability Derivatives	147,357	211,159
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	136,435	194,731
Liability Derivatives	147,357	211,159
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Equity index options | Derivatives, Index Options
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	136,435	194,731
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | Fixed-index products | Universal Life and Annuity Contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	$ 147,357	$ 211,159

Derivative Investments (Stateme

Derivative Investments (Statements of Earnings) (Details) - Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$ 6,081	$ (3,037)	$ 5,507	$ (9,662)
Equity index options | Investment Income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	69,683	45,131	35,581	138,552
Fixed-index products | Universal Life and Annuity Contract Interest
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives	$ (63,602)	$ (48,168)	$ (30,074)	$ (148,214)

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) - Scenario, Forecast - Ozark National Life Insurance Company and Affiliate NIS FInancial Services Inc. $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)entity
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Payment to acquire business | $	$ 203
Number of businesses acquired | entity	2