National Western Life Group Inc - Ordinary Shares (NWLI) 10-K 2019 FY Annual report

EXHIBIT 23(a) - INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders

National Western Life Group, Inc.

Austin, Texas

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of National Western Life Group, Inc. (the Company) on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-153341 and 333-38549) of our report dated February 28, 2020, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of National Western Life Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2019, which is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 28, 2020, on our audit of the internal control over financial reporting of National Western Life Group, Inc. as of December 31, 2019, which is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/BKD, LLP

Little Rock, Arkansas

February 28, 2020