National Western Life Insurance 8-K National Western Life Announces Financial Strength Rating Affirmed

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) December 15, 2008
NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
COLORADO	84-0467208
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
2-17039
(Commission File Number)
850 EAST ANDERSON LANE, AUSTIN, TEXAS	78752-1602
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip code)
(512) 836-1010
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 8.01  Other Events

On December 15, 2008, National Western Life Insurance Company (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that the Company’s “A (Strong)” financial strength rating had been affirmed by independent rating agency Standard & Poor’s.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The press release is available at the Company's website, www.nationalwesternlife.com.
Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits
( d ) Exhibits
Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated December 15, 2008
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Date: December 16, 2008	By:	/S/ Brian M. Pribyl
		Brian M. Pribyl
		Senior Vice President
		Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
		and Treasurer

	EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit		Description
99.1		Press Release of National Western Life Insurance Company issued December 15, 2008 announcing affirmation of financial strength rating.