Financial Schedules Schedule II - Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company) (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information (Parent Company) [Abstract]

Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block]

Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant CITIZENS, INC. (Parent Company) Balance Sheets
	At December 31,
	2016			2015 (a)
	(In thousands)
Assets
Investment in subsidiaries (1)	$	173,877		171,038
Fixed maturities available-for-sale, at fair value	51,028			54,208
Fixed maturities held-to-maturity, at amortized cost	357			364
Equity securities available-for-sale, at fair value	1,030			979
Mortgage loans on real estate	—			341
Real estate and other long-term investments	5,920			6,021
Short-term investments	508			—
Cash	14,673			15,756
Accrued investment income	757			791
Accounts receivable from subsidiaries (1)	2,658			2,958
Property and equipment	746			95
Other assets	237			84
Total assets	$	251,791		252,635
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Accrued expense and other liabilities	$	2,691		5,709
Total liabilities	$	2,691		5,709
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock:
Class A	$	259,383		259,383
Class B	3,184			3,184
Accumulated retained deficit	(16,248		)	(18,217	)
Unrealized investment gains on securities held by parent and subsidiaries, net of tax	13,792			13,587
Treasury stock	(11,011		)	(11,011	)
Total stockholders' equity	249,100			246,926
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	251,791		252,635

Schedule II, Continued Condensed Financial Information of Registrant CITIZENS, INC. (Parent Company) Statements of Operations
	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015 (a)		2014 (a)
	(In thousands)
Revenues:
Management service fees (1)	$	33,748		31,328		27,497
Investment income	1,491			1,499		1,361
Other	49			58		1
Realized investment gains, net	—			—		46
Total revenues	35,288			32,885		28,905
Expenses:
General	33,807			29,609		25,572
Taxes, licenses and fees	996			918		902
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	(196		)	523		558
Total expenses	34,607			31,050		27,032
Income before equity in income of consolidated subsidiaries	681			1,835		1,873
Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries	1,288			(4,978	)	(7,843	)
Net income (loss)	$	1,969		(3,143	)	(5,970	)

⁽¹⁾ Eliminated in consolidation.

  (a) Certain previously reported information has been corrected to reflect immaterial corrections to the financial statements. For more information, refer to Note 1.

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

Schedule II, Continued Condensed Financial Information of Registrant CITIZENS, INC. (Parent Company) Statements of Cash Flows
	Years Ended December 31,
	2016			2015 (a)		2014 (a)
	(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	1,969		(3,143	)	(5,970	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Realized investment losses (gains), net	—			—		(46	)
Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries	(1,288		)	4,978		7,843
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	(3,018		)	483		(29	)
Amortization of premiums and discounts on investments	911			984		789
Depreciation	162			155		169
Accrued investment income	35			(14	)	(148	)
Decrease (increase) in receivable from subsidiaries and other assets	300			(627	)	69
Other, net	149			110		(471	)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(780		)	2,926		2,206
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of fixed maturities, held-to-maturity	—			—		—
Purchase of fixed maturities, available-for-sale	(6,615		)	(4,559	)	(11,949	)
Maturities of fixed maturities, available-for-sale	8,015			2,645		2,271
Purchase of equity securities, available-for-sale	—			—		—
Sale of other long-term investments and property and equipment	371			16		—
Purchase of other long-term investments and property and equipment	(740		)	(88	)	—
Purchase of short-term investments	(522		)	—		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investment activities	509			(1,986	)	(9,678	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividend from subsidiary	—			—		5,250
Purchase of the Company's stock from affiliates	(812		)	—		—
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(812		)	—		5,250
Net increase (decrease) in cash	(1,083		)	940		(2,222	)
Cash at beginning of year	15,756			14,816		17,038
Cash at end of year	$	14,673		15,756		14,816

  (a) Certain previously reported information has been corrected to reflect immaterial corrections to the financial statements. For more information, refer to Note 1.

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.