Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Premiums:
Life insurance	$ 178,351	$ 181,825	$ 191,342
Accident and health insurance	1,383	1,218	1,392
Property insurance	4,613	4,817	4,986
Net investment income	59,531	54,205	53,146
Realized investment gains, net	5,249	108	518
Other income	1,418	1,833	1,243
Total revenue	250,545	244,006	252,627
Insurance benefits paid or provided:
claims and surrenders	106,827	91,103	82,905
Increase in future policy benefit reserves	41,712	47,947	76,029
Policyholders' dividends	6,040	6,362	6,268
Total insurance benefits paid or provided	154,579	145,412	165,202
Commissions	34,222	34,962	41,324
Other general expenses	48,440	47,632	46,388
Capitalized deferred policy acquisition costs	(22,255)	(22,695)	(29,120)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	28,268	34,235	29,690
Amortization of cost of customer relationships acquired	1,546	2,458	2,129
Total benefits and expenses	244,800	242,004	255,613
Income (loss) before federal income tax	5,745	2,002	(2,986)
Federal income tax expense (benefit)	7,115	13,064	35,141
Net income (loss)	(1,370)	(11,062)	(38,127)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Unrealized holding gains arising during period less Effects of DAC and CCRA, before tax	78,825		17,666
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period Less Effects of DAC and CCRA, Before Tax		(30,639)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income	(1,927)	(953)	546
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during period, net	76,898	(31,592)	18,212
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	5,147	(6,464)	5,672
Other comprehensive income (loss)	71,751	(25,128)	12,540
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$ 70,381	$ (36,190)	$ (25,587)
Common Stock Class A [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.22)	$ (0.77)
Common Stock Class B [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and diluted earnings (losses) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.38)