Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 04, 2014 Common Stock Class A [Member]	Mar. 04, 2014 Common Stock Class B [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CITIZENS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000024090
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 274,062
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			49,080,114	1,001,714