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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WACn7xiiSQbLfIwvCE4eB5rqDD0GiyfbNtCuW0vkKk2lTPPMx2LpIy/N+aZkeqMv
 2FITHZdNQru7RerqlO+8Lw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001212131-10-000008.txt : 20100105
<SEC-HEADER>0001212131-10-000008.hdr.sgml : 20100105
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100105131856
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001212131-10-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100104
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100105
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100105

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INGRAM ROBERT W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001342535

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08052
		FILM NUMBER:		10505531

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		426 ALSTON HALL
		STREET 2:		THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
		CITY:			TUSCALOOSA
		STATE:			AL
		ZIP:			35406

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TORCHMARK CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000320335
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				630780404
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3700 SOUTH STONEBRIDGE DRIVE
		CITY:			MCKINNEY
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75070
		BUSINESS PHONE:		972-569-4000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3700 SOUTH  STONEBRIDGE DRIVE
		CITY:			MCKINNEY
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75070

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TORCHMARK CORP SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19820825

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LIBERTY NATIONAL INSURANCE HOLDING CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19820701
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-04</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000320335</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TORCHMARK CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TMK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001342535</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>INGRAM ROBERT W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2715 GRENADIER COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORM WAYNE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>46804</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2013</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8945.52</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Not Applicable</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Includes 35.41 additional dividend equivalent shares acquired on restricted stock units.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert W. Ingram, By:/s/Carol A. McCoy, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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