nwl8k.htm

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Western Life Announces 2010 Second Quarter Earnings

Austin, Texas, August 6, 2010 - Ross R. Moody, President of National Western Life Insurance Company (Nasdaq: NWLI), announced today second quarter 2010 consolidated net earnings of $20.8 million, or $5.88 per diluted Class A common share, compared with consolidated net earnings of $18.8 million, or $5.34 per diluted Class A common share, for the second quarter of 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company reported consolidated net earnings of $39.2 million, or $11.08 per diluted Class A common share, compared with $33.9 million, or $9.60 per diluted Class A common share, a year ago. The Company’s book value per share increased to $326.10 as of June 30, 2010 from $315.73 as of March 31, 2010.

Net earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 included after-tax investment gains of $33,000, or $0.01 per diluted Class A share. For the first six months of 2010, the Company reported after-tax investment losses of $0.2 million, or $0.07 per diluted Class A share, versus after-tax losses of $3.4 million, or $0.95 per diluted Class A share, for the corresponding period in 2009. Mr. Moody indicated that the Company’s modest investment losses in 2010 to date reflected ongoing due diligence with regards to the Company’s investment portfolio. “Although there has been improvement in credit markets over the past year, we are by no means lessening the amount of attention and analysis given to our bond holdings. With investment impairments and losses playing a smaller role in earnings performance, w e are pleased to see our operating earnings continuing to improve from the levels we witnessed during the recession,” Mr. Moody stated.

Operating revenues, excluding realized investment gains (losses) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) on index options, totaled $140.8 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to $133.6 million reported in the second quarter of 2009, an increase in excess of 5%. Mr. Moody noted, “Our annuity sales continue to be strong with a 101% increase this quarter compared to last year’s second quarter. We have also seen some momentum in life insurance sales internationally with total life sales increasing 13% in the second quarter of 2010 versus what we achieved in last year. The climate for our industry remains very challenging so it is gratifying to see growth in the midst of the current market environment.”

Founded in 1956, National Western Life is a stock life insurance company offering a broad portfolio of individual universal life, whole life and term insurance plans, annuity products, and investment contracts meeting the financial needs of its customers in 49 states as well as residents of various countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim. The Company has approximately 286 employees and 13,650 contracted independent agents, brokers and consultants, and at June 30, 2010, maintained total assets of $8.0 billion, stockholders' equity of $1.2 billion, and life insurance in force of $18.9 billion.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains statements which are or may be viewed as forward-looking within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 2005. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements can be found in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the Company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

National Western Life Insurance Company

News Release - Page 2

Summary of Consolidated Operating Results

(In thousands except per share data)

	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	June 30,					June 30,
	2010			2009		2010			2009
Revenues:
Revenues, excluding investment and index
options gains (losses)	$	140,755			133,592		273,521			263,464
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on
index options		(43,965	)		6,909		(32,018	)		(6,061	)
Realized gains (losses) on investments		51			166		(378	)		(5,179	)
Total revenues	$	96,841			140,667		241,125			252,224

Earnings:
Earnings from operations	$	20,779			18,734		39,466			37,236
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		33			108		(246	)		(3,366	)
Net earnings	$	20,812			18,842		39,220			33,870

Net earnings attributable to Class A Shares	$	20,222			18,307		38,108			32,909

Basic Earnings Per Class A Share:
Earnings from operations	$	5.89			5.31		11.19			10.56
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		0.01			0.03		(0.07	)		(0.95	)
Net earnings	$	5.90			5.34		11.12			9.61

Basic Weighted Average Class A Shares		3,426			3,426		3,426			3,426

Diluted Earnings Per Class A Share:
Earnings from operations	$	5.87			5.31		11.15			10.55
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		0.01			0.03		(0.07	)		(0.95	)
Net earnings	$	5.88			5.34		11.08			9.60

Diluted Weighted Average Class A Shares		3,440			3,430		3,440			3,430

Investor Relations Contact:

Brian M. Pribyl - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(512) 836-1010

bpribyl@nationalwesternlife.com

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) August 6, 2010


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:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

	Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

	On August 6, 2010, National Western Life Insurance Company ("Company") announced via press release the Company's financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010. A copy of the Company's press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This Form 8-K and the attached exhibit are provided under Item 9.01 of Form 8-K and are furnished to, but not filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

	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 August 6, 2010



	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

			/S/Brian M. Pribyl
	Date: August 6, 2010		Brian M. Pribyl
			Senior Vice President,
			Chief Financial Officer
			and Treasurer


	EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit		Description

99.1		Press Release of National Western Life Insurance Company issued August 6, 2010 reporting financial results for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010.