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Investments (Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]    
Gross unrealized gains $ 157,304us-gaap_UnrealizedGainOnSecurities $ 159,080us-gaap_UnrealizedGainOnSecurities
Gross unrealized losses (12,926)us-gaap_UnrealizedLossOnSecurities (37,263)us-gaap_UnrealizedLossOnSecurities
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements (62,856)nwli_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndSalesInducements1 (51,929)nwli_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndSalesInducements1
Deferred federal income tax expense (28,556)nwli_DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitNetUnrealizedGainOnInvestments (24,484)nwli_DeferredFederalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefitNetUnrealizedGainOnInvestments
Adjustments for deferred expense, deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement cost 52,966nwli_AdjustmentForDeferredTaxExpenseDeferredPolicyAcquisitionAndSalesInducementCost 45,404nwli_AdjustmentForDeferredTaxExpenseDeferredPolicyAcquisitionAndSalesInducementCost
Net unrealized gains related to securities transferred to held to maturity 0nwli_NetUnrealizedGainsRealtedToSecuritiesTransferredToHeldToMaturity 0nwli_NetUnrealizedGainsRealtedToSecuritiesTransferredToHeldToMaturity
Net unrealized gains on investment securities $ 52,966us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments $ 45,404us-gaap_UnrealizedGainLossOnInvestments