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Pension and Other Postretirement Plans (Defined Contribution Pension Plans) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Additional company's matching contribution 3.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchingContributionPercent    
Non-Qualified Contribution Pension Plan [Member]      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Total company contribution, non-qualified deferred compensation $ 99us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= nwli_NonQualifiedContributionPensionPlanMember
$ 140us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= nwli_NonQualifiedContributionPensionPlanMember
$ 66us-gaap_DeferredCompensationArrangementWithIndividualEmployerContribution
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= nwli_NonQualifiedContributionPensionPlanMember
401K Plan [Member]      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Total company contribution, 401(k) plan $ 491us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
$ 410us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
$ 323us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerDiscretionaryContributionAmount
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember
Company's employee annual contribution percentage for 401K 3.00%us-gaap_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumAnnualContributionsPerEmployeePercent
/ us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis
= us-gaap_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUSEntityDefinedBenefitMember