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Derivative Investments (Statements of Earnings) (Details) (Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Member], USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]    
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative $ 3,309us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet $ (436)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Equity Index Options [Member] | Investment Income [Member]
   
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]    
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (8,287)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nwli_EquityIndexOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
548us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nwli_EquityIndexOptionsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
Fixed-Index Products [Member] | Universal Life and Annuity Contract Interest [Member]
   
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]    
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative $ 11,596us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nwli_FixedIndexProductsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= nwli_UniversalLifeAndAnnuityContractInterestMember
$ (984)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= nwli_FixedIndexProductsMember
/ us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis
= us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= nwli_UniversalLifeAndAnnuityContractInterestMember