Edgar Filing: NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE CO

NWLI 2015 Q1 10Q



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015



o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 2-17039


NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



COLORADO	84-0467208
(State of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

850 EAST ANDERSON LANE
AUSTIN, TEXAS 78752-1602	(512) 836-1010
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Telephone Number)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days: Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). : Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated file" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

As of May 7, 2015, the number of shares of Registrant's common stock outstanding was: Class A – 3,436,166 and Class B - 200,000.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
	Page

Part I. Financial Information:	3

Item 1. Financial Statements	3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014	3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)	5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)	6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)	7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)	9

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	11

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	41

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	76

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	76

Part II. Other Information:	76

Item1. Legal Proceedings	76

Item1A. Risk Factors	76

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	77

Item 4. Removed and Reserved	77

Item 6. Exhibits	77

Signatures	78

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)



	(Unaudited)
ASSETS	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014

Investments:
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $7,470,133 and $7,175,443)	$	7,042,233	6,841,543
Securities available for sale, at fair value (cost: $2,687,568 and $2,590,074)	2,854,690		2,728,680
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for possible losses ($650 and $650)	143,918		149,503
Policy loans	63,877		63,645
Derivatives, index options	95,987		114,287
Other long-term investments	29,030		28,774
Short-term investments	14,989		—

Total investments	10,244,724		9,926,432

Cash and cash equivalents	71,104		277,078
Deferred policy acquisition costs	792,992		802,919
Deferred sales inducements	152,352		159,766
Accrued investment income	101,545		96,127
Federal income tax receivable	—		—
Other assets	99,286		89,570

Total assets	$	11,462,003	11,351,892

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)



	(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014

LIABILITIES:

Future policy benefits:
Universal life and annuity contracts	$	9,404,339	9,384,297
Traditional life reserves	137,928		138,225
Other policyholder liabilities	153,389		139,222
Deferred Federal income tax liability	44,987		31,675
Federal income tax payable	42		3,336
Other liabilities	134,666		98,817

Total liabilities	9,875,351		9,795,572

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Common stock:
Class A - $1 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; 3,436,166 issued and outstanding in 2015 and 2014	3,436		3,436
Class B - $1 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding in 2015 and 2014	200		200
Additional paid-in capital	38,116		38,116
Accumulated other comprehensive income	50,792		41,786
Retained earnings	1,494,108		1,472,782

Total stockholders’ equity	1,586,652		1,556,320

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	11,462,003	11,351,892

Note: The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of that date.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)



	2015			2014

Premiums and other revenues:
Universal life and annuity contract charges	$	37,313		38,005
Traditional life premiums	4,347			4,271
Net investment income	99,923			108,451
Other revenues	5,329			5,763
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) gains (losses)	160			(32		)
Portion of OTTI (gains) losses recognized in other comprehensive income	(160		)	(3		)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	—			(35		)
Other net investment gains (losses)	978			1,548
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	978			1,513

Total revenues	147,890			158,003

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	19,266			12,963
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	27,652			28,579
Universal life and annuity contract interest	49,039			62,936
Other operating expenses	20,510			23,463

Total benefits and expenses	116,467			127,941

Earnings before Federal income taxes	31,423			30,062

Federal income taxes	10,097			10,236

Net earnings	$	21,326		19,826

Basic earnings per share:
Class A	$	6.03		$	5.61
Class B	$	3.02		$	2.80

Diluted earnings per share:
Class A	$	6.03		$	5.61
Class B	$	3.02		$	2.80

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	2015			2014

Net earnings	$	21,326		19,826

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of effects of deferred costs and taxes:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	9,372			11,002
Net unrealized liquidity gains (losses)	61			23
Reclassification adjustment for net amounts included in net earnings	(165		)	(425	)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	9,268			10,600

Foreign currency translation adjustments	41			(511	)

Benefit plans:
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain (loss)	(303		)	(176	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	9,006			9,913

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,332		29,739

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2015			2014

Common stock:
Balance at beginning of period	$	3,636		3,635
Shares exercised under stock option plan	—			—

Balance at end of period	3,636			3,635

Additional paid-in capital:
Balance at beginning of period	38,116			37,767
Shares exercised under stock option plan	—			—

Balance at end of period	38,116			37,767

Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on non-impaired securities:
Balance at beginning of period	54,229			46,693
Change in unrealized gains (losses) during period, net of tax	9,207			10,578

Balance at end of period	63,436			57,271

Unrealized losses on impaired held to maturity securities:
Balance at beginning of period	(1,262		)	(1,287	)
Amortization	104			57
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax	—			—
Additional credit loss on previously impaired securities	—			—
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	(43		)	(35	)

Balance at end of period	(1,201		)	(1,265	)

Unrealized losses on impaired available for sale securities:
Balance at beginning of period	(1		)	(2	)
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax	—			—
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	—			(1	)
Recoveries, net of tax	—			2

Balance at end of period	(1		)	(1	)

	Continued on Next Page

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY(continued) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) (In thousands)



	2015			2014

Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Balance at beginning of period	2,685			3,241
Change in translation adjustments during period	41			(511		)

Balance at end of period	2,726			2,730

Benefit plan liability adjustment:
Balance at beginning of period	(13,865		)	(10,565		)
Amortization of net prior service cost and net loss, net of tax	(303		)	(176		)

Balance at end of period	(14,168		)	(10,741		)

Accumulated other comprehensive income at end of period	50,792			47,994

Retained earnings:
Balance at beginning of period	1,472,782			1,368,466
Net earnings	21,326			19,826
Stockholder dividends	—			—

Balance at end of period	1,494,108			1,388,292

Total stockholders' equity	$	1,586,652		$	1,477,688

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2015			2014

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	21,326		19,826
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Universal life and annuity contract interest	49,039			62,936
Surrender charges and other policy revenues	(3,894		)	(4,148	)
Realized (gains) losses on investments	(978		)	(1,513	)
Accretion/amortization of discounts and premiums, investments	(4		)	(216	)
Depreciation and amortization	841			883
(Increase) decrease in value of derivatives	8,287			(548	)
(Increase) decrease in deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs	2,919			2,344
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income	(5,418		)	(3,197	)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(7,227		)	(1,515	)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for future policy benefits	(129		)	(648	)
Increase (decrease) in other policyholder liabilities	14,168			1,151
Increase (decrease) in Federal income taxes liability	(3,294		)	(11,853	)
Increase (decrease) in deferred Federal income tax	8,327			9,715
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	6,804			(213	)
Other, net	—			1

Net cash provided by operating activities	90,767			73,005

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of:
Securities held to maturity	—			—
Securities available for sale	5,752			2,042
Other investments	—			579
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of:
Securities held to maturity	101,444			134,670
Securities available for sale	48,565			53,872
Derivatives, index options	26,450			54,133
Purchases of:
Securities held to maturity	(271,797		)	(212,725	)
Securities available for sale	(152,742		)	(57,141	)
Derivatives, index options	(19,166		)	(15,507	)
Other investments	(421		)	(164	)
Net change in short-term investments	(14,989		)	—

	Continued on Next Page

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, (continued) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2015			2014

Principal payments on mortgage loans	6,907			5,845
Cost of mortgage loans acquired	(1,281		)	(1,537		)
Decrease (increase) in policy loans	(232		)	825
Other, net	—			—

Net cash used in investing activities	(271,510		)	(35,108		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits to account balances for universal life and annuity contracts	202,472			199,563
Return of account balances on universal life and annuity contracts	(227,744		)	(224,969		)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(25,272		)	(25,406		)

Effect of foreign exchange	41			(511		)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and short-term investments	(205,974		)	11,980
Cash and short-term investments at beginning of period	277,078			120,859

Cash and short-term investments at end of period	$	71,104		$	132,839

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	10		10
Income taxes	$	5,247		11,918

Noncash operating activities:
Deferral of sales inducements	$	(4,680	)	(3,450		)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(1)	CONSOLIDATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of National Western Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries (“Company” or "National Western") as of March 31, 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. It is recommended that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and are accessible free of charge through the Company's internet site at www.nationalwesternlife.com or the Securities and Exchange Commission internet site at www.sec.gov. The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Western Life Insurance Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: The Westcap Corporation, NWL Investments, Inc., NWL Services, Inc., NWL Financial, Inc., NWLSM, Inc. and Regent Care San Marcos Holdings, LLC. All significant intercorporate transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include (1) liabilities for future policy benefits, (2) valuation of derivative instruments, (3) recoverability and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs, (4) valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, (5) other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities, (6) commitments and contingencies, and (7) valuation allowances for mortgage loans and real estate.

The table below shows the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities that were reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.



Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings	Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Other net investment gains (losses)	$	254	689
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	—		(35	)
Earnings before Federal income taxes	254		654
Federal income taxes	89		229

Net earnings	$	165	425

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(2)	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In July 2013, the FASB issued guidance to amend the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The new guidance states that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as reduction to deferred tax assets for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2014 and the adoption did not have an effect on the deferred tax asset or liability classification on the Company's balance sheet and did not result in any additional disclosures to the financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued guidance that applies to all reporting entities that grant their employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award provide that a performance target that affects vesting could be achieved after the requisite service period. It requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and follows existing accounting guidance for the treatment of performance conditions. The standard will be effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company’s current employee share-based plans do not require performance targets and the adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA"), and the SEC are not believed by management to, have a material impact on the Company’s present or future consolidated financial statements.


(3)	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

The Company is restricted by state insurance laws as to dividend amounts which may be paid to stockholders without prior approval from the Colorado Division of Insurance. The restrictions are based on the greater of statutory earnings from operations excluding capital gains or 10% of statutory surplus of the Company. The maximum dividend payment which may be made without prior approval in 2015 is $118.2 million. The Company did not declare or pay cash dividends on its common stocks during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(4)	EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share of common stock are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average basic common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share assumes the issuance of common shares applicable to stock options in the denominator.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	Class A		Class B	Class A	Class B
	(In thousands except per share amounts)

Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net income	$	21,326		19,826
Dividends - Class A shares	—			—
Dividends - Class B shares	—			—

Undistributed income	$	21,326		19,826

Allocation of net income:
Dividends	$	—	—	—	—
Allocation of undistributed income	20,723		603	19,265	561

Net income	$	20,723	603	19,265	561

Denominator:
Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares	3,436		200	3,435	200
Effect of dilutive stock options	2		—	2	—

Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions	3,438		200	3,437	200

Basic Earnings Per Share	$	6.03	3.02	5.61	2.80

Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	6.03	3.02	5.61	2.80

Stock options that were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was anti-dilutive, were approximately 21,800 and 22,400, respectively.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(5)	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS


(A)	Defined Benefit Pension Plans

The Company sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering employees enrolled prior to 2008. The plan provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The Company makes annual contributions to the plan that complies with the minimum funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). On October 19, 2007, the Company's Board of Directors approved an amendment to freeze the Pension Plan as of December 31, 2007. The freeze ceased future benefit accruals to all participants and closed the plan to any new participants. In addition, all participants became immediately 100% vested in their accrued benefits as of that date. Going forward, future pension expense is projected to be minimal. Fair values of plan assets and liabilities are measured as of the prior December 31 for each respective year. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost.



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Service cost	$	51		42
Interest cost	246			240
Expected return on plan assets	(330		)	(320	)
Amortization of prior service cost	1			1
Amortization of net loss	196			105

Net periodic benefit cost	$	164		68

The service costs shown in the above table represent plan expenses expected to be paid out of plan assets. Under clarification provided by the Pension Protection Act, plan expenses paid from plan assets are to be included in the plan's service cost component.

The Company's minimum required contribution for the 2015 plan year is $0.0 million. The Company had no remaining contribution payable for the 2014 plan year as of March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had contributed a total of $0.0 million to the plan for the 2015 plan years.

The Company also sponsors a nonqualified defined benefit plan primarily for senior officers. The plan provides benefits based on the participants' years of service and compensation. The pension obligations and administrative responsibilities of the plan are maintained by a pension administration firm, which is a subsidiary of American National Insurance Company ("ANICO"). ANICO has guaranteed the payment of pension obligations under the plan. However, the Company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan should these entities be unable to meet their obligations under the existing agreements. Also, the Company has a contingent liability with respect to the plan in the event that a plan participant continues employment with the Company beyond age seventy, the aggregate average annual participant salary increases exceed 10% per year, or any additional employees become eligible to participate in the plan. If any of these conditions are met, the Company would be responsible for any additional pension obligations resulting from these items. Amendments were made to the plan to allow an additional employee to participate and to change the benefit formula for the Chairman of the Company. As previously mentioned, these additional obligations are a liability to the Company. Effective December 31, 2004, this plan was frozen with respect to the continued accrual of benefits of the Chairman and the President of the Company in order to comply with law changes under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("Act").

Effective July 1, 2005, the Company established a second nonqualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the Chairman and the President of the Company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that mirror and supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the previously discussed nonqualified defined benefit plan, while complying with the requirements of the Act.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs for the Chairman and President's nonqualified defined benefit plans.



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Service cost	$	64	73
Interest cost	219		251
Amortization of prior service cost	15		15
Amortization of net loss	378		323

Net periodic benefit cost	$	676	662

The Company expects to contribute $2.0 million to these plans in 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has contributed $0.4 million to the plans.


(B)	Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans

The Company sponsors two healthcare plans to provide postretirement benefits to certain fully-vested individuals. The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs.



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Interest cost	$	32	28
Amortization of prior service cost	26		26
Amortization of net loss	15		(1	)

Net periodic benefit cost	$	73	53

The Company expects to contribute minimal amounts to the plan in 2015.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(6)	SEGMENT AND OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION

The Company defines its reportable operating segments as domestic life insurance, international life insurance, and annuities. These segments are organized based on product types and geographic marketing areas. A summary of segment information for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 is provided below.



Selected Segment Information:
	Domestic Life Insurance			International Life Insurance		Annuities	All Others	Totals
						(In thousands)

March 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	$	65,368		249,736		630,240	—	945,344
Total segment assets	783,839			1,246,906		8,988,348	259,212	11,278,305
Future policy benefits	675,837			949,876		7,916,554	—	9,542,267
Other policyholder liabilities	13,661			17,777		121,951	—	153,389

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	6,487		30,333		4,840	—	41,660
Net investment income	7,165			8,614		79,236	4,908	99,923
Other revenues	16			86		15	5,212	5,329

Total revenues	13,668			39,033		84,091	10,120	146,912

Life and other policy benefits	5,113			6,205		7,948	—	19,266
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	3,181			(650	)	25,121	—	27,652
Universal life and annuity contract interest	4,939			7,130		36,970	—	49,039
Other operating expenses	3,715			5,922		6,178	4,695	20,510
Federal income taxes (benefit)	(1,051		)	6,545		2,523	1,738	9,755

Total expenses	15,897			25,152		78,740	6,433	126,222

Segment earnings (loss)	$	(2,229	)	13,881		5,351	3,687	20,690

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



Selected Segment Information:
	Domestic Life Insurance		International Life Insurance	Annuities	All Others	Totals
				(In thousands)

March 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	$	53,815	239,432	644,532	—	937,779
Total segment assets	634,334		1,188,473	8,627,243	264,435	10,714,485
Future policy benefits	554,247		920,665	7,682,956	—	9,157,868
Other policyholder liabilities	11,867		15,587	116,284	—	143,738

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2014
Condensed Consolidated Income Statements:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	8,165	29,108	5,003	—	42,276
Net investment income	6,283		10,718	86,617	4,833	108,451
Other revenues	18		241	37	5,467	5,763

Total revenues	14,466		40,067	91,657	10,300	156,490

Life and other policy benefits	2,492		5,035	5,436	—	12,963
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	2,400		6,745	19,434	—	28,579
Universal life and annuity contract interest	5,105		10,205	47,626	—	62,936
Other operating expenses	4,279		7,025	7,096	5,063	23,463
Federal income taxes (benefit)	65		3,759	4,102	1,780	9,706

Total expenses	14,341		32,769	83,694	6,843	137,647

Segment earnings (loss)	$	125	7,298	7,963	3,457	18,843

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Reconciliations of segment information to the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Premiums and Other Revenues:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	41,660	42,276
Net investment income	99,923		108,451
Other revenues	5,329		5,763
Realized gains (losses) on investments	978		1,513

Total condensed consolidated premiums and other revenues	$	147,890	158,003



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Federal Income Taxes:
Total segment Federal income taxes	$	9,755	9,706
Taxes on realized gains (losses) on investments	342		530

Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	$	10,097	10,236



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Net Earnings:
Total segment earnings	$	20,690	18,843
Realized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes	636		983

Total condensed consolidated net earnings	$	21,326	19,826

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Assets:
Total segment assets	$	11,278,305	10,714,485
Other unallocated assets	183,698		198,132

Total condensed consolidated assets	$	11,462,003	10,912,617


(7)	SHARE-BASED PAYMENTS

The Company had a stock and incentive plan ("1995 Plan") which provided for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards to eligible employees: (1) stock options, including incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options; (2) stock appreciation rights, in tandem with stock options or freestanding; (3) restricted stock; and, (4) performance awards. The 1995 Plan began on April 21, 1995, and was amended on June 25, 2004 to extend the termination date to April 20, 2010. The number of shares of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stock which were allowed to be issued under the 1995 Plan, or as to which stock appreciation rights ("SARs") or other awards were allowed to be granted, could not exceed 300,000. Effective June 20, 2008, the Company's shareholders approved a 2008 Incentive Plan (“2008 Plan”). The 2008 Plan is substantially similar to the 1995 Plan and authorized an additional number of Class A, $1.00 par value, common stock shares eligible for issue not to exceed 300,000. These shares may be authorized and unissued shares. The Company has issued only nonqualified stock options and SARs under these plans.

All of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the current 2008 Plan (as well as previously in the expired 1995 Plan). In addition, directors of the Company are eligible to receive the same types of awards as employees except that they are not eligible to receive incentive stock options. Company directors, including members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee, are eligible for nondiscretionary stock options. The directors' grants vest 20% annually following one full year of service to the Company from the date of grant. The employees' grants vest 20% annually following three full years of service to the Company from the date of grant. All grants issued expire after ten years. No awards were issued during the first three months of 2015 or 2014.

Effective during March 2006, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program with respect to the 1995 Plan which provides option holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company. Option holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election. The buy-back program did not alter the terms and conditions of the 1995 Plan; however, the program necessitated a change in accounting from the equity classification to the liability classification.

In August 2008, the Company implemented another limited stock buy-back program, substantially similar to the 2006 program, for shares issued under the 2008 Plan.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company uses the current fair value method to measure compensation cost. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, the liability balance was $8.4 million and $7.1 million, respectively. A summary of shares available for grant and activity is detailed below.



		Options Outstanding
	Shares Available For Grant	Shares	Weighted- Average Exercise Price

Stock Options:
Balance at January 1, 2015	291,000	29,768	$	242.48
Exercised	—	—	$	—
Forfeited	—	—	$	—
Expired	—	—	$	—
Stock options granted	—	—	$	—

Balance at March 31, 2015	291,000	29,768	$	242.48



	Stock Appreciation Rights Outstanding
	Awards		Weighted- Average Exercise Price

Stock Appreciation Rights:
Balance at January 1, 2015	92,186		$	157.71
Exercised	(775	)	$	116.95
Forfeited	—		$	—
Granted	—		$	—

Balance at March 31, 2015	91,411		$	158.05

Stock options and SARs shown as forfeited in the above tables represent vested and unvested awards not exercised by plan participants prior to their termination from the Company. Forfeited stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2014 were awarded under the 1995 Plan. As the 1995 Plan terminated during calendar year 2010, the forfeited shares are not shown as being added back to the "Shares Available For Grant" balance.

The total intrinsic value of SARs exercised was $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The total share-based liabilities paid for the exercised SARs were $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The total fair value of stock options and SARs vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the total cash received from the exercise of stock options under the Plans was $0 million and $0, respectively, as no stock options were exercised in these periods.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes information about stock options and SARs outstanding at March 31, 2015.



	Options/SARs Outstanding
	Number Outstanding		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life	Number Exercisable

Exercise prices:
$255.13 (options)	21,768		3.0 years	17,615
$208.05 (options)	8,000		3.2 years	8,000
$236.00 (SARs)	250		3.4 years	200
$114.64 (SARs)	25,243		3.9 years	21,064
$132.56 (SARs)	30,418		6.7 years	9,604
$210.22 (SARs)	35,500		8.7 years	2,800

Totals	121,179			59,283

Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	9,168		$	4,608

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above is based on the closing stock price of $254.30 per share on March 31, 2015.

In estimating the fair value of the options outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company employed the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions detailed below.



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014

Expected term of options	3.0 to 8.7 years		3.3 to 9.0 years
Expected volatility:
Range	21.30% to 37.77%		19.67% to 37.75%
Weighted-average	24.30	%	22.91	%
Expected dividend yield	0.14	%	0.13	%
Risk-free rate:
Range	0.22% to 1.47%		0.13% to 1.62%
Weighted-average	0.49	%	0.56	%

The Company reviewed the contractual term relative to the options as well as perceived future behavior patterns of exercise. Volatility is based on the Company’s historical volatility over the expected term of the option’s expected exercise date.

The pre-tax compensation cost recognized in the financial statements related to the two plans defined above was $(0.8) million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The related tax (expense)/benefit recognized was $0.3 million and $(0.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of March 31, 2015, the total compensation cost related to nonvested options not yet recognized was $2.0 million. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years. The Company recognizes compensation cost over the graded vesting periods.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(8)	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

(A) Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, the Company is involved or may become involved in various legal actions in which claims for alleged economic and punitive damages have been or may be asserted, some for substantial amounts. In recent years, carriers offering life insurance and annuity products have faced litigation, including class action lawsuits, alleging improper product design, improper sales practices, and similar claims. The Company has been a defendant over the past several years in two such class action lawsuits. Given the uncertainty involved in these types of actions, the ability to make a reliable evaluation of the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or an estimate of the amount of or range of potential loss is endemic to the particular circumstances and evolving developments of each individual matter on its own merits.

The Company resolved a class action lawsuit pending since June 12, 2006, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The case is titled In Re National Western Life Insurance Deferred Annuities Litigation. The complaint asserted claims for RICO violations, Financial Elder Abuse, Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17200, et seq, Violation of Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 17500, et seq, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Aiding and Abetting Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Fraudulent Concealment, Cal. Civ. Code 1710, et seq, Breach of the Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing, and Unjust Enrichment and Imposition of Constructive Trust. On July 12, 2010 the Court certified a nationwide class of policyholders under the RICO allegation and a California class under all of the remaining causes of action except breach of fiduciary duty. The parties entered into a Settlement and Release Agreement in August of 2013 ("Settlement") which was finally approved by the Court on February 11, 2014. On February 12, 2014, the Court issued a redacted final approval order granting the Motion for Final Approval of Class Action Settlement. The Settlement became final and non-appealable on April 12, 2014. The Settlement Agreement and Plaintiffs' Request for Attorneys' Fees and Costs were approved by the Court, and the Company paid the Court-approved amount of attorneys’ fees and costs in April 2014. The Company also made certain payments to surrendered and annuitized policyholders in June 2014. In addition, the Company agreed to provide bonuses on annuitization for active policyholders who choose a 10-year or a 20-year certain and life settlement option. The Company had held reserves of $6.5 million for the matter which approximated the ultimate settlement amounts described above.

In addition to the class action lawsuit described above, the Company was the named defendant in the case of Sheila Newman vs. National Western Life Insurance Company, which alleged mishandling of policyholder funds by an agent. On February 3, 2010, the 415th Judicial District Court of Parker County in Weatherford, Texas, entered a Final Judgment against the Company of approximately $208,000 including actual damages of $113,000 and amounts for attorney's fees, and prejudgment interest on the actual damages. In addition, the Final Judgment included $150 million for exemplary damages. The Company vigorously defended this case and appealed the Final Judgment to the Court of Appeals Second District of Texas in Fort Worth. The Court of Appeals on August 11, 2011, reversed the trial court judgment in its entirety and rendered a take nothing verdict in favor of National Western. Plaintiffs (Appellees) filed a motion for a rehearing which the Court ruled on October 13, 2011, that the trial court's judgment was still reversed and judgment was still entered that Newman take nothing, all in favor of National Western. The Plaintiffs (Appellees) filed a Motion for Reconsideration En Banc which the Court of Appeals denied on October 27, 2011. The Plaintiffs (Appellees) then filed a Motion for Rehearing of the Court's amended decision, which the Court of Appeals denied on December 22, 2011. On March 21, 2012, Plaintiffs (Appellees) filed a petition for review with the Texas Supreme Court and the Company filed its response on April 20, 2012. The Supreme Court asked the parties for briefs on the issues before deciding on whether to hear the case and both parties submitted their briefs. On February 14, 2013, the Supreme Court denied the Plaintiffs petition for review. On April 3, 2013, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Rehearing. The Supreme Court denied Plaintiff's Motion for Rehearing on June 7, 2013, thus ending the matter.

On October 26, 2011 the Brazilian Superintendence of Private Insurance (“SUSEP”) attempted to serve the Company with a subpoena regarding an administrative proceeding initiated by SUSEP in which it alleged that the Company was operating as an insurance company in Brazil without due authorization. The Company had been informed that SUSEP was attempting to impose a penal fine of approximately $6.0 billion on the Company. SUSEP unsuccessfully attempted to serve the Company with notice regarding this matter. The Company does not transact business in Brazil and has no officers, employees, property, or assets in Brazil. The Company believes that SUSEP has no jurisdiction over the Company, that SUSEP's attempts at service of process were invalid, and that any penal fine would be unenforceable. For the reasons described above, the Company does not believe that this matter meets the definition of a material pending legal proceeding as such term is defined in Item 103 of Regulation S-K but has included the foregoing description solely due to the purported amount of the fine sought at that time.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Although there can be no assurances, at the present time, the Company does not anticipate that the ultimate liability arising from such other potential, pending, or threatened legal actions will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operating results of the Company.

Separately, the Company has recently become aware that the Brazilian authorities have commenced an investigation into possible violations of Brazilian criminal law in connection with the issuance of the Company's insurance policies to Brazilian residents, and in assistance of such investigation a Commissioner appointed by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has issued a subpoena upon the Company to provide information relating to such possible violations. Because the Company has only recently become aware of this investigation, no conclusion can be drawn at this time as to its outcome or how such outcome may impact the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition. The Company plans to cooperate with the relevant governmental authorities in regard to this matter.

(B) Financial Instruments

In order to meet the financing needs of its customers in the normal course of business, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. These financial instruments are commitments to extend credit which involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amounts, assuming that the amounts are fully advanced and that collateral or other security is of no value. Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to a customer that generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Commitments do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements, as some could expire without being drawn upon. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. The Company controls the credit risk of these transactions through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures.

The Company had no commitments to extend credit relating to mortgage loans at March 31, 2015. The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.


(9)	INVESTMENTS


(A)	Investment Gains and Losses

The table below presents realized investment gains and losses, excluding impairment losses, for the periods indicated.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Available for sale debt securities:
Realized gains on disposal	$	213		692
Realized losses on disposal	(9		)	(8	)
Held to maturity debt securities:	—
Realized gains on disposal	724			782
Realized losses on disposal	—			(11	)
Equity securities realized gains (losses)	50			4
Real estate gains (losses)	—			89

Totals	$	978		1,548

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company uses the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses. Approximately 75% of the gains on bonds are due to calls of securities rather than sales. This includes calls out of the Company's available for sale portfolio of debt securities.

The table below presents net impairment losses recognized in earnings for the periods indicated.



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Total other-than-temporary impairment gains (losses) on debt securities	$	160		(4	)
Portion of loss (gain) recognized in comprehensive income	(160		)	(3	)

Net impairment losses on debt securities recognized in earnings	—			(7	)
Equity securities impairments	—			(28	)

Totals	$	—		(35	)

The table below presents a roll forward of credit losses on securities for which the Company also recorded non-credit other-than-temporary impairments in other comprehensive loss.



	Three months ended March 31, 2015			Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014


Beginning balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	$	2,298		2,472
Reductions for securities sold during current period	(20		)	(181	)
Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in other-than-temporary impairments	—			7

Ending balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	$	2,278		2,298

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(B)	Debt and Equity Securities

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at March 31, 2015.



	Securities Held to Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains	Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
U.S. agencies	$	15,047	634	—		15,681
U.S. Treasury	1,921		414	—		2,335
States and political subdivisions	436,398		35,935	(250	)	472,083
Foreign governments	—		—	—		—
Public utilities	975,817		78,915	(68	)	1,054,664
Corporate	3,975,303		226,933	(4,642	)	4,197,594
Mortgage-backed	1,614,749		86,462	(1,403	)	1,699,808
Home equity	18,704		4,614	—		23,318
Manufactured housing	4,294		356	—		4,650

Totals	$	7,042,233	434,263	(6,363	)	7,470,133

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at March 31, 2015.



	Securities Available for Sale
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains	Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	588	—	(35	)	553
Foreign governments	9,941		684	—		10,625
Public utilities	164,169		10,580	—		174,749
Corporate	2,441,317		152,193	(5,538	)	2,587,972
Mortgage-backed	45,563		4,177	—		49,740
Home equity	11,577		213	(13	)	11,777
Manufactured housing	1,606		53	—		1,659
	2,674,761		167,900	(5,586	)	2,837,075

Equity securities	12,807		4,964	(156	)	17,615

Totals	$	2,687,568	172,864	(5,742	)	2,854,690

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2014.



	Securities Held to Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains	Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
U.S. agencies	$	10,061	705	—		10,766
U.S. Treasury	1,920		409	—		2,329
States and political subdivisions	432,186		31,417	(336	)	463,267
Public utilities	978,847		67,836	(757	)	1,045,926
Corporate	3,754,222		183,650	(18,591	)	3,919,281
Mortgage-backed	1,640,582		68,726	(4,164	)	1,705,144
Home equity	18,886		4,734	(57	)	23,563
Manufactured housing	4,839		328	—		5,167

Totals	$	6,841,543	357,805	(23,905	)	7,175,443

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2014.



	Securities Available for Sale
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains	Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	589	—	(36	)	553
Foreign governments	9,939		386	—		10,325
Public utilities	169,179		10,163	(126	)	179,216
Corporate	2,334,700		128,280	(8,961	)	2,454,019
Mortgage-backed	48,674		4,116	—		52,790
Home equity	11,702		225	(9	)	11,918
Manufactured housing	2,492		64	—		2,556
	2,577,275		143,234	(9,132	)	2,711,377

Equity securities	12,799		4,849	(345	)	17,303

Totals	$	2,590,074	148,083	(9,477	)	2,728,680

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's held to maturity investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015.



	Securities Held to Maturity
	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater			Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	—	—		13,220	(250	)	13,220	(250	)
Public utilities	2,003		(5	)	18,445	(63	)	20,448	(68	)
Corporate	99,277		(1,080	)	308,553	(3,562	)	407,830	(4,642	)
Mortgage-backed	30,877		(159	)	88,592	(1,244	)	119,469	(1,403	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	132,157	(1,244	)	428,810	(5,119	)	560,967	(6,363	)

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale investments by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015.



	Securities Available for Sale
	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater			Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	—	—		553	(35	)	553	(35	)
Public utilities	—		—		—	—		—	—
Corporate	104,238		(2,401	)	116,966	(3,137	)	221,204	(5,538	)
Home equity	—		—		4,822	(13	)	4,822	(13	)
	104,238		(2,401	)	122,341	(3,185	)	226,579	(5,586	)

Equity public	598		(106	)	1,545	(50	)	2,143	(156	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	104,836	(2,507	)	123,886	(3,235	)	228,722	(5,742	)

Unrealized losses for securities held to maturity and securities available for sale decreased during the first three months of 2015 due primarily to the decline in market interest rates. The Company does not consider investments with unrealized losses to be other-than-temporarily impaired since it does not anticipate selling these securities prior to maturity and expects to receive all amounts due relative to principal and interest.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company does not consider securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired when the market decline is attributable to factors such as interest rate movements, market volatility, liquidity, spread widening and credit quality and when recovery of all amounts due under the contractual terms of the security is anticipated. Based on the review and the Company's ability and intent not to sell these securities until maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2015. The Company will monitor the investment portfolio for future changes in issuer facts and circumstances that could result in future impairments beyond those currently identified.

During the first quarter of 2015, the Company recorded no other-than-temporary impairment on debt or equity securities.

Debt securities. The gross unrealized losses for debt securities are made up of 109 individual issues, or 8.2% of the total debt securities held by the Company. The market value of these bonds as a percent of amortized cost averages 98.5%. Of the 109 securities, 77, or 70.6%, fall in the 12 months or greater aging category; and 106 were rated investment grade at March 31, 2015.

Equity securities. The gross unrealized losses for equity securities are made up of 23 individual issues. These holdings are reviewed quarterly for impairment.



	Securities Held to Maturity
	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater			Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	—	—		23,076	(336	)	23,076	(336	)
Public utilities	7,078		(13	)	48,198	(744	)	55,276	(757	)
Corporate	156,839		(2,997	)	698,316	(15,594	)	855,155	(18,591	)
Mortgage-backed	17,698		(240	)	181,694	(3,924	)	199,392	(4,164	)
Home equity	2,206		(57	)	—	—		2,206	(57	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	183,821	(3,307	)	951,284	(20,598	)	1,135,105	(23,905	)

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair values of the Company's available for sale investments by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at December 31, 2014.



	Securities Available for Sale
	Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater			Total
	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses		Fair Value	Unrealized Losses
	(In thousands)

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	—	—		553	(36	)	553	(36	)
Public utilities	—		—		14,827	(126	)	14,827	(126	)
Corporate	100,373		(2,990	)	187,699	(5,971	)	288,072	(8,961	)
Home equity	—		—		4,826	(9	)	4,826	(9	)
	100,373		(2,990	)	207,905	(6,142	)	308,278	(9,132	)

Equity public	305		(52	)	3,801	(293	)	4,106	(345	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	100,678	(3,042	)	211,706	(6,435	)	312,384	(9,477	)


(C)	Transfer of Securities

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company made no transfers to the held to maturity category from securities available for sale.

(D) Mortgage Loans

A financing receivable is a contractual right to receive money on demand or on fixed or determinable dates that is recognized as an asset in a company's statement of financial position. Mortgage, equity, participation and mezzanine loans on real estate are considered financing receivables reported by the Company.

Credit and default risk is minimized through strict underwriting guidelines and diversification of underlying property types and geographic locations. In addition to being secured by the property, mortgage loans with leases on the underlying property are often guaranteed by the lease payments and also by the borrower. This approach has proven to result in quality mortgage loans with few defaults. Mortgage loan interest income is recognized on an accrual basis with any premium or discount amortized over the life of the loan. Prepayment and late fees are recorded on the date of collection.

Loans in foreclosure, loans considered impaired or loans past due 90 days or more are placed on a non-accrual status. If a mortgage loan is determined to be on non-accrual status, the mortgage loan does not accrue any revenue into the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The loan is independently monitored and evaluated as to potential impairment or foreclosure. If delinquent payments are made and the loan is brought current, then the Company returns the loan to active status and accrues income accordingly. The Company had no mortgage loans past due 90 days or more at March 31, 2015 or 2014 and as a result all interest income was recognized at March 31, 2015 or 2014.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table represents the mortgage loan portfolio by loan-to-value ratio.



	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Amount			%		Amount			%
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)

Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio (1):
Less than 50%	$	47,448		32.8		$	52,564		35.0
50% to 60%	49,388			34.2		50,553			33.7
60% to 70%	20,115			13.9		14,567			9.7
70% to 80%	7,934			5.5		12,656			8.4
80% to 90%	19,683			13.6		5,399			3.6
Greater than 90%	—			—		14,414			9.6
Gross balance	144,568			100.0		150,153			100.0

Allowance for possible losses	(650		)	(0.5	)	(650		)	(0.4	)

Totals	$	143,918		99.5		$	149,503		99.6

(1) Loan-to-Value Ratio determined using the most recent appraised value. Appraisals are required at the time of funding and may be updated if a material change occurs from the original loan agreement.

The mortgage loans in the greater than 90% category relate to loans made with a long standing borrower. The loans are backed by the investment property, contracted leases, as well as a separate and additional guarantee of the long standing borrower.

All mortgage loans are analyzed quarterly in order to monitor the financial quality of these assets. Based on ongoing monitoring, mortgage loans with a likelihood of becoming delinquent are identified and placed on an internal “watch list”. Among the criteria that may indicate a potential problem include: major tenant vacancies or bankruptcies, late payments, and loan relief/restructuring requests. The mortgage loan portfolio is analyzed for the need for a valuation allowance on any loan that is on the internal watch list, in the process of foreclosure or that currently has a valuation allowance.

Mortgage loans are considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When it is determined that a loan is impaired, a loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying amount of the mortgage loan and the estimated value reduced by the cost to sell. Estimated value is typically based on the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Impairments and changes in the valuation allowance are reported in net realized investment gains (losses) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

The following table represents the mortgage loan allowance.



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)

Balance, beginning of period	$	650	650
Provision	—		—
Releases	—		—

Balance, end of period	$	650	650

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(10)	FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

For financial instruments the FASB provides guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. In compliance with this GAAP guidance, the Company has categorized its financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique, into the required three level hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:

Level 1: Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Company for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available. The Company's Level 1 assets are equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets.

Level 2: Fair value is based upon significant inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability through corroboration with observable market data as of the reporting date. Level 2 inputs include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets or liabilities, model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable and other observable inputs. The Company’s Level 2 assets include fixed maturity debt securities (corporate and private bonds, government or agency securities, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities), and preferred stock. Valuations are generally obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or determined through use of valuation methodologies using observable market inputs.

Level 3: Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs which reflect the entity’s or third party pricing service’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company’s Level 3 assets are over-the-counter derivative contracts and the Company’s Level 3 liabilities consist of share-based compensation obligations and certain product-related embedded derivatives. Valuations are estimated based on non-binding broker prices or internally developed valuation models or methodologies, discounted cash flow models and other similar techniques.

The following tables set forth the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the date indicated:



	March 31, 2015
	Total		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale	$	2,837,075	—	2,837,075	—
Equity securities, available for sale	17,615		17,059	556	—
Derivatives, index options	95,987		—	—	95,987

Total assets	$	2,950,677	17,059	2,837,631	95,987

Policyholder account balances (a)	$	111,627	—		111,627
Other liabilities (b)	8,360		—	—	8,360

Total liabilities	$	119,987	—	—	119,987

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company had no transfers into or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3.



	December 31, 2014
	Total		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale	$	2,711,377	—	2,711,377	—
Equity securities, available for sale	17,303		16,862	441	—
Derivatives, index options	114,287		—	—	114,287

Total assets	$	2,842,967	16,862	2,711,818	114,287

Policyholder account balances (a)	$	133,236	—		133,236
Other liabilities (b)	9,256		—	—	9,256

Total liabilities	$	142,492	—	—	142,492

(a) Represents the fair value of certain product-related embedded derivatives that were recorded at fair value.

(b) Represents the liability for share-based compensation.

The following tables present, by pricing source and fair value hierarchy level, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:



	March 31, 2015
	Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	$	2,837,075		—		2,837,075		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	2,837,075			—		2,837,075		—

Equity securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	17,615			17,059		556		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	17,615			17,059		556		—

Derivatives, index options:
Priced by third-party vendors	95,987			—		—		95,987
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	95,987			—		—		95,987

Total	$	2,950,677		17,059		2,837,631		95,987

Percent of total	100.0		%	0.6	%	96.1	%	3.3	%

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	December 31, 2014
	Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	$	2,711,377		—		2,711,377		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	2,711,377			—		2,711,377		—

Equity securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	17,303			16,862		441		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	17,303			16,862		441		—

Derivatives, index options:
Priced by third-party vendors	114,287			—		—		114,287
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	114,287			—		—		114,287

Total	$	2,842,967		16,862		2,711,818		114,287

Percent of total	100.0		%	0.6	%	95.4	%	4.0	%

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following tables provide additional information about fair value measurements for which significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs were utilized to determine fair value.



	For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Debt Securities, Available for Sale		Equity Securities, Available for Sale	Derivatives, Index Options		Total Assets		Other Liabilities
	(In thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2015	$	—	—	114,287		114,287		142,492
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	—		—	(8,287	)	(8,287	)	(12,383	)
Included in other comprehensive income	—		—	—		—		—
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net:
Purchases	—		—	18,456		18,456		18,456
Sales	—		—	—		—		—
Issuances	—		—	—		—		—
Settlements	—		—	(28,469	)	(28,469	)	(28,578	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—		—	—		—		—

Balance at end of period	$	—	—	95,987		95,987		119,987

Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:
Net investment income	$	—	—	(6,843	)	(6,843	)	—
Benefits and expenses	—		—	—		—		(787	)

Total	$	—	—	(6,843	)	(6,843	)	(787	)

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	For the Three Months ended March 31, 2014
	Debt Securities, Available for Sale		Equity Securities, Available for Sale	Derivatives, Index Options		Total Assets		Other Liabilities
	(In thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2014	$	—	—	169,314		169,314		193,338
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	—		—	548		548		2,651
Included in other comprehensive income	—		—	—		—		—
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net:
Purchases	—		—	15,337		15,337		15,337
Sales	—		—	—		—		—
Issuances	—		—	—		—		—
Settlements	—		—	(50,283	)	(50,283	)	(50,790	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—		—	—		—		—

Balance at end of period	$	—	—	134,916		134,916		160,536

Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings (or changes in net assets) for assets held at the end of the reporting period:
Net investment income	$	—	—	2,821		2,821		—
Benefits and expenses	—		—	—		—		1,667

Total	$	—	—	2,821		2,821		1,667

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following tables show the quantitative information about the Company's level 3 assets and liabilities.



	March 31, 2015
	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input
	(In thousands)

Derivatives, index options	$	95,987	Broker prices	Implied volatility
				Inputs from broker proprietary models

Total assets	$	95,987

Policyholder account balances	$	111,627	Deterministic cash flow model	Projected option cost
Other liabilities	8,360		Black-Scholes model	Expected term
				Forfeiture assumptions

Total liabilities	$	119,987



	December 31, 2014
	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input
	(In thousands)

Derivatives, index options	$	114,287	Broker prices	Implied volatility
				Inputs from broker proprietary models

Total assets	$	114,287

Policyholder account balances	$	133,236	Deterministic cash flow model	Projected option cost
Other liabilities	9,256		Black-Scholes model	Expected term
				Forfeiture assumptions

Total liabilities	$	142,492

Realized gains (losses) on debt and equity securities are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings as net investment gains (losses). Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale debt and equity securities are reported as other comprehensive income (loss) within the stockholders' equity of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The fair value hierarchy classifications are reviewed each reporting period. Reclassification of certain financial assets and liabilities may result based on changes in the observability of valuation attributes. Reclassifications are reported as transfers into and out of Level 3 at the beginning fair value for the reporting period in which the changes occur.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments are as follows:



	March 31, 2015
				Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	Carrying Values		Fair Values	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Investments in debt and equity securities:
Securities held to maturity	$	7,042,233	7,470,133	—	7,470,133	—
Securities available for sale	2,854,690		2,854,690	17,059	2,837,631	—

Cash and cash equivalents	71,104		71,104	71,104	—	—
Mortgage loans	143,918		150,600	—	—	150,600
Policy loans	63,877		117,948	—	—	117,948
Other loans	2,592		2,792	—	—	2,792
Derivatives, index options	95,987		95,987	—	—	95,987
Short-term investments	14,989		14,989	—	14,989	—
Life interest in Trust	—		12,775	—	—	12,775

LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	$	7,546,484	7,160,752	—	—	7,160,752
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	444,216		477,219	—	—	477,219

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	December 31, 2014
				Fair Value Hierarchy Level
	Carrying Values		Fair Values	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(In thousands)
ASSETS
Investments in debt and equity securities:
Securities held to maturity	$	6,841,543	7,175,443	—	7,175,443	—
Securities available for sale	2,728,680		2,728,680	16,862	2,711,818	—

Cash and cash equivalents	277,078		277,078	277,078	—	—
Mortgage loans	149,503		156,548	—	—	156,548
Policy loans	63,645		111,040	—	—	111,040
Other loans	2,171		2,300	—	—	2,300
Derivatives, index options	114,287		114,287	—	—	114,287
Life interest in Trust	—		12,775	—	—	12,775

LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	$	7,546,504	7,178,535	—	—	7,178,535
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	446,458		474,843	—	—	474,843

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a portion of the Company's financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.


(11)	DERIVATIVE INVESTMENTS

Fixed-index products provide traditional fixed annuities and universal life contracts with the option to have credited interest rates linked in part to an underlying equity index or a combination of equity indices. The equity return component of such policy contracts is identified separately and accounted for in future policy benefits as embedded derivatives on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The remaining portions of these policy contracts are considered the host contracts and are recorded separately as fixed annuity or universal life contracts. The host contracts are accounted for under debt instrument type accounting in which future policy benefits are recorded as discounted debt instruments and accreted, using the effective yield method, to their minimum account values at their projected maturities or termination dates.

The Company purchases over-the-counter index options, which are derivative financial instruments, to hedge the equity return component of its fixed-index annuity and life products. The index options act as hedges to match closely the returns on the underlying index or indices. The amounts which may be credited to policyholders are linked, in part, to the returns of the underlying index or indices. As a result, changes to policyholders' liabilities are substantially offset by changes in the value of the options. Cash is exchanged upon purchase of the index options and no principal or interest payments are made by either party during the option periods. Upon maturity or expiration of the options, cash may be paid to the Company depending on the performance of the underlying index or indices and terms of the contract.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company does not elect hedge accounting relative to these derivative instruments. The index options are reported at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The changes in the values of the index options and the changes in the policyholder liabilities are both reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Any changes relative to the embedded derivatives associated with policy contracts are reflected in contract interest in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in values, are reflected as net investment income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Although there is credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the index options, the Company does not expect any of its counterparties to fail to meet their obligations, given their high credit ratings. In addition, credit support agreements are in place with all counterparties for option holdings in excess of specific limits, which may further reduce the Company's credit exposure.

The tables below present the fair value of derivative instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.



	March 31, 2015
	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

Equity index options	Derivatives, Index Options	$	95,987

Fixed-index products				Universal Life and Annuity Contracts	$	111,627

Total		$	95,987		$	111,627



	December 31, 2014
	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
		(In thousands)			(In thousands)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

Equity index options	Derivatives, Index Options	$	114,287

Fixed-index products				Universal Life and Annuity Contracts	$	133,236

Total		$	114,287		$	133,236

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.



		March 31, 2015			March 31, 2014
Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
		(In thousands)

Equity index options	Net investment income	$	(8,287	)	548

Fixed-index products	Universal life and annuity contract interest	11,596			(984	)

		$	3,309		(436	)

(12) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 6, 2015, the Company, National Western Life Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Newco”), and NWLIC MergerCo, Inc., a Colorado corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco (“MergerCo”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Reorganization Agreement”), that provides for the merger (the “Merger”) of the Company with MergerCo, with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Newco. The Merger provides for the conversion of each share of Class A common stock, par value $1.00per share, of the Company and each share of Class B common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, into one duly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Newco ("Newco Class A Stock") or Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Newco, respectively (collectively with the other transactions contemplated by the Reorganization Agreement, the “Reorganization”). In addition, each outstanding option to acquire, or SARs relating to, shares of the Company's Class A Stock would automatically convert into an option to acquire, or SARs relating to, on the same terms and conditions, an identical number of shares of Newco Class A Stock.

Upon completion of the Reorganization, Newco, a Delaware corporation, would, in effect, replace the Company, a Colorado corporation, as the publicly held corporation traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “NWLI”, and the holders of the Company's Class A Stock and Class B Stock would hold the same number of shares and same ownership percentage

of Newco after the Reorganization as they held of the Company immediately prior to the Reorganization. The directors of Newco immediately following the Reorganization would be the same individuals who were directors of the Company immediately prior to the Reorganization.

The Reorganization Agreement is subject to specified conditions, including approval by the Company's shareholders at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which is currently scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2015. If approved by the Company’s shareholders at the Annual Meeting and the other conditions set forth in the Reorganization Agreement are satisfied, it is currently expected that the Reorganization would be completed in the latter part of 2015.

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain information contained herein or in other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of National Western Life Insurance Company or its subsidiaries are or may be viewed as forward-looking. Although the Company has taken appropriate care in developing any such information, forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact actual results. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, matters described in the Company's SEC filings such as exposure to market risks, anticipated cash flows or operating performance, future capital needs, and statutory or regulatory related issues. However, National Western, as a matter of policy, does not make any specific projections as to future earnings, nor does it endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by others. Whether or not actual results differ materially from forward-looking statements may depend on numerous foreseeable and unforeseeable events or developments. Also, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.

Management's discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) of National Western Life Insurance Company for the three months ended March 31, 2015 follows. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes beginning on page 3 of this report and with the 2014 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K with the SEC.

Overview

The Company provides life insurance products on a global basis for the savings and protection needs of policyholders and annuity contracts for the asset accumulation and retirement needs of contract holders, both domestically and internationally. The Company accepts funds from policyholders or contract-holders and establishes a liability representing future obligations to pay the policy or contract-holders and their beneficiaries. To ensure the Company will be able to pay these future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed income securities.

Due to the business of accepting funds to pay future obligations in later years and the underlying economics, the relevant factors affecting the Company’s business and profitability include the following:



•	the level of sales and premium revenues collected
•	persistency of policies and contracts
•	returns on investments sufficient to produce acceptable spread margins over interest crediting rates
•	investment credit quality which minimizes the risk of default or impairment
•	levels of policy benefits and costs to acquire business
•	the level of operating expenses
•	effect of interest rate changes on revenues and investments including asset and liability matching
•	maintaining adequate levels of capital and surplus
•	actual levels of surrenders, withdrawals, claims and interest spreads
•	changes in assumptions for amortization of deferred policy acquisition expenses and deferred sales inducements
•	changes in the fair value of derivative index options and embedded derivatives pertaining to fixed-index life and annuity products
•	pricing and availability of adequate reinsurance
•	litigation subject to unfavorable judicial development, including the time and expense of litigation

The Company monitors these factors continually as key business indicators. The discussion that follows in this Item 2 includes these indicators and presents information useful to an overall understanding of the Company's business performance for the three months ended March 31, 2015, incorporating required disclosures in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Table of Contents

Insurance Operations - Domestic

The Company is currently licensed to do business in all states and the District of Columbia except for New York. Products marketed are annuities, universal life insurance, fixed-index universal life, and traditional life insurance, which include both term and whole life products. The Company's domestic sales have historically been more heavily weighted toward annuity products, which include single and flexible premium deferred annuities, single premium immediate annuities, and fixed-index annuities. Most of these annuities can be sold as tax qualified or nonqualified products. At March 31, 2015, the Company maintained approximately 138,500 annuity contracts in force and 55,300 domestic life insurance policies in force representing $3.2 billion in face amount of coverage.

National Western markets and distributes its domestic products primarily through independent national marketing organizations ("NMOs"). These NMOs assist the Company in recruiting, contracting, and managing independent agents. The Company's agents are independent contractors who are compensated on a commission basis. The Company currently has approximately 18,500 domestic independent agents contracted. Roughly 15% of these contracted agents have submitted policy applications to the Company in the past twelve months.

Insurance Operations - International

The Company's international clientèle consists mainly of foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes. Insurance products are issued primarily to residents of countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim based upon applications received in the Company's home office in Austin, Texas. Issuing policies to residents of countries in these different regions provides diversification that helps to minimize large fluctuations that could arise due to various economic, political, and competitive pressures that may occur from one country to another. Products issued to international residents are almost entirely universal life and traditional life insurance products. However, certain annuity and investment contracts are also available. At March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately 70,500 international life insurance policies in force representing approximately $19.9 billion in face amount of coverage.

International applications are submitted by independent contractor consultants and broker-agents. The Company has approximately 2,200 independent international consultants and brokers currently contracted, 43% of which have submitted policy applications to the Company in the past twelve months.

There are some inherent risks of accepting international applications, which are not present within the domestic market, that are reduced substantially by the Company in several ways. As previously described, the Company accepts applications from foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes who have substantial financial resources. This targeted customer base coupled with the Company's conservative underwriting practices have historically resulted in claims experience, due to natural causes, similar to that in the United States. The Company minimizes exposure to foreign currency risks by requiring payment of premiums, claims and other benefits almost entirely in United States dollars. The Company's excess of fifty years of experience with the international products and its longstanding independent consultant and broker-agent relationships further serve to minimize risks.

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SALES

Life Insurance

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's life insurance sales activity as measured by annualized first year premiums. While the figures shown below are in accordance with industry practice and represent the amount of new business sold during the periods indicated, they are considered a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company believes sales are a measure of distribution productivity and are a leading indicator of future revenue trends. However, revenues are driven by sales in prior periods as well as in the current period and therefore, a reconciliation of sales to revenues is not meaningful or determinable.



	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

International:
Universal life	$	685	1,155
Traditional life	837		965
Equity-index life	3,164		3,433

	4,686		5,553
Domestic:
Universal life	18		10
Traditional life	99		39
Equity-index life	3,991		3,447

	4,108		3,496

Totals	$	8,794	9,049

Life insurance sales as measured by annualized first year premiums decreased 3% in the first quarter of 2015 as compared to the first quarter of 2014. By market segment, the domestic life insurance line of business posted an 18% increase over the comparable results during the first quarter of 2014 while international life sales decreased 16% during the same time frame.

Equity-index universal life products continue to be the predominant product sold in the domestic life market. Most of these sales are single premium mode products (one year. five year, or ten year) designed for transferring accumulated wealth tax efficiently into life insurance policies with limited underwriting due to lesser net insurance amounts at risk (face amount of the insurance policy less cash premium contributed). The Company began offering graded death benefit whole life and term insurance (traditional) products on a trial basis through a contracted distributor and intends to make these products available to all contracted agents by the middle of 2015.

The Company's international life business consists of applications accepted from residents of various regions outside of the United States, the volume of which typically varies based upon changes in the socioeconomic climates of these regions. Historically, the Company has experienced a simultaneous combination of rising and declining sales in various countries; however, the appeal of the Company's dollar-denominated life insurance products overcomes many of the local and national difficulties. During the first quarter of 2015, applications submitted by residents outside of the United States, representing future potential sales, increased 8% over the comparable period in 2014. In addition to normal underwriting procedures, delays in issuing policies for accepted applications often occur due to the time involved in acquiring U.S. dollars for premium payment by the applicant.

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Applications submitted from residents of Latin America and the Pacific Rim perennially have comprised the majority of the Company's international life insurance sales. As noted previously, the Company's international sales by geographic market tend to fluctuate with the socio and economic climates in these regions. The Company's mix of international sales by geographic region is as follows.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014

Percentage of International Sales:
Latin America	87.2	%	83.6	%
Pacific Rim	9.4		10.8
Eastern Europe	3.4		5.6

Totals	100.0	%	100.0	%

Year-to-date, the Company has accepted new business from residents outside of the United States in over thirty different countries with Venezuela (21%), Peru (17%), and Brazil (14%) comprising the largest contributions. Sales to residents of Venezuela and Peru increased in the first three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 while sales to residents of Brazil declined during the same period.

The Company's domestic operations life product portfolio include single premium universal life ("SPUL") and equity-index universal life ("EIUL") products as well as hybrids of the EIUL and SPUL products, combining features of these core products. These life insurance products were designed to facilitate the wealth transfer of accumulated savings of the Baby Boomer segment of the population entering their retirement years, via systematic funding mechanisms such as single premium immediate annuities. The wealth transfer life products have been valuable offerings for the Company's distributors as evidenced by comprising 97% of total domestic life sales in the first three months of 2015.

The Company's domestic life product portfolio including the wealth transfer products has gradually increased the average new policy face amount since the Company implemented commission caps on domestic policies in 2009 as shown in the following table.



	Average New Policy Face Amount
	Domestic	International

Year ended December 31, 2009	201,400	315,300
Year ended December 31, 2010	164,800	338,600
Year ended December 31, 2011	178,500	363,600
Year ended December 31, 2012	254,900	380,200
Year ended December 31, 2013	286,000	384,000
Year ended December 31, 2014	286,600	382,600
Three months ended March 31, 2015	271,100	353,500

The Company's efforts are directed toward maintaining its competitive advantages in accepting applications from upper socio-economic residents of international countries and to its wealth transfer strategies for domestic life sales. In both of these strategies the Company's portfolio of fixed-index (equity indexed) life insurance products plays an important role. Fixed-index life products accounted for 81% of total life sales in the first three months of 2015, as compared to 76% for the same period in 2014.

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The table below sets forth information regarding the Company's life insurance in force for each date presented.



	Insurance In Force as of
	March 31,
	2015		2014
	($ in thousands)

Universal life:
Number of policies	50,070		53,270
Face amounts	$	6,726,330	6,999,300

Traditional life:
Number of policies	36,870		38,570
Face amounts	$	3,590,130	3,471,050

Fixed-index life:
Number of policies	38,880		36,720
Face amounts	$	9,758,750	9,219,240

Rider face amounts	$	3,016,870	2,782,230

Total life insurance:
Number of policies	125,820		128,560
Face amounts	$	23,092,080	22,471,820

At March 31, 2015, the Company’s face amount of life insurance in force was comprised of $19.9 billion from the international line of business and $3.2 billion from the domestic line of business. At March 31, 2014, these amounts were $19.6 billion and $2.9 billion for the international and domestic lines of business, respectively.

Annuities

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's annuity sales activity as measured by single and annualized first year premiums. Similar to life insurance sales, these figures are considered a non-GAAP financial measure but are shown in accordance with industry practice and depict the Company's sales productivity.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Fixed-index annuities	$	154,362	154,562
Other deferred annuities	12,878		12,993
Immediate annuities	957		2,660

Totals	$	168,197	170,215

Annuity sales in the first quarter of 2015 were 1% lower than in the first quarter of 2014. Annuity sales in the first three months of 2015 are generally in line with the Company's projected sales goal for the year of $800 million as the first quarter of the calendar year is typically the slowest sales period.

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The recessionary contraction and financial market crisis that began in the latter half of 2007 and persisted into 2009 impacted many annuity carriers. Losses from investment impairments and equity exposure (for insurers with variable annuity product offerings) crippled the capital position of numerous companies and limited their ability to write new business. In contrast, the Company's substantial capital position attained through profitable operations and limited investment loss exposure positioned it to write additional levels of annuity business. During 2010 and 2011, the Company sold approximately $1.4 billion of annuity products per year indicative of the Company's enhanced competitive position in the marketplace.

Under the auspices of the Company's enterprise risk management (ERM) processes, in 2012 Company management evaluated the potential ramifications of continuing a high level of annuity sales in the depressed interest rate environment precipitated by the "quantitative easing" programs enacted by the Federal Reserve and the European debt crisis. Taken into consideration has been the Federal Reserve's ongoing announced intention to maintain interest rates at historically reduced levels over several years. While the Company does not subsidize its interest crediting rates on new policies in order to obtain market share, the Company's ERM considerations determined that managing to a lower level of annuity sales was prudent given the environment.

The Company's mix of annuity sales have historically shifted with interest rate levels and the relative performance of the equity market. Over the past several years, sales of fixed-index products have accounted for 60% to 90% of all annuity sales. During the first three months of 2015 this percentage reached 92% reflecting the ongoing bull market run in equities since bottoming out in 2009 and the persisting low level of fixed interest rates. For all fixed-index products, the Company purchases over the counter options to hedge the equity return feature. The options are purchased relative to the issuance of the annuity contracts in such a manner to minimize timing risk. Generally, the index return during the indexing period (if the underlying index increases) becomes a component in a formula (set forth in the annuity), the result of which is credited as interest to contract holders electing the index formula crediting method at the beginning of the indexing period. The formula result can never be less than zero with these products. The Company does not deliberately mismatch or under hedge for the equity feature of the products. Fixed-index products also provide the contract holder the alternative to elect a fixed interest rate crediting option.

The level of annuity business in force requires a focused discipline on asset/liability analysis. The Company monitors its asset/liability matching within the self-constraints of desired capital levels and risk tolerance. Despite the amounts of new business generated over the past several years, the Company's capital level remains substantially above industry averages and regulatory targets. Management has performed analyses of the capital strain associated with incrementally higher levels of annuity new business and determined that the Company's capital position is more than sufficient to handle increased sales activity.

The following table sets forth information regarding annuities in force for each date presented.



	Annuities In Force as of
	March 31,
	2015		2014
	($ in thousands)

Fixed-index annuities
Number of policies	69,580		65,190
GAAP annuity reserves	$	5,277,013	4,851,514

Other deferred annuities
Number of policies	52,230		57,430
GAAP annuity reserves	$	2,227,560	2,420,964

Immediate annuities
Number of policies	16,700		16,700
GAAP annuity reserves	$	366,685	376,217

Total annuities
Number of policies	138,510		139,320
GAAP annuity reserves	$	7,871,258	7,648,695

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Impact of Recent Business Environment

The Company's business is generally aided by an economic environment undergoing expansion, whether moderate or vibrant. Conversely, a muted economic recovery could adversely impact the demand for the Company's products. The recent announcement of preliminary first quarter U.S. GDP growth of less than 1% portrayed a domestic economy not conviningly back on solid footing. Although the Federal Reserve has officially ended their stimulus initiatives, a good level of uncertainty remains as to how much longer they will hold short-term interest rates near zero given the lethargic economic activity in the first three months of the calendar year.

U.S. economic data still presents a mixture of positive and negative indicators. From a positive perspective, the housing industry continues its steady but upward trend and consumer confidence is moving very closely in tandem with this direction. The fall in energy prices has provided consumers with an extra purchasing resource which will likely find its way into the economy through consumption expenditures. Conversely, corporate earnings have been negatively impacted by the strength of the U.S. Dollar which may in turn put a constraint on future job growth. As the Federal Reserve considers the possibility of raising interest rates, the potential of an increase in market volatility exists given the uncertainty surrounding the resultant effects.

Industry analysts and observers generally agree that a sudden jump in interest rate levels would be harmful to life insurers with interest-sensitive products as it could provide an impetus for abnormal levels of product surrenders and withdrawals at the same time fixed debt securities held by insurers declined in market value. It is generally held that a move up to 100 basis points would not be sufficient to drive the policyholder behavior in this direction. However, a relatively quick expansion of 200 to 300 basis points in rates may increase the potential for incremental policy lapses. Observers of credit markets increasingly predict an eventual rise in yields and speculate as to what may be the circumstance reversing the course of lower rates. Sentiment at the present time is that the conditions for a sudden increase in rates are not evident or on the near-term horizon. Irrespective, it is uncertain what direction and at what pace interest rate movements may occur in the future and what impact, if any, such movements would have on the Company's business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

Our operating strategy continues to be to maintain capital levels substantially above regulatory and rating agency requirements. Our business model is predicated upon steady growth in invested assets while managing the block of business within profitability objectives. A key premise of our financial management is maintaining a high quality investment portfolio, well matched in terms of duration with the Company's policyholder obligations, that continues to outperform the industry with respect to adverse impairment experience. This discipline enables the Company to sustain resources more than adequate to fund future growth and absorb abnormal periods of cash outflows.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In addition, the Company regularly evaluates operating performance using non-GAAP financial measures which exclude or segregate derivative and realized investment gains and losses from operating revenues. Similar measures are commonly used in the insurance industry in order to assess profitability and results from ongoing operations. The Company believes that the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures enhances the understanding of the Company's results of operations by highlighting the results from ongoing operations and the underlying profitability factors of the Company's business. The Company excludes or segregates derivative and realized investment gains and losses because such items are often the result of events which may or may not be at the Company's discretion and the fluctuating effects of these items could distort trends in the underlying profitability of the Company's business. Therefore, in the following sections discussing condensed consolidated operations and segment operations, appropriate reconciliations have been included to report information management considers useful in enhancing an understanding of the Company's operations to reportable GAAP balances reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Consolidated Operations

Revenues. The following details Company revenues.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Universal life and annuity contract charges	$	37,313		38,005
Traditional life premiums	4,347			4,271
Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	108,210			107,903
Other revenues	5,329			5,763

Operating revenues	155,199			155,942
Derivative gain (loss)	(8,287		)	548
Net realized investment gains (losses)	978			1,513

Total revenues	$	147,890		158,003

Universal life and annuity contract charges - Revenues for universal life and annuity contracts were slightly lower for the first three months in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to a decrease in surrender charge fees recognized. Revenues for universal life and annuity products consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, administration charges, and surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances, less reinsurance premiums, as shown in the following table.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Contract Revenues:
Cost of insurance and administrative charges	$	33,004		31,741
Surrender charges	8,947			9,890
Other charges	(722		)	303
Gross contract revenues	41,229			41,934

Reinsurance premiums	(3,916		)	(3,929	)

Net contract revenues	$	37,313		38,005

Cost of insurance charges typically trend with the size of the life insurance block in force and the amount of new business issued during the period. Life insurance in force during the three months ended March 31, 2015 averaged approximately $23.1 billion while for the same period of 2014 averaged $22.4 billion. Accordingly, for the three months ended March 31, 2015, cost of insurance charges increased to $26.2 million from $25.3 million at March 31, 2014. Administrative charges pertaining to new business issued increased to $6.8 million from $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 versus March 31, 2014 primarily due to a 21% increase in domestic life insurance policies issued.

Surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances upon withdrawal declined 27% in the first quarter of 2015 versus the comparable prior year period. While the Company earns surrender charge income that is assessed upon policy terminations, the Company's overall profitability is enhanced when policies remain in force, additional contract revenues are realized and the Company continues to make an interest rate spread on outstanding policyholder account balances (the difference between what is earned on invested assets and the amount credited to policyholders). In the first three months of 2015, lapse rates on life insurance and annuity policies were consistent with the prior year. The decrease in surrender charge income recognized in the current quarter reflects a change in the duration of policies at the time of surrender with later duration policy surrenders having a lower surrender charge assessed.

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Traditional life and annuity premiums - Traditional life and annuity premiums increased slightly in the first three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Traditional life insurance premiums for products such as whole life and term life are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period. The Company began offering graded death benefit whole life and term products in its domestic markets during 2014 and is in the process of expanding the availability of this portfolio of products to contracted producers. The Company's life insurance sales focus has historically been primarily centered around universal life products. Universal life products, especially the Company's equity indexed universal life products which offer the opportunity for consumers to acquire life insurance protection and receive credited interest linked in part to an outside market index such as the S&P 500 Index^®, have been more popular product offerings in the Company's markets.

Net investment income - To ensure the Company will be able to honor future commitments to policyholders and provide a financial return, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed maturity debt securities. The income from these investments is closely monitored by the Company due to its significant impact on the business. A detail of net investment income (with and without index option gains and losses) is provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Gross investment income:
Debt securities	$	103,227		102,521
Mortgage loans	2,706			2,293
Policy loans	952			1,083
Short-term investments	109			45
Other invested assets	1,518			2,278

Total investment income	108,512			108,220
Less: investment expenses	302			317

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	108,210			107,903
Derivative gain (loss)	(8,287		)	548

Net investment income	$	99,923		108,451

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, debt securities generated approximately 95% of total investment income, excluding derivative gain (loss). The stable level of investment income from debt securities through the first quarter of 2015 versus 2014 despite higher portfolio balances in the current period reflects higher yielding debt securities maturing or being called by borrowers and being replaced with lower yielding securities in the current interest rate environment. Investment yields on new bond purchases during the first quarter of 2015 remained below the portfolio's weighted average yield. Mortgage loan investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased over the comparable period in 2014 reflecting incremental new loan volume. The Company's new mortgage loan activity has been relatively low by historical standards in recent years given the low level of rates and the higher level of risk associated with commercial properties in the current economic environment. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company originated new mortgage loans in the amount of $1.3 million.

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In order to evaluate underlying profitability and results from ongoing operations, net investment income performance is analyzed excluding derivative gain (loss), which is a common practice in the insurance industry. Net investment income performance is summarized as follows.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Excluding derivatives:
Net investment income	$	108,210		107,903
Average invested assets, at amortized cost	$	9,992,103		9,437,142
Annual yield on average invested assets	4.33		%	4.57	%

Including derivatives:
Net investment income	$	99,923		108,451
Average invested assets, at amortized cost	$	10,097,240		9,589,257
Annual yield on average invested assets	3.96		%	4.52	%

The lower yield on average invested assets, excluding derivatives, through the first quarter of 2015 compared to 2014 is due to progressively lower yields obtained on new fixed maturity debt securities investments. During 2014, the average yield on bond purchases to fund insurance operations was 3.68% representing a 1.12% spread over treasury rates. Insurance operation bond purchases through the first quarter of 2015 had an average yield of 3.24% with spreads increasing slightly to 1.25% over treasury rates. The yield rates during both 2014 and 2015 are below the weighted average bond portfolio rate which approximated 4.36% at March 31, 2015. The weighted average quality of new purchases during the first three months was "A-", which was the same as the overall quality rating of purchases during 2014. The composite duration of purchases during the first three months of 2015 matched that for 2014 purchases. The Company's general investment strategy is to purchase securities with maturity dates approximating ten years in the future. Accordingly, an appropriate measure for benchmarking the direction of interest rate levels for the Company's debt security purchases is the ten year treasury bond rate. After ending 2014 at a rate of 2.17%, the daily closing yield of the ten year treasury bond ranged from a low of approximately 1.65% to a high of nearly 2.25% during the first three months of 2015, and ended the first calendar quarter at 1.92%.

Other revenues - Other revenues primarily pertain to the Company's two nursing home operations in Reno, Nevada and San Marcos, Texas. Revenues associated with these operations were $5.2 million and $5.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Lower nursing home revenues reflect lower census figures at the facilities thus far in 2015.

Derivative gain (loss) - Index options are derivative financial instruments used to hedge the equity return component of the Company's fixed-index products. Derivative gain or loss includes the amounts realized from the sale or expiration of the options. Since the index options do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting under GAAP, they are marked to fair value on each reporting date and the resulting unrealized gain or loss is also reflected as a component of net investment income.

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Gains and losses from index options are due to changes in equity market conditions. Index options are intended to act as hedges to match the returns on the product's underlying reference index and the rise or decline in the index relative to the index level at the time of the option purchase which causes option values to likewise rise or decline. As income from index options fluctuates with the underlying index, the contract interest expense to policyholder accounts for the Company's fixed-index products also fluctuates in a similar manner and direction. For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the reference indices decreased and the Company recorded an overall loss from index options with substantially a corresponding decrease in contract interest expense during this period.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Derivatives:
Unrealized gain (loss)	$	(21,418	)	(38,098	)
Realized gain (loss)	13,131			38,646

Total gain (loss) included in net investment income	$	(8,287	)	548

Total contract interest	$	49,039		62,936

The economic impact of option performance in the Company's financial statements is not generally determined solely by the option gain or loss included in net investment income as there is a corresponding amount recorded in the contract interest expense line. Rather, the Company's profitability with respect to these options is dependent upon the purchase cost of the option remaining within the financial budget for purchasing options embedded in the product pricing. Option prices vary with interest rates, volatility, and dividend yields among other things. As option prices vary, the Company manages for the variability by making offsetting adjustments to product caps, participation rates, and management fees. For the periods shown, the Company's option costs have been within the product pricing budgets.

Net realized investment gains (losses) - Realized gains on investments in 2015 primarily resulted from bond calls and sales. The net gains reported for the three months ended March 31, 2015 consisted of gross gains of $1.0 million offset by gross losses of $0.0 million. No other-than-temporary impairment losses were recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

The Company records impairment write-downs when a decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary and full recovery of the investment is not expected. Impairments due to credit factors are recorded in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings while non-credit (liquidity) impairment losses are included in other specific statement comprehensive income (loss). Impairment and valuation write-downs reflected in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings are summarized in the following table.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Impairment or valuation write-downs:
Bonds	$	—	7
Equities	—		28

Total	$	—	35

As shown in the table above, the Company did not incur impairment or valuation write-downs during the quarter ended March 31, 2015, and only recognized minimal impairments during the first quarter of 2014. Equity securities (common stocks) represent 0.1% of invested assets and individual common stock holdings have an average cost basis of approximately $43,000.

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Benefits and Expenses. The following table details benefits and expenses.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Life and other policy benefits	$	19,266	12,963
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	27,652		28,579
Universal life and annuity contract interest	49,039		62,936
Other operating expenses	20,510		23,463

Totals	$	116,467	127,941

Life and other policy benefits - Death claim benefits, the largest component of policy benefits, increased to $13.0 million year-to-date in 2015 compared to $7.6 million for the first three months of 2014. Death claim amounts are generally subject to variation from period to period and the results for the first quarter were incurred proportionally between the domestic life and international life lines of business. Company's mortality experience has generally been consistent with or better than its product pricing assumptions.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs - Life insurance companies are required to defer certain expenses that vary with, and are primarily related to, the cost of acquiring new business. The majority of these acquisition expenses consist of commissions paid to agents, underwriting costs, and certain marketing expenses. Recognition of these deferred policy acquisition costs (“DPAC”) as an expense in the condensed consolidated financial statements occurs over future periods in relation to the expected emergence of profits priced into the products sold. This emergence of profits is based upon assumptions regarding premium payment patterns, mortality, persistency, investment performance, and expense patterns. Companies are required to review universal life and annuity contract assumptions periodically to ascertain whether actual experience has deviated significantly from that assumed. If it is determined that a significant deviation has occurred, the emergence of profits pattern is to be "unlocked" and reset based upon the actual experience. DPAC balances are also adjusted each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies compared to anticipated experience (“true-up”) with the adjustment reflected in current period amortization expense. In accordance with GAAP guidance, the Company must also write-off deferred acquisition costs and unearned revenue liabilities upon internal replacement of certain contracts as well as annuitizations of deferred annuities.

The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.



Increase (Decrease) in DPAC Balance	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Unlocking	$	1,810	—
True-up	1,420		3,890

Totals	$	3,230	3,890

True-up adjustments were recorded in 2015 and 2014 relative to partial surrender rates, mortality rates, credited interest rates and earned rates for the current year's experience. This resulted in a $1.4 million decrease in amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and a $3.9 million decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The true-up adjustments for the life insurance lines of business were positive (decrease to amortization expense) by $3.5 million in the first three months of 2015 whereas the true-up adjustments for the annuity line of business during the same period were negative by $2.1 million incrementally adding to amortization expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, true-up adjustments for the life insurance lines of business were positive (decrease to amortization expense) by $3.9 million while true-up adjustments for the annuity line of business increased amortization expense by approximately $27,000.

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No unlocking adjustments were made by the Company in the first three months of 2014. In the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company unlocked the DPAC balance associated with its International Life segment for favorable mortality experience on one of its universal life products. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to increase DPAC balances by $7.1 million (and decrease amortization expense). In addition, the Company unlocked the DPAC balance associated with its annuity segment for future expense assumptions pertaining to product development override costs (trailer commissions) which it is obligated to pay certain contracted National Marketing Organizations. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease DPAC balances by $5.3 million (and increase amortization expense). While the Company is required to evaluate its emergence of profits continually, management believes that the current amortization patterns of deferred policy acquisition costs, incorporating these unlocking adjustments, are reflective of actual experience.

Universal life and annuity contract interest - The Company closely monitors its credited interest rates on interest sensitive policies, taking into consideration such factors as profitability goals, policyholder benefits, product marketability, and economic market conditions. As long term interest rates change, the Company's credited interest rates are often adjusted accordingly, taking into consideration the factors as described above. The difference between yields earned on investments over policy credited rates is often referred to as the "interest spread".

The Company's approximated average credited rates through the first three months, excluding and including fixed-index (derivative) products, were as follows:



	March 31,				March 31,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
	(Excluding fixed-index products)				(Including fixed-index products)

Annuity	2.49	%	2.53	%	1.93	%	2.49	%
Interest sensitive life	3.74	%	3.81	%	2.99	%	4.61	%

Contract interest including fixed-index products also encompasses the performance of the index options associated with the Company's fixed-index products. As previously noted, the market performance of these derivative features resulted in net realized and unrealized gains of $(8.3) million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Similar to deferred policy acquisition costs, the Company defers sales inducements in the form of first year credited interest bonuses on annuity products that are directly related to the production of new business. These bonus interest charges are deferred and amortized using the same methodology and assumptions used to amortize other capitalized acquisition costs and the amortization is included in contract interest. In addition, deferred sales inducement balances are also reviewed periodically to ascertain whether actual experience has deviated significantly from that assumed (unlock) and are adjusted to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies compared to anticipated experience (true-up). These adjustments, plus or minus, are included in contract interest expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded true-up adjustments of its deferred sales inducement balances resulting in increased (decreased) balance sheet amounts of $(0.5) million and $0.2 million, respectively, which thereby (increased) decreased contract interest expense by a like amount. The Company also unlocked its deferred sales inducement balance in the first quarter of 2015 associated with its annuity segment for future expense assumptions pertaining to product development override costs as previously discussed. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease the deferred sales inducement balance by $1.8 million which increased contract interest expense by the same amount. No unlocking adjustments were made in the first quarter of 2014.

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Other operating expenses - Other operating expenses consist of general administrative expenses, licenses and fees, commissions not subject to deferral, nursing home expenses and compensation costs. These expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized in the table that follows.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

General insurance expenses	$	7,193	6,225
Nursing home expenses	4,695		5,063
Compensation expenses	4,497		8,024
Commission expenses	2,746		2,620
Taxes, licenses and fees	1,379		1,531

Totals	$	20,510	23,463

General insurance expenses include reserve provisions for potentially uncollectible receivable balances from independent contractor agents. Receivable balances from agents typically result from reversing commission balances previously paid on policies in which the policyholder subsequently exercised the right to cancel the policy under the policy contract's "free look" provision. During the first quarter of 2015, the reserve balance for agent receivables was increased by $730,000 while in the first quarter of 2014 the reserve balance was decreased $32,000.

Nursing home expenses reflect the operations of the two facilities owned by the Company. Expenses during 2015 have decreased as a result of discontinuing higher acuity services at the homes. The decline in expenses as a result of discontinuing these services has similarly decreased the revenue associated with these operations.

Compensation expenses include share-based compensation costs for the Company’s stock option plans related to outstanding vested and nonvested stock and SARs options. These costs move in tandem with the number of stock options outstanding as well as the market price of the Company's Class A common share as a result of marking the stock options to fair value under the liability method of accounting. Consequently, the related expense amount varies positively or negatively in any given period. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 share based compensation expense was $(0.8) million while for the comparable period in 2014 share based compensation expense was $1.7 million. In addition to the Company 's closing stock price dropping from $269.25 at December 31, 2014 to $254.30 at March 31, 2015, compensation costs related to share-based compensation declined during the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 due to a lesser number of outstanding options as a result of stock option exercises and forfeitures between March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015.

Taxes, licenses and fees include premium taxes and licensing fees paid to state insurance departments, guaranty fund assessments, the company portion of social security and Medicare taxes, and other state and municipal taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 these amounts decreased from the comparable period in 2014 largely due to lower licensing fees paid to state insurance departments which were $0.3 million in the current year compared to $0.4 million in the prior year.

Federal Income Taxes. Federal income taxes on earnings from operations reflect an effective tax rate of 32.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 compared to 34.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The Company's effective tax rate is typically lower than the Federal rate of 35% due to tax-exempt investment income related to municipal securities and dividends-received deductions on income from stocks.

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Segment Operations

Summary of Segment Earnings

A summary of segment earnings for the three and three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is provided below. The segment earnings exclude realized gains and losses on investments, net of taxes.



	Domestic Life Insurance			International Life Insurance	Annuities	All Others	Totals
	(In thousands)

Segment earnings (losses):
Three months ended:
March 31, 2015	$	(2,229	)	13,881	5,351	3,687	20,690
March 31, 2014	$	125		7,298	7,963	3,457	18,843

Domestic Life Insurance Operations

A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's domestic life insurance segment is detailed below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Premiums and other revenues:
Premiums and contract charges	$	6,487		8,165
Net investment income	7,165			6,283
Other revenues	16			18

Total revenues	13,668			14,466

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	5,113			2,492
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	3,181			2,400
Universal life insurance contract interest	4,939			5,105
Other operating expenses	3,715			4,279

Total benefits and expenses	16,948			14,276

Segment earnings (loss) before Federal income taxes	(3,280		)	190
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes	(1,051		)	65

Segment earnings (loss)	$	(2,229	)	125

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Revenues from domestic life insurance operations include life insurance premiums on traditional type products and contract revenues from universal life insurance. Revenues from traditional products are simply premiums collected, while revenues from universal life insurance consist of policy charges for the cost of insurance, policy administration fees, and surrender charges assessed during the period. A comparative detail of premiums and contract revenues is provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance revenues	$	7,197		7,649
Traditional life insurance premiums	983			2,223
Reinsurance premiums	(1,693		)	(1,707	)

Totals	$	6,487		8,165

The Company's domestic life insurance in force in terms of policy counts has been declining for several years resulting in lower universal life contract revenue charges. The pace of new policies issued has lagged the number of policies terminated from death or surrender by roughly a two-to-one rate over the past couple of years causing a declining level of insurance in force from which contract charge revenue is received. Consequently, the number of domestic life insurance policies in force has declined from 57,700 at December 31, 2013 to 55,700 at December 31, 2014, and to 55,300 at March 31, 2015. Universal life insurance revenues are also generated with the issuance of new business based upon amounts per application and percentages of the face amount (volume) of insurance issued. Revenues associated with issuing new business are typically greater than that realized in a renewal period for in force policies. The number of domestic life policies issued in the first three months of 2015 was 21% higher than in the comparable period for 2014 and the volume of insurance issued was also 21% greater than that in 2014.

Premiums collected on universal life products are not reflected as revenues in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings in accordance with GAAP. Actual domestic universal life premiums collected are detailed below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance:
First year and single premiums	$	26,479	23,530
Renewal premiums	5,061		4,773

Totals	$	31,540	28,303

During the past couple of years the Company has achieved some success in growing its domestic life insurance business with the number of new policies issued trending higher. Sales have been substantially weighted toward single premium policies which do not have recurring premium payments. These products are targeting wealth transfer strategies involving the movement of accumulated wealth in alternative investment vehicles, including annuities, into life insurance products. As a result, renewal premium levels have not been exhibiting a corresponding level of increase.

Net investment income for this segment of business has been gradually increasing due to the increased new business activity described above and a higher level of investments needed to support the corresponding growth in policy obligations. The increase in net investment income has been partially muted by lower investment yields from debt security investment purchases during this time frame. Net investment income also includes the gains and losses on index options purchased to back the index crediting mechanism on fixed-index universal products.

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A detail of net investment income for domestic life insurance operations is provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	$	7,150	5,539
Derivative gain (loss)	15		744

Net investment income	$	7,165	6,283

Life and policy benefits for a smaller block of business are subject to variation from quarter to quarter. Claim activity during the first three months of 2015 was elevated compared to historical trends. While the number of incurred claims during the first quarter of 2015 declined 10% compared to the first quarter of 2014. the average claim amount increased from $13,000 to $27,000. The low face amount per claim reflects the older block of domestic life insurance policies sold which were final expense type products (i.e. purchased to cover funeral costs). The increase in the average face amount reflects a scant addition of more recent policy sales which have much higher face amounts of insurance coverage per policy. The Company's overall mortality experience for this segment is in line with pricing assumptions.

As noted previously in the discussion of Results of Operations, the Company records true-up adjustments to DPAC balances each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience with the adjustment reflected in current period amortization expense. To the extent required, the Company may also record unlocking adjustments to DPAC balances. The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on domestic life insurance DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Increase (Decrease) in DPAC Balance
Unlocking	$	—	—
True-up	950		1,766

Totals	$	950	1,766

As noted in the table above, the true-up adjustments recorded increased the DPAC balance on the condensed consolidated balance sheet which conversely reduced amortization expense in current earnings by a like amount for the periods shown.

International Life Insurance Operations

The Company's international life operations have been a significant factor in the Company's overall earnings performance and represents a niche where the Company believes it has a competitive advantage. A stable population of distribution relationships has been developed given the Company's longstanding reputation for supporting its international life products coupled with the instability of competing companies in international markets.

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A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's international life insurance segment is detailed below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Premiums and other revenues:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	30,333		29,108
Net investment income	8,614			10,718
Other revenues	86			241

Total revenues	39,033			40,067

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	6,205			5,035
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(650		)	6,745
Universal life insurance and annuity contract interest	7,130			10,205
Other operating expenses	5,922			7,025

Total benefits and expenses	18,607			29,010

Segment earnings (losses) before Federal income taxes	20,426			11,057
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes	6,545			3,759

Segment earnings (loss)	$	13,881		7,298

As with domestic life operations, revenues from the international life insurance segment include both premiums on traditional type products and contract revenues from universal life insurance. A comparative detail of premiums and contract revenues is provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance revenues	$	29,192		28,650
Traditional life insurance premiums	3,363			3,045
Reinsurance premiums	(2,222		)	(2,587	)

Totals	$	30,333		29,108

In general, universal life revenues and operating earnings are anticipated to emerge with growth in the amount of international life insurance in force fueled by a steady growth in new sales. The volume of insurance in force grew from $19.6 billion at December 31, 2013 to $20.0 billion at December 31, 2014 and leveled off to slightly above $19.9 billion at March 31, 2015. Universal life insurance revenues are also generated with the issuance of new business based upon amounts per application and percentages of the face amount (volume) of insurance issued. The number of international life policies issued in the first three months of 2015 was 7% lower than in the first three months of 2014 while the volume of insurance issued was 21% less than that issued in 2014 during the same period due to a decrease in the average face amount per policy.

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International universal life revenues also include surrender charges assessed upon surrender of contracts by policyholders. In the midst of the financial crisis several years ago, the Company's international policyholders, in particular, exhibited concern regarding the developments in U.S. financial markets. This evidenced itself in the Company's termination activity in its international life policies in force. The Company incurred higher termination experience than is typical which resulted in recognition of increased surrender charge fee income. This level of termination activity subsequently subsided. However, ongoing global uncertainties may cause a re-emerging concern with international policyholders. The following table illustrates the Company's recent international life termination experience.



	Amount in $'s		Annualized Termination Rate
	(millions)

Volume In Force Terminations
Year ended December 31, 2010	$	1,721.8	9.0	%
Year ended December 31, 2011	1,465.1		7.3	%
Year ended December 31, 2012	1,828.4		8.7	%
Year ended December 31, 2013	1,838.5		8.6	%
Year ended December 31, 2014	1,825.5		8.4	%
Three months ended March 31, 2015	480.0		8.9	%

As noted previously, premiums collected on universal life products are not reflected as revenues in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings in accordance with GAAP. Actual international universal life premiums collected are detailed below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance:
First year and single premiums	$	5,674	5,723
Renewal premiums	25,035		26,158

Totals	$	30,709	31,881

The Company's most popular international products have been its fixed-index universal life products in which the policyholder can elect to have the interest rate credited to their policy account values linked in part to the performance of the S&P 500 Index^®. Included in the totals in the above table are collected premiums for fixed-index universal life products of approximately $20.0 million and $20.4 million for the first three months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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As previously noted, net investment income and contract interest include period-to-period changes in fair values pertaining to call options purchased to hedge the interest crediting feature on the fixed-index universal life products. With the growth in the fixed-index universal life block of business, the period-to-period changes in fair values of the underlying options have had an increasingly greater impact on net investment income and universal life contract interest. A detail of net investment income for international life insurance operations is provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	$	9,753		9,702
Derivative gain (loss)	(1,139		)	1,016

Net investment income	$	8,614		10,718

For liability purposes, the embedded option in the Company's policyholder obligations for this feature is bifurcated and reserved for separately. Accordingly, a comparable impact for the derivative component in the equity-index universal life product is reflected in the contract interest expense for each respective period. Refer to Note 11, Derivative Investments, of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Life and policy benefits primarily consist of death claims on policies. The Company's clientele for international products are wealthy individuals with access to U.S. dollars and quality medical care. Consequently, the amounts of coverage purchased tend to be larger amounts. In the year ended December 31, 2014, the average face amount of insurance purchased was $383,000, and the first three months of 2015, the average was approximately $354,000. While life and policy benefit expense for the international life segment reflects the larger policies purchased, mortality due to natural causes is comparable to that in the United States. The Company's maximum risk exposure per insured life is capped at $500,000 through reinsurance. Similar to the domestic life line of business, the average net claim amount in the first quarter of 2015 increased from that in the first quarter of 2014 rising to $202,000 from $124,000.

The Company records true-up adjustments to DPAC balances each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience as well as unlocking adjustments as necessary. The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on international life insurance DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for the for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Increase (Decrease) in DPAC Balance
Unlocking	$	7,120	—
True-up	2,600		2,150

Totals	$	9,720	2,150

In the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company unlocked the DPAC balance associated with its International Life segment for favorable mortality experience on one of its universal life products. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to increase DPAC balances by $7.1 million (and decrease amortization expense). No unlocking adjustments were made in the first quarter of 2014.

True-up adjustments in the first three months of 2015 and 2014 increased the DPAC balance on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and decreased amortization expense in current earnings by a like amount.

As indicated in the discussion concerning net investment income, contract interest expense includes fluctuations that are the result of the performance of underlying equity indices associated with fixed-index universal life products. The derivative gain (loss) realized on purchased call options is included in the amounts the Company credits to policyholders.

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Annuity Operations

The Company's annuity operations are almost exclusively with residents of the United States. Although some of the Company's investment contracts are available to international residents, current sales are small relative to total annuity sales. A comparative analysis of results of operations for the Company's annuity segment is detailed below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Premiums and other revenues:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	4,840	5,003
Net investment income	79,236		86,617
Other revenues	15		37

Total revenues	84,091		91,657

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	7,948		5,436
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	25,121		19,434
Annuity contract interest	36,970		47,626
Other operating expenses	6,178		7,096

Total benefits and expenses	76,217		79,592

Segment earnings (loss) before Federal income taxes	7,874		12,065
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes	2,523		4,102

Segment earnings (loss)	$	5,351	7,963

Premiums and contract charges primarily consist of surrender charge income recognized on terminated policies. The amount of the surrender charge income recognized is determined by the volume of surrendered contracts as well as the duration of each contract at the time of surrender given the pattern of declining surrender charge rates over time that is common to most annuity contracts. The Company's lapse rate for annuity contracts in the first three months of 2015 was 6.7% compared to 7.1% during the same period in 2014.

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Deposits collected on annuity contracts are not reflected as revenues in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings, in accordance with GAAP. Actual annuity deposits collected for the for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are detailed below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Fixed-index annuities	$	160,307	155,516
Other deferred annuities	10,129		13,522
Immediate annuities	2,790		2,090

Totals	$	173,226	171,128

Fixed-index products are more attractive for consumers when interest rate levels remain low and equity markets produce positive returns. Since the Company does not offer variable products or mutual funds, fixed-index products provide an important alternative to the Company's existing fixed interest rate annuity products. Fixed-index annuity deposits as a percentage of total annuity deposits were 93% and 91% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increasing percentage of fixed-index products of total annuity sales reflects the low interest rate environment and the current bull market in equities.

As a selling inducement, some of the deferred products, as well as the fixed-index annuity products, include a first year interest bonus ranging from 1% to 7% depending upon the product, in addition to a base first year interest rate. Other products include a premium bonus ranging from 2% to 10% which is credited to the account balance when premiums are applied. These bonus rates are deferred in conjunction with other capitalized policy acquisition costs. The amount deferred to be amortized over future periods amounted to approximately $3.8 million and $3.7 million during the first three months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization of deferred sales inducements is included as a component of annuity contract interest as described later in this discussion of Annuity Operations.

A detail of net investment income for annuity operations is provided below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	$	86,399		87,829
Derivative gain (loss)	(7,163		)	(1,212	)

Net investment income	$	79,236		86,617

As previously described, derivatives are call options purchased to hedge the equity return component of the Company's fixed-index annuity products with any gains or losses from the sale or expiration of the options, as well as period-to-period changes in fair values, reflected in net investment income. Given the bifurcation of the embedded option in the determination of the contract reserve liability, a comparable impact for the derivative component in fixed-index annuity products is reflected in contract interest expense.

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Consistent with the domestic and international life segments, the Company records true-up adjustments to DPAC balances each period to reflect current policy lapse or termination rates, expense levels and credited rates on policies as compared to anticipated experience as well as unlocking adjustments as necessary. The following table identifies the effects of unlocking and true-up adjustments on annuity DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense for the for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Increase (Decrease) in DPAC Balance
Unlocking	$	(5,310	)	—
True-up	(2,130		)	(27	)

Totals	$	(7,440	)	(27	)

The Company unlocked the DPAC balance associated with its annuity segment in the first quarter of 2015 for future expense assumptions pertaining to product development override costs (trailer commissions) which it is obligated to pay certain contracted National Marketing Organizations. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease DPAC balances by $5.3 million (and increase amortization expense). No unlocking adjustments were recorded in the first quarter of 2014.

As the true-up adjustments decreased the DPAC balances on the condensed consolidated balance sheet for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, a corresponding increase in DPAC amortization expense was recorded in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings in each respective period. The larger true-up decrement to the DPAC balance for the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflects the impact of spread compression upon the profitability of fixed deferred annuities and the change in fixed-index annuity spread returns based upon actual returns of maturing call option contracts.

Annuity contract interest includes the equity component return associated with the call options purchased to hedge the Company's fixed-index annuities. The detail of fixed-index annuity contract interest compared to contract interest for all other annuities is as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)

Fixed-index annuities	$	10,037		21,586
All other annuities	22,263			22,617

Gross contract interest	32,300			44,203
Bonus interest deferred and capitalized	(3,836		)	(3,723	)
Bonus interest amortization	8,506			7,146

Total contract interest	$	36,970		47,626

The fluctuation in reported contract interest amounts for fixed-index annuities is driven by sales levels, the level of the business in force and the positive or negative performance of equity markets on option values. The derivative gain (loss) information included in the net investment income discussion above is largely reflected in the amounts shown for contract interest for fixed-index annuities.

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True-up adjustments for the deferred sales inducement balance are made each period similar to that done with respect to DPAC balances. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, deferred sales inducement balances on the condensed consolidated balance sheet were increased (reduced) by $(0.5) million and $0.2 million, respectively, for true-up adjustments. These adjustments are included in the above table as an (addition) decrease to bonus interest amortization. The Company also unlocked its deferred sales inducement balance in the first quarter of 2015 associated with the annuity segment for future expense assumptions pertaining to product development override costs as previously discussed. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease the deferred sales inducement balance by $1.8 million which increased contract interest expense by the same amount. No unlocking adjustments were made in the first quarter of 2014.

Other Operations

National Western Life Insurance Company's primary business encompasses its domestic and international life insurance operations and its annuity operations. However, National Western also has small real estate, nursing home, and other investment operations through its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Nursing home operations generated $0.5 million and $0.4 million of operating earnings in the first three months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The remaining earnings of $5.6 million and $3.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, in Other Operations represent investment income from real estate, municipal bonds, and common and preferred equities held in subsidiary company portfolios principally for tax advantage purposes.

INVESTMENTS

General

The Company's investment philosophy emphasizes the careful handling of policyowners' and stockholders' funds to achieve security of principal, to obtain the maximum possible yield while maintaining security of principal, and to maintain liquidity in a measure consistent with current and long-term requirements of the Company.

The Company's overall conservative investment philosophy is reflected in the allocation of its investments, which is detailed below. The Company emphasizes investment grade debt securities with smaller holdings in mortgage loans.



	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Carrying Value		%	Carrying Value		%
	(In thousands)			(In thousands)

Debt securities	$	9,879,308	96.4	$	9,552,920	96.2
Mortgage loans	143,918		1.4	149,503		1.5
Policy loans	63,877		0.6	63,645		0.6
Derivatives, index options	95,987		0.9	114,287		1.2
Real estate	16,570		0.2	16,741		0.2
Equity securities	17,615		0.2	17,303		0.2
Other	27,449		0.3	12,033		0.1

Totals	$	10,244,724	100.0	$	9,926,432	100.0

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Debt and Equity Securities

The Company maintains a diversified portfolio which consists mostly of corporate, mortgage-backed, and public utility fixed income securities. Investments in mortgage-backed securities primarily include U.S. Government agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"). The Company's investment guidelines prescribe limitations by type of security as a percent of the total investment portfolio and all holdings were within these threshold limits. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company's debt securities portfolio consisted of the following classes of securities:



	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Carrying Value		%	Carrying Value		%
	(In thousands)			(In thousands)

Corporate	$	6,563,275	66.5	$	6,208,241	65.1
Mortgage-backed securities	1,664,489		16.8	1,693,372		17.7
Public utilities	1,150,566		11.6	1,158,063		12.1
State and political subdivisions	436,951		4.4	432,739		4.5
U.S. agencies	15,047		0.2	10,061		0.1
Asset-backed securities	36,434		0.4	38,199		0.4
Foreign governments	10,625		0.1	10,325		0.1
U.S. Treasury	1,921		—	1,920		—

Totals	$	9,879,308	100.0	$	9,552,920	100.0

Substantially all of the Company's investable cash flows are directed toward the purchase of long-term debt securities. The Company's investment policy calls for investing in debt securities that are investment grade, meet quality and yield objectives, and provide adequate liquidity for obligations to policyholders. Debt securities with intermediate maturities are targeted by the Company as they more closely match the intermediate nature of the Company's policy liabilities and provide an appropriate strategy for managing cash flows. Long-term debt securities purchased to fund insurance company operations are summarized below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,			Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014
	($ In thousands)

Cost of acquisitions	$	443,632		$	1,166,112
Average S&P^® quality	A-			A-
Effective annual yield	3.24		%	3.68		%
Spread to treasuries	1.25		%	1.12		%
Effective duration	8.4 years			8.5 years

The mortgage-backed securities portfolio consists predominantly of agency mortgage-backed securities. Because mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment and extension risk, the Company has substantially reduced these risks by investing in collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"), which have more predictable cash flow patterns than pass-through securities. These securities, known as planned amortization class I ("PAC I"), very accurately defined maturity ("VADM") and sequential tranches are designed to amortize in a more predictable manner than other CMO classes or pass-throughs. The Company does not purchase tranches, such as PAC II and support tranches, that subject the portfolio to greater than average prepayment risk. Using this strategy, the Company can more effectively manage and reduce prepayment and extension risks, thereby helping to maintain the appropriate matching of the Company's assets and liabilities.

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In addition to diversification, an important aspect of the Company's investment approach is managing the credit quality of its investment in debt securities. Thorough credit analysis is performed on potential corporate investments including examination of a company's credit and industry outlook, financial ratios and trends, and event risks. This emphasis is reflected in the high average credit rating of the Company's debt securities portfolio with 98.5% held in investment grade securities. In the table below, investments in debt securities are classified according to credit ratings by Standard and Poor's ("S&P^®"), or other nationally recognized statistical rating organizations if securities were not rated by S&P^®.



	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Carrying Value		%	Carrying Value		%
	(In thousands)			(In thousands)

AAA	$	102,864	1.0	$	105,973	1.1
AA	2,480,439		25.1	2,519,235		26.4
A	3,337,878		33.8	3,216,935		33.7
BBB	3,814,560		38.6	3,563,641		37.3
BB and other below investment grade	143,567		1.5	147,136		1.5

Totals	$	9,879,308	100.0	$	9,552,920	100.0

The Company's investment guidelines do not allow for the purchase of below investment grade securities. The investments held in debt securities below investment grade are the result of subsequent downgrades of the securities. These holdings are further summarized below.



	Below Investment Grade Debt Securities
	Amortized Cost		Carrying Value	Fair Value	% of Invested Assets
	(In thousands, except percentages)

March 31, 2015	$	141,197	143,567	150,365	1.4	%

December 31, 2014	$	146,143	147,136	152,586	1.5	%

The Company's percentage of below investment grade securities compared to total invested assets decreased slightly from December 31, 2014 due to a bond holding which was upgraded to investment grade and to principal paydowns on below investment grade holdings. The Company's holdings of below investment grade securities are relatively small and as a percentage of total invested assets low compared to industry averages.

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Holdings in below investment grade securities by category as of March 31, 2015 are summarized below, including March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 fair values for comparison. The Company continually monitors developments in these industries for issues that may affect security valuation.



	Below Investment Grade Debt Securities
	Amortized Cost		Carrying Value	Fair Value	Fair Value
Industry Category	March 31, 2015		March 31, 2015	March 31, 2015	December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)

Retail	$	14,970	15,825	15,825	15,600
Telecommunications	5,049		5,600	5,600	5,650
Asset-backed securities	5,739		5,739	7,636	7,743
Mortgage-backed	2,167		2,209	2,209	7,244
Transportation	—		41	41	61
Manufacturing	50,915		52,614	55,853	54,823
Banking/finance	18,010		18,073	17,585	16,583
Other	44,347		43,466	45,616	44,882

Totals	$	141,197	143,567	150,365	152,586

The Company closely monitors its below investment grade holdings by reviewing investment performance indicators, including information such as issuer operating performance, debt ratings, analyst reports and other economic factors that may affect these specific investments. While additional losses are not currently anticipated, based on the existing status and condition of these securities, continued credit deterioration of some securities or the markets in general is possible, which may result in further write-downs.

With the precipitous drop in oil prices over the past year, the oil and gas industry has been experiencing a severe downturn which

may consequently affect the credit quality of individual companies included in the Company's debt security portfolio. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company's aggregate holdings in this sector approximated $866 million and $802 million, respectively. These holdings represented debt securities issued by approximately forty companies in the oil and gas industry, all of which are investment grade as of both balance sheet dates.

Certain European countries have experienced varying degrees of financial stress. Risks from the lingering debt crisis in Europe could potentially disrupt financial markets and have a detrimental impact on global conditions as well as on sovereign and non-sovereign obligations.The Company has no exposure to the sovereign debt of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece or Spain. These countries in particular have been or are experiencing significant economic, fiscal and political strains that could increase the likelihood of default for these countries. Additionally, the Company has no exposure to the debt of financial institutions domiciled in these countries.

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However, the Company does have exposure to the debt of non-financial companies in each of these countries except for Greece. The following tables show bond holdings at March 31, 2015 of non-financial companies that are domiciled in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, or Spain held in the available for sale and held to maturity debt security portfolios.



Securities Available for Sale		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Company	S&P Rating	March 31, 2015		March 31, 2015	Country Domiciled
	(In thousands)

Covidien	A	$	24,154	25,858	Ireland
CRH	BBB+	3,999		4,686	Ireland
Telefonica	BBB	11,780		12,875	Spain

Totals		$	39,933	43,419



Securities Held to Maturity		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Company	S&P Rating	March 31, 2015		March 31, 2015	Country Domiciled
	(In thousands)

Covidien	A	$	4,991	5,077	Ireland
EDP	BB+	17,255		18,765	Portugal
Enel	BBB	19,942		22,287	Italy
Finmeccanica	BB+	15,017		16,688	Italy
Iberdrola Finance	BBB	2,929		3,347	Spain
Kerry Group	BBB+	21,956		22,032	Ireland
Telefonica	BBB	8,097		9,252	Spain
Perrigo	BBB	25,814		26,996	Ireland

Totals		$	116,001	124,444

Generally accepted accounting principles require that investments in debt securities be written down to fair value when declines in value are judged to be other-than-temporary. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price methodology). Refer to Note 10, Fair Values of Financial Instruments, of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 the Company recorded no other-than-temporary impairment credit related write-downs on debt securities or equity securities. See Note 9, Investments, of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Since the Company's adoption of the GAAP guidance on the recognition and accounting for other-than-temporary impairments due to credit loss versus non-credit loss, the Company has recognized a total of $5.9 million of other-than-temporary impairments of which $2.3 million was deemed credit related and recognized as realized investment losses in earnings, and $3.6 million was deemed a non-credit related impairment and recognized in other comprehensive income.

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The Company is required to classify its investments in debt and equity securities into one of three categories: (a) trading securities; (b) securities available for sale; or (c) securities held to maturity. The Company purchases securities with the intent to hold to maturity and accordingly does not maintain a portfolio of trading securities. Of the remaining two categories, available for sale and held to maturity, the Company makes a determination on categorization based on various factors including the type and quality of the particular security and how it will be incorporated into the Company's overall asset/liability management strategy. As shown in the table below, at March 31, 2015, approximately 27.6% of the Company's total debt and equity securities, based on fair values, were classified as securities available for sale. The holdings in available for sale provide flexibility to the Company to react to market opportunities and conditions and to practice active management within the portfolio to provide adequate liquidity to meet policyholder obligations and other cash needs.



	March 31, 2015
	Fair Value		Amortized Cost	Unrealized Gains (Losses)
	(In thousands)

Securities held to maturity:
Debt securities	$	7,470,133	7,042,233	427,900
Securities available for sale:
Debt securities	2,837,075		2,674,761	162,314
Equity securities	17,615		12,807	4,808

Totals	$	10,324,823	9,729,801	595,022

Asset-Backed Securities

The Company holds approximately $36.4 million in asset-backed securities as of March 31, 2015. This portfolio includes $6.0 million of manufactured housing bonds and $30.5 million of home equity loans (also referred to as subprime securities). The Company does not have any holdings in collaterized bond obligations (“CBO”s), collateralized debt obligations (“CDO”s), or collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”s). Principal risks in holding asset-backed securities are structural, credit, and capital market risks. Structural risks include the securities' priority in the issuer's capital structure, the adequacy of and ability to realize proceeds from collateral and the potential for prepayments. Credit risks include corporate credit risks or consumer credit risks for financing such as subprime mortgages. Capital market risks include the general level of interest rates and the liquidity for these securities in the marketplace.

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During the second quarter of 2014 the Company sold its one remaining Alt-A security. The Alt-A sector is a sub-sector of the jumbo prime MBS sector. The Company's exposure to the Alt-A and subprime sectors has been limited to investments in the senior tranches of structured securities collateralized by Alt-A or subprime residential mortgage loans. The subprime sector is generally categorized under the asset-backed sector. This sector lends to borrowers who do not qualify for prime interest rates due to poor or insufficient credit history. The slowing housing market, rising interest rates, and relaxed underwriting standards for loans originated after 2005 resulted in higher delinquency rates and losses beginning in 2007. These events caused illiquidity in the market and volatility in the market prices of subprime securities. All of the loans classified as subprime in the Company's portfolio as of March 31, 2015 were underwritten prior to 2005 as noted in the table below.



	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
Investment Origination Year	Carrying Value		Fair Value	Carrying Value	Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Subprime:
1998	$	3,181	3,208	3,322	3,275
2003	3,664		5,399	3,709	5,469
2004	23,635		26,487	23,773	26,737

Total	$	30,480	35,094	30,804	35,481

As of March 31, 2015, the Company held ten subprime issues of which 2 were rated AA, 4 were rated BBB, 1 was rated B, 2 were rated CC and 1 was not rated.

Mortgage Loans and Real Estate

In general, the Company originates loans on high quality, income-producing properties such as shopping centers, freestanding retail stores, office buildings, industrial and sales or service facilities, selected apartment buildings, motels, and health care facilities. The location of these properties is typically in major metropolitan areas that offer a potential for property value appreciation. Credit and default risk is minimized through strict underwriting guidelines and diversification of underlying property types and geographic locations. In addition to being secured by the property, mortgage loans with leases on the underlying property are often guaranteed by the lease payments and also by the borrower. This approach has proven to result in quality mortgage loans with few defaults. Mortgage loan interest income is recognized on an accrual basis with any premium or discount amortized over the life of the loan. Prepayment and late fees are recorded on the date of collection.

The Company requires a minimum specified yield on mortgage loan investments. During the past several years, the low interest rate environment has resulted in fewer loan opportunities being available that meet the Company's required rate of return. Mortgage loans originated by the Company totaled $37.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Principal repayments on mortgage loans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $6.9 million.

Loans in foreclosure, loans considered impaired or loans past due 90 days or more are placed on a non-accrual status. If a mortgage loan is determined to be on non-accrual status, the mortgage loan does not accrue any revenue into the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The loan is independently monitored and evaluated as to potential impairment or foreclosure. If delinquent payments are made and the loan is brought current, then the Company returns the loan to active status and accrues income accordingly. The Company has no loans past due 90 days which are accruing interest.

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The Company held net investments in mortgage loans totaling $143.9 million and $149.5 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The diversification of the portfolio by geographic region and by property type was as follows:



	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Amount			%		Amount			%
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)

Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region:
West South Central	$	92,498		64.0		$	97,918		65.2
East South Central	14,032			9.7		14,137			9.4
New England	12,073			8.3		12,155			8.1
East North Central	10,796			7.5		10,714			7.1
Pacific	10,261			7.1		10,282			6.9
Middle Atlantic	1,869			1.3		1,897			1.3
Mountain	1,714			1.2		3,050			2.0
South Atlantic	1,325			0.9		—			—
Gross balance	144,568			100.0		150,153			100.0

Allowance for possible losses	(650		)	(0.5	)	(650		)	(0.4	)

Totals	$	143,918		99.5		$	149,503		99.6



	March 31, 2015					December 31, 2014
	Amount			%		Amount			%
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)

Mortgage Loans by Property Type:
Retail	$	124,940		86.4		$	130,544		86.9
Apartments	7,305			5.0		7,333			4.9
Land/Lots	3,423			2.4		3,333			2.2
Hotel/Motel	1,579			1.1		1,600			1.1
Office	869			0.6		893			0.6
All other	6,452			4.5		6,450			4.3
Gross balance	144,568			100.0		150,153			100.0

Allowance for possible losses	(650		)	(0.5	)	(650		)	(0.4	)

Totals	$	143,918		99.5		$	149,503		99.6

The Company's direct investments in real estate are not a significant portion of its total investment portfolio as most of these investments were acquired through mortgage loan foreclosures. The Company also participates in several real estate joint ventures, limited partnerships, and other loans that invest primarily in income-producing retail properties. These investments have enhanced the Company's overall investment portfolio returns. The Company's real estate investments totaled approximately $16.6 million and $16.7 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The Company recognized operating income on these properties of approximately $0.4 million for the first three months of 2015. The Company monitors the conditions and market values of these properties on a regular basis and makes repairs and capital improvements to keep the properties in good condition.

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Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of change in market values of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices, or equity prices. The most significant market risk exposure for National Western is interest rate risk. Substantial and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the profitability of insurance products and fair value of investments. The yield realized on new investments generally increases or decreases in direct relationship with interest rate changes. The fair values of fixed income debt securities correlate to external market interest rate conditions as market values typically increase when market interest rates decline and decrease when market interest rates rise. However, market values may fluctuate for other reasons, such as changing economic conditions, market dislocations or increasing event-risk concerns.

Interest Rate Risk

A gradual increase in interest rates from current levels would generally be a positive development for the Company. Rate increases would be expected to provide incremental net investment income, produce increased sales of fixed rate products, and limit the potential erosion of the Company's interest rate spread on products due to minimum guaranteed crediting rates in products. Alternatively, a rise in interest rates would reduce the fair value of the Company's investment portfolio and if long-term rates rise dramatically within a relatively short time period could expose the Company to disintermediation risk. Disintermediation risk is the risk that policyholders will surrender their policies in a rising interest rate environment forcing the Company to liquidate assets when they are in an unrealized loss position.

A decline in interest rates could cause certain mortgage-backed securities in the Company's portfolio to be more likely to pay down or prepay. In this situation, the Company typically will be unable to reinvest the proceeds at comparable yields. Lower interest rates will likely also cause lower net investment income, subject the Company to reinvestment rate risks, and possibly reduce profitability through reduced interest rate margins associated with products with minimum guaranteed crediting rates. Alternatively, the fair value of the Company's investment portfolio will increase when interest rates decline.

The correlation between fair values and interest rates for debt securities is reflected in the tables below.



	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(In thousands except percentages)

Debt securities - fair value	$	10,307,208		9,886,820
Debt securities - amortized cost	$	9,716,994		9,418,818
Fair value as a percentage of amortized cost	106.07		%	104.97	%
Net unrealized gain balance	$	590,214		468,002
Ten-year U.S. Treasury bond – (decrease) increase in yield for the period	(0.25		)%	(0.86	)%



	Net Unrealized Gain Balance
	At March 31, 2015		At December 31, 2014	Change in Unrealized Balance

Debt securities held to maturity	$	427,900	333,900	94,000
Debt securities available for sale	162,314		134,102	28,212

Totals	$	590,214	468,002	122,212

Changes in interest rates typically have a sizable effect on the fair values of the Company's debt securities. The market interest rate of the ten-year U.S. Treasury bond decreased approximately 25 basis points from 2.17% at year-end 2014 to 1.92% by the end of the first three months of 2015 and the Company's unrealized gain position increased $122.2 million on a portfolio with an amortized cost basis of approximately $9.7 billion. However, since the majority of the Company's debt securities are classified as held to maturity, which are recorded at amortized cost, changes in fair values have a relatively small effect on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

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The Company manages interest rate risk principally through ongoing cash flow testing as required for insurance regulatory purposes. Computer models are used to perform cash flow testing under various commonly used stress test interest rate scenarios to determine if existing assets would be sufficient to meet projected liability outflows. Sensitivity analysis allows the Company to measure the potential gain or loss in fair value of its interest-sensitive instruments and to protect its economic value and achieve a predictable spread between what is earned on invested assets and what is paid on liabilities. The Company seeks to minimize the impact of interest risk through surrender charges that are imposed to discourage policy surrenders. Interest rate changes can be anticipated in the computer models and the corresponding risk addressed by management actions affecting asset and liability instruments. However, potential changes in the values of financial instruments indicated by hypothetical interest rate changes will likely be different from actual changes experienced, and the differences could be significant.

The Company has the ability to adjust interest rates, participation rates, and asset fees and caps, as applicable, in response to changes in investment portfolio yields for a substantial portion of its business in force. The ability to adjust these rates is subject to competitive forces in the market for the Company’s products. Surrender rates could increase and new sales could be negatively affected if crediting rates are not competitive with the rates on competing products offered by other insurance companies and financial service entities. The Company designs its products with features encouraging persistency. Interest sensitive life and annuity products have surrender and withdrawal penalty provisions. Depending on the products, surrender charge rates on annuity contracts sold or in force range up to 25% and surrender charge periods up to 15 years. Typically, surrender charge rates gradually decrease each year the contract is in force.

The Company performed detailed sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2014, for its interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities. The changes in market values of the Company's debt securities in the first three months of 2015 were reasonable given the expected range of results of this analysis.

Credit Risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk through counterparties and within its investment portfolio. Credit risk relates to the uncertainty associated with an obligor's continued ability to make timely payments of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of an instrument or contract. As previously discussed, the Company manages credit risk through established investment credit policies and guidelines which address the quality of creditors and counterparties, concentration limits, diversification practices and acceptable risk levels. These policies and guidelines are regularly reviewed and approved by senior management and the Company's Board of Directors.

In connection with the Company’s use of call options to hedge the equity return component of its fixed-indexed annuity and life products, the Company is exposed to the risk that a counterparty fails to perform under terms of the option contract. The Company purchases one-year option contracts from multiple counterparties and evaluates the creditworthiness of all counterparties prior to the purchase of the contracts. For consideration in contracting with a counterparty the rating required by the Company is a Standard & Poor’s credit rating of “A” or higher and a Moody’s rating of “A2” or higher. Accordingly, all options are purchased from nationally recognized financial institutions with a demonstrated performance for honoring their financial obligations and possessing substantial financial capacity. In addition, each counterparty is required to execute a credit support agreement obligating the counterparty to provide collateral to the Company when the fair value of the Company’s exposure to the counterparty exceeds specified amounts. The amount of collateral to be provided is based upon a sliding scale tied to the credit rating of the counterparty(the higher the credit rating of the counterparty the higher the threshold of exposure before collateral is to be provided). At the highest credit rating level the maximum counterparty net exposure not subject to collateral support is $20 million. This net exposure level declines as the counterparty credit rating declines and ultimately is $0 at a rating of “BBB+”. Counterparty credit ratings and credit exposure are monitored continuously by the Company’s Investment department with adjustments to collateral levels managed as incurred under the credit support agreements.

The Company is also exposed to credit spread risk related to market prices of investment securities and cash flows associated with changes in credit spreads. Credit spread tightening will reduce net investment income associated with new purchases of fixed debt securities and increase the fair value of the investment portfolio. Credit spread widening will reduce the fair value of the investment portfolio and will increase net investment income on new purchases.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity

Liquidity requirements are met primarily by funds provided from operations. Premium deposits and annuity considerations, investment income, and investment maturities and prepayments are the primary sources of funds while investment purchases, policy benefits in the form of claims, and payments to policyholders and contract holders in connection with surrenders and withdrawals as well as operating expenses are the primary uses of funds. To ensure the Company will be able to pay future commitments, the funds received as premium payments and deposits are invested in high quality investments, primarily fixed income securities. Funds are invested with the intent that the income from investments, plus proceeds from maturities, will meet the ongoing cash flow needs of the Company. The approach of matching asset and liability durations and yields requires an appropriate mix of investments. Although the Company historically has not been put in the position of having to liquidate invested assets to provide cash flow, its investments consist primarily of marketable debt securities that could be readily converted to cash for liquidity needs. The Company may also borrow up to $40 million on its bank line of credit for short-term cash needs. There were no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit at March 31, 2015.

A primary liquidity concern for life insurers is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals as may occur in a rapidly increasing interest rate environment or other period of exceptional financial duress. The Company includes provisions within its annuity and universal life insurance policies, such as surrender and market value adjustments, that help limit and discourage early withdrawals.

The actual amounts paid by product line in connection with surrenders and withdrawals for the periods ended March 31, for each respective year, are noted in the table below.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
	(In thousands)

Product Line:
Traditional Life	$	1,322	1,096
Universal Life	26,205		15,321
Annuities	107,748		125,360

Total	$	135,275	141,777

The above contractual withdrawals, as well as the level of surrenders experienced, were generally consistent with the Company's assumptions in asset/liability management, and the associated cash outflows did not have an adverse impact on overall liquidity. Individual life insurance policies are less susceptible to withdrawal than annuity reserves and deposit liabilities because policyholders may incur surrender charges and undergo a new underwriting process in order to obtain a new insurance policy. Cash flow projections and tests under various market interest rate scenarios are also performed to assist in evaluating liquidity needs and adequacy. The Company currently expects available liquidity sources and future cash flows to be more than adequate to meet the demand for funds.

In the past, cash flows from the Company's insurance operations have been sufficient to meet current needs. Cash flows from operating activities were $90.8 million and $73.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company also has significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. Investment related cash flows totaled $150.0 million and $188.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These cash flow items could be reduced if interest rates rise. Net cash flows from the Company's universal life and investment annuity deposit product operations totaled $(25.3) million and $(25.4) million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Capital Resources

The Company relies on stockholders' equity for its capital resources as there is no long-term debt outstanding and the Company does not anticipate the need for any long-term debt in the near future. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had no commitments beyond its normal operating and investment activities.

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OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

It is not Company practice to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements or to issue guarantees to third parties, other than in the normal course of issuing insurance contracts. Commitments related to insurance products sold are reflected as liabilities for future policy benefits. Insurance contracts guarantee certain performances by the Company.

Insurance reserves are the means by which life insurance companies determine the liabilities that must be established to assure that future policy benefits are provided for and can be paid. These reserves are required by law and based upon standard actuarial methodologies to ensure fulfillment of commitments guaranteed to policyholders and their beneficiaries, even though the obligations may not be due for many years. Refer to Note 1 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for a discussion of reserving methods.

The table below summarizes future estimated cash payments under existing contractual obligations.



	Payment Due by Period
	Total		Less Than 1 Year	1 - 3 Years	3 - 5 Years	More Than 5 Years
	(In thousands)

Loan commitments	$	—	—	—	—	—
Operating lease obligations	1,058		178	476	380	24
Life claims payable (1)	69,963		69,963	—	—	—
Other long-term reserve liabilities reflected on the balance sheet (2)	11,025,200		949,497	1,859,730	1,887,955	6,328,018

Total	$	11,096,221	1,019,638	1,860,206	1,888,335	6,328,042

(1) Life claims payable include benefit and claim liabilities for which the Company believes the amount and timing of the payment is essentially fixed and determinable. Such amounts generally relate to incurred and reported death and critical illness claims including an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.

(2) Other long-term liabilities include estimated life and annuity obligations related to death claims, policy surrenders, policy withdrawals, maturities and annuity payments based on mortality, lapse, annuitization, and withdrawal assumptions consistent with the Company's historical experience. The estimated life and annuity obligations shown are undiscounted projected cash outflows that assume interest crediting and market growth consistent with assumptions used in amortizing deferred acquisition costs. They do not include any offsets for future premiums or deposits. Other long-term liabilities also include determinable payout patterns related to immediate annuities. Due to the significance of the assumptions used, the actual cash outflows will differ both in amount and timing, possibly materially, from these estimates.

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Changes in Accounting Principles

There were no changes in accounting principles during the periods reported in this Form 10-Q.

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REGULATORY AND OTHER ISSUES

Statutory Accounting Practices

Regulations that affect the Company and the insurance industry are often the result of efforts by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"). The NAIC routinely publishes new regulations as model acts or laws which states subsequently adopt as part of their insurance regulations. Currently, the Company is not aware of any NAIC regulatory matter material to its operations or reporting of financial results.

Risk-Based Capital Requirements

The NAIC established risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements to help state regulators monitor the financial strength and stability of life insurers by identifying those companies that may be inadequately capitalized. Under the NAIC's requirements, each insurer must maintain its total capital above a calculated threshold or take corrective measures to achieve the threshold. The threshold of adequate capital is based on a formula that takes into account the amount of risk each company faces on its products and investments. The RBC formula takes into consideration four major areas of risk which are: (i) asset risk which primarily focuses on the quality of investments; (ii) insurance risk which encompasses mortality and morbidity risk; (iii) interest rate risk which involves asset/liability matching issues; and (iv) other business risks. Statutory laws prohibit public dissemination of certain RBC information. However, the Company's current statutory capital and surplus is significantly in excess of the threshold RBC requirements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES

ABOUT MARKET RISK

This information is included in Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in the Investments in Debt and Equity Securities section.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing, and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act.

There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting. Internal controls over financial reporting change as the Company modifies or enhances its systems and processes to meet business needs. Any significant changes in controls are evaluated prior to implementation to help ensure continued effectiveness of internal controls and the control environment.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Refer to Note 8(A) "Legal Proceedings" of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no substantial changes relative to the risk factors disclosed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Effective August 22, 2008, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program associated with the Company's 2008 Incentive Plan which provides Option Holders the additional alternative of selling shares acquired through the exercise of options directly back to the Company. This program succeeded a similar buy-back program implemented March 10, 2006 associated with the Company's 1995 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. Option Holders may elect to sell such acquired shares back to the Company at any time within ninety (90) days after the exercise of options at the prevailing market price as of the date of notice of election.

The following table sets forth the Company's repurchase of its Class A common shares from Option Holders for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. There were no shares repurchased during the period.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

January 1, 2015 through January 31, 2015	—		N/A	N/A
February 1, 2015 through February 28, 2015	—		N/A	N/A
March 1, 2015 through March 31, 2015	—		N/A	N/A

Total	—		N/A	N/A

Purchased shares are reported in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as authorized and unissued.

ITEM 4. Removed and Reserved.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


(a)	Exhibits



Exhibit 31(a)	-	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31(b)	-	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32(a)	-	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

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 thereunto duly authorized.

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

(Registrant)



Date:	May 8, 2015	/S/ Ross R. Moody
		Ross R. Moody
		President, Chief Operating Officer,
		and Director
		(Authorized Officer)




Date:	May 8, 2015	/S/ Brian M. Pribyl
		Brian M. Pribyl
		Senior Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)




Date:	May 8, 2015	/S/ Bruce E. Wood
		Bruce E. Wood
		Vice President,
		Controller and Assistant Treasurer
		(Principal Accounting Officer)