National Western Life Group, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)



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 September 30, 2017



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: 000-55522

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



DELAWARE	47-3339380
(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, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of "accelerated filer." "large accelerated filer," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 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 November 2, 2017, 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 September 30, 2017 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2016	3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)	5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)	6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)	7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)	8

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)	9

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited)	11

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	13

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	50

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	87

Item 4. Controls and Procedures	87

Part II. Other Information:	87

Item1. Legal Proceedings	87

Item1A. Risk Factors	87

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	87

Item 4. Removed and Reserved	88

Item 6. Exhibits	88

Signatures	89

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)



	(Unaudited)
ASSETS	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

Investments:
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value: $7,498,922 and $7,337,611)	$	7,264,995	7,159,259
Securities available for sale, at fair value (cost: $2,942,594 and $2,991,042)	3,045,603		3,060,363
Mortgage loans, net of allowance for possible losses ($650 and $650)	188,623		174,534
Policy loans	57,466		58,699
Derivatives, index options	163,536		120,644
Other long-term investments	48,933		53,954

Total investments	10,769,156		10,627,453

Cash and cash equivalents	170,560		51,247
Deferred policy acquisition costs	813,642		835,194
Deferred sales inducements	134,636		147,111
Accrued investment income	103,038		99,245
Federal income tax receivable	7,858		—
Other assets	139,401		134,731

Total assets	$	12,138,291	11,894,981

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)



	(Unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

LIABILITIES:

Future policy benefits:
Universal life and annuity contracts	$	9,856,403	9,722,313
Traditional life reserves	135,366		136,782
Other policyholder liabilities	137,072		143,391
Deferred Federal income tax liability	56,016		64,990
Federal income tax payable	—		789
Other liabilities	150,752		104,888

Total liabilities	10,335,609		10,173,153

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

Common stock:
Class A - $.01 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; 3,436,166 issued and outstanding in 2017 and 2016	34		34
Class B - $.01 par value; 200,000 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding in 2017 and 2016	2		2
Additional paid-in capital	41,716		41,716
Accumulated other comprehensive income	20,572		10,552
Retained earnings	1,740,358		1,669,524

Total stockholders’ equity	1,802,682		1,721,828

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	12,138,291	11,894,981

Note: The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016 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 GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)



	2017			2016

Premiums and other revenues:
Universal life and annuity contract charges	$	40,268		40,333
Traditional life premiums	5,285			4,631
Net investment income	151,691			126,981
Other revenues	4,672			4,476
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) gains (losses)	26			27
Portion of OTTI (gains) losses recognized in other comprehensive income	(26		)	(27		)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	—			—
Other net investment gains (losses)	2,074			5,426
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	2,074			5,426

Total revenues	203,990			181,847

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	21,015			17,430
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	18,722			24,395
Universal life and annuity contract interest	107,799			67,776
Other operating expenses	22,596			23,595

Total benefits and expenses	170,132			133,196

Earnings before Federal income taxes	33,858			48,651

Federal income taxes	12,045			14,915

Net earnings	$	21,813		33,736

Basic earnings per share:
Class A	$	6.17		$	9.54
Class B	$	3.08		$	4.77

Diluted earnings per share:
Class A	$	6.17		$	9.54
Class B	$	3.08		$	4.77

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)



	2017			2016

Premiums and other revenues:
Universal life and annuity contract charges	$	122,329		123,791
Traditional life premiums	13,639			13,721
Net investment income	466,045			335,732
Other revenues	13,714			14,050
Net realized investment gains (losses):
Total other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) gains (losses)	69			80
Portion of OTTI (gains) losses recognized in other comprehensive income	(69		)	(80		)
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	—			—
Other net investment gains (losses)	10,906			10,589
Total net realized investment gains (losses)	10,906			10,589

Total revenues	626,633			497,883

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	58,626			48,571
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	85,992			88,581
Universal life and annuity contract interest	299,862			179,592
Other operating expenses	74,031			66,306

Total benefits and expenses	518,511			383,050

Earnings before Federal income taxes	108,122			114,833

Federal income taxes	37,288			37,553

Net earnings	$	70,834		77,280

Basic earnings per share:
Class A	$	20.03		$	21.85
Class B	$	10.02		$	10.93

Diluted earnings per share:
Class A	$	20.03		$	21.85
Class B	$	10.02		$	10.93

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	2017			2016

Net earnings	$	21,813		33,736

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	2,212			2,824
Net unrealized liquidity gains (losses)	9			9
Reclassification adjustment for net amounts included in net earnings	(988		)	(1,398	)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	1,233			1,435

Foreign currency translation adjustments	166			22

Benefit plans:
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain (loss)	(910		)	(283	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	489			1,174

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	22,302		34,910

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)



	2017			2016

Net earnings	$	70,834		77,280

Other comprehensive income, net of effects of deferred costs and taxes:
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period	15,479			48,927
Net unrealized liquidity gains (losses)	22			27
Reclassification adjustment for net amounts included in net earnings	(2,746		)	(1,971	)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	12,755			46,983

Foreign currency translation adjustments	(5		)	(81	)

Benefit plans:
Amortization of net prior service cost and net gain (loss)	(2,730		)	(850	)

Other comprehensive income (loss)	10,020			46,052

Comprehensive income (loss)	$	80,854		123,332

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2017			2016

Common stock:
Balance at beginning of period	$	36		36
Shares exercised under stock option plan	—			—

Balance at end of period	36			36

Additional paid-in capital:
Balance at beginning of period	41,716			41,716
Shares exercised under stock option plan	—			—

Balance at end of period	41,716			41,716

Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains on non-impaired securities:
Balance at beginning of period	22,813			12,347
Change in unrealized gains (losses) during period, net of tax	12,733			46,956

Balance at end of period	35,546			59,303

Unrealized losses on impaired held to maturity securities:
Balance at beginning of period	(203		)	(240	)
Amortization	45			52
Other-than-temporary impairments, non-credit, net of tax	—			—
Additional credit loss on previously impaired securities	—			—
Change in shadow deferred policy acquisition costs	(23		)	(25	)

Balance at end of period	(181		)	(213	)

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

Balance at end of period	(1		)	(1	)

	Continued on Next Page

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY(continued) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2017			2016

Foreign currency translation adjustments:
Balance at beginning of period	2,661			2,825
Change in translation adjustments during period	(5		)	(81		)

Balance at end of period	2,656			2,744

Benefit plan liability adjustment:
Balance at beginning of period	(14,718		)	(14,602		)
Amortization of net prior service cost and net loss, net of tax	(2,730		)	(850		)

Balance at end of period	(17,448		)	(15,452		)

Accumulated other comprehensive income at end of period	20,572			46,381

Retained earnings:
Balance at beginning of period	1,669,524			1,569,905
Net earnings	70,834			77,280
Stockholder dividends	—			—

Balance at end of period	1,740,358			1,647,185

Total stockholders' equity	$	1,802,682		$	1,735,318

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2017			2016

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings	$	70,834		77,280
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Universal life and annuity contract interest	299,862			179,592
Surrender charges and other policy revenues	(33,682		)	(34,955	)
Realized (gains) losses on investments	(10,905		)	(10,589	)
Accretion/amortization of discounts and premiums, investments	308			51
Depreciation and amortization	7,379			5,823
(Increase) decrease in value of derivatives	(138,552		)	(8,307	)
(Increase) decrease in deferred policy acquisition and sales inducement costs	19,895			10,799
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income	(3,793		)	(1,618	)
(Increase) decrease in other assets	(7,762		)	(3,683	)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities for future policy benefits	6,616			3,408
Increase (decrease) in other policyholder liabilities	(6,319		)	(5,175	)
Increase (decrease) in Federal income taxes liability	(8,647		)	21,661
Increase (decrease) in deferred Federal income tax	(14,370		)	10,587
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	12,530			1,352

Net cash provided by operating activities	193,394			246,226

Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of:
Securities held to maturity	—			—
Securities available for sale	22,184			16,087
Other investments	4,943			3,947
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions of:
Securities held to maturity	303,081			304,190
Securities available for sale	222,841			134,208
Derivatives, index options	151,298			13,273
Property and equipment	2,731			—
Purchases of:
Securities held to maturity	(377,821		)	(231,804	)
Securities available for sale	(192,670		)	(229,932	)
Derivatives, index options	(55,780		)	(57,224	)
Other investments	(329		)	(27,525	)
Property and equipment	(1,697		)	—
Net change in short-term investments	—			(14,972	)

	Continued on Next Page

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (continued) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (Unaudited) (In thousands)

	2017			2016


Principal payments on mortgage loans	24,199			17,295
Cost of mortgage loans acquired	(38,166		)	(55,796		)
Decrease (increase) in policy loans	1,233			2,739

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	66,047			(125,514		)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Deposits to account balances for universal life and annuity contracts	546,966			626,083
Return of account balances on universal life and annuity contracts	(687,087		)	(675,389		)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(140,121		)	(49,306		)

Effect of foreign exchange	(7		)	(125		)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	119,313			71,281
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	51,247			106,007

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	170,560		$	177,288

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Cash paid (received) during the period for:
Interest	$	30		33
Income taxes	$	60,304		5,032

Noncash operating activities:
Deferral of sales inducements	$	(9,696	)	(7,146		)

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 Group, Inc. ("NWLGI") and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Company”) as of September 30, 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 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, 2016 which is accessible free of charge through the Company's internet site at www.nwlgi.com or the Securities and Exchange Commission internet site at www.sec.gov. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2016 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of NWLGI and its wholly owned subsidiaries: National Western Life Insurance Company ("NWLIC" or "National Western"), Regent Care San Marcos Holdings, LLC, NWL Investments, Inc., and NWL Services, Inc. National Western's wholly owned subsidiaries include The Westcap Corporation, NWL Financial, Inc., NWLSM, Inc., and Braker P III, LLC. Where comments or disclosures are made specifically in reference to the insurance operations of National Western, the "company" is used in order to distinguish such comments from the consolidated entity. All significant intercorporate transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016.



Affected Line Item in the Statements of Earnings	Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Other net investment gains (losses)	$	1,519	2,151	4,224	3,033
Net OTTI losses recognized in earnings	—		—	—	—
Earnings before Federal income taxes	1,519		2,151	4,224	3,033
Federal income taxes	532		753	1,478	1,062

Net earnings	$	987	1,398	2,746	1,971

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(2)	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2016, the FASB released accounting standards update (ASU) 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. The main provisions of the update are to eliminate the available for sale classification of accounting for equity securities and to adjust the fair value disclosures for financial instruments carried at amortized costs such that the disclosed fair values represent an exit price as opposed to an entry price. The provisions of this update will require that equity securities be carried at fair market value on the balance sheet and any periodic changes in value will be adjustments to the income statement. The provisions of this update become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect the requirements of this update to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB released ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which revises the credit loss recognition criteria for certain financial assets measured at amortized cost. The new guidance replaces the existing incurred loss recognition model with an expected loss recognition model. The objective of the expected credit loss model is for the reporting entity to recognize its estimate of expected credit losses for affected financial assets in a valuation allowance deducted from the amortized cost basis of the related financial assets that results in presenting the net carrying value of the financial assets at the amount expected to be collected. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and for most affected instruments must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to beginning retained income. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs: Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amortization period for premiums is being shortened to the earliest call date. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance.

In May 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation. The update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. An entity shall account for the effects of a modification described in ASC paragraphs 718-20-35-3 through 35-9, unless all the following are met: (1) The fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) The vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) The classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The provisions of this update become effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect a material effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU.

In July 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-11, Earnings Per Share; Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity; and, Derivatives and Hedging. This update includes: (I) Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Down Round Features, and (II) Replacement of the Indefinite Deferral for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest with a Scope Exception. Part I of this update changes the classification analysis of certain equity-linked financial instruments with down round features. When determining whether certain financial instruments should be classified as liabilities or equity instruments, a down round feature no longer precludes equity classification when assessing whether the instrument is indexed to an entity’s own stock. Part II of this update recharacterizes the indefinite deferral of certain provisions of Topic 480 that now are presented as pending content in the Codification, to a scope exception. Those amendments do not have an accounting effect. The Company does not expect a material effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In September 2017, the FASB released ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842). This update adds SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Announcement made at the July 20, 2017 Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) meeting to provide effective dates that differ for (1) public business entities and certain other specified entities and (2) all other entities. The Company does not expect an effect on the results of operations or financial position with the adoption of this ASU. The Company will adopt Topic 606 and 842 within the required effective dates set by the SEC. Amendment to Topic 605 does not affect the Company since management fees amongst affiliates are eliminated upon consolidation. Amendment to Topic 840 does not affect the Company since the Company does not have any Third-Party Value Guarantees embedded within its lease agreements that will have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position.

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


(3)	STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

NWLIC 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 lesser of statutory earnings from operations, excluding capital gains, from the prior calendar year or 10% of statutory surplus of the company as of previous calendar year-end. The maximum dividend payment which may be made without prior approval in 2017 is $86.0 million. As the sole owner of NWLIC, all dividends declared by National Western are payable entirely to NWLGI and are eliminated in consolidation.

In the second quarter of 2017 National Western declared and paid a $4.0 million dividend to NWLGI. During the third quarter of 2017 National Western declared a $3.0 million dividend payable to NWLGI which was subsequently paid on October 16, 2017. In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, National Western declared a cash dividend of $3.0 million payable to NWLGI which was subsequently paid on October 3, 2016.

NWLGI did not declare or pay cash dividends on its common shares during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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, by definition, assumes the issuance of common shares applicable to stock options in the denominator. However, settlement of stock option exercises in cash or by issuance of shares is at discretion of the Company's optionholders and such exercises have predominantly been in cash. Consequently, the Company's stock options outstanding are not considered potentially dilutive under accounting guidance.

Net income for the periods shown is allocated between Class A shares and Class B shares based upon (1) the proportionate number of shares issued and outstanding as of the end of the period, and (2) the per share dividend rights of the two classes under the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the Class B dividend per share is equal to one-half the Class A dividend per share).



	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016
	Class A		Class B	Class A	Class B
	(In thousands except per share amounts)

Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net income	$	21,813		33,736
Dividends - Class A shares	—			—
Dividends - Class B shares	—			—

Undistributed income	$	21,813		33,736

Allocation of net income:
Dividends	$	—	—	—	—
Allocation of undistributed income	21,196		617	32,782	954

Net income	$	21,196	617	32,782	954

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

Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions	3,436		200	3,436	200

Basic Earnings Per Share	$	6.17	3.08	9.54	4.77

Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	6.17	3.08	9.54	4.77

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)




	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016
	Class A		Class B	Class A	Class B
	(In thousands except per share amounts)

Numerator for Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Net income	$	70,834		77,280
Dividends - Class A shares	—			—
Dividends - Class B shares	—			—

Undistributed income	$	70,834		77,280

Allocation of net income:
Dividends	$	—	—	—	—
Allocation of undistributed income	68,831		2,003	75,095	2,185

Net income	$	68,831	2,003	75,095	2,185

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

Diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares for assumed conversions	3,436		200	3,436	200

Basic Earnings Per Share	$	20.03	10.02	21.85	10.93

Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	20.03	10.02	21.85	10.93

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(5)	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT PLANS


(A)	Defined Benefit Pension Plans

National Western 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 comply with the minimum funding provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). On October 19, 2007, National Western'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. 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					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Service cost	$	27		26		81		79
Interest cost	240			250		718		750
Expected return on plan assets	(306		)	(304	)	(920	)	(912	)
Amortization of prior service cost	—			—		—		—
Amortization of net loss	159			193		477		579

Net periodic benefit cost	$	120		165		356		496

The service cost shown above for each period represents plan expenses expected to be paid out of plan assets. Under the clarified rules of 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 2017 plan year is $0.2 million. There was no remaining contribution payable for the 2016 plan year as of September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the company had contributed a total of $0.0 million to the plan for the 2017 plan year.

National Western 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 National Western 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 then 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 then Chairman and the then President of the company in order to comply with law changes under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("Act").

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Effective July 1, 2005, National Western established a second non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the then Chairman 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 non-qualified plan, while complying with the requirements of the Act.

Effective November 1, 2005, National Western established a third non-qualified defined benefit plan for the benefit of the then President of the company. This plan is intended to provide for post-2004 benefit accruals that supplement the pre-2005 benefit accruals under the first non-qualified plan as previously discussed, while complying with the requirements of the Act.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit costs for the nonqualified defined benefit plans.



	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Service cost	$	204	109	612	327
Interest cost	347		265	1,041	794
Amortization of prior service cost	15		15	45	45
Amortization of net loss	818		501	2,455	1,503

Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,384	890	4,153	2,669

The company expects to contribute $2.0 million to these plans in 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the company has contributed $1.6 million to the plans.


(B)	Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plans

National Western 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			Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Interest cost	$	35	30	104	90
Amortization of prior service cost	25		26	77	78
Amortization of net loss	10		—	31	—

Net periodic benefit cost	$	70	56	212	168

The company expects to contribute minimal amounts to the plan in 2017.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 for the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet items and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 for the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings is provided below.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Items:



	September 30, 2017
	Domestic Life Insurance		International Life Insurance	Annuities	All Others	Totals
				(In thousands)

Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	$	95,894	254,150	598,234	—	948,278
Total segment assets	1,071,664		1,238,990	9,306,527	309,197	11,926,378
Future policy benefits	909,407		904,097	8,178,265	—	9,991,769
Other policyholder liabilities	14,441		14,635	107,996	—	137,072



	December 31, 2016
	Domestic Life Insurance		International Life Insurance	Annuities	All Others	Totals
				(In thousands)

Deferred policy acquisition costs and sales inducements	$	90,485	243,106	648,714	—	982,305
Total segment assets	971,990		1,232,648	9,193,980	298,481	11,697,099
Future policy benefits	830,460		919,380	8,109,255	—	9,859,095
Other policyholder liabilities	13,998		10,528	118,865	—	143,391

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings:



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Domestic Life Insurance		International Life Insurance		Annuities		All Others	Totals
					(In thousands)

Premiums and contract revenues	$	9,907	30,353		5,293		—	45,553
Net investment income	17,385		15,711		114,123		4,472	151,691
Other revenues	11		26		26		4,609	4,672

Total revenues	27,303		46,090		119,442		9,081	201,916

Life and other policy benefits	3,483		8,437		9,095		—	21,015
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	2,517		(21,585	)	37,790		—	18,722
Universal life and annuity contract interest	14,119		9,112		84,568		—	107,799
Other operating expenses	4,086		5,661		8,714		4,135	22,596
Federal income taxes (benefit)	1,061		15,473		(7,007	)	1,792	11,319

Total expenses	25,266		17,098		133,160		5,927	181,451

Segment earnings (loss)	$	2,037	28,992		(13,718	)	3,154	20,465



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Domestic Life Insurance		International Life Insurance		Annuities	All Others	Totals
					(In thousands)

Premiums and contract revenues	$	27,822	91,563		16,583	—	135,968
Net investment income	51,998		48,581		346,031	19,435	466,045
Other revenues	30		73		90	13,521	13,714

Total revenues	79,850		140,217		362,704	32,956	615,727

Life and other policy benefits	13,850		19,399		25,377	—	58,626
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	8,300		(7,874	)	85,566	—	85,992
Universal life and annuity contract interest	41,576		36,871		221,415	—	299,862
Other operating expenses	13,975		18,846		28,588	12,622	74,031
Federal income taxes (benefit)	740		25,125		605	7,001	33,471

Total expenses	78,441		92,367		361,551	19,623	551,982

Segment earnings (loss)	$	1,409	47,850		1,153	13,333	63,745

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Domestic Life Insurance			International Life Insurance	Annuities	All Others	Totals
					(In thousands)

Premiums and contract revenues	$	8,507		31,066	5,391	—	44,964
Net investment income	12,294			12,763	97,384	4,540	126,981
Other revenues	7			10	139	4,320	4,476

Total revenues	20,808			43,839	102,914	8,860	176,421

Life and other policy benefits	5,338			5,038	7,054	—	17,430
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	(4,331		)	7,296	21,430	—	24,395
Universal life and annuity contract interest	9,795			11,287	46,694	—	67,776
Other operating expenses	4,847			6,691	7,526	4,531	23,595
Federal income taxes (benefit)	1,667			3,591	6,549	1,209	13,016

Total expenses	17,316			33,903	89,253	5,740	146,212

Segment earnings (loss)	$	3,492		9,936	13,661	3,120	30,209



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Domestic Life Insurance		International Life Insurance	Annuities	All Others	Totals
				(In thousands)

Premiums and contract revenues	$	24,814	95,291	17,407	—	137,512
Net investment income	28,011		30,203	261,579	15,939	335,732
Other revenues	37		50	145	13,818	14,050

Total revenues	52,862		125,544	279,131	29,757	487,294

Life and other policy benefits	13,629		14,789	20,153	—	48,571
Amortization of deferred acquisition costs	989		11,720	75,872	—	88,581
Universal life and annuity contract interest	20,855		19,643	139,094	—	179,592
Other operating expenses	11,745		17,867	23,044	13,650	66,306
Federal income taxes (benefit)	1,833		19,977	6,808	5,229	33,847

Total expenses	49,051		83,996	264,971	18,879	416,897

Segment earnings (loss)	$	3,811	41,548	14,160	10,878	70,397

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Premiums and Other Revenues:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	45,553	44,964	135,968	137,512
Net investment income	151,691		126,981	466,045	335,732
Other revenues	4,672		4,476	13,714	14,050
Realized gains (losses) on investments	2,074		5,426	10,906	10,589

Total condensed consolidated premiums and other revenues	$	203,990	181,847	626,633	497,883



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Federal Income Taxes:
Total segment Federal income taxes	$	11,319	13,016	33,471	33,847
Taxes on realized gains (losses) on investments	726		1,899	3,817	3,706

Total condensed consolidated Federal income taxes	$	12,045	14,915	37,288	37,553



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Net Earnings:
Total segment earnings	$	20,465	30,209	63,745	70,397
Realized gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes	1,348		3,527	7,089	6,883

Total condensed consolidated net earnings	$	21,813	33,736	70,834	77,280

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	September 30,		December 31,
	2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Assets:
Total segment assets	$	11,926,378	11,697,099
Other unallocated assets	211,913		197,882

Total condensed consolidated assets	$	12,138,291	11,894,981


(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 or restricted stock units; 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 common stock shares eligible for issue not to exceed 300,000. These plans were assumed by NWLGI from National Western pursuant to the terms of the holding company reorganization in 2015. On June 15, 2016, stockholders of NWLGI approved the Incentive Plan, which is a stock and incentive plan essentially similar to the 2008 Plan. The Incentive Plan includes additional provisions, most notably regarding the definition of performance objectives which could be used in the issuance of the fourth type of award noted above (performance awards).

All of the employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the current Incentive 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. All current stock options outstanding were granted under the 1995 Plan and 2008 Plan. Employee stock option and SARs granted vest 20% annually following three years of service following the grant date. Directors' stock option and SAR grants vest 20% annually following one year of service from the date of grant.

Effective during March 2006, the Company adopted and implemented a limited stock buy-back program with respect to the 1995 Plan which provides stock 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. These plans were assumed as well by NWLGI from National Western pursuant to the terms of the holding company reorganization.

The Incentive Plan allows for certain other share or unit awards which are solely paid out in cash based on the value of the Company's shares, or changes therein, as well as the financial performance of the Company under pre-determined target performance metrics. Certain awards, such as restricted stock units (RSUs) provide solely for cash settlement based upon the market price of the Company's Class A commons shares, often referred to as "phantom stock-based awards". Unlike share-settled awards, which have a fixed grant-date fair value, the fair value of unsettled or unvested liability awards is remeasured at the end of each reporting period based on the change in fair value of a share. The liability and corresponding expense are adjusted accordingly until the award is settled. For employees, the vesting period for RSUs is 100% at the end of three years from the grant date. The RSUs are payable in cash at the vesting date equal to the closing price of the Company's Class A common share at that time.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Other awards may involve performance share units (PSUs) which are units granted at a specified dollar amount per unit, typically linked to the Company's Class A common share price, that are subsequently multiplied by an attained performance factor to derive the number of PSUs to be paid as cash compensation at the vesting date. PSUs also vest three years from the date of grant. For PSUs, the performance period begins the first day of the calendar year in which the PSUs are granted and runs three calendar years. At that time, the three-year performance outcome will be measured against the pre-defined target amounts to determine the number of PSUs earned as compensation.

Directors of the Company are eligible to receive RSUs under the Incentive Plan. As shown in the table below, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted RSUs to directors based upon the closing market price per Class A common share at the time of the grant. Unlike RSUs granted to officers, the RSUs granted to directors vest one year from the date of grant. They are payable in cash at the vesting date equal to the closing price of the Company's Class A common share at that time.

The following table shows all grants issued to officers and directors for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. These grants were made based upon closing market price per Class A common share at the grant date.



	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
	Officer	Director	Officer	Director

SARs	—	—	—	—
RSUs	—	—	—	—
PSUs	—	—	—	—



	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2016
	Officer	Director	Officer	Director

SARs	11,715	—	14,643	—
RSUs	2,725	1,660	3,661	2,563
PSUs	4,526	—	5,727	—

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company uses the current fair value method to measure compensation cost for awards granted under the share-based plans. As of September 30, 2017 and 2016, the liability balance was $16.6 million and $6.4 million, respectively. A summary of shares available for grant and related activity is detailed below.



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

Stock Options:
Balance at January 1, 2017	291,000	19,268		$	240.47
Exercised	—	(250	)	$	255.13
Forfeited	—	—		$	—
Expired	—	—		$	—
Stock options granted	—	—		$	—

Balance at September 30, 2017	291,000	19,018		$	240.28



	Liability Awards
	SAR		RSU		PSU

Balance at January 1, 2017	77,178		6,029		5,426
Exercised	(1,862	)	(2,563	)	—
Forfeited	(400	)	(238	)	—
Granted	11,715		4,385		4,526

Balance at September 30, 2017	86,631		7,613		9,952

Stock options, SARs, and RSUs 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, if any, are not shown as being added back to the "Shares Available For Grant" balance as they were awarded under the 1995 Plan which was terminated during calendar year 2010.

The total intrinsic value of shared-based compensation exercised was $1.0 million and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The total share-based compensation paid during the period was $1.0 million and $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The total fair value of stock options and SARs vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the total cash received from the exercise of stock options under the Plans was $0.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following table summarizes information about stock options and SARs outstanding at September 30, 2017.



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

Exercise prices:
255.13 (options)	13,018		0.5 years	13,018
208.05 (options)	6,000		0.6 years	6,000
114.64 (SARs)	11,900		1.3 years	11,900
132.56 (SARs)	21,968		4.0 years	13,962
210.22 (SARs)	28,050		6.1 years	6,850
216.48 (SARs)	12,998		8.4 years	3,962
311.16 (SARs)	11,512		9.4 years	—
310.55 (SARs)	203		9.6 years	—

Totals	105,649			55,692

Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands)	$	15,670		$	9,354

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above is based on the closing Class A stock price of $349.00 per share on September 30, 2017.

The stock options shown above with exercise prices of $255.13 and $208.05 have remaining contractual lives of less than one year each. The option holders for these respective grants have until the end of the contractual life, April 18, 2018 and June 20, 2018, respectively, to exercise these holdings or otherwise forfeit the option grants held.

In estimating the fair value of the share-based awards outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company employed the Black-Scholes option pricing model with assumptions detailed below.



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016

Expected term of options	0.5 to 9.6 years		1.3 to 9.1 years
Expected volatility weighted-average	23.52	%	23.83	%
Expected dividend yield	0.10	%	0.12	%
Risk-free rate weighted-average	1.60	%	1.03	%

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/(benefit) recognized in the financial statements related to these plans was $1.3 million and $5.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and $1.7 million and $(1.1) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The related tax expense/(benefit) recognized was $(0.5) million and $(2.0) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and $(0.6) million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

As of September 30, 2017, the total compensation cost related to nonvested share based awards not yet recognized was $5.9 million. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years. The Company recognizes compensation cost over the graded vesting periods.


(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. 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.

On October 26, 2011 the Brazilian Superintendence of Private Insurance (“SUSEP”) attempted to serve National Western with a subpoena regarding an administrative proceeding initiated by SUSEP in which it alleged that National Western was operating as an insurance company in Brazil without due authorization. National Western had been informed that SUSEP was attempting to impose a penal fine, based on currency exchange rates at that time, of approximately $6.0 billion on the company. SUSEP unsuccessfully attempted to serve National Western with notice regarding this matter. National Western does not transact business in Brazil and has no officers, employees, property, or assets in Brazil. National Western 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. In addition, due to a new law recently enacted in Brazil the penal fine has been limited to 3 million reais (approximately $960,000). 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. Despite SUSEP's lack of jurisdiction over National Western and absence of National Western officers, employees, property, or assets in Brazil, SUSEP affirmed its imposition of a penal fine against National Western, but in the reduced amount of 3 million reais (approximately $960,000). In light of the substantial reduction in the proposed penal fine by SUSEP, during the fourth quarter of 2016 National Western paid the penal fine in the reduced amount under protest and thereby retained its rights to seek judicial review in Brazil of the merits of the SUSEP charges. In consideration of these developments, National Western ceased accepting new applications in the fourth quarter of 2015 from residents in Brazil.

National Western was the named defendant in the case of Damaris Maldonado Vinas, et al. vs. National Western Life Insurance, in which the plaintiffs, after National Western had paid the death benefits to the beneficiary (Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez) upon the annuitant’s (Carlos Iglesias-Alvarez) death, sought to annul two annuity policies issued by National Western at the behest of Carlos Iglesias-Alvarez and which named Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez as their beneficiary. On March 31, 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (the “Court”) issued its Opinion and Order on the pending Motions for Summary Judgment submitted by the parties, and therein denied National Western’s motion and granted plaintiffs’ motion voiding the two annuities and requesting a refund of the premiums paid ($2.9 million). National Western vigorously defended the case and believes that the Court’s Opinion and Order is contrary to applicable law. As such, National Western filed a Motion for Reconsideration of Opinion and Order and Corresponding Judgment with the Court on April 27, 2016, which the Court denied on May 5, 2016. National Western filed a Notice of Appeal on June 10, 2016, filed its Appeal Brief on September 12, 2016, and oral arguments with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit were held on March 9, 2017. On June 29, 2017, the Court of Appeals vacated the district court's judgment and remanded to the district court to determine whether it is nevertheless equitable for the case to proceed without Francisco Iglesias-Alvarez. Plaintiffs filed a Motion in Support of Determination in Equity and Good Conscience That Action Should Proceed Among Existing Parties Under Fed.R.Civ.P. 19(B) on September 14, 2017, and National Western filed its Opposition to Plaintiff’s Motion on October 27, 2017.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

On September 28, 2017, a purported shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the 122nd District Court of Galveston County, State of Texas entitled Robert L. Moody, Jr. derivatively on behalf of National Western Life Insurance Company and National Western Life Group, Inc. v. Ross Rankin Moody, et al., naming certain current and former directors and current officers as defendants. The complaint alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties in the conduct of their duties as board members by failing to act (i) on an informed basis and (ii) in good faith or with the honest belief that their actions were in the best interests of the Company. The complaint seeks an undetermined amount of damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, and equitable relief, including the removal of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and other board members and/or officers of the Company. The Company believes that the claims in the complaint are baseless and without merit, will vigorously defend this lawsuit, and will seek reimbursement of all legal costs and expenses from plaintiff. The Company believes, based on information currently available, that the final outcome of this lawsuit will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, or consolidated financial position. The companies and directors filed their respective Pleas to the Jurisdiction contesting the plaintiff's standing to even pursue this action, along with their Answers, on October 27, 2017.

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, in 2015, Brazilian authorities commenced an investigation into possible violations of Brazilian criminal law in connection with the issuance of National Western 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 issued a subpoena upon the Company to provide information relating to such possible violations. 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. National Western is cooperating 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 Sheets.

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 $14.9 million commitments to fund new loans and $1.4 million in commitments to extend credit relating to existing loans at September 30, 2017. The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)


(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 September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Available for sale debt securities:
Realized gains on disposal	$	1,529		1,773		4,137		2,455
Realized losses on disposal	—			(23	)	—		(29	)
Held to maturity debt securities:
Realized gains on disposal	555			3,278		4,059		4,764
Realized losses on disposal	—			(3	)	(34	)	(109	)
Equity securities realized gains (losses)	(10		)	401		87		607
Real estate gains (losses)	—			—		2,657		2,901

Totals	$	2,074		5,426		10,906		10,589

Disposals in the held to maturity category during the periods shown primarily represent calls initiated by the credit issuer of the debt security. It is the Company's policy to initiate disposals of debt securities in the held to maturity category only in instances in which the credit status of the issuer comes into question and the realization of all or a significant portion of the investment principal of the holding is deemed to be in jeopardy.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company uses the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 the percentage of gains on bonds due to the call of securities was 100.0% and 95.0%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 the percentage of gains on bonds due to the call of securities was 88.0% and 87.0%, respectively. 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					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Total other-than-temporary impairment gains (losses) on debt securities	$	26		27		69		80
Portion of loss (gain) recognized in comprehensive income	(26		)	(27	)	(69	)	(80	)

Net impairment losses on debt securities recognized in earnings	—			—		—		—
Equity securities impairments	—			—		—		—

Totals	$	—		—		—		—

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 September 30, 2017		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)

Beginning balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	$	1,440	1,440	2,278
Reductions for securities sold during current period	—		—	(838	)
Additions for credit losses not previously recognized in other-than-temporary impairments	—		—	—

Ending balance, cumulative credit losses related to other-than-temporary impairments	$	1,440	1,440	1,440

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 September 30, 2017.



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

Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,336	205	—		1,541
States and political subdivisions	455,435		21,927	(723	)	476,639
Public utilities	1,109,167		37,863	(489	)	1,146,541
Corporate	4,397,029		146,802	(7,402	)	4,536,429
Residential mortgage-backed	1,293,507		38,274	(3,922	)	1,327,859
Home equity	7,377		1,305	—		8,682
Manufactured housing	1,144		87	—		1,231

Totals	$	7,264,995	246,463	(12,536	)	7,498,922

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at September 30, 2017.



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

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	577	9	—		586
Foreign governments	9,962		451	—		10,413
Public utilities	103,908		4,864	—		108,772
Corporate	2,783,263		98,637	(8,125	)	2,873,775
Residential mortgage-backed	21,790		1,693	(69	)	23,414
Home equity	8,287		380	—		8,667
Manufactured housing	—		—	—		—
	2,927,787		106,034	(8,194	)	3,025,627

Equity securities	14,807		5,371	(202	)	19,976

Totals	$	2,942,594	111,405	(8,396	)	3,045,603

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2016.



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

Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,333	235	—		1,568
States and political subdivisions	456,069		22,697	(2,841	)	475,925
Public utilities	1,087,176		36,904	(3,133	)	1,120,947
Corporate	4,237,029		116,720	(29,701	)	4,324,048
Residential mortgage-backed	1,367,270		42,345	(6,468	)	1,403,147
Home equity	8,826		1,462	—		10,288
Manufactured housing	1,556		132	—		1,688

Totals	$	7,159,259	220,495	(42,143	)	7,337,611

The table below presents amortized costs and fair values of securities available for sale at December 31, 2016.



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

Debt securities:
States and political subdivisions	$	580	—	(6	)	574
Foreign governments	9,956		380	—		10,336
Public utilities	127,181		4,745	(232	)	131,694
Corporate	2,802,852		80,414	(22,603	)	2,860,663
Residential mortgage-backed	27,110		2,137	(91	)	29,156
Home equity	9,341		286	—		9,627
Manufactured housing	—		—	—		—
	2,977,020		87,962	(22,932	)	3,042,050

Equity securities	14,022		4,657	(366	)	18,313

Totals	$	2,991,042	92,619	(23,298	)	3,060,363

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 September 30, 2017. 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.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded no other-than-temporary impairment on debt and equity securities.

Unrealized losses for securities held to maturity and securities available for sale decreased during the first nine months of 2017 primarily due to the downward movement in market interest rates during this period (which increases the market price of debt securities).

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 September 30, 2017.



	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	$	39,659	(723	)	—	—		39,659	(723	)
Public utilities	41,567		(489	)	—	—		41,567	(489	)
Corporate	456,605		(5,863	)	104,355	(1,539	)	560,960	(7,402	)
Residential mortgage-backed	220,414		(3,556	)	9,036	(366	)	229,450	(3,922	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	758,245	(10,631	)	113,391	(1,905	)	871,636	(12,536	)

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 September 30, 2017.



	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	$	—	—		—	—		—	—
Public utilities	—		—		—	—		—	—
Corporate	350,939		(6,120	)	57,034	(2,005	)	407,973	(8,125	)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,371		(14	)	1,115	(55	)	2,486	(69	)
	352,310		(6,134	)	58,149	(2,060	)	410,459	(8,194	)

Equity securities	940		(128	)	375	(74	)	1,315	(202	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	353,250	(6,262	)	58,524	(2,134	)	411,774	(8,396	)

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	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	$	80,507	(2,841	)	—	—		80,507	(2,841	)
Public utilities	162,587		(3,133	)	—	—		162,587	(3,133	)
Corporate	1,063,194		(22,867	)	179,113	(6,834	)	1,242,307	(29,701	)
Residential mortgage-backed	274,045		(5,989	)	8,943	(479	)	282,988	(6,468	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	1,580,333	(34,830	)	188,056	(7,313	)	1,768,389	(42,143	)

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, 2016.



	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	$	574	(6	)	—	—		574	(6	)
Public utilities	10,765		(232	)	—	—		10,765	(232	)
Corporate	680,988		(16,427	)	106,969	(6,176	)	787,957	(22,603	)
Residential mortgage-backed	1,292		(91	)	—	—		1,292	(91	)
	693,619		(16,756	)	106,969	(6,176	)	800,588	(22,932	)

Equity securities	4,154		(305	)	422	(61	)	4,576	(366	)

Total temporarily impaired securities	$	697,773	(17,061	)	107,391	(6,237	)	805,164	(23,298	)

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Debt securities. The gross unrealized losses for debt securities are made up of 168 individual issues, or 12.7% of the total debt securities held by the Company at September 30, 2017. The market value of these bonds as a percent of amortized cost approximates 98.4%. Of the 168 securities, 28, or 16.7%, fall in the 12 months or greater aging category; and 163 were rated investment grade at September 30, 2017.

Equity securities. The gross unrealized losses for equity securities are made up of 26 individual issues at September 30, 2017. These holdings are reviewed quarterly for impairment.

The amortized cost and fair value of investments in debt securities at September 30, 2017, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.



	Debt Securities Available for Sale			Debt Securities Held to Maturity
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value	Amortized Cost	Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Due in 1 year or less	$	107,418	109,701	327,702	334,140
Due after 1 year through 5 years	1,134,227		1,193,059	2,165,828	2,270,603
Due after 5 years through 10 years	1,604,862		1,638,814	3,103,155	3,174,126
Due after 10 years	51,203		51,972	366,282	382,281
	2,897,710		2,993,546	5,962,967	6,161,150

Mortgage and asset-backed securities	30,077		32,081	1,302,028	1,337,772

Total	$	2,927,787	3,025,627	7,264,995	7,498,922


(C)	Transfer of Securities

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company made no transfers from the held to maturity category to securities available for sale.

(D) Mortgage Loans and Real Estate

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 proved 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 September 30, 2017 or 2016 and as a result all interest income was recognized at September 30, 2017 and 2016.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

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



	September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Amount			%		Amount			%
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)

Mortgage Loans by Loan-to-Value Ratio (1):
Less than 50%	$	80,202		42.4		$	54,783		31.3
50% to 60%	27,630			14.6		12,946			7.4
60% to 70%	64,253			33.9		76,959			43.9
70% to 80%	4,657			2.5		6,192			3.5
80% to 90%	6,999			3.7		18,688			10.7
Greater than 90%	5,532			2.9		5,616			3.2
Gross balance	189,273			100.0		175,184			100.0

Allowance for possible losses	(650		)	(0.3	)	(650		)	(0.4	)

Totals	$	188,623		99.7		$	174,534		99.6

(1) Loan-to-Value Ratio is 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.

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.



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)

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

Balance, end of period	$	650	650

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The Company's direct investments in real estate are not a significant portion of its total investment portfolio and totaled approximately $31.3 million and $31.8 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company recognized operating income on real estate properties of approximately $2.1 million and $2.0 million for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.


(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 a 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.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

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:



	September 30, 2017
	Total		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale	$	3,025,627	—	3,025,627	—
Equity securities, available for sale	19,976		19,976	—	—
Derivatives, index options	163,536		—	—	163,536

Total assets	$	3,209,139	19,976	3,025,627	163,536

Policyholder account balances (a)	$	175,221	—	—	175,221
Other liabilities (b)	16,641		—	—	16,641

Total liabilities	$	191,862	—	—	191,862

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company had no transfers into or out of Levels 1, 2 or 3.



	December 31, 2016
	Total		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale	$	3,042,050	—	3,042,050	—
Equity securities, available for sale	18,313		18,313	—	—
Derivatives, index options	120,644		—	—	120,644

Total assets	$	3,181,007	18,313	3,042,050	120,644

Policyholder account balances (a)	$	122,666	—	—	122,666
Other liabilities (b)	12,027		—	—	12,027

Total liabilities	$	134,693	—	—	134,693

(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.

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

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:



	September 30, 2017
	Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	$	3,025,627		—		3,025,627		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	3,025,627			—		3,025,627		—

Equity securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	19,976			19,976		—		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	19,976			19,976		—		—

Derivatives, index options:
Priced by third-party vendors	163,536			—		—		163,536
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	163,536			—		—		163,536

Total	$	3,209,139		19,976		3,025,627		163,536

Percent of total	100.0		%	0.6	%	94.3	%	5.1	%



	December 31, 2016
	Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)

Debt securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	$	3,042,050		—		3,042,050		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	3,042,050			—		3,042,050		—

Equity securities, available for sale:
Priced by third-party vendors	18,313			18,313		—		—
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	18,313			18,313		—		—

Derivatives, index options:
Priced by third-party vendors	120,644			—		—		120,644
Priced internally	—			—		—		—
Subtotal	120,644			—		—		120,644

Total	$	3,181,007		18,313		3,042,050		120,644

Percent of total	100.0		%	0.6	%	95.6	%	3.8	%

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 September 30, 2017
	Debt Securities, Available for Sale		Equity Securities, Available for Sale	Derivatives, Index Options		Total Assets		Other Liabilities
	(In thousands)

Balance at July 1, 2017	$	—	—	149,341		149,341		173,356
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	—		—	45,130		45,130		48,927
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net:
Purchases	—		—	19,847		19,847		19,847
Sales	—		—	—		—		—
Issuances	—		—	—		—		531
Settlements	—		—	(50,782	)	(50,782	)	(50,799	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—		—	—		—		—

Balance at end of period	$	—	—	163,536		163,536		191,862

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	$	—	—	16,436		16,436		—
Benefits and expenses	—		—	—		—		17,195

Total	$	—	—	16,436		16,436		17,195

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	For the Three Months ended September 30, 2016
	Debt Securities, Available for Sale		Equity Securities, Available for Sale	Derivatives, Index Options		Total Assets		Other Liabilities
	(In thousands)

Balance at July 1, 2016	$	—	—	63,319		63,319		81,056
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	—		—	19,113		19,113		13,492
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net:
Purchases	—		—	18,848		18,848		18,848
Sales	—		—	—		—		—
Issuances	—		—	—		—		388
Settlements	—		—	(11,183	)	(11,183	)	(11,255	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—		—	—		—		—

Balance at end of period	$	—	—	90,097		90,097		102,529

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	$	—	—	23,851		23,851		—
Benefits and expenses	—		—	—		—		25,150

Total	$	—	—	23,851		23,851		25,150

Table of Contents

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Debt Securities, Available for Sale		Equity Securities, Available for Sale	Derivatives, Index Options		Total Assets		Other Liabilities
	(In thousands)

Beginning balance, January 1, 2017	$	—	—	120,644		120,644		134,693
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	—		—	138,552		138,552		152,569
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net:
Purchases	—		—	55,226		55,226		55,226
Sales	—		—	—		—
Issuances	—		—	—		—		1,275
Settlements	—		—	(150,886	)	(150,886	)	(151,901	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—		—	—		—		—

Balance at end of period	$	—	—	163,536		163,536		191,862

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	$	—	—	83,540		83,540		—
Other operating expenses	—		—	—		—		87,894

Total	$	—	—	83,540		83,540		87,894

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Debt Securities, Available for Sale		Equity Securities, Available for Sale	Derivatives, Index Options		Total Assets		Other Liabilities
	(In thousands)

Beginning balance, January 1, 2016	$	—	—	38,409		38,409		66,028
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Included in net income	—		—	8,307		8,307		(7,691	)
Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, net:
Purchases	—		—	56,387		56,387		56,387
Sales	—		—	—		—		—
Issuances	—		—	—		—		921
Settlements	—		—	(13,006	)	(13,006	)	(13,116	)
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	—		—	—		—		—

Balance at end of period	$	—	—	90,097		90,097		102,529

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	$	—	—	15,628		15,628		—
Other operating expenses	—		—	—		—		13,582

Total	$	—	—	15,628		15,628		13,582

The following table presents the valuation method for financial assets and liabilities categorized as level 3, as well as the unobservable inputs used in the valuation of those financial instruments:



	September 30, 2017
	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input
	(In thousands)

Derivatives, index options	$	163,536	Broker prices	Implied volatility
				Inputs from broker proprietary models

Total assets	$	163,536

Policyholder account balances	$	175,221	Deterministic cash flow model	Projected option cost
Other liabilities	16,641		Black-Scholes model	Expected term
				Forfeiture assumptions

Total liabilities	$	191,862

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	December 31, 2016
	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input
	(In thousands)

Derivatives, index options	$	120,644	Broker prices	Implied volatility
				Inputs from broker proprietary models

Total assets	$	120,644

Policyholder account balances	$	122,666	Deterministic cash flow model	Projected option cost
Other liabilities	12,027		Black-Scholes model	Expected term
				Forfeiture assumptions

Total liabilities	$	134,693

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

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

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



	September 30, 2017
				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	$	7,264,995	7,498,922	—	7,498,922	—
Securities available for sale	3,045,603		3,045,603	19,976	3,025,627	—

Cash and cash equivalents	170,560		170,560	170,560	—	—
Mortgage loans	188,623		189,739	—	—	189,739
Policy loans	57,466		102,536	—	—	102,536
Other loans	9,786		10,091	—	—	10,091
Derivatives, index options	163,536		163,536	—	—	163,536
Short-term investments	—		—	—	—	—
Life interest in Trust	7,550		12,775	—	—	12,775

LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	$	7,806,058	7,418,285	—	—	7,418,285
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	439,440		469,348	—	—	469,348

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)



	December 31, 2016
				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	$	7,159,259	7,337,611	—	7,337,611	—
Securities available for sale	3,060,363		3,060,363	18,313	3,042,050	—

Cash and cash equivalents	51,247		51,247	51,247	—	—
Mortgage loans	174,534		176,890	—	—	176,890
Policy loans	58,699		101,092	—	—	101,092
Other loans	14,343		14,898	—	—	14,898
Derivatives, index options	120,644		120,644	—	—	120,644
Life interest in Trust	7,550		12,775	—	—	12,775

LIABILITIES
Deferred annuity contracts	$	7,739,337	7,367,851	—	—	7,367,851
Immediate annuity and supplemental contracts	443,226		470,414	—	—	470,414

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 Sheets. 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.

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.



	September 30, 2017
	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	$	163,536

Fixed-index products				Universal Life and Annuity Contracts	$	175,221

Total		$	163,536		$	175,221



	December 31, 2016
	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	$	120,644

Fixed-index products				Universal Life and Annuity Contracts	$	122,666

Total		$	120,644		$	122,666

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NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

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 September 30, 2017 and 2016.



		September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
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	$	45,131		19,114

Fixed-index products	Universal life and annuity contract interest	(48,168		)	(12,194	)

		$	(3,037	)	6,920

The table below presents the effect of derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



		September 30, 2017			September 30, 2016
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	$	138,552		8,307

Fixed-index products	Universal life and annuity contract interest	(148,214		)	5,645

		$	(9,662	)	13,952

(12) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Subsequent events have been evaluated and no reportable items were identified.

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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 Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") 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, as a matter of policy, the Company 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 Group, Inc. for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 follows. Where appropriate, discussion specific to the insurance operations of National Western Life Insurance Company is denoted by "National Western" or "company". 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 2016 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K with the SEC.

Overview

National Western 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 domestic and international residents. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017, incorporating required disclosures in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Insurance Operations - Domestic

National Western 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 either as tax qualified or nonqualified products. Presently, 99% of National Western's life premium sales come from single premium life products. At September 30, 2017, the company maintained approximately 133,600 annuity contracts in force and 50,500 domestic life insurance policies in force representing $3.1 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 27,950 domestic independent agents contracted.

During the third quarter of 2017, the company hired a new chief marketing officer over domestic marketing who has initiated new marketing and distribution strategies to include general agents, banks, broker/dealers, and wirehouses. As part of these new initiatives, the company will be expanding its presence into domestic multicultural markets. These distribution strategies aim to increase and balance sales between single and recurring premium life products.

Insurance Operations - International

The company does not conduct business or maintain offices or employees in any other country, but it does accept applications at its home office in Austin, Texas, and issues policies from there to non-U.S. residents. The company's international clientèle consists mainly of foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes. Insurance products are issued currently to residents of countries primarily in South America and the Caribbean based upon applications received in the company's home office. The company ceased accepting applications from Russian-speaking residents in Eastern Europe and Asia during the first half of 2017. 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 September 30, 2017, the company had approximately 61,400 international life insurance policies in force representing approximately $16.8 billion in face amount of coverage.

International applications are submitted by independent contractor consultants and broker-agents. The company has approximately 2,150 independent international consultants and brokers currently contracted.

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, National Western accepts applications from foreign nationals in upper socioeconomic classes who have substantial financial resources. This 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 entirely in United States dollars (except for a small block of business in Haiti whose policies are denominated in Haitian gourdes). National Western's fifty plus 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 National Western'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			Nine Months Ended
	September 30,			September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

International:
Universal life	$	755	590	1,482	1,785
Traditional life	479		416	1,452	1,396
Equity-index life	1,580		2,143	4,997	6,744

	2,814		3,149	7,931	9,925
Domestic:
Universal life	8		22	18	32
Traditional life	20		32	78	89
Equity-index life	4,431		4,309	13,263	12,287

	4,459		4,363	13,359	12,408

Totals	$	7,273	7,512	21,290	22,333

Life insurance sales, as measured by annualized first year premiums, decreased 3% in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the third quarter of 2016. By market segment, the domestic life insurance line of business increased 2% while the international life insurance line of business posted an 11% decrease from the comparable results of the third quarter of 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, total life sales decreased 5% from 2016 levels as domestic life insurance sales expanded 8% during this period and international life insurance sales decreased 20%. Increasing domestic life insurance business has been a focal point of company management.

The company's domestic operations life insurance product portfolio includes 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. 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). These products were designed and implemented several years ago targeting the accumulated savings of the Baby Boomer segment of the population entering their retirement years. The wealth transfer life products have been valuable offerings for the company's distributors as evidenced by comprising 99% of total domestic life sales in the first nine months of 2017.

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.

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Applications submitted from residents of Latin America have historically comprised the majority of the company's international life insurance sales. This distribution has become more pronounced in the past couple of years as the company ceased accepting applications from residents in various other geographic locations as described below. The company's mix of international sales by geographic region is as follows:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016

Percentage of International Sales:
Latin America	99.2	%	95.9	%
Eastern Europe/Asia	0.8		4.1

Totals	100.0	%	100.0	%

Year-to-date, the company has accepted new business from residents outside of the United States with Venezuela (25%), Peru (18%), Chile (15%), and Ecuador (14%) comprising the regions with contributions of 10% or more of total international sales.

As previously disclosed in prior SEC filings, the Brazilian Superintendence of Private Insurance ("SUSEP") attempted to serve National Western in 2011 with a subpoena regarding an administrative proceeding initiated by SUSEP in which it alleged the company was operating as an insurance company in Brazil without due authorization. While the company believes that SUSEP has no jurisdiction over the company, SUSEP affirmed its imposition of a penal fine against National Western, but in a reduced amount of 3 million reais (approximately $960,000). In light of the substantial reduction in the proposed penal fine by SUSEP, National Western paid the penal fine in the reduced amount in the fourth quarter of 2016 under protest and thereby retained its rights to seek judicial review in Brazil of the merits of the SUSEP charges. In light of these developments, the company ceased accepting new applications from residents in Brazil in the fourth quarter of 2015. Additionally, after careful consideration of various factors, including segment performance and the volume of application submissions, the company ceased accepting applications from residents in certain other countries in Central America and the Pacific Rim during that same time period.

The average new policy face amounts since 2011 are as shown in the following table.



	Average New Policy Face Amount
	Domestic	International

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
Year ended December 31, 2015	274,500	342,500
Year ended December 31, 2016	308,700	336,500
Nine months ended September 30, 2017	307,200	311,600

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 86% of total life sales in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to 85% for the same period in 2016.

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



	Insurance In Force as of
	September 30,
	2017		2016
	($ in thousands)

Universal life:
Number of policies	41,070		44,940
Face amounts	$	4,271,900	5,064,620

Traditional life:
Number of policies	32,570		34,330
Face amounts	$	3,459,330	3,490,930

Fixed-index life:
Number of policies	38,300		38,850
Face amounts	$	9,104,030	9,462,720

Rider face amounts	$	3,043,010	3,046,760

Total life insurance:
Number of policies	111,940		118,120
Face amounts	$	19,878,270	21,065,030

At September 30, 2017, the company’s face amount of life insurance in force was comprised of $16.8 billion from the international line of business and $3.1 billion from the domestic line of business. At September 30, 2016, these amounts were $18.0 billion and $3.0 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 National Western's sales productivity.



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Fixed-index annuities	$	147,966	156,297	420,757	498,186
Other deferred annuities	3,057		4,671	14,517	27,075
Immediate annuities	1,789		807	2,871	3,198

Totals	$	152,812	161,775	438,145	528,459

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The company's mix of annuity sales has historically shifted with interest rate levels and the relative performance of the equity market. With the decline in interest rates subsequent to the subprime crisis, sales of fixed-index products have become proportionately greater generally accounting for 90% or more of all annuity sales the past several years. During the first nine months of 2017, this percentage exceeded 96% reflecting the ongoing bull market run in equities since bottoming out in 2009. For all fixed-index products, the company purchases over the counter call 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.

With the advent of a low interest rate policy engineered by the Federal Reserve in response to the subprime financial crisis, company management evaluated the potential ramifications of continuing a high level of annuity sales in a depressed interest rate environment. Under the auspices of the company's enterprise risk management (ERM) processes, taking into consideration the Federal Reserve's announced intention to maintain interest rates at historically reduced levels over a prolonged period of time, the decision was made to curtail new sales to desired levels in order to minimize the level of assets added at low yield rates. While National Western 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 decrease in annuity sales in 2017 relative to the prior year reflects the impact of two regulatory changes. The first is the Department of Labor's "fiduciary rule" on standards for retirement investment advice which has affected insurance carriers, marketing organizations and agents as each develop strategies for future product sales under this standard. The uncertainty associated with the timing and ultimate requirements of the rule has served to decrease activity for annuity sales involving qualified funds during the current year. The second change occurred late in 2016 when the state of California mandated more restrictive annuity product features for policies sold in the state. This required the company to refile products complying with the new standards for state approval. As of the date of this filing, California regulators have yet to process and approve the company's product filings.

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. 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 an increase in sales activity when a more favorable rate environment returns.

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



	Annuities In Force as of
	September 30,
	2017		2016
	($ in thousands)

Fixed-index annuities
Number of policies	75,070		73,930
GAAP annuity reserves	$	5,909,871	5,666,087

Other deferred annuities
Number of policies	44,620		47,780
GAAP annuity reserves	$	1,804,826	1,958,672

Immediate annuities
Number of policies	13,940		14,400
GAAP annuity reserves	$	369,188	368,724

Total annuities
Number of policies	133,630		136,110
GAAP annuity reserves	$	8,083,885	7,993,483

Impact of Recent Business Environment

The Company's business is generally aided by an economic environment experiencing growth, whether moderate or vibrant, characterized by metrics which indicate improving employment data and increases in personal income. Central banks in the United States, Europe, and Japan are currently contemplating how to unwind the years of large asset purchases used to prop up capital markets. These policies, intended to be temporary in order to stabilize the financial system, are on the verge of being unwound as a favorable combination of growth and inflation has pervaded the U.S. and global economies. The prospect of U.S. corporate tax reform may cause a pick-up in economic growth stemming from desired changes in the tax code.

As noted previously, regulatory actions have recently been an impediment to life insurers. This past week the Department of Labor (DOL) filed a rule with the Office of Management and Budget for an additional 18-month delay of the DOL's fiduciary rule from January 1, 2018 until July 1, 2019. As proposed, the rule is extending the applicability of the Best Interest Contract Exemption (BIC) and the Class Exemption for Principal Transactions (PTE) 84-24. Concerns have been raised by various parties that the DOL rule could disrupt the marketplace, increase costs for retirement savers, and eliminate access for middle- and lower-income workers to individualized retirement planning services. Observers are hopeful that the DOL and the SEC can reach a consensus on a uniform standard that protects investors as well their access to affordable, quality advice, products and services. It is uncertain what effect, if any, the extension, and any ultimate changes to the DOL's fiduciary rule, will have on the Company's business.

With regard to the credit market, industry analysts and observers generally agree that a sudden jump in interest rate levels, while presently a highly unlikely scenario, 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. Currently, the consensus view of the Federal Reserve's course of action is predicated on the thesis that the U.S. economy is in a position to absorb a series of interest rate hikes without impeding ongoing economic growth. A progression of carefully measured increases in interest rates would be beneficial to financial service institutions, including life insurance companies. 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.

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The U.S life insurance sector is experiencing an interest rate, economic and regulatory environment making strategic long-term planning decisions more challenging and suspect to inaccuracies. In an environment such as this, the need for a strong capital position that can cushion against unexpected bumps is critical for stability and ongoing business activity. The Company's 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 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.

Consolidated Operations

Revenues. The following details Company revenues.



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Universal life and annuity contract charges	$	40,268	40,333	122,329	123,791
Traditional life premiums	5,285		4,631	13,639	13,721
Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	106,560		107,867	327,493	327,425
Other revenues	4,672		4,476	13,714	14,050

Operating revenues	156,785		157,307	477,175	478,987
Derivative gain (loss)	45,131		19,114	138,552	8,307
Net realized investment gains (losses)	2,074		5,426	10,906	10,589

Total revenues	$	203,990	181,847	626,633	497,883

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Universal life and annuity contract charges - Revenues for universal life and annuity contracts were marginally lower for the first nine months in 2017 compared to 2016. 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 September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Contract Revenues:
Cost of insurance and administrative charges	$	33,915		33,335		100,823		99,624
Surrender charges	10,114			11,348		33,682		34,955
Other charges	(171		)	(187	)	(131	)	1,131
Gross contract revenues	43,858			44,496		134,374		135,710

Reinsurance premiums	(3,590		)	(4,163	)	(12,045	)	(11,919	)

Net contract revenues	$	40,268		40,333		122,329		123,791

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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 averaged approximately $20.3 billion while for the same period of 2016 it averaged $21.5 billion. Countering the decline in insurance in force, the company implemented higher cost of insurance charges on international life insurance products during the second quarter of 2016. Accordingly, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, cost of insurance charges increased to $26.9 million from $26.5 million at September 30, 2016, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, cost of insurance charges increased to $80.6 million from $79.2 million at September 30, 2016. In addition to the increase in international cost of insurance charges, the increase reflects larger domestic face amounts of insurance being added to the in force block of business, which produce higher contract charges per policy, replacing smaller face amounts terminated through death, surrender or lapsation. Administrative charges pertaining to new business issued declined marginally to $20.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 versus $20.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 due to a lower number of international life insurance policies issued.

Surrender charges assessed against policyholder account balances upon withdrawal remained relatively level in the first nine months of 2017 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 and additional contract revenues are realized and the company continues to make an interest rate spread equivalent to the difference it earns on its investment and the amount that it credits to policyholders. In the first nine months of 2017, lapse rates on domestic life insurance policies were better than the prior year while lapse rates for international life insurance and annuity policies increased somewhat. The increase in the international life insurance lapse rate most noticeably came from the countries from which National Western ceased accepting applications from residents in the fourth quarter of 2015. Surrender charge income recognized is also dependent upon the duration of policies at the time of surrender (i.e. later duration policy surrenders having a lower surrender charge assessed and earlier duration surrenders having a higher surrender charge).

Traditional life premiums - Traditional life premiums were slightly lower in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 reflecting a slight decrease in sales during the first nine months of 2017 and the lapsation of international life insurance policies noted above. Traditional life insurance premiums for products such as whole life and term life are recognized as revenues over the premium-paying period. The company's life insurance sales focus has historically been primarily centered around universal life products, although additional term products have been added to the company's portfolio recently. 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, have been more popular product offerings in the company's markets representing 93% of new life insurance sales for 2017 thus far.

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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 September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Gross investment income:
Debt and equities	$	101,664	103,650	307,540	312,833
Mortgage loans	2,645		2,070	8,333	5,576
Policy loans	885		868	2,638	2,732
Short-term investments	339		252	585	507
Other invested assets	1,408		1,318	9,363	6,594

Total investment income	106,941		108,158	328,459	328,242
Less: investment expenses	381		291	966	817

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	106,560		107,867	327,493	327,425
Derivative gain (loss)	45,131		19,114	138,552	8,307

Net investment income	$	151,691	126,981	466,045	335,732

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, debt and equity securities generated approximately 94% of total net investment income, excluding derivative gain (loss). The Company's strategy is to invest substantially all of its cash flows in fixed debt securities consistent with its guidelines for credit quality, duration, and diversification. The lower level of investment income from debt and equity securities through the third quarter of 2017 versus 2016, reflects higher yielding debt securities maturing or being called by borrowers and being replaced with lower yielding securities in the current interest rate environment. In addition, investment yields on new bond purchases during the first nine months of 2017 approximated 3.57% remaining below the portfolio's weighted average yield.

Mortgage loan investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased significantly over the comparable period in 2016 reflecting increased loan origination activity beginning in 2016. The portfolio balance increased from $108.3 million at December 31, 2015 to $174.5 million at December 31, 2016 as the Company identified this as an area of investment focus. The mortgage loan portfolio balance further increased to $188.6 million at September 30, 2017 reflecting ongoing loan origination efforts during the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company originated new mortgage loans in the amount of $38.2 million compared to $55.8 million in the comparable period of 2016.

Other invested asset investment income increased during the first nine months of 2017 as various profit participation loans paid out during the period. These loans, generally underwritten in conjunction with an underlying mortgage loan, enhance the Company's returns on its lending due the opportunity to participate in profit generation from the supporting venture.

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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 and average invested assets shown below includes cash and cash equivalents. Net investment income performance is summarized as follows:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016
	(In thousands)

Excluding derivatives:
Net investment income	$	327,493		327,425
Average invested assets, at amortized cost	$	10,580,953		10,407,898
Annual yield on average invested assets	4.13		%	4.19	%

Including derivatives:
Net investment income	$	466,045		335,732
Average invested assets, at amortized cost	$	10,723,043		10,472,151
Annual yield on average invested assets	5.79		%	4.27	%

The yield on average invested assets, excluding derivatives, declined slightly from 2016. Yields obtained on new fixed maturity debt securities investments during the first nine months of 2017 were below the total weighted average yield. During 2016, the average yield on bond purchases to fund insurance operations was 3.38% representing a 1.54% spread over treasury rates. Insurance operation bond purchases through the third quarter of 2017 had a higher average yield of 3.57%; however, spreads decreased to 1.20% over treasury rates during this period while treasury rates increased.

The bond yield rates during both 2016 and 2017 are below the weighted average bond portfolio rate which was slightly less than 4.02% at September 30, 2017. The weighted average quality of new purchases during the first nine months of the current year was "A-" which was slightly higher than the overall "BBB+" quality rating of purchases during 2016. The composite duration of purchases during the first nine months of 2017 was approximately the same as that for 2016 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 2016 at a rate of 2.45%, the daily closing yield of the ten year treasury bond ranged from a low of approximately 2.05% to a high of roughly 2.60% during the first nine months of 2017, and ended the third calendar quarter at 2.33%.

The pattern in average invested asset yield, including derivatives, incorporates increases and decreases in the fair value of index options purchased by the company to support its fixed-index products. Fair values of the purchased call options increased during the 2017 and the 2016 periods, substantially more in the 2017 period compared to the 2016 period, corresponding to the movement in equity market indices in these time frames. Refer to the derivatives discussion below for a more detailed explanation of these instruments.

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 $13.5 million and $13.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Level nursing home revenues reflect stable census figures at the facilities thus far in 2017 and a steady mix of payor sources by patient types.

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 substantially 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the reference indices increased and the Company recorded an overall gain from index options as shown below.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Derivatives:
Unrealized gain (loss)	$	13,197	32,821		44,053	60,121
Realized gain (loss)	31,934		(13,707	)	94,499	(51,814	)

Total gain (loss) included in net investment income	$	45,131	19,114		138,552	8,307

Total contract interest	$	107,799	67,776		299,862	179,592

The economic impact of option performance in the Company's financial statements is not generally determined by the option gain or loss included in net investment income as there is a corresponding amount recorded in the contract interest expense line. The Company's profitability with respect to these options is largely dependent upon the purchase cost of the option remaining within the financial budget for acquiring 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.

The financial statement investment spread, the difference between investment income and interest credited to contractholders, is subject to variations from option performance during any given period. For example, many of the company's equity-index annuity products provide for the collection of asset management fees. These asset management fees are assessed when returns on expiring options are positive, and they are collected prior to passing any additional returns above the assessed management fees to the policy contractholders. During periods of positive returns, the collected asset management fees serve to increase the financial statement investment spread by increasing option realized gains more than interest credited to policy contractholders. Asset management fees collected in the first nine months of 2017 were approximately $20.9 million more than in the first nine months of 2016. Of this amount, approximately $5.0 million of the increase occurred in the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Net realized investment gains (losses) - Realized gains on investments in 2017 primarily resulted from bond calls and sales. The net gains reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 consisted of gross gains of $11.0 million offset by gross losses of $0.1 million. Included in the gross gains is approximately $2.3 million realized during the second quarter from a partial sale of home office land property to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to be used in the construction of roadway expansion. The net gains reported for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 consisted of gross gains of $10.0 million offset by gross losses of $0.1 million. No other-than-temporary credit impairment losses were recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

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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 Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). No impairment or valuation write-downs were recorded in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the periods as shown in the following table.



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

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

Total	$	—	—	—	—

While market values of equity securities are subject to variation between reporting periods, the Company's analysis of potential impairments in the periods shown did not identify other than temporary declines. Equity securities (common stocks) represent 0.1% of invested assets and individual common stock holdings have an average cost basis of approximately $43,000.

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



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Life and other policy benefits	$	21,015	17,430	58,626	48,571
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	18,722		24,395	85,992	88,581
Universal life and annuity contract interest	107,799		67,776	299,862	179,592
Other operating expenses	22,596		23,595	74,031	66,306

Totals	$	170,132	133,196	518,511	383,050

Life and other policy benefits - Death claim benefits, the largest component of policy benefits, increased to $33.3 million in the first nine months of 2017 compared to $25.9 million for the first nine months of 2016. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, death claim benefits were $12.3 million and $8.0 million, respectively. Death claim amounts are generally subject to variation from period to period. For the first nine months of 2017, the number of life insurance claims declined 8% from the comparable period in 2016. However, the distribution of claims was skewed toward higher dollar policies within the company's net retention limit of $500,000 per life resulting in a higher average dollar per claim. The company's overall mortality experience has generally been consistent with or better than its product pricing assumptions.

Life and other policy benefits also includes reserve changes associated with the company's withdrawal benefit rider (WBR), a popular rider to its equity-indexed annuity products. During the second quarter of 2016, as part of the unlocking of deferred policy acquisition costs, the company recorded a prospective unlocking adjustment which reduced WBR reserves by $3.1 million and decreased life and other policy benefits by a like amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

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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 adjustments on DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense separate from recurring amortization expense components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



Amortization of DPAC	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Unlocking adjustments	$	(12,935	)	(8,170	)	(11,856	)	(11,790	)
Other amortization components	31,657			32,565		97,848		100,371

Totals	$	18,722		24,395		85,992		88,581

During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, the company unlocked the DPAC balances associated with its International Life insurance and Annuity segments the effect of which was to increase DPAC balances by $12.9 million (and reduce amortization expense). The International Life insurance DPAC balance was unlocked for favorable mortality, lower than expected lapses from disengaged countries, and the implementation of an interest crediting clawback on certain universal life policies. The Annuity DPAC balance was unlocked for crediting rate spreads and surrender/annuitization assumptions. Earlier in 2017, the company unlocked the interest crediting rate spread on three of its equity-indexed universal life products in its Domestic and International life insurance segments during the second quarter of 2017. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease the DPAC balance by $1.1 million with a corresponding increase to amortization expense.

In the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the company unlocked the DPAC balance associated with its Domestic Life insurance segment for favorable mortality. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to increase DPAC balances by $8.2 million (and decrease amortization expense). During the second quarter of 2016, the company unlocked the DPAC balance associated with its International Life insurance segment for favorable mortality, increased cost of insurance charges that had been implemented, and higher lapse assumptions for policies associated with residents in "disengaged countries" (countries which the company ceased accepting applications from residents during 2015). The effect of the prospective unlocking was to increase DPAC balances by $7.3 million (and decrease amortization expense). At the same time, the company also unlocked the DPAC balance for its Annuity segment for surrender and annuitization rates on its indexed, single tier, and two tier annuities. The effect of this prospective unlocking was to decrease DPAC balances by $3.7 million (and increase amortization expense). Accordingly, the net effect during the second quarter of 2016 for the unlockings was a $3.6 million increase to the DPAC balance and decrease to amortization expense.

The Company is required to evaluate its emergence of profits continually and management believes that the current amortization patterns of deferred policy acquisition costs, incorporating these unlocking adjustments, are reflective of actual experience. It is the company's intent going forward to annually perform any necessary DPAC balance unlockings in the third calendar quarter of the year.

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As the DPAC balance is an asset on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) provide for an earned interest return on the unamortized balance each period. The earned interest serves to increase the DPAC balance and reduce other amortization component expense. The rate at which the DPAC balance earns interest is the average credited interest rate on the company's universal life and annuity policies in force, including credited interest on equity-index policies. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 the company's crediting rates have increased compared to comparable prior year periods due to higher equity-index credits and the amount of earned interest on DPAC balances has therefore increased serving to offset other amortization component expense.

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 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 nine months, excluding and including fixed-index (derivative) products, were as follows:



	September 30,				September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	(Excluding fixed-index products)				(Including fixed-index products)

Annuity	2.20	%	2.32	%	3.57	%	1.94	%
Interest sensitive life	3.42	%	3.62	%	6.83	%	3.90	%

Contract interest reported in the financial statements also encompasses the performance of the index options associated with the company's fixed-index products. As previously noted, the market value changes of these derivative features resulted in net realized and unrealized gains/(losses) of $138.6 million and $8.3 million being included in net investment income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These positive returns similarly increase the average credited rates for the periods shown above.

Generally, the impact of the market value change of index options on asset values aligns closely with the movement of the embedded derivative liability held for the company's fixed-index products such that the net effect upon pretax earnings is negligible (i.e. net realized and unrealized gains/(losses) included in net investment income approximate the change in contract interest associated with the corresponding embedded derivative liability change). However, other aspects of the embedded derivatives can cause deviations to occur between the change in index option asset values included in net investment income and the change in the embedded derivative liability included in contract interest. Many of the company's fixed-index products provide for the collection of asset management fees. These fees are collected when realized gains on index options occur and are deducted from indexed interest credited to policyholders. During the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, asset management fees collected were $7.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively. These collected fees serve to enhance the company's interest spread. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, asset management fees collected were $24.3 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

Accounting rules require the embedded derivative liability to include a projection of asset management fees estimated to be collected in the next year. The change in this projection, plus or minus, is included in contract interest for the period being reported on. In the three month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, contract interest was increased $1.5 million and decreased $(5.9) million, respectively, for these projection changes. In the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, contract interest was increased $5.0 million and decreased $(11.9) million, respectively, for this occurrence.

Contract interest expense also includes reserve changes for immediate annuities, two tier annuities, excess death benefit reserves, excess annuitization, and amortization of deferred sales inducement balances. These expense items are offset by policy charges assessed for policies with the withdrawal benefit rider. Collectively, the changes in these items also impact contract interest expense and the financial statement interest spread. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017, the changes in these items increased financial statement interest spread by $1.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively, relative to the comparable periods in 2016.

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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.

As part of the DPAC unlocking discussed previously for the Annuity segment, the company also unlocked its deferred sales inducement balance during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 which decreased the deferred sales inducement balance by $4.3 million (and increased contract interest expense). During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the company also unlocked its deferred sales inducement balance associated with its annuity segment for surrender and annuitization rate changes with the effect of this prospective unlocking decreasing the deferred sales inducement balance by $1.7 million (and increasing contract interest expense).

As part of these unlockings in 2017 and 2016, in addition to the changes in the DPAC and deferred sales inducement balances, net benefit reserves for the international universal life and deferred annuities (two tier) product lines were increased. The net amount of the reserve increase from these adjustments were $9.0 million and $5.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These reserve changes increased the contract interest charge for each period. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the reserve changes from these adjustments were $9.4 million and $(0.3) million, respectively.

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 and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are summarized in the table that follows.



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

General insurance expenses	$	6,497	7,661	23,782	25,447
Nursing home expenses	4,135		4,531	12,622	13,650
Compensation expenses	7,140		6,909	22,203	14,063
Commission expenses	2,854		3,043	8,149	8,480
Taxes, licenses and fees	1,970		1,451	7,275	4,666

Totals	$	22,596	23,595	74,031	66,306

General insurance expenses include provisions for litigation and other settlement payments made in lieu of litigation. As discussed in the Legal Proceedings section of the footnotes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company charged $2.9 million against earnings in the first quarter of 2016 related to litigation involving an annuity contract matter in Puerto Rico. In aggregate, general insurance expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are slightly higher than the prior year period (excluding this litigation charge) due to increases in 2017 for real estate expense from the new home office building acquired in December 2016, incremental amortization from the company's deployment of its proprietary policy administration system, and employee benefit plan liability increases.

Compensation expenses include share-based compensation costs related to outstanding vested and nonvested stock options and SARs, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance share units (PSUs). The related share-based compensation costs move in tandem not only with the number of awards outstanding but also with the movement in the market price of the Company's Class A common stock as a result of marking the stock options, SARs, and RSUs to fair value under the liability method of accounting. Consequently, the related expense amount varies positive or negative in any given period. The Company's Class A common share price increased from $205.37 at September 30, 2016 to $310.80 at the end of 2016. During the first nine months of 2017, the Company's closing stock price further increased to $349.00 at September 30, 2017. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 share-based compensation expense was $1.3 million while for the comparable period in 2016 share-based compensation expense was $1.7 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 share-based compensation was $5.6 million versus $(1.1) million in the same period for 2016.

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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, real estate taxes, state income taxes, and other state and municipal taxes. State income taxes are generally determined by apportioning the company's federal taxable income based upon premiums generated from a particular state as a percentage of total premiums. Federal taxable income is principally derived from the company's statutory financial results. Through the first nine months of 2017, the company's statutory earnings are significantly higher causing estimated state income tax payments to be correspondingly higher. In the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, taxes, licenses and fees include state income tax expense of $1.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. In addition, included in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, is $0.8 million for real estate tax expense pertaining to the new home office facility acquired in December of 2016.

Federal Income Taxes. Federal income taxes on earnings from operations reflect an effective tax rate of 34.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 32.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. 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.

Segment Operations

Summary of Segment Earnings

A summary of segment earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 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:
September 30, 2017	$	2,037	28,992	(13,718	)	3,154	20,465
September 30, 2016	$	3,492	9,936	13,661		3,120	30,209

Nine months ended:
September 30, 2017	$	1,409	47,850	1,153		13,333	63,745
September 30, 2016	$	3,811	41,548	14,160		10,878	70,397

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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 September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Premiums and contract revenues:
Premiums and contract charges	$	9,907	8,507		27,822	24,814
Net investment income	17,385		12,294		51,998	28,011
Other revenues	11		7		30	37

Total revenues	27,303		20,808		79,850	52,862

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	3,483		5,338		13,850	13,629
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	2,517		(4,331	)	8,300	989
Universal life insurance contract interest	14,119		9,795		41,576	20,855
Other operating expenses	4,086		4,847		13,975	11,745

Total benefits and expenses	24,205		15,649		77,701	47,218

Segment earnings (loss) before Federal income taxes	3,098		5,159		2,149	5,644
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes	1,061		1,667		740	1,833

Segment earnings (loss)	$	2,037	3,492		1,409	3,811

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 September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance revenues	$	10,373		9,384		30,656		26,909
Traditional life insurance premiums	1,793			1,161		3,761		3,825
Reinsurance premiums	(2,259		)	(2,038	)	(6,595	)	(5,920	)

Totals	$	9,907		8,507		27,822		24,814

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The company's domestic life insurance in force in terms of policy count has been declining for some time. 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 several 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 54,300 at December 31, 2015 to 51,600 at December 31, 2016, and to 50,500 at September 30, 2017.

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 domestic life policies issued in the first nine months of 2017 was 10% higher than in the comparable period for 2016 and the volume of insurance issued was 8% more than that in 2016. Universal life insurance revenues also include surrender charge income realized on terminating policies and, in the case of domestic universal life, amortization into income of the premium load on single premium policies which the company began deferring in 2013.

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 September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance:
First year and single premiums	$	30,170	30,373	92,495	85,915
Renewal premiums	5,166		5,135	15,297	15,481

Totals	$	35,336	35,508	107,792	101,396

During the past couple of years the company has achieved some success in growing its domestic life insurance business. Sales have been substantially weighted toward single premium policies which do not have much in the way of 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, excluding derivative gain/(losses), has been gradually increasing due to the increased new business activity described above (single premium policies) and a higher level of investments needed to support the corresponding growth in policy obligations, especially those for single premium policies. 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.

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



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	$	9,353	8,329	27,675	25,093
Derivative gain (loss)	8,032		3,965	24,323	2,918

Net investment income	$	17,385	12,294	51,998	28,011

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Life and policy benefits for a smaller block of business are subject to variation from quarter to quarter. Claim activity during the first nine months of 2017 was in line with historical trends and was slightly lower compared to the same period for 2016. The number of incurred claims during the first nine months of 2017 decreased 10% compared to the first nine months of 2016 while the average net claim amount increased to $27,000 from $24,000. 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 net claim amount reflects claims from more recent policy sales (single premium wealth transfer products) which have much higher face amounts of insurance coverage per policy. The company's overall mortality experience for this segment has been better than 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 adjustments on domestic life insurance DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense separate from recurring amortization expense components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



Amortization of DPAC	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017	2016
	(In thousands)


Unlocking adjustments	$	—	(8,170	)	795	(8,170	)
Other amortization components	2,517		3,839		7,505	9,159

Totals	$	2,517	(4,331	)	8,300	989

The company unlocked the interest crediting rate spread on two of its equity-indexed universal life products during the first nine months of 2017. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease the DPAC balance by $(0.8) million with a corresponding increase to amortization expense. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the company unlocked its DPAC balance for this segment for favorable mortality. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to increase DPAC balances by $8.2 million (and decrease amortization expense).

International Life Insurance Operations

National Western'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 had a competitive advantage historically. A stable population of distribution relationships has been developed over decades of operations providing the company with a consistent foundation for development of the block of business.

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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 September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016	2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Premiums and other revenues:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	30,353		31,066	91,563		95,291
Net investment income	15,711			12,763	48,581		30,203
Other revenues	26			10	73		50

Total revenues	46,090			43,839	140,217		125,544

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	8,437			5,038	19,399		14,789
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	(21,585		)	7,296	(7,874	)	11,720
Universal life insurance and annuity contract interest	9,112			11,287	36,871		19,643
Other operating expenses	5,661			6,691	18,846		17,867

Total benefits and expenses	1,625			30,312	67,242		64,019

Segment earnings (losses) before Federal income taxes	44,465			13,527	72,975		61,525
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes	15,473			3,591	25,125		19,977

Segment earnings (loss)	$	28,992		9,936	47,850		41,548

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 September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance revenues	$	28,190		29,687		87,134		91,359
Traditional life insurance premiums	3,494			3,470		9,879		9,896
Reinsurance premiums	(1,331		)	(2,091	)	(5,450	)	(5,964	)

Totals	$	30,353		31,066		91,563		95,291

In general, universal life revenues and operating earnings are anticipated to emerge with growth in the amount of life insurance in force. The volume of insurance in force contracted from $19.0 billion at December 31, 2015 to $17.9 billion at December 31, 2016 and further decreased to $16.8 billion at September 30, 2017. 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 nine months of 2017 was 14% lower than in the first nine months of 2016 while the volume of insurance issued was 18% less than that issued in 2016 during the same period.

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A third component of international universal life revenues include surrender charges assessed upon surrender of contracts by policyholders. At the height of the financial crisis in 2008 through 2010 National Western's international policyholders 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 in 2011 with the termination activity over the following years remaining relatively stable. In 2015, termination activity revisited the levels last seen during the 2008 through 2010 period resulting in additional surrender charge fee revenues, and this activity has continued into 2016 and 2017. The following table illustrates National Western's recent international life termination experience.



	Amount in $'s	Annualized Termination Rate
	(millions)

Volume In Force Terminations
Nine months ended September 30, 2017	1,823.6	12.9	%
Year ended December 31, 2016	2,340.6	11.6	%
Year ended December 31, 2015	2,659.1	12.3	%
Year ended December 31, 2014	1,825.5	8.4	%
Year ended December 31, 2013	1,838.5	8.6	%
Year ended December 31, 2012	1,828.4	8.7	%

The higher incidence of terminations primarily is occurring with policies to residents of the countries from which the company discontinued accepting applications in late 2015. As a result of the higher termination incidence, the company unlocked its DPAC balances for this segment of the business during 2016 to incorporate a greater lapse assumption, among other things.

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 September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Universal life insurance:
First year and single premiums	$	3,983	5,578	11,367	14,679
Renewal premiums	22,204		23,393	64,392	69,903

Totals	$	26,187	28,971	75,759	84,582

National Western'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 an outside equity index. Included in the totals in the above table are collected premiums for fixed-index universal life products of approximately $47.9 million and $50.2 million for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decline in renewal premiums during 2017 compared to 2016 corresponds with the increased termination activity discussed above.

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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 September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	$	8,837	9,221	26,863	27,738
Derivative gain (loss)	6,874		3,542	21,718	2,465

Net investment income	$	15,711	12,763	48,581	30,203

For liability purposes, the embedded option in the company's policyholder obligations for this feature is bifurcated and reserved for separately. Accordingly, the impact for the embedded derivative component in the equity-index universal life product is reflected in the contract interest expense for each respective period.

Life and policy benefits primarily consist of death claims on policies. National Western's clientèle for international products are generally wealthy individuals with access to U.S. dollars and quality medical care. Consequently, the amounts of coverage purchased have historically tended to be larger amounts than those for domestic life insurance. In the year ended December 31, 2016, the average face amount of insurance purchased was $336,500, and in the first nine months of 2017, the average was slightly lower at $311,600. 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. The average international life net claim amount in the first nine months of 2017 increased to $159,000 from $140,000 in the first nine months of 2016.

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 adjustments on international life insurance DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense separate from recurring amortization expense components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



Amortization of DPAC	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016	2017		2016
	(In thousands)


Unlocking adjustments	$	(28,016	)	—	(27,731	)	(7,270	)
Other amortization components	6,431			7,296	19,857		18,990

Totals	$	(21,585	)	7,296	(7,874	)	11,720

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the company unlocked its DPAC balance for favorable mortality, lower than expected lapses from disengaged countries, and the implementation of an interest crediting clawback on certain universal life policies. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to increase the DPAC balance by $28.0 million (and decrease amortization expense). During the second quarter of 2017, the company unlocked the interest crediting rate spread on one of its international equity-indexed universal life products the effect of which was to decrease the DPAC balance by $0.3 million with a corresponding increase to amortization expense.

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During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the company unlocked the DPAC balance for this segment for favorable mortality, higher cost of insurance charges which had been implemented, future profit on universal life insurance riders, and increased lapse rates for disengaged countries. These prior year unlockings served to increase the DPAC balance by $7.3 million and reduce the level of amortization by a similar amount during the period shown.

As indicated in the discussion concerning net investment income, contract interest expense includes fluctuations that are the result of the effect upon the embedded derivative for the performance of underlying equity indices associated with fixed-index universal life products. The amounts realized on purchased call options generally approximate the amounts National Western credits to policyholders.

In addition, contract interest expense for this segment includes changes in reserves for excess death benefits. As part of the DPAC unlocking described above for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the company decreased excess benefit reserves by $4.2 million which decreased contract interest expense in these periods. Similarly, during the second quarter of 2016, as part of the DPAC unlocking described above, universal life excess death benefit reserves were also unlocked. The effect of this prospective unlocking was to decrease reserves by $6.1 million during the period which served to concurrently reduce contract interest expense.

Annuity Operations

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



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Premiums and other revenues:
Premiums and contract revenues	$	5,293		5,391	16,583	17,407
Net investment income	114,123			97,384	346,031	261,579
Other revenues	26			139	90	145

Total revenues	119,442			102,914	362,704	279,131

Benefits and expenses:
Life and other policy benefits	9,095			7,054	25,377	20,153
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs	37,790			21,430	85,566	75,872
Annuity contract interest	84,568			46,694	221,415	139,094
Other operating expenses	8,714			7,526	28,588	23,044

Total benefits and expenses	140,167			82,704	360,946	258,163

Segment earnings (loss) before Federal income taxes	(20,725		)	20,210	1,758	20,968
Provision (benefit) for Federal income taxes	(7,007		)	6,549	605	6,808

Segment earnings (loss)	$	(13,718	)	13,661	1,153	14,160

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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 nine months of 2017 was 6.3% which was marginally lower than the 6.7% rate during the same period in 2016.

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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 are detailed below.



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Fixed-index annuities	$	151,894	156,417	439,337	502,386
Other deferred annuities	4,617		7,555	19,917	31,767
Immediate annuities	1,918		1,865	4,984	5,575

Totals	$	158,429	165,837	464,238	539,728

Fixed-index products are more attractive for consumers when interest rate levels remain low and equity markets produce positive returns. Since National Western 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 95% and 93% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The percentage of fixed-index products to total annuity sales reflects the low interest rate environment and the ongoing bull market in equities.

As a selling inducement, some of the deferred products, including fixed-index annuity products, contain a first year interest bonus ranging from 1% to 7% depending upon the product, in addition to the 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 amounts deferred to be amortized over future periods amounted to approximately $13.7 million and $13.6 million during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, 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 September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Net investment income (excluding derivatives)	$	83,898	85,777	253,520	258,655
Derivative gain (loss)	30,225		11,607	92,511	2,924

Net investment income	$	114,123	97,384	346,031	261,579

As previously described, derivatives are call options purchased to hedge the equity return component of National Western'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. Since the embedded derivative option in the policies is bifurcated when determining the contract reserve liability, the impact of the market value change of index options on asset values generally aligns closely with the movement of the embedded derivative liability such that the net effect upon pretax earnings is negligible (i.e. net realized and unrealized gains/(losses) included in net investment income approximate the change in contract interest associated with the corresponding embedded derivative liability change). See further discussion below regarding contract interest activity.

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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 adjustments on annuity DPAC balances recorded through amortization expense separate from recurring amortization expense components for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



Amortization of DPAC	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)


Unlocking adjustments	$	15,080	—	15,080	3,650
Other amortization components	22,710		21,430	70,486	72,222

Totals	$	37,790	21,430	85,566	75,872

The Annuity DPAC balance was unlocked during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, for crediting rate spreads and surrender/annuitization assumptions. The effect of the prospective unlocking was to decrease the DPAC balance by $15.1 million (and increase amortization expense). During 2016 the company unlocked the DPAC balance for surrender and annuitization rates. The effect of the prospective unlocking in this period was to decrease the DPAC balance by $3.7 million (and increase amortization expense).

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



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017		2016
	(In thousands)

Fixed-index annuities	$	52,008		26,780		146,456		68,373
All other annuities	26,852			18,140		65,269		63,590

Gross contract interest	78,860			44,920		211,725		131,963
Bonus interest deferred and capitalized	(4,772		)	(4,243	)	(13,651	)	(13,587	)
Bonus interest amortization	10,480			6,017		23,341		20,718

Total contract interest	$	84,568		46,694		221,415		139,094

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 effect of positive or negative market returns of option values on projected interest credits. As noted in the discussion on Consolidated Operations, positive returns on expiring option contracts during the first nine months of 2017 led to an increase in collected asset management fees by National Western which are subtracted from contract interest credited to policyholders and lessens the increase in contract interest relative to the option gains reported in the Company's net investment income. Asset management fees collected during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $7.5 million and $24.3 million, respectively, compared to $2.5 million and $3.5 million in the corresponding periods of 2016.

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Annuity contract interest includes unlocking adjustments for the deferred sales inducement balance and annuity reserves. In conjunction with the DPAC unlocking during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as discussed previously, the company unlocked its deferred sales inducement balance decreasing it by $4.3 million (and increasing contract interest expense). Similarly, National Western also unlocked its deferred sales inducement balance during the second quarter of 2016 for surrender and annuitization rates with the prospective unlocking reducing the sales inducement balance by $1.6 million and increasing contract interest expense.

These unlocking adjustments also increased two-tier annuity reserves in each respective period the change of which increased contract interest expense. The two-tier annuity reserve unlocking amounted to $13.6 million in the 2017 reporting periods and $12.2 million during 2016.

Other Operations

The Company's primary business encompasses its domestic and international life insurance operations and its annuity operations of National Western. However, NWLGI and National Western also have small real estate, nursing home, and other investment operations through their wholly owned subsidiaries. Nursing home operations generated $0.9 million and $(0.1) million of pre-tax operating earnings in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. The remaining pre-tax earnings of $19.4 million and $16.2 million in Other Operations during the nine month periods represent investment income from real estate, municipal bonds, and common and preferred equities held in subsidiary company portfolios principally for tax advantage purposes. Included in these amounts are semi-annual distributions from a life interest in the Libby Shearn Moody Trust which is held in NWLSM, Inc. Pretax distributions from this trust were $3.1 million and $2.9 million in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The remaining increase in investment income during the first nine months of 2017 compared to 2016 reflects payoffs on certain loans having profit participation provisions in the agreements with borrowers.

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.



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		%	Carrying Value		%
	(In thousands)			(In thousands)

Debt securities	$	10,290,622	95.5	$	10,201,309	96.0
Mortgage loans	188,623		1.8	174,534		1.6
Policy loans	57,466		0.5	58,699		0.6
Derivatives, index options	163,536		1.5	120,644		1.1
Real estate	31,298		0.3	31,761		0.3
Equity securities	19,976		0.2	18,313		0.2
Other	17,635		0.2	22,193		0.2

Totals	$	10,769,156	100.0	$	10,627,453	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 September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's debt securities portfolio consisted of the following classes of securities:



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		%	Carrying Value		%
	(In thousands)			(In thousands)

Corporate	$	7,270,804	70.7	$	7,097,692	69.6
Residential mortgage-backed securities	1,316,921		12.8	1,396,426		13.7
Public utilities	1,217,939		11.8	1,218,870		11.9
State and political subdivisions	456,021		4.4	456,643		4.5
Asset-backed securities	17,188		0.2	20,009		0.2
Foreign governments	10,413		0.1	10,336		0.1
U.S. Treasury	1,336		—	1,333		—

Totals	$	10,290,622	100.0	$	10,201,309	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.



	Nine Months Ended September 30,			Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
	($ In thousands)

Cost of acquisitions	$	592,064		$	700,248
Average credit quality	A-			BBB+
Effective annual yield	3.57		%	3.38		%
Spread to treasuries	1.20		%	1.54		%
Effective duration	8.2 years			8.4 years

Rating agencies generally view mortgage-backed securities as having additional risk for insurers holding interest sensitive liabilities given the potential for asset/liability disintermediation. Consequently, the Company holds predominantly 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 98.8%, as of September 30, 2017, held in investment grade securities. In the table below, investments in debt securities are classified according to credit ratings by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations.



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		%	Carrying Value		%
	(In thousands)			(In thousands)

AAA	$	108,963	1.1	$	97,421	1.0
AA	2,128,202		20.7	2,225,606		21.8
A	3,232,971		31.4	3,288,882		32.2
BBB	4,692,405		45.6	4,409,873		43.2
BB and other below investment grade	128,081		1.2	179,527		1.8

Totals	$	10,290,622	100.0	$	10,201,309	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)

September 30, 2017	$	127,407	128,081	130,244	1.2	%

December 31, 2016	$	180,943	179,527	180,732	1.7	%

The Company's percentage of below investment grade securities as of September 30, 2017 compared with the percentage at December 31, 2016 decreased due to the maturity and disposal of several securities and credit rating upgrades of certain 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 September 30, 2017 are summarized below, including their comparable fair value as of December 31, 2016 for those debt securities rated below investment grade at September 30, 2017. 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	September 30, 2017		September 30, 2017	September 30, 2017	December 31, 2016
	(In thousands)

Asset-backed securities	$	7,554	7,715	8,996	8,840
Residential mortgage-backed	1,170		1,115	1,115	1,093
Oil & gas	35,063		33,701	33,701	32,465
Manufacturing	57,340		58,014	58,896	57,161
Other	26,280		27,536	27,536	26,772

Totals	$	127,407	128,081	130,244	126,331

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.

In the energy sector, oil prices declined over the past several years. Since then, prices have bottomed and come off of their lows, and the credit quality of individual companies that was affected during this downturn has begun to improve. At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's aggregate holdings in this sector approximated $941 million and $951 million, respectively. These holdings represented debt securities issued by approximately forty companies in the oil and gas industry. The Company's oil and gas debt securities were 96.4% investment grade as of the balance sheet date and had an overall investment credit rating of BBB+. Further mitigating the risk of the Company's holdings in this sector are ample diversification by subsector (integrated, independent, pipeline, servicer, and equipment).

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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recorded no other-than-temporary impairment credit related write-downs on debt 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 $2.0 million of other-than-temporary impairments of which $1.4 million was deemed credit related and recognized as realized investment losses in earnings, and $0.6 million, net of amortization, 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, 28.9% of the Company's total debt and equity securities, based on fair values, were classified as securities available for sale at September 30, 2017. These 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.



	September 30, 2017
	Fair Value		Amortized Cost	Unrealized Gains (Losses)
	(In thousands)

Securities held to maturity:
Debt securities	$	7,498,922	7,264,995	233,927
Securities available for sale:
Debt securities	3,025,627		2,927,787	97,840
Equity securities	19,976		14,807	5,169

Totals	$	10,544,525	10,207,589	336,936

Asset-Backed Securities

The Company holds approximately $17.2 million in asset-backed securities as of September 30, 2017. This portfolio includes $1.1 million of manufactured housing bonds and $16.1 million of home equity loans (also referred to as subprime securities). The Company does not have any holdings in collateralized 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.

The Company's exposure to the subprime sector has been limited to investments in the senior tranches of 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. The housing market subsequently stabilized and an improvement in the prices of subprime securities occurred as the bond market regained more liquidity. All of the loans classified as subprime in the Company's portfolio as of September 30, 2017 were underwritten prior to 2005 as noted in the table below.



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Investment Origination Year	Carrying Value		Fair Value	Carrying Value	Fair Value
	(In thousands)

Subprime:
1998	$	1,692	1,753	2,074	2,145
2003	2,719		3,964	2,997	4,369
2004	11,633		11,632	13,382	13,401

Total	$	16,044	17,349	18,453	19,915

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During the third quarter of 2017, the Company's exposure to the subprime sector decreased due to principal repayments. As of September 30, 2017, the Company held nine subprime issues of which one was rated AA, one was rated A, two were rated BBB, one was rated BB, one was rated B, one was rated CCC, one was rated D and one was not rated.

Mortgage Loans and Real Estate

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 proved over time 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 targets a minimum specified yield on mortgage loan investments determined by reference to currently available debt security instrument yields plus a desired amount of incremental basis points. 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. Beginning in 2016, the Company initiated a concerted effort to grow this part of its investment portfolio. Mortgage loans originated by the Company totaled $84.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $38.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Principal repayments on mortgage loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 were $24.2 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 currently has no loans past due 90 days which are accruing interest.

The Company held net investments in mortgage loans, after allowances for possible losses, totaling $188.6 million and $174.5 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The diversification of the portfolio by geographic region and by property type was as follows:



	September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Amount			%		Amount			%
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)

Mortgage Loans by Geographic Region:
West South Central	$	118,123		62.4		$	102,531		58.5
East North Central	31,066			16.4		26,717			15.3
East South Central	14,373			7.6		6,512			3.7
South Atlantic	13,796			7.3		14,130			8.1
Pacific	8,065			4.3		9,872			5.6
Middle Atlantic	2,234			1.2		2,288			1.3
Mountain	1,616			0.8		1,646			0.9
New England	—			—		11,488			6.6
Gross balance	189,273			100.0		175,184			100.0

Allowance for possible losses	(650		)	(0.3	)	(650		)	(0.4	)

Totals	$	188,623		99.7		$	174,534		99.6

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	September 30, 2017					December 31, 2016
	Amount			%		Amount			%
	(In thousands)					(In thousands)

Mortgage Loans by Property Type:
Retail	$	86,108		45.5		$	89,947		51.3
Office	56,299			29.7		57,095			32.6
Hotel/Motel	13,734			7.3		9,708			5.6
Land/Lots	10,537			5.6		4,946			2.8
All other	22,595			11.9		13,488			7.7
Gross balance	189,273			100.0		175,184			100.0

Allowance for possible losses	(650		)	(0.3	)	(650		)	(0.4	)

Totals	$	188,623		99.7		$	174,534		99.6

The Company's direct investments in real estate are not a significant portion of its total investment portfolio. 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 $31.3 million and $31.8 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The Company recognized operating income of approximately $2.1 million and $2.0 million on real estate properties in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. 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.

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. Should long-term rates rise dramatically within a relatively short time period the Company could be exposed 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.

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



	September 30, 2017			June 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
	(In thousands except percentages)

Debt securities - fair value	$	10,524,549		10,489,280		10,379,661
Debt securities - amortized cost	$	10,192,782		10,159,005		10,136,279
Fair value as a percentage of amortized cost	103.25		%	103.25	%	102.40	%
Net unrealized gain balance	$	331,767		330,275		243,382
Ten-year U.S. Treasury bond – (decrease) increase in yield for the period	0.03		%	(0.08	)%	0.18	%



	Net Unrealized Gain Balance
	At September 30, 2017		At June 30, 2017	At December 31, 2016	Quarter Change in Unrealized Balance		Year-to-date Change in Unrealized Balance

Debt securities held to maturity	$	233,927	235,953	178,352	(2,026	)	55,575
Debt securities available for sale	97,840		94,322	65,030	3,518		32,810

Totals	$	331,767	330,275	243,382	1,492		88,385

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 12 basis points from 2.45% at year-end 2016 to 2.33% by the end of the first nine months of 2017 and the Company's unrealized gain position increased $88.4 million on a portfolio with an amortized cost basis of approximately $10.2 billion. Given that 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.

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 management 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. Typically, surrender charge rates gradually decrease each year the contract is in force.

The Company performed detailed sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2016, for its interest rate-sensitive assets and liabilities. The changes in market values of the Company's debt securities in the first nine months of 2017 were reasonable given the expected range of results of this analysis.

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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 National Western'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 credit rating of “A” 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. 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.

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 (National Western) 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 September 30, 2017.

A primary liquidity concern for life insurers is the risk of an extraordinary level of early policyholder withdrawals, particularly with respect to annuity products whose funds tend to move more rapidly with interest rate changes. 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.

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The actual amounts paid by product line in connection with surrenders and withdrawals three and nine months ended September 30, for each respective year, are noted in the table below.



	Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016	2017	2016
	(In thousands)

Product Line:
Traditional Life	$	1,037	1,636	3,400	4,616
Universal Life	28,488		27,831	93,121	82,781
Annuities	122,697		126,275	393,743	388,102

Total	$	152,222	155,742	490,264	475,499

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. The increase in Universal Life payments year-to-date reflects the increased termination activity associated with policyholder residents of international countries from which the Company ceased accepting new applications from in the fourth quarter of 2015. 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.

Cash flows from the Company's insurance operations have historically been sufficient to meet current needs. Cash flows from operating activities were $193.4 million and $246.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company also has significant cash flows from both scheduled and unscheduled investment security maturities, redemptions, and prepayments. These cash flows totaled $525.9 million and $438.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Operating and investing activity cash flow items could be reduced if interest rates rise at an accelerated rate in the future. Net cash inflows/(outflows) from the Company's universal life and investment annuity deposit product operations totaled $(140.1) million and $(49.3) million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, 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 September 30, 2017, the Company had no commitments beyond its normal operating and investment activities.

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, 2016 for a discussion of reserving methods.

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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	$	16,300	16,300	—	—	—
Operating lease obligations	844		72	675	97	—
Life claims payable (1)	61,295		61,295	—	—	—
Other long-term reserve liabilities reflected on the balance sheet (2)	10,852,980		940,025	1,869,465	1,692,646	6,350,844

Total	$	10,931,419	1,017,692	1,870,140	1,692,743	6,350,844

(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. These estimated life and annuity obligations 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.

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, current statutory capital and surplus is significantly in excess of the threshold RBC requirements.

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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.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company converted its annuity in force policies to its previously implemented internally developed policy administration system and began processing of policy transactions on such business (the Company had previously converted its annuity new business processing and related payment of commissions to the new system during 2016). This constitutes a change in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Prior to implementation of the annuity in force policies, the Company performed model office testing encompassing the new processes and procedures to be employed using the new system and defined its internal controls with respect to such processing in this environment. During the course of the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2017, management continued to perform post-implementation testing and analysis of the processing and internal controls implemented and determined that the change did not materially affect the Company's internal controls over financial reporting such that the information required to reported and disclosed in its reports under the Exchange Act was adversely impacted. 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, 2016.

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

Effective August 22, 2008, National Western 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. These plans and programs were assumed by National Western Life Group, Inc. from National Western in 2015 pursuant to the terms of the holding company reorganization.

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Purchased shares are reported in the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as authorized and unissued. The following table sets forth the Company's repurchase of its Class A common shares from Option Holders for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.



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

July 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017	—	—	N/A	N/A
August 1, 2017 through August 31, 2017	—	—	N/A	N/A
September 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017	—	—	N/A	N/A

Total	—	—	N/A	N/A

At September 30, 2017, there were 13,018 stock options vested and outstanding under a grant dated April 18, 2008, and 6,000 stock options vested and outstanding under a grant dated June 20, 2008. These options expire on their respective dates in 2018 and will be forfeited by the option holders (officers and directors) unless exercised prior to those dates.

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 GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)



Date:	November 3, 2017	/S/ Ross R. Moody
		Ross R. Moody
		Chairman of the Board, President and
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Authorized Officer)




Date:	November 3, 2017	/S/ Brian M. Pribyl
		Brian M. Pribyl
		Senior Vice President,
		Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
		(Principal Financial Officer)
		(Principal Accounting Officer)