Document And Entity Information
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsFairValue
Due after ten years - fair value
Note To Financial Statement Details Textual
Payments on other long-term investments
Supplemental Disclosure - Cash and Non-cash Impact on Investing
us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleMaturityAndCollectionsOfInvestments
Proceeds from sale, maturity, or collection of investments
Note 2 - Investments
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearAmortizedCost
Due in one year or less - amortized cost
Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements
Note 4 - Segment Data
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue
Due in one year or less - fair value
Note 8 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue
Due after one year through five years
Note 9 - Allowance for Loan Losses From Mortgage Loans on Real Estate
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue
Due after five years through ten years - fair value
Supplemental Disclosure - Cash and Non-cash Impact on Investing - Supplement Disclosures to Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Details)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Note 2 - Investments - Available-for-sale Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities (Details)
Change in unrealized investment gains (losses)
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTax
Net unrealized gains on investments, net of tax
Note 2 - Investments - Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position (Details)
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Note 2 - Investments - Net Unrealized Gains Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)
Note 2 - Investments - Fixed Maturity Available-for-sale Securities by Contractual Maturities (Details)
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period, net of tax
Note 2 - Investments - Proceeds and Gross Realized Gains (Losses) (Details)
Note 2 - Investments - Accumulated Change in Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) (Details)
Note 2 - Investments - Major Categories of Net Investment Income (Details)
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesNetOfTax
Total reclassification adjustments
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in operations having no credit losses, net of tax
Note 2 - Investments - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Details)
Case No. CJ-2013-03385 [Member]
Related to a certain case the company is involved in.
Note 2 - Investments - Investment Real Estate (Details)
Residential Real Estate - Held for Sale [Member]
Related to residential real estate that is held for sale.
Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis (Details)
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax
Net unrealized gains on investments, income tax expense
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements - Note 3 - Fair Value Measurement - Change in Fair Value of Available-for-sale Equity Securities (Details)
Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements - Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Details)
Note 4 - Segment Data - Operations (Details)
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferred1
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Total
Note 4 - Segment Data - Assets (Details)
Note 8 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Note 8 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Other Comprehensive Income (Details)
Payments on mortgage loans
Note 8 - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)
Note 9 - Allowance for Loan Losses From Mortgage Loans on Real Estate - Allowance for Loss On Premium Financing (Details)
Residential Mortgage [Member]
Note 9 - Allowance for Loan Losses From Mortgage Loans on Real Estate - Mortgage Loan to Value Ratios (Details)
Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member]
Notes To Financial Statements
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]
us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired
Sales of fixed maturity securities
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax
Internal Credit Assessment [Axis]
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Less amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss having no credit losses, net of tax
Maturities of fixed maturity securities
Internal Credit Assessment [Domain]
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Sale of real estate
Proceeds from Sale of Real Estate Held-for-investment, Total
ftfc_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsOperating
Policy acquisition costs deferred
Capitalized sales costs that are associated with acquiring new insurance customers.
US Treasury and Government [Member]
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTax
Total other comprehensive loss, pretax
Sale on other long-term investments
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax
Total other comprehensive income, income tax expense
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
Equity Securities [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments
Purchases of other long-term investments
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt
Purchases of fixed maturity securities
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Financial Instruments [Domain]
Financial Instrument [Axis]
Major Property Class [Axis]
Major Property Class [Domain]
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateFairValue
Due at multiple maturity dates - fair value
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithoutSingleMaturityDateAmortizedCost
Due at multiple maturity dates - amortized cost
Mr. Zahn [Member]
Information pertaining to Mr. Zahn.
Mr. Pettigrew [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Mr. Pettigrew.
Credit Facility [Axis]
Credit Facility [Domain]
us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract
Accounting Policies
us-gaap_TransferToInvestments
Other long-term investments
us-gaap_TransferToOtherRealEstate
Investment real estate held-for-sale acquired through foreclosure
Equity securities, changes in fair value
us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiUnrealizedGainLoss
Total assets
Total assets
us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesPaidValue
Loss Contingency, Damages Paid, Value
us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value
Other assets
us-gaap_EscrowDeposit
Escrow Deposit
Net income
Net income
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestment90DaysPastDueAndStillAccruing
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]
Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Mortgages [Member]
us-gaap_Dividends
Dividends, Total
us-gaap_Investments
Total investments
Mortgage loans on real estate
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net, Total
Investing activities
Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at fair value (amortized cost: $134,551,407 and $143,621,947 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities - fair value
Other long-term investments
us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Other Investments, Total
Other liabilities (excludes change in payable for securities purchased of $142,361 and ($57,976) in 2018 and 2017, respectively)
Equity securities (available-for-sale in 2017) at fair value (cost: $185,655 and $502,919 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)
Investment Income [Table Text Block]
Line of Credit [Member]
us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Total federal income tax expense
us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyNet
Investment real estate, net
Investment real estate
Real Estate Investments, Net, Total
us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAtCost
Real Estate Investment Property, at Cost, Total
us-gaap_RealEstateInvestmentPropertyAccumulatedDepreciation
Less - accumulated depreciation
us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentCreditLossesRecognizedInEarningsCreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesHeld
Other than Temporary Impairment, Credit Losses Recognized in Earnings, Credit Losses on Debt Securities Held, Ending Balance
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax
Income tax expense (benefit)
Investments
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeUnrealizedHoldingGainLossOnSecuritiesArisingDuringPeriodTax
Unrealized holding gains arising during the period, income tax expense
Other underwriting, insurance and acquisition expenses
us-gaap_OperatingExpenses
Total expenses
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Debt Instrument, Term
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Gross Investment income
Amount, before investment expense, of income (loss) earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments.
ftfc_IncreaseDecreaseInAssetsHeldInTrustUnderCoinsuranceAgreement
Assets held in trust under coinsurance agreement
The amount of increase (decrease) in assets held in trust under a coinsurance agreement.
Funds withheld under coinsurance agreement
The amount of funds that are withheld under certain coinsurance agreements.
Assets held in trust under coinsurance agreement
The total amount of cash and securities held by third party trustees pursuant to coinsurance agreements as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, which can be used by the trustee only to pay the noncurrent portion of specified obligations.
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment
Individually evaluated for impairment
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Financing Receivable, Collectively Evaluated for Impairment
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesIndividuallyEvaluatedForImpairment1
Individually evaluated for impairment
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs
Amortization of policy acquisition cost
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesCollectivelyEvaluatedForImpairment
Collectively evaluated for impairment
Amendment Flag
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery
Recoveries
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInLifeInsuranceLiabilities
Policy claims
Comprehensive income:
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesWriteOffs
Charge offs
us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax
Total comprehensive income (loss)
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInFuturePolicyBenefitReservesAndOtherInsuranceLiabilities
Future policy benefits
ftfc_TotalNoncashImpactOnInvestingActivities
Net cash used in investing activities
Amount of noncash impact on investing activities.
us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingAssets
Other assets (excludes depreciation of $320 in 2017 and change in receivable for securities sold of ($185,389) and $5,738,274 in 2018 and 2017, respectively)
Current Fiscal Year End Date
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
Document Fiscal Period Focus
us-gaap_AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable
Accrued investment income
Fixed maturity securities
us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesRealizedGainLoss
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Agents' balances and due premiums
Equity securities, sale of securities
us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesFvNiRealizedGainLoss
Document Period End Date
Entity Emerging Growth Company
us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
Document Type
Entity Small Business
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Information [Table]
us-gaap_AreaOfRealEstateProperty
Area of Real Estate Property
Value of insurance business acquired
Entity Filer Category
Entity Current Reporting Status
us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs
Recoverable from reinsurers
Benefits, Claims and Expenses
Deferred policy acquisition costs
Variable Rate [Domain]
Less adjustment to deferred acquisition costs
Other comprehensive income loss adjustment to deferred acquisition costs.
Family Benefit Life Insurance Company [Member]
Family benefit life insurance company.
Prime Rate [Member]
Available For Sale Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Available for sale fixed maturity securities.
Other Long-term Investments [Member]
Short-term Investments [Member]
Variable Rate [Axis]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsReceivable
Agents' balances and due premiums
Schedule of Real Estate Properties [Table Text Block]
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Real Estate Investment [Member]
Entity Central Index Key
Fixed Maturities [Member]
Entity Registrant Name
Entity [Domain]
Legal Entity [Axis]
ftfc_NumberOfPrivatePlacements
Number Of Private Placements
Number of private placements.
us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Beginning balance
Ending balance
ftfc_FixedMaturitySecuritiesInvestmentGradePercentage
Fixed Maturity Securities, Investment Grade Percentage
Fixed maturity securities investment grade percentage.
Depreciation
ftfc_NumberOfLoansPastDue
Number Of Loans Past Due
Number of loans past due.
us-gaap_TreasuryStockValueAcquiredCostMethod
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method
ftfc_PastDueLoansTermPastDue
Past Due Loans, Term Past Due
Past due loans term past due.
us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Ending Balance
Allowance, beginning
Allowance, ending
ftfc_UnrealizedAppreciationOnAvailableforsaleSecurities
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities
Unrealized appreciation on availableforsale securities.
ftfc_AdjustmentToDeferredAcquisitionCosts
Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs
Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs.
Purchases
ftfc_DeferredIncomeTaxes
Deferred income taxes
Deferred income taxes.
us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales
Sales
ftfc_NetUnrealizedAppreciationOnAvailableForSaleSecurities
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities
Net unrealized appreciation on available for sale securities.
Joint venture net income
us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue
Treasury stock, at cost (247,580 shares as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)
us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements
Joint venture distribution
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherCurrentAssets
Short-term investments
Investments [Domain]
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueStockDividend
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Dividend
Trading Symbol
us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsShares
Common Stock Dividends, Shares
Investment Type [Axis]
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReinsuranceRecoverable
Recoverable from reinsurers
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable
Accrued investment income
ftfc_NumberOfPrivatePlacementCommonStocks
Number Of Private Placement Common Stocks
Number of private placement common stocks.
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherLoans
Policy loans
us-gaap_TableTextBlock
Notes Tables
us-gaap_PaymentsToPurchaseMortgageLoansHeldForSale
Purchases of mortgage loans
Mutual Funds [Member]
Mutual funds.
us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
us-gaap_GainOnSaleOfInvestments
Gross realized gains on sale of investments
us-gaap_LossOnSaleOfInvestments
Gross realized losses on sale of investments
Net realized investment gains (losses)
us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfInvestments
us-gaap_AreaOfLand
Area of Land
us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues
us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
Reported Value Measurement [Member]
Accumulated earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Mutual Fund [Member]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
Change in assets and liabilities:
Amortization of loan origination fees
us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract
Notes to Financial Statements
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Deferred federal income tax expense
Provision for deferred federal income tax expense
Commissions
Total revenue
Total revenues
us-gaap_AccretionAmortizationOfDiscountsAndPremiumsInvestments
Accretion of discount on investments
Equity securities, cost
us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure
Provision for depreciation
Depreciation and amortization expense
us-gaap_MortgagesHeldForSaleFairValueDisclosure
Mortgage loans on real estate
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Cash and cash equivalents
Net realized investment gains (losses)
Net realized investment gains
us-gaap_GainsLossesOnSalesOfInvestmentRealEstate
Gains (Losses) on Sales of Investment Real Estate
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)
Common stock, par value $.01 per share (20,000,000 shares authorized, 8,050,173 issued as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 and 7,802,593 outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Apartment Building [Member]
Product and Service [Axis]
Product and Service [Domain]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]
Litigation Case [Axis]
Cumulative effect, adoption of accounting guidance for equity securities
The amount of other comprehensive income (loss) recognized during the period related to the adoption of accounting guidance for equity securities.
Litigation Case [Domain]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]
Geographical [Axis]
Geographical [Domain]
Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] [Default]
Premiums
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
us-gaap_PolicyLoansReceivable
Policy loans
Measurement Basis [Axis]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Preferred stock and Equity Securities [Member]
Represents the information pertaining to preferred stock and equity securities.
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]
Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis]
Allowance for mortgage loan losses
Provision
us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInCustomerAdvances
Other policy liabilities
us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInvestmentExpense
Investment expenses
Net investment income
Operating activities
Other income
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Statement [Line Items]
Additional paid-in capital
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Revenues
Short-term investments
Short-term investments
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Land [Member]
ftfc_NumberOfMortgageLoansInDefault
Number of Mortgage Loans in Default
Number of mortgage loans in default.
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeNet
Net investment income
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]
us-gaap_DepositAssets
Deposit Assets, Total
Premiums Receivable Note [Text Block]
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities
Net cash provided by financing activities
us-gaap_Liabilities
Total liabilities
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities
Net cash used in investing activities
Deferred federal income taxes
us-gaap_OtherLiabilities
Other liabilities
us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Decrease in cash
Counterparty Name [Axis]
Counterparty Name [Domain]
us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet
Total benefits and claims
ftfc_AdvancesToLoanOriginator
Advances To Loan Originator
The amount of advances sent to a loan originator.
One Loan Originator and Investments [Member]
Refers to information regarding one loan originator and investments.
ftfc_EscrowAmountAvailable
Escrow Amount Available
The amount of funds available in escrow for certain terms.
us-gaap_PaymentsOfStockIssuanceCosts
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs
FBLIC [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the entity by the name of FBLIC.
us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfPrivatePlacement
Proceeds from Issuance of Private Placement
Retained Earnings [Member]
us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceInitialPublicOffering
Proceeds from Issuance Initial Public Offering
Treasury Stock [Member]
us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses
Total benefits, claims and expenses
Common Stock Including Additional Paid in Capital [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Interest credited to policyholders
Dividend, endowment and supplementary life contract benefits
Common Stock [Member]
Preferred Stock [Member]
Amortization of value of insurance business acquired
Death benefits
Equity Components [Axis]
Surrenders
Equity Component [Domain]
Increase in future policy benefits
Policy liabilities
Current federal income tax expense (benefit)
Financing Receivable Portfolio Segment [Domain]
Commercial Portfolio Segment [Member]
Residential Portfolio Segment [Member]
Income before income taxes
Income before total federal income tax expense (benefit)
Financing Receivable Portfolio Segment [Axis]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
Other Comprehensive Income (loss)
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
ftfc_WhollyOwnedSubsidiaryOwnershipPercentage
Wholly Owned Subsidiary Ownership Percentage
Percentage of voting equity interests owned in a subsidiary.
ftfc_TermProductsNumberOfYears
Term Products Number of Years
The term of life insurance products.
Service fees
Trinity Life Insurance Company [Member]
The entity Trinity Life Insurance Company (TLIC).
Term Products 15 Year [Member]
Insurance products that are renewable and convertible and issued for 15 years.
Term Products 10 Year [Member]
Insurance products that are renewable and convertible and issued for 10 years.
Term Products 20 Year [Member]
Insurance products that are renewable and convertible and issued for 20 years.
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Term Products 30 Year [Member]
Insurance products that are renewable and convertible and issued for 30 years.
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Policyholders' account deposits
us-gaap_WithdrawalFromContractHoldersFunds
Policyholders' account withdrawals
ftfc_NumberOfPublicOfferings
Number of Public Offerings
Number of public offerings offered by the entity.
First Trinity Capital Corporation [Member]
The entity First Trinity Capital Corporation (FTCC).
Industrial Property [Member]
ftfc_NumberOfStockDividends
Number of Stock Dividends
The number of stock dividends that were paid by the entity.
Hotel [Member]
First Life America Corporation [Member
The entity First Life America Corporation (FLAC).
First Trinity Financial Corporation [Member]
The entity First Trinity Financial Corporation (FTFC).
us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance
Change in payable of securities purchased
Amount of increase (decrease) during the period in the payable for securities purchased.
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
us-gaap_OpenTaxYear
Open Tax Year
ftfc_NumberOfSubsidiariesMerged
Number of Subsidiaries Merged
Number of separate subsidiaries merged into one consolidated subsidiary.
IncreaseDecreaseInReceivableForSecuritiesSold
Amount of increase (decrease) during the period in the receivable for securities sold.
ftfc_LiabilitiesAssumedUnderReinsuranceAssumptionAgreement
Liabilities Assumed Under Reinsurance Assumption Agreement
Represents the amount of liabilities assumed under the reinsurance assumption agreement.
Reduction in mortgage loans due to foreclosure
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Foreclosure
ftfc_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAmortizedCost
Available-for-sale Securities Continuous Unrealized Loss Position Amortized Cost
This item represents the aggregate amortized cost of investments in debt and equity securities in an unrealized loss position which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.
Cumulative effect, adoption of accounting guidance for equity securities
us-gaap_CumulativeEffectOfNewAccountingPrincipleInPeriodOfAdoption
ftfc_FairValueToCostRatio
Fair Value to Cost Ratio
The ratio of the fair value to the amortized cost of securities in an unrealized loss position..
Debt Securities [Member]
ftfc_InvestmentImpairedParValue
Investment Impaired Par Value
The impaired par value of securities as a result of continuing unrealized losses.
Receivable Type [Axis]
Receivable [Domain]
Lottery Prize Cash Flows [Member]
The lottery prize cash flows are assignments of the future rights from lottery winners purchased at a discounted price.
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Loan Category [Axis]
SEC Schedule, 12-29, Real Estate Companies, Investment in Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Loan Category [Domain]
Held for the Production of Income [Member]
Represents investments held for the production of income.
Topeka Kansas [Member]
The city of Topeka, Kansas.
Office Building [Member]
Assets Held-for-sale not Part of a Disposal Group [Member]
Long-lived assets that meet the criteria for "held for sale" assets.
Real Estate, Type of Property [Axis]
Jefferson City Missouri [Member]
The city of Jefferson City, Missouri.
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]
Real Estate [Domain]
Retail Site [Member]
Segments [Axis]
Segments [Domain]
Corporate Segment [Member]
us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesEquity
Purchases of equity securities
Sales of equity securities
Loan to Value Range1 [Member]
Range one in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
Loan to Value Range 3 [Member]
Range three in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
Loan to Value Range 2 [Member]
Range two in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
us-gaap_UnearnedPremiums
Other policy liabilities
Loan to Value Range 5 [Member]
Range five in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
Loan to Value Range 4 [Member]
Range four in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
Loan to Value Range 7 [Member]
Range seven in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
Net income per common share basic and diluted (in dollars per share)
Loan to Value Range 6 [Member]
Range six in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
us-gaap_ProceedsFromLinesOfCredit
Proceeds from Lines of Credit, Total
Loan to Value Range 8 [Member]
Range eight in a set of loan to value ranges. Loan to value is the ratio of the carrying value of individual loans compared to the individual appraisal value.
us-gaap_PolicyholderFunds
Policyholders' account balances
Premium Finance Loans [Member]
Loans classified under premium finance.
Asset Class [Axis]
Asset Class [Domain]
us-gaap_LiabilityForClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Policy claims
Statement [Table]
us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefitsAndUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpense
Total policy liabilities
Scenario [Axis]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
us-gaap_LiabilityForFuturePolicyBenefits
Future policy benefits
Business Acquisition [Axis]
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Available-for-sale securities
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent
Other comprehensive income (loss) before federal income tax expense
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
Securities, amortized cost
Independent Mortgage Loan Balances [Member]
Item represents independent mortgage loan balances that are held by a third party as collateral.
One Loan Originator [Member]
This item represents loans that were originated by a single entity.
Land Held for Sale [Member]
Real estate land held for sale.
Land Held for the Production of Income [Member]
Real estate land held for the production of income.
Building Held for the Production of Income [Member]
Real estate building held for the production of income.
ftfc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentToDeferredAcquisitionCostsBeforeTax
Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs, pretax
Amount before tax of adjustments to deferred acquisition costs included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, accumulated loss
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Accumulated Loss, Total
ftfc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentToDeferredAcquisitionCostsTax
Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs, income tax expense
Amount of tax applicable to adjustments to deferred acquisition costs included in other comprehensive income (loss).
ftfc_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentToDeferredAcquisitionCostsNetOfTax
Adjustment to deferred acquisition costs, net of tax
Amount after tax of adjustments to deferred acquisition costs included in other comprehensive income (loss).
Securities in an unrealized loss position, more than twelve months, number
Commercial [Member]
Loans classified as commercial.
Available-for-sale, securities in unrealized loss positions, qualitative disclosure, number of positions
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Total
Securities in an unrealized loss position, less than twelve months, unrealized loss
ftfc_OtherLongTermInvestmentsFairValue
Other long-term investments
Fair value disclosure of other long-term investments.
Securities in an unrealized loss position, more than twelve months, unrealized loss
Residential [Member]
Loans classified as residential.
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]
ftfc_FinancialAssetsFairValue
Total financial assets
Fair value disclosure of financial assets.
ftfc_FinancialLiabilitiesFairValue
Total financial liabilities
Fair value disclosure of financial liabilities.
Loss on other-than-temporary impairment
Loss on other-than-temporary impairments
ftfc_PolicyholderFundsFairValue
Policyholders' account balances
Fair value disclosure of policyholder funds.
Available-for-sale equity securities at cost
Schedule of Unrealized Loss on Investments [Table Text Block]
Adjustment to Deferred Acquisition Costs [Member]
Represents adjustments to deferred acquisition costs.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]
Annuity Operations [Member]
Business segment classified as annuity operations.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]
Life Insurance Operations [Member]
Business segment classified as life insurance operations.
us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecurities
Loss on other-than-temporary impairment
Decreasing Term to 95 [Member]
Prior to its acquisition by TLIC, FBLIC developed, marketed, and sold life insurance products known as “Decreasing Term to 95” policies.
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Available-for-sale preferred stock at fair value (cost: $99,945 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017)
Securities in an unrealized loss position, less than twelve months, number
us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTax
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)
Net unrealized losses on investments, pretax
Securities in an unrealized loss position, less than twelve months, fair value
Securities in an unrealized loss position, more than twelve months, fair value
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, fair value
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Fair Value, Total
Less net realized investment gains (losses) having no credit losses
Realized gains (losses) on sales of securities
Securities, gross unrealized gains
Securities, gross unrealized gains
Securities, gross unrealized losses
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
Total net unrealized investment gains (losses) arising during the period
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period, pretax
Reduction in available-for-securities fixed maturity securities
Reduction in Available-for-sale Securities Fixed Maturity Securities
The amount of available-for-sale securities fixed maturity securities in transfer to other long-term investments.
Financing activities
Policy Loans [Member]
Joint venture distributions
us-gaap_StockholdersEquity
Total shareholders' equity
Balance
Balance
Class of Stock [Axis]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities at cost
Fixed maturity available-for-sale securities - amortized cost
us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromLoansReceivable
Net change in receivable and payable for securities sold and purchased
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost
Due in one year through five years - amortized cost
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsAmortizedCost
Due after five years through ten years - amortized cost
us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterTenYearsAmortizedCost
Due after ten years - amortized cost