Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)				3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	May 26, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 12, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Nov. 11, 2019	Dec. 28, 2018	Aug. 10, 2018
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
GWG portion of net earnings (loss)				$ (1,318,000)		$ 600,000		$ (2,848,000)	$ (1,327,000)
Shares acquired (in shares)					666,667
Contributions								9,166,000	$ 10,000,000
Commitment to contribute to FOXO
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Commitment				$ 8,800,000				$ 8,800,000
FOXO
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest				100.00%				100.00%
Equity method investment, underlying equity in net assets												$ 3,400,000
GWG portion of net earnings (loss)					$ 1,600,000
Equity method investments		$ 1,800,000			$ 1,800,000
FOXO | Commitment to contribute to FOXO
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Commitment				$ 8,800,000				$ 8,800,000
Ben LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest	95.60%	95.50%	90.20%		95.50%		88.10%			88.10%	89.90%		89.90%	13.90%
GWG portion of net earnings (loss)							$ 600,000			$ (1,327,000)
Shares acquired (in shares)	26,009	666,667	1,000,000								40,505,279
Contributions	$ 260,090	$ 10,000,000.0	$ 10,000,000.0