8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

______________________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) May 9, 2019 (May 9, 2019)

NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

Delaware	000-55522	47-3339380
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

10801 N Mopac Expy Bldg 3 Austin, Texas	78759
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (512) 836-1010

Not Applicable

 (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[ ]Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of the chapter) or Rule 12-b2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of the chapter).

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

Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On May 9, 2019, National Western Life Group, Inc. ("Company") announced via press release the Company's financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. A copy of the Company's press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. This Form 8-K and the attached exhibit are provided under Item 9.01 of Form 8-K and are furnished to, but not filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The press release is available at the Company's website, www.nwlgi.com.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits
( d ) Exhibits
Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated May 9, 2019

SIGNATURE
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 hereunto duly authorized.
	NATIONAL WESTERN LIFE GROUP, INC.
Date: May 9, 2019	/S/Brian M. Pribyl
	Brian M. Pribyl
	Senior Vice President,
	Chief Financial Officer
	and Treasurer

EXHIBT INDEX
Exhibit	Description
99.1	Press Release of National Western Life Group, Inc. issued May 9, 2019 reporting financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

National Western Life Group, Inc. Announces 2019 First Quarter Earnings

Austin, Texas, May 9, 2019 ‑ Ross R. Moody, Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of National Western Life Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NWLI), announced today first quarter 2019 consolidated net earnings of $40.2 million, or $11.37 per diluted Class A common share, compared with consolidated net earnings of $26.9 million, or $7.60 per diluted Class A common share, for the first quarter of 2018. The Company's book value per share as of March 31, 2019 was $545.35.

The Company reported earnings from operations, excluding net realized gains and losses on investments, of $36.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019, or $10.34 per diluted Class A common share, compared to $26.4 million, or $7.46 per diluted Class A common share in the same period for 2018. Earnings from operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 include two months of results for Ozark National Life Insurance Company (Ozark National) and N.I.S. Financial Services, Inc. (NIS) which were acquired effective January 31, 2019. Mr. Moody commented on the earnings results saying, "We were very pleased to complete the acquisition of Ozark and NIS during the first quarter and to welcome them into our family of companies. Even more rewarding was seeing the incremental value that their operations are already contributing to overall results for the company." Mr. Moody noted that consolidated net earnings for the first quarter included $3.3 million from the operations of Ozark and NIS.

Total revenues increased 100% in the first quarter of 2019 to $217.9 million from $109.0 million in the first quarter of 2018. Operating revenues, excluding investment and index options gains and losses, increased to $171.3 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 from $152.8 million in the comparable quarter of 2018. Mr. Moody indicated, "In addition to integrating Ozark and NIS, we were able to accomplish another strategic objective during the quarter of divesting ourselves of the two nursing home operations we had owned. They were not part of our long term plans and we were able to sell them for a combined pretax gain of nearly $5 million which added to the results for the quarter." Mr. Moody noted that one of the nursing home sales was completed during the first quarter while the second nursing sale closed subsequent to the end of the quarter.

National Western Life Group, Inc. is the parent organization of National Western Life Insurance Company and Ozark National Life Insurance Company, stock life insurance companies in aggregate offering a broad portfolio of individual universal life, whole life and term insurance plans, as well as annuity products. At March 31, 2019, the Company maintained consolidated total assets in excess of $12.6 billion, consolidated stockholders' equity of approximately $2.0 billion, and combined life insurance inforce of $24.6 billion.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains statements which are or may be viewed as forward-looking within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 2005. Forward-looking statements relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments, and are subject to assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in these forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that other factors not currently anticipated by the Company will not materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

National Western Life Group, Inc.

News Release - Page 2

Summary of Consolidated Operating Results (Unaudited)

(In thousands except per share data)

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2019	2018
Revenues:
Revenues, excluding investment and index option gains (losses)	$	171,277	152,801
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on index options		42,003	(44,394	)
Realized gains on investments		4,629	611
Total revenues		217,909	109,018
Earnings:
Earnings from operations	$	36,541	26,392
Net realized gains on investments		3,657	483
Net earnings		40,198	26,875
Net earnings attributable to Class A shares		39,061	26,115
Basic Earnings Per Class A Share:
Earnings from operations	$	10.34	7.46
Net realized gains on investments		1.03	0.14
Net earnings		11.37	7.60
Basic Weighted Average Class A Shares		3,436	3,436
Diluted Earnings Per Class A Share:
Earnings from operations	$	10.34	7.46
Net realized gains on investments		1.03	0.14
Net earnings		11.37	7.60
Diluted Weighted Average Class A Shares		3,436	3,436

Investor Relations Contact:

Brian M. Pribyl - Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(512) 836-1010

bpribyl@nationalwesternlife.com

www.nwlgi.com