Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of presentation

Basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Midwest, our wholly owned subsidiary American Life, American Life's wholly owned subsidiary Capital Reserve, Midwest's 60% owned subsidiary, Security Capital Corporation, Midwest's 25.7% owned subsidiary, Great Plains Financial, and Great Plains Financial's wholly owned subsidiary, Great Plains Life. The consolidated statements of comprehensive income include the results of Hot Dot through September 12, 2012, the date on which we deconsolidated Hot Dot. Hereafter, entities are collectively referred to as the "Company," "we," "our" or "us."

Management evaluates the Company as one reporting segment in the life insurance industry. The Company is primarily engaged in the underwriting and marketing of life insurance products through its subsidiaries. The product offerings, the underwriting processes, and the marketing processes are similar. The Company's product offerings consist of a multi-benefit life insurance policy that combines cash value life insurance with a tax deferred annuity and a single premium term life product. These product offerings are underwritten, marketed, and managed primarily as a group of similar products on an overall portfolio basis.

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation and certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the prior period results to conform with the current period's presentation with no impact on results of operations or total stockholder's equity.

Investments

Investments: All fixed maturities and a portion of the equity securities owned by the Company are considered available-for-sale and are included in the consolidated financial statements at their fair value as of the financial statement date. Bond premiums and discounts are amortized using the scientific-yield method over the term of the bonds. Realized gains and losses on securities sold during the year are determined using the specific identification method. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of applicable income taxes, are included in comprehensive loss.

Declines in the fair value of available for sale securities below their amortized cost are evaluated to assess whether any other-than-temporary impairment loss should be recorded. In determining if these losses are expected to be other-than-temporary, the Company considers severity of impairment, duration of impairment, forecasted recovery period, industry outlook, financial condition of the issuer, projected cash flows, issuer credit ratings and the intent and ability of the Company to hold the investment until the recovery of the cost.

     The recognition of other-than-temporary impairment losses on debt securities is dependent on the facts and circumstances related to the specific security. If the Company intends to sell a security or it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security prior to recovery of the amortized cost, the difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized in the statement of comprehensive income as an other-than-temporary impairment. If the Company does not expect to recover the amortized basis, does not plan to sell the security and if it is not more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell a security before the recovery of its amortized cost, the recognition of the other-than-temporary impairment is bifurcated. The Company recognizes the credit loss portion in the income statement and the noncredit loss portion in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment is determined by comparing the net present value of projected cash flows with the amortized cost basis of the debt security. The net present value is calculated by discounting the Company's best estimate of projected future cash flows at the effective interest rate implicit in the fixed income security at the date of acquisition. Cash flow estimates are driven by assumptions regarding probability of default, including changes in credit ratings, and estimates regarding timing and amount of recoveries associated with a default. No other-than-temporary impairments were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2013 or 2012.

Included within the Company's equity securities carried at cost and equity method investments are certain privately placed common stocks for several holding companies organized for the purpose of forming life insurance subsidiaries. Our privately placed common stocks are recorded using cost basis or the equity method of accounting, depending on the facts and circumstances of each investment. These securities do not have a readily determinable fair value. The Company does not control these entities economically, and therefore does not consolidate these entities. The Company reports the earnings from privately placed common stocks accounted for under the equity method in net investment income.

Investment income consists of interest, dividends, gains and losses from equity method investments, and real estate income, which are recognized on an accrual basis and amortization of premiums and discounts.

Mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment

Mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment: Mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment are carried at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment is recognized in net investment income at the contract interest rate when earned. A mortgage loan is considered to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the mortgage agreement. Valuation allowances on mortgage loans are established based upon losses expected by management to be realized in connection with future dispositions or settlement of mortgage loans, including foreclosures. The Company establishes valuation allowances for estimated impairments on an individual loan basis as of the balance sheet date. Such valuation allowances are based on the excess carrying value of the loan over the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate. These evaluations are revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. No valuation allowance was established for mortgage loans on real estate, held for investment as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, primarily as a result of the seller's guaranteed performance of the mortgage loans acquired as part of the Old Reliance transaction.

Policy loans

Policy loans: Policy loans are carried at unpaid principal balances. Interest income on policy loans is recognized in net investment income at the contract interest rate when earned. No valuation allowance is established for these policy loans as the amount of the loan is fully secured by the death benefit of the policy and cash surrender value.

Notes receivable

Notes receivable: Notes receivable are stated at their outstanding principal amount. Outstanding notes accrue interest based on the terms of the respective note agreements.

Short-term investments

Short-term investments: Short-term investments are stated at cost and consist of certificates of deposit. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the cost of these investments approximates fair value due to the short duration to maturity.

Real estate, held for investment

   Real estate, held for investment: Real estate, held for investment is comprised of ten condominiums in Hawaii. Real estate is carried at depreciated cost. Depreciation on residential real estate is computed on a straight-line basis over 50 years.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, cash equivalents consisted primarily of money market accounts. The Company has cash on deposit with financial institutions which at times may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. The Company has not suffered any losses in the past and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk in these balances.

Deferred acquisition costs

Deferred acquisition costs: Deferred acquisition costs consist of incremental direct costs, net of amounts ceded to reinsurers, that result directly from and are essential to the contract acquisition transaction and would not have been incurred by the Company had the contract acquisition not occurred, are capitalized, to the extent recoverable, and amortized over the life of the premiums produced. The Company evaluates the types of acquisition costs it capitalizes. The Company capitalizes agent compensation and benefits and other expenses that are directly related to the successful acquisition of contracts. The Company also capitalizes expenses directly related to activities performed by the Company, such as underwriting, policy issuance, and processing fees incurred in connection with successful contract acquisitions.

Recoverability of deferred acquisition costs is evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the present value of expected pretax future profits to the unamortized asset balance. If this current estimate is less than the existing balance, the difference is charged to expense. The Company performs a recoverability analysis annually in the fourth quarter unless events occur which require an immediate review. The Company determined during its December 31, 2013 analysis that all deferred acquisition costs were recoverable.

The following table provides information about deferred acquisition costs for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

	Year Ended December 31,
	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,650,957		$	2,108,395
Capitalization of commissions, sales and issue expenses		933,702			1,173,683
Gross amortization		(861,840	)		(631,121	)
Balance at end of period	$	2,722,819		$	2,650,957

Value of business acquired

Value of business acquired: Value of business acquired represents the estimated value assigned to purchased companies or insurance in force of the assumed policy obligations at the date of acquisition of a block of policies. As previously discussed, American Life purchased Capital Reserve during 2010, resulting in an initial capitalized asset for value of business acquired of $116,326. This asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the earnings pattern of the related policies, over ten years. The Company recognized amortization expense of $11,633 for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 relative to this transaction.

     Additionally, the Company paid an upfront ceding commission of $375,000 to Security National Life Insurance Company (SNL). An initial asset was established for the value of this business acquired totaling $348,010, representing primarily the ceding commission. This asset is being amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the earnings pattern of the related policies, over ten years, resulting in annual amortization of $34,801. Amortization recognized during each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 relative to this transaction totaled $34,801. The agreement has an automatic renewal provision unless the Company notifies SNL of its intention not to renew, no less than 180 days prior to the expiration of the then current agreement. Each automatic renewal period is for one year. This reinsurance remains in place.

Additionally, American Life purchased Old Reliance in August 2011, resulting in an initial capitalized asset for value of business acquired of $824,485. This asset is being amortized over the life of the related policies (refer to "revenue recognition and related expenses" discussed later regarding amortization methods). Amortization recognized during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 totaled $96,353 and $117,542, respectively.

Recoverability of value of business acquired is evaluated periodically by comparing the current estimate of the present value of expected pretax future profits to the unamortized asset balance. If this current estimate is less than the existing balance, the difference is charged to expense. The Company performs a recoverability analysis annually in the fourth quarter unless events occur which require an immediate review. The Company determined during its December 31, 2013 analysis that all value of business acquired were recoverable.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill represents the excess of the amounts paid to acquire subsidiaries and other businesses over the fair value of their net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or circumstances change that would indicate that a triggering event has occurred.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 which amends the rules for testing goodwill for impairment. Under the new rules, an entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary.

The Company elected to forgo the qualitative impairment analysis and performed the first step of the goodwill quantitative analysis to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit was in excess of the carrying value. As of December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company's reporting units exceeded the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit and the Company was not required to perform further testing for impairment. Management's determination of the fair value of each reporting unit incorporates multiple inputs including discounted cash flow calculations, peer company price to earnings multiples, and assumptions that market participants would make in valuing the reporting unit. Other assumptions can include levels of economic capital, future business growth, and earnings projections.

The Company assesses the recoverability of indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually or whenever events or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of an identifiable indefinite-lived intangible asset may exceed the sum of the future discounted cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition. If the asset is considered to be impaired, the amount of any impairment is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

     The Company compared the carrying value of its identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets to the sum of the future discounted cash flows. As of December 31, 2013, the sum of the future discounted cash flows exceeded the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. The assumptions and estimates used to determine future values are complex and subjective. They can be affected by various factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends, and internal factors such as changes in our business strategy and our revenue forecasts.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation. Annual depreciation is primarily computed using straight-line methods for financial reporting and straight-line and accelerated methods for tax purposes. Furniture and equipment is depreciated over 3 to 7 years and computer software and equipment is generally depreciated over 3 years. Depreciation expense totaled $167,982 and $154,702 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The accumulated depreciation totaled $545,646 and $377,664 as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Replacements and improvements which extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized. The net book value of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and exceeds estimated future undiscounted cash flows of the asset. A recognized impairment loss reduces the carrying amount of the asset to its fair value. The Company determined that no such events occurred that would indicate the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance: In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to limit aggregate and single exposure to losses on large risks by purchasing reinsurance. The amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets as reinsurance recoverable include amounts billed to reinsurers on losses paid as well as estimates of amounts expected to be recovered from reinsurers on insurance liabilities that have not yet been paid. Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses are estimated based upon assumptions consistent with those used in establishing the liabilities related to the underlying reinsured contracts. Insurance liabilities are reported gross of reinsurance recoverable. Management believes the recoverables are appropriately established. The Company generally strives to diversify its credit risks related to reinsurance ceded. Reinsurance premiums are generally reflected in income in a manner consistent with the recognition of premiums on the reinsured contracts. Reinsurance does not extinguish the Company's primary liability under the policies written. Therefore, the Company regularly evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers including their activities with respect to claim settlement practices and commutations, and establishes allowances for uncollectible reinsurance recoverable as appropriate. There were no allowances as of December 31, 2013 or 2012.

Benefit reserves

Benefit reserves: The Company establishes liabilities for amounts payable under insurance policies, including traditional life insurance and annuities. Generally, amounts are payable over an extended period of time. Liabilities for future policy benefits of traditional life insurance have been computed by a net level premium method based upon estimates at the time of issue for investment yields, mortality and withdrawals. These estimates include provisions for experience less favorable than initially expected. Mortality assumptions are based on industry experience expressed as a percentage of standard mortality tables.

Policy claims

Policy claims: Policy claims are based on reported claims plus estimated incurred but not reported claims developed from trends of historical data applied to current exposure.

Deposit-type contracts

    Deposit-type contracts: Deposit-type contracts consist of amounts on deposit associated with deferred annuity riders, premium deposit funds and supplemental contracts without life contingencies.

Income taxes

Income taxes: The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2010. The provision for income taxes is based on income as reported in the financial statements. The income tax provision is calculated under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets are recorded based on the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates. The principal assets and liabilities giving rise to such differences are investments, insurance reserves, and deferred acquisition costs. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is established when there is uncertainty that such assets would be realized. The Company has no uncertain tax positions that they believe are more-likely-than not that the benefit will not to be realized. When applicable, the Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense. The Company had no accruals for payments of interest and penalties at December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Revenue recognition and related expenses

Revenue recognition and related expenses: Revenues on traditional life insurance products consist of direct and assumed premiums reported as earned when due.

Amounts received as payment for annuities and/or non-traditional contracts such as interest sensitive whole life contracts, single payment endowment contracts, single payment juvenile contracts and other contracts without life contingencies are recognized as deposits to policyholder account balances and included in future insurance policy benefits. Revenues from these contracts are comprised of fees earned for administrative and contract-holder services and cost of insurance, which are recognized over the period of the contracts, and included in revenue. Deposits are shown as a financing activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Amounts received under our multi-benefit policy form are allocated to the life insurance portion of the multi-benefit life insurance arrangement and the annuity portion based upon the signed policy.

Liabilities for future policy benefits are provided and acquisition costs are amortized by associating benefits and expenses with earned premiums to recognize related profits over the life of the contracts. Acquisition costs are amortized over the life of the premiums produced. Traditional life insurance products are treated as long duration contracts, which generally remain in force for the lifetime of the insured.

Comprehensive loss

Comprehensive loss: Comprehensive loss is comprised of net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive loss includes unrealized gains and losses from marketable securities classified as available for sale, net of applicable taxes.

Common and preferred stock and earnings (loss) per share

Common and preferred stock and earnings (loss) per share: The par value per common share is $0.001 with 120,000,000 shares authorized. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had 9,120,239 and 9,106,717 common shares issued and outstanding, respectively.

The Class A preferred shares are non-cumulative, non-voting and convertible to common shares after five years at a rate of 1.3 common shares for each preferred share (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments). The par value per preferred share is $0.001 with 2,000,000 shares authorized. At both December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had 74,159 preferred shares issued and outstanding.

     Earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company's common stockholders were computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The weighted average number of shares outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were 9,111,004 and 9,106,717 shares, respectively.

Stock subscription receivable

     Stock subscription receivable: Our Board of Directors approved the issuance of 40,000 shares of voting common stock on March 7, 2010 to Mark Oliver, our Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors. The shares were issued for $1.15 per share, which was the approximate fair value of the shares as of the date of issuance. The purchase price was paid by Mr. Oliver through delivery of a five-year promissory note secured by a pledge of the shares purchased. The balance of the receivable as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $1,917 and $13,417, respectively. This receivable was partially forgiven, resulting in non-cash compensation expense of $11,500 for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012.

Risk and uncertainties

Risk and uncertainties: Certain risks and uncertainties are inherent in our day-to-day operations and in the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements. The more significant of those risks and uncertainties, as well as the Company's method for mitigating the risks, are presented below and throughout the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

• Estimates-The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Included among the material (or potentially material) reported amounts and disclosures that require extensive use of estimates are: fair value of certain invested assets, deferred acquisition costs, value of business acquired, goodwill, and future contract benefits.
• Reinsurance-Reinsurance contracts do not relieve us from our obligations to insureds. Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the Company; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed uncollectible when necessary. We evaluate the financial condition of our reinsurers to minimize our exposure to losses from reinsurer insolvencies. Management believes that any liabilities arising from this contingency would not be material to the Company's financial position.
• Investment Risk-The Company is exposed to risks that issuers of securities owned by the Company will default or that interest rates will change and cause a decrease in the value of our investments. As interest rates decline, the velocity at which these securities pay down the principal may increase. Management mitigates these risks by conservatively investing in investment-grade securities and by matching maturities of our investments with the anticipated payouts of our liabilities.
• Liquidity Risk-The Company has investments in development stage companies, which are either seeking to raise capital to form life insurance subsidiaries in their respective states of incorporation (Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota and New Mexico) or have recently formed a life insurance subsidiary (South Dakota and Wyoming). There is no public market for shares of these investments, and there is no assurance that one will develop. Therefore, the shares will have limited marketability for an indefinite period of time. There is not currently, and may never be, an active market in these securities, and there is no assurance that any of these securities will ever become publicly traded or that an active trading market will develop or be sustained. Consequently, we may not be able to liquidate our investment in these securities.

• Interest Rate Risk-Interest rate risk arises from the price sensitivity of investments to changes in interest rates. Interest and dividend income represent the greatest portion of an investment's return for most fixed maturity securities in stable interest rate environments. The changes in the fair value of such investments are inversely related to changes in market interest rates. As interest rates fall, the interest and dividend streams of existing fixed-rate investments become more valuable and fair values rise. As interest rates rise, the opposite effect occurs. The Company attempts to mitigate its exposure to adverse interest rate movements through staggering the maturities of the fixed maturity investments and through maintaining cash and other short term investments to assure sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations and to address reinvestment risk considerations. Due to the composition of our book of insurance business, we believe it is unlikely that we would encounter large surrender activity due to an interest rate increase that would force the disposal of fixed maturities at a loss.
• Credit Risk-The Company is exposed to credit risk through counterparties and within the investment portfolio. Credit risk relates to the uncertainty associated with an obligor's ability to make timely payments of principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of an instrument or contract. The Company manages its 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.
• Regulatory Factors-The Company is highly regulated by the jurisdictions in which our entities are domiciled and licensed to conduct business. Such regulations, among other things, limit the amount of rate increases on policies and impose restrictions on the amount and type of investments and the minimum surplus required to conduct business in the state. The impact of the regulatory initiatives in response to the recent financial crisis, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, could subject the Company to substantial additional regulation.
• Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations-The Company monitors economic and regulatory developments that have the potential to impact our business. Federal legislation has allowed banks and other financial organizations to have greater participation in insurance businesses. This legislation may present an increased level of competition for sales of the Company's products.

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards: In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance regarding the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). The guidance requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of AOCI by component. Significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI that are required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period must be presented either on the face of the statement, where net income is presented, or in the footnotes. For amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. The Company adopted this new guidance as of January 1, 2013 with no material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

     In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)-Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward or Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which finalizes Proposed ASU No. EITF-13C, and requires an entity's unrecognized tax benefit to be presented in its financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with one exception. That exception states that, to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The ASU applies prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Retrospective application and early adoption are also permitted. We do not expect ASU No. 2013-02 or ASU No. 2013-11 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

     All other new accounting standards and updates of existing standards issued through the date of this filing were considered by management and did not relate to accounting policies and procedures pertinent or material to the Company at this time.