Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Assets
Equity method investments
Equity securities, at cost			140,250
Total investments		28,669,251	24,362,071
Cash and cash equivalents		661,545	1,192,336	$ 2,310,047
Property and equipment, net		158,471	217,565
Other assets		95,773	532,674
Total assets		47,267,129	62,926,404
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		1,211,875	1,013,313
Total liabilities		42,998,207	56,022,430
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock		22,559	18,006
Additional paid-in capital		33,036,924	31,584,529
Accumulated deficit		(27,533,447)	(23,685,525)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,257,291)	(1,013,213)
Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity		5,875,404	6,903,974
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		47,267,129	62,926,404
Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock		74	74
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock		103	103
Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Investment in subsidiaries	[1]	4,424,693	7,640,794
Equity securities, at cost			140,250
Total investments		4,424,693	7,781,044
Cash and cash equivalents		112,563	212,422	$ 1,132,057
Property and equipment, net		78,790	85,339
Other assets		153,502	381,149
Total assets		4,769,548	8,459,954
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		500,626	1,555,980
Total liabilities		500,626	1,555,980
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock		22,559	18,006
Additional paid-in capital		33,036,924	31,584,529
Accumulated deficit		(27,533,447)	(23,685,525)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,257,291)	(1,013,213)
Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity		4,268,922	6,903,974
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		4,769,548	8,459,954
Parent Company [Member] | Series A Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock		74	74
Parent Company [Member] | Series B Preferred Stock [Member]
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock		$ 103	$ 103

[1] Eliminated in consolidation.