<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.20.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>244</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>565</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>91</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - New Accounting Standards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNewAccountingStandards</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Standards</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Change in Control</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControl</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Control</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSale</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Non-controlling Interest</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNonControllingInterest</Role>
      <ShortName>Non-controlling Interest</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Income Tax Matters</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMatters</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Matters</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Reinsurance</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsurance</Role>
      <ShortName>Reinsurance</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Notes Payable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayable</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentivePlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Deposit-Type Contracts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDepositTypeContracts</Role>
      <ShortName>Deposit-Type Contracts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Leases</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeases</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11601 - Disclosure - Statutory Net Income and Surplus</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureStatutoryNetIncomeAndSurplus</Role>
      <ShortName>Statutory Net Income and Surplus</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11701 - Disclosure - Surplus Notes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureSurplusNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>Surplus Notes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11801 - Disclosure - Third Party Administration</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureThirdPartyAdministration</Role>
      <ShortName>Third Party Administration</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11901 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureSubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>Subsequent Events</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12001 - Disclosure - Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleISummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedParties</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12101 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12201 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12301 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12401 - Disclosure - Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiiSupplementaryInsuranceInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12501 - Disclosure - Schedule IV Reinsurance Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIvReinsuranceInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule IV Reinsurance Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>12601 - Disclosure - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</Role>
      <ShortName>Valuation and Qualifying Accounts</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20102 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Change in Control (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControlTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Control (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControl</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSale</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestments</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30703 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Income Tax Matters (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Matters (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMatters</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31003 - Disclosure - Reinsurance (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Reinsurance (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsurance</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Notes Payable (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayableTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayable</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31303 - Disclosure - Deposit-Type Contracts (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDepositTypeContractsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Deposit-Type Contracts (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDepositTypeContracts</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31503 - Disclosure - Leases (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeases</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNatureOfOperationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - New Accounting Standards (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNewAccountingStandardsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>New Accounting Standards (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNewAccountingStandards</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Change in Control (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControlNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Control (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControlTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - Change in Control (Schedule of Company's Voting Common Stock) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControlScheduleOfCompanySVotingCommonStockDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Change in Control (Schedule of Company's Voting Common Stock) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureChangeInControlTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40402 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Discontinued Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleScheduleOfAssetsAndLiabilitiesDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Discontinued Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40403 - Disclosure - Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Schedule of Losses/Gains Discontinued Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleScheduleOfLossesGainsDiscontinuedOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Schedule of Losses/Gains Discontinued Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureAssetsAndLiabilitiesHeldForSaleTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Non-controlling Interest (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNonControllingInterestDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Non-controlling Interest (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNonControllingInterest</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Investments (Schedule of Available for Sale Investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsScheduleOfAvailableForSaleInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Schedule of Available for Sale Investments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40602 - Disclosure - Investments (Schedule of Amortized Cost, Fair Value, Credit Rating) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsScheduleOfAmortizedCostFairValueCreditRatingDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Schedule of Amortized Cost, Fair Value, Credit Rating) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40603 - Disclosure - Investments (Schedule of Unrealized Loss of Securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsScheduleOfUnrealizedLossOfSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Schedule of Unrealized Loss of Securities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40605 - Disclosure - Investments (Schedule of Fixed Maturities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsScheduleOfFixedMaturitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Schedule of Fixed Maturities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40606 - Disclosure - Investments (Components of Net Investment Income) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsComponentsOfNetInvestmentIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Components of Net Investment Income) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40607 - Disclosure - Investments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureInvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40801 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Schedule of Financial Instruments at Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfFinancialInstrumentsAtFairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Schedule of Financial Instruments at Fair Value Measured on a Recurring Basis) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsScheduleOfFinancialAssetsAndLiabilitiesAtFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40803 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Recurring Basis Level 3) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsRecurringBasisLevel3Details</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Recurring Basis Level 3) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40804 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureFairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Income Tax Matters (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersScheduleOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Matters (Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Income Tax Matters (Schedule of Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersScheduleOfEffectiveTaxRateReconciliationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Matters (Schedule of Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - Disclosure - Income Tax Matters (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Tax Matters (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxMattersTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Reinsurance (Summary of Significant Reinsurance Amounts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceSummaryOfSignificantReinsuranceAmountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reinsurance (Summary of Significant Reinsurance Amounts) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41002 - Disclosure - Reinsurance (Schedule of Significant Reinsurance Balances) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceScheduleOfSignificantReinsuranceBalancesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reinsurance (Schedule of Significant Reinsurance Balances) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41003 - Disclosure - Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureReinsuranceTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Notes Payable (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayableNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41102 - Disclosure - Notes Payable (Summary of Information Regarding Loans) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayableSummaryOfInformationRegardingLoansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes Payable (Summary of Information Regarding Loans) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureNotesPayableTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Long-Term Incentive Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentivePlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Long-Term Incentive Plan (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLongTermIncentivePlan</ParentRole>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Deposit-Type Contracts (Schedule of Contracts) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDepositTypeContractsScheduleOfContractsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Deposit-Type Contracts (Schedule of Contracts) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureDepositTypeContractsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41501 - Disclosure - Leases (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41502 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfSupplementalBalanceSheetInformationRelatedToLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41503 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule of Components of Leases Expenses) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfComponentsOfLeasesExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule of Components of Leases Expenses) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41504 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule of Finance and Operating Leases Mature) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfFinanceAndOperatingLeasesMatureDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule of Finance and Operating Leases Mature) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41505 - Disclosure - Leases (Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesScheduleOfSupplementalCashFlowInformationRelatedToLeasesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Leases (Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureLeasesTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41601 - Disclosure - Statutory Net Income and Surplus (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureStatutoryNetIncomeAndSurplusDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Statutory Net Income and Surplus (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureStatutoryNetIncomeAndSurplus</ParentRole>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41701 - Disclosure - Surplus Notes (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureSurplusNotesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Surplus Notes (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureSurplusNotes</ParentRole>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41801 - Disclosure - Third Party Administration (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureThirdPartyAdministrationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Third Party Administration (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureThirdPartyAdministration</ParentRole>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42001 - Disclosure - Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleISummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedPartiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule I Summary of Investments - Other Than Investments in Related Parties (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleISummaryOfInvestmentsOtherThanInvestmentsInRelatedParties</ParentRole>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42101 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantBalanceSheetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantBalanceSheets</ParentRole>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42102 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantBalanceSheetsParentheticalDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantBalanceSheets</ParentRole>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42201 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantStatementsOfComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42301 - Disclosure - Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantStatementsOfCashFlowsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Cash Flows (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiCondensedFinancialInformationOfRegistrantStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</ParentRole>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42401 - Disclosure - Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiiSupplementaryInsuranceInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule III Supplementary Insurance Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIiiSupplementaryInsuranceInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42501 - Disclosure - Schedule IV Reinsurance Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIvReinsuranceInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Schedule IV Reinsurance Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureScheduleIvReinsuranceInformation</ParentRole>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="mdwt-20191231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>42601 - Disclosure - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccountsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://midwestholdinginc.com/role/DisclosureValuationAndQualifyingAccounts</ParentRole>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>mdwt-20191231.xml</File>
    <File>mdwt-20191231.xsd</File>
    <File>mdwt-20191231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>mdwt-20191231_def.xml</File>
    <File>mdwt-20191231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>mdwt-20191231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://fasb.org/srt/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
    <BaseTaxonomy>http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2019-01-31</BaseTaxonomy>
  </BaseTaxonomies>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
