Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues [Abstract]
Insurance premiums	$ (152)	$ 135,387
Investment income, net of expenses	120,581	515,888
Net realized gains on investments	353,602	47,824
Amortization of deferred gain on reinsurance	2,643,801	117,871
Miscellaneous income	281,956	58,842
Total revenues	3,399,788	875,812
Expenses:
Interest credited	6,584	47,936
Benefits	34,436	93,646
Increase in benefit reserves	34,500	(27,121)
Salaries and benefits	2,701,314	2,160,853
Other operating expenses	5,997,955	3,637,748
Total expenses	8,774,789	5,913,062
Loss from continuing operations before taxes	(5,375,001)	(5,037,250)
Federal income tax	(234,180)	0
Loss from continuing operations	(5,609,181)	(5,037,250)
Discontinued operations
Loss from discontinued operations		(28,284)
Net loss	(5,609,181)	(5,065,534)
Less: Gain attributable to noncontrolling interest	(124,477)
Net loss attributable to Midwest Holding Inc.	(5,733,658)	(5,065,534)
Comprehensive loss:
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments arising during period, net of tax	2,645,015	(1,258,971)
Unrealized gains on foreign currency, net of tax	146,185
Less: reclassification adjustment for net realized gains on investments	(353,602)	(47,824)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	2,437,598	(1,306,795)
Comprehensive loss	$ (3,296,060)	$ (6,372,329)
Net loss per common share
Basic	$ (0.010)	$ (0.220)
Diluted	$ (0.010)	$ (0.005)