Schedule II Condensed Financial Information of Registrant Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Revenues
Investment (loss) income, net of expenses	$ 120,581	$ 515,888
Miscellaneous income	281,956	58,842
Revenues	3,399,788	875,812
Expenses:
Income tax expense	234,180	0
(Loss) income before equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries	(5,609,181)	(5,065,534)
Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries	(124,477)
Net loss attributable to Midwest Holding Inc.	(5,733,658)	(5,065,534)
Comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments arising during period, net of tax	2,645,015	(1,258,971)
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)
Parent Company [Member]
Revenues
Investment (loss) income, net of expenses	(270)	22
Miscellaneous income	48,368	133,692
Revenues	48,098	133,714
Expenses:
General	1,385,608
Loss before income tax expense	(1,337,510)	133,714
(Loss) income before equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries	(1,337,510)	133,714
Equity in loss of consolidated subsidiaries	(4,396,148)	(5,199,248)
Net loss attributable to Midwest Holding Inc.	(5,733,658)	(5,065,534)
Comprehensive income (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)