Reinsurance (Retained and Reinsurer Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Assets [Abstract]
Total investments	$ 1,208,854		$ 975,527
Cash and cash equivalents	128,964		142,013
Accrued investment income	18,297		13,623
Deferred acquisition costs, net	33,164		24,530			$ 13,456
Reinsurance recoverables	24,121		38,579
Other assets	22,575		25,645
Total assets	1,435,975		1,219,917
Liabilities:
Policyholder liabilities	1,299,772		1,088,618
Deferred gain on coinsurance transactions	32,203		28,589
Other liabilities	39,504		16,954
Total liabilities	1,371,479		1,134,161
Stockholders' Equity:
Voting common stock	4		4
Additional paid-in capital	138,663		138,277
Accumulated deficit	(60,707)		(70,159)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(25,877)		2,634
Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity	52,083		70,756
Noncontrolling interests	12,413		15,000
Total stockholders' equity	64,496	$ 79,190	85,756	$ 81,606	$ 85,632	$ 86,329
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,435,975		1,219,917
Retained
Assets [Abstract]
Total investments	561,709		414,418
Cash and cash equivalents	79,021		95,406
Accrued investment income	6,632		3,853
Deferred acquisition costs, net	33,164		24,530
Reinsurance recoverables	13,230
Other assets	20,883		27,834
Total assets	714,639		566,041
Liabilities:
Policyholder liabilities	567,007		427,807
Deferred gain on coinsurance transactions	32,203		28,589
Other liabilities	50,933		23,889
Total liabilities	650,143		480,285
Stockholders' Equity:
Voting common stock	4		4
Additional paid-in capital	138,663		138,277
Accumulated deficit	(60,707)		(70,159)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(25,877)		2,634
Total Midwest Holding Inc.'s stockholders' equity	52,083		70,756
Noncontrolling interests	12,413		15,000
Total stockholders' equity	64,496		85,756
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	714,639		566,041
Reinsurance
Assets [Abstract]
Total investments	647,145		561,109
Cash and cash equivalents	49,943		46,607
Accrued investment income	11,665		9,770
Reinsurance recoverables	10,891		38,579
Other assets	1,692		(2,189)
Total assets	721,336		653,876
Liabilities:
Policyholder liabilities	732,765		660,811
Other liabilities	(11,429)		(6,935)
Total liabilities	721,336		653,876
Stockholders' Equity:
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 721,336		$ 653,876