National Western Life Insurance Company provides life insurance products for the savings and protection needs of policyholders, and for the asset accumulation and retirement needs of annuity contract holders primarily in the United States, the Pacific Rim, and Eastern Europe. It operates through Domestic Life Insurance, International Life Insurance, and Annuities segments. The company offers a portfolio of individual whole life, universal life, and term insurance plans, as well as annuities, including supplementary riders. Its life products comprise universal life insurance and interest-sensitive whole life, as well as traditional products, such as term insurance coverage; and annuity products consist of flexible premium and single premium deferred annuities, equity-indexed annuities, and single premium immediate annuities. The company markets and distributes its insurance products primarily through independent national marketing organizations. It also engages in small real estate, nursing home, and other investment operations. The company was founded in 1956 and is based in Austin, Texas.