<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001039828-12-000098.txt : 20120823
<SEC-HEADER>0001039828-12-000098.hdr.sgml : 20120823
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120823125945
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001039828-12-000098
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120823
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120823

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001039828
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				421447959
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-3
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-183504
		FILM NUMBER:		121051689

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
		STREET 2:		SUITE 440
		CITY:			WEST DEMOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50266
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152210002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5000 WESTOWN PKWY
		STREET 2:		STE 440
		CITY:			WEST DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50266
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a2012-08x22_aelsx3.htm
<DESCRIPTION>S-3
<TEXT>
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		<title>2012-08-23_AEL S-3</title>
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<a name="s8C7498C20DC7BF0CDA2D4AD55A8CF249"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:4px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 23, 2012</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:4px;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Registration No. 333-</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC 20549</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM S-3</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">UNDER</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:91.40625%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="49%"></td><td width="2%"></td><td width="49%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Iowa</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;vertical-align:top;">42-1447959</font></div><div style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;vertical-align:top;">(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">6000 Westown Parkway</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">West Des Moines, Iowa 50266</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(515)&#160;221-0002</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices) </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">John M. Matovina</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Chief Executive Officer and President</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">6000 Westown Parkway</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">West Des Moines, Iowa 50266</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(515)&#160;221-0002</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Copies to: </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Shilpi Gupta</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher&#160;&amp; Flom LLP</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">155 North Wacker Drive</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Chicago, Illinois 60606</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(312)&#160;407-0700 </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">______________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement, as determined by market conditions and other factors. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule&#160;415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s8C7498C20DC7BF0CDA2D4AD55A8CF249"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule&#160;462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule&#160;462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule&#160;462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule&#160;413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.&#160;</font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#8220;large accelerated filer,&#8221; &#8220;accelerated filer&#8221; and &#8220;smaller reporting company&#8221; in Rule 12b2 of the Exchange Act.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Large accelerated filer </font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;Accelerated filer  </font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:9pt;">x</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;Non-accelerated filer  </font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;&#32;Smaller reporting company  </font><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">o</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><a name="s5DE8C05B23360D39B19B4B152F53A11E"></a><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:95.8984375%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="11"></td></tr><tr><td width="28%"></td><td width="2%"></td><td width="19%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="13%"></td><td width="2%"></td><td width="19%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="2%"></td><td width="12%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Title of Securities to be Registered</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Amount to be Registered</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit (2)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Proposed</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Maximum Aggregate</font></div><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Offering Price (2)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Amount of Registration Fee (3)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="11" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:13px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Common Stock, par value $1.00</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3,000,000 Shares (1)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$11.625</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid 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style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" 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style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:6px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Options to purchase common stock pursuant to the 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan (4)(5)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div 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#000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8212;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8212;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(1) Shares issuable upon exercise of stock options authorized to be granted to independent insurance agents of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, under the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(2) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based on the average high and low prices per share of common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August 20, 2012. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(3) Calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act by multiplying 0.00011460 by the proposed maximum aggregate offering price (as computed in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee of the securities registered hereby). </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(4) Stock options to be granted to independent insurance agents of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company under the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(5) Stock options are granted in the discretion of the executive committee of the Board of Directors of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company to independent insurance agents who are significant producers for our wholly owned operating subsidiary, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company. </font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file&#160;a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section&#160;8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section&#160;8(a), may determine.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sEE1ED41AFC51259862504EB9D2EED924"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#ff0000;">The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or other jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;color:#ff0000;font-weight:bold;">SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 23, 2012</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">PROSPECTUS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">American Equity</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Investment Life Holding Company </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">_______________</font><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">3,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE RELATED STOCK OPTIONS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">under the </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">2012 INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT STOCK OPTION PLAN </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">_______________</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">This prospectus relates to the 3,000,000 shares of our common stock, $1 par value per share, that may be issued upon the exercise of stock options granted under our 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan (the &#8220;Plan&#8221;) to independent insurance agents who are significant producers for our wholly owned operating subsidiary, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company. This prospectus also relates to the options that may be granted under the Plan to purchase those 3,000,000 shares. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The exercise price for these shares of common stock will be determined at the time of grant of the related option, but will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the common stock at the time of grant. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol &#8220;AEL.&#8221; On August 22, 2012, the closing price of our common stock as reported on the NYSE was $11.70. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Exercising options and purchasing our common stock involve risks that are described in the &#8220;Risk Factors&#8221; section beginning on page 1 of this prospectus.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">None of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission, the Iowa Commissioner of Insurance or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of any of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">The date of this prospectus is August 23, 2012. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;"><hr></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s83158C65FBF35A6EED9A4EB982B83783"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">TABLE OF CONTENTS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:84.375%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="92%"></td><td width="3%"></td><td width="5%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:7pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:7pt;font-weight:bold;">Page</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">RISK FACTORS</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">2</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">USE OF PROCEEDS</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">LEGAL MATTERS</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">EXPERTS</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the information to which we have referred you. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in this prospectus may only be accurate on the date of this document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects may have changed since that date. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">All references to &#8220;we,&#8221; &#8220;us,&#8221; &#8220;our&#8221; or &#8220;American Equity&#8221; in this prospectus are to American Equity Investment Life Holding Company. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Our Business </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We are a full service underwriter of fixed annuity and life insurance products through our life insurance subsidiaries, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company (&#8220;American Equity Life&#8221;), American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company of New York and Eagle Life Insurance Company. Our business consists primarily of the sale of fixed index and fixed rate annuities and, accordingly, we have only one business segment. Our business strategy is to focus on our annuity business and earn predictable returns by managing investment spreads and investment risk. We are currently licensed to sell our products in 50 states and the District of Columbia. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our executive offices are located at 6000 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266, and our telephone number is (515)&#160;221-0002. Our web site address is </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">www.american-equity.com</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into and does not constitute a part of this prospectus. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">RISK FACTORS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and you could lose all or part of your investment. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The price of our common stock on the NYSE constantly changes. Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent you from being able to sell your shares when you want or at prices you find attractive. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The market price of our common stock may fluctuate in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include the following: </font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">changes in laws and regulations which may affect the sale of our products; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">the operating and stock performance of our competitors; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">announcements by us or our competitors of new products or services or significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">changes in interest rates; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">general domestic or international economic, market and political conditions and regulatory initiatives; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">additions or departures of key personnel; and </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">future sales of our common stock, including sales of our common stock in short sales transactions. </font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In addition, the stock markets from time to time experience extreme price and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. These broad fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">The price of our common stock and our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings may be adversely affected by the issuance and sale of our common stock or equity-related securities, now and in the future. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Issuances or exchanges of significant amounts of our common stock or equity-related securities or the perception that such sales will occur, could adversely affect prevailing trading prices of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or equity-related securities. No prediction can be made as to the effect, if any, that future issuances or exchanges of shares of our common stock or equity-related securities or the availability of shares of our common stock for future issuance or exchange will have on the trading price of our common stock. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Our common stock is an equity security and is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Shares of our common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of our common stock rank junior to all indebtedness and other non-equity claims against us with respect to assets available to satisfy claims against us, including in a liquidation. Additionally, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of any holders of any preferred stock we may issue in the future. </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">1</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Anti-takeover provisions affecting us could make it difficult for a third party to acquire our company. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our articles of incorporation, as amended, our third amended and restated bylaws and Iowa law contain anti-takeover provisions that could have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our company or our management. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for our stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions without the concurrence of our management or board of directors. The provisions in our charter documents include the following: </font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">our amended articles of incorporation provide for a classified board of directors pursuant to which our directors are divided into three classes, with three-year staggered terms; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">our amended articles of incorporation provide our board of directors the ability to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms, including preferences and voting rights, of those shares without shareholder approval; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">our bylaws provide that shareholder action may be taken only at a special or regular meeting or by written consent signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than 90% of the votes entitled to be cast at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">our bylaws limit our shareholders' ability to make proposals at shareholder meetings; and </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">our bylaws establish advance notice procedures for nominating candidates to our board of directors. </font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We are subject to certain Iowa laws that could have similar effects. One of these laws, Section&#160;490.1110 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act, prohibits us from engaging in a business combination with any interested shareholder for a period of three years from the date the person became an interested shareholder unless certain conditions are met. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The foregoing provisions may discourage transactions that otherwise could provide for the payment of a premium over prevailing market prices of our common stock and also could limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. In addition, before a person can directly or indirectly acquire 10% or greater voting control of any of our life insurance subsidiaries, prior written approval must generally be obtained from the applicable insurance regulator where our affected life insurance subsidiary is domiciled. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">Our ability to pay dividends in the future is subject to many factors and you may not receive dividends on our common stock. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Holders of our common stock are only entitled to receive dividends as our board of directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. However, we intend to continue to pay an annual cash dividend on such shares so long as we have sufficient capital and/or future earnings to do so. We anticipate retaining most of our future earnings, if any, for use in our operations and the expansion of our business. Any further determination as to dividend policy will be made by our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and future prospects and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our ability to pay dividends may be impaired if any of the risks described in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein were to occur. In addition, since we are a holding company, our ability to pay cash dividends depends in large measure on our subsidiaries' ability to make distributions of cash or property to us. Iowa insurance laws restrict the amount of distributions American Equity Life can pay to us without the approval of the Iowa Insurance Commissioner. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">This prospectus (including the information incorporated by reference) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section&#160;27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;), and Section&#160;21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;). All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this prospectus and elsewhere (such as in filings by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;SEC&#8221;), press releases, presentations by us or our management or oral statements) relative to markets for our products and trends in our operations or financial results, as well as other statements including words such as &#8220;anticipate,&#8221; &#8220;believe,&#8221; &#8220;plan,&#8221; &#8220;estimate,&#8221; &#8220;expect,&#8221; &#8220;intend&#8221; and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements. We caution that these statements may and often do vary from actual results and the differences between these statements and actual results can be material. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">2</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Factors that could contribute to these differences include, among other things: </font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">general economic conditions and other factors, including prevailing interest rate levels and stock and credit market performance which may affect (among other things) our ability to sell our products, our ability to access capital resources and the costs associated therewith, the fair value of our investments, which could result in impairments and other than temporary impairments, and certain liabilities, and the lapse rate and profitability of policies; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">customer response to new products and marketing initiatives; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">changes in the Federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect the relative income tax advantages of our products; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">increasing competition in the sale of annuities; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">regulatory changes or actions, including those relating to regulation of financial services affecting (among other things) bank sales and underwriting of insurance products and regulation of the sale, underwriting and pricing of products; and </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">the risk factors or uncertainties listed from time to time in our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus. </font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is intended to reflect opinions as of the date of this prospectus. Except as otherwise required by applicable laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements described in this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason after the date of this prospectus.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">The following is a description in question and answer form of the Plan, but is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and this description, the terms of the Plan will prevail.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">What is the purpose of the Plan? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Plan is intended to assist us and our wholly owned operating subsidiary, American Equity Life, in attracting and retaining certain independent insurance agents of outstanding ability and to promote the identification of their interests with those of our stockholders. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">When did the Plan become effective? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Plan became effective on January 1, 2012.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Who is eligible to receive an option under the Plan?</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Options to purchase shares of our common stock may be granted to those independent insurance agents (1)&#160;who have been validly appointed by American Equity Life as sales agents for its products in applicable jurisdictions, (2)&#160;who have valid and existing agent's contracts with American Equity Life in effect and that have not terminated prior to any grant of options under the Plan and (3)&#160;who meet the requirements established by the executive committee of American Equity's board of directors (the &#8220;Executive Committee&#8221;) from time to time, including without limitation, rules regarding sales production criteria.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Who administers the Plan? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Plan is administered by the Executive Committee, which has full authority, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to determine: (i)&#160;which agents will be granted options; (ii)&#160;the terms (which terms need not be identical) of all options including, the time or times at which options are granted, the option exercise price, the number of shares of our common stock subject to an option, any provisions relating to vesting (provided that if no vesting period is specified by the Executive Committee, then the applicable options will vest six months after the date of grant), any circumstances in which options terminate or in which we may repurchase shares of our common stock and the period during which options may be exercised; and (iii)&#160;any other terms, conditions or restrictions on options. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Executive Committee has full authority to construe and interpret the Plan and any agreements entered into under the Plan, and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, any determination to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of outstanding options. </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">3</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Further, in addition to such other rights of indemnification that members of the Executive Committee may have as directors or as members of the Executive Committee, the members of the Executive Committee will be indemnified by us against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, any related agreement or any option granted under the Plan, and against all amounts reasonably paid by them in settlement thereof or relating to a judgment, action, suit or proceeding, if such members acted in good faith and in a manner which they believed to be in, and not opposed to, our best interests. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">How many shares of our common stock are reserved for issuance under the Plan? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Plan is 3,000,000, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, as described below. The shares that we will deliver upon the exercise of options may be authorized but unissued shares of common stock or issued shares of common stock which we have reacquired or a combination of both. If an option expires or terminates for any reason without having been fully exercised, the unissued shares of our common stock that had been subject to that option will again become available for the grant of options under the Plan. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">How will the option exercise price be determined? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The option exercise price will be determined by the Executive Committee and will be set forth in a written agreement executed by us and the agent to whom an option has been granted. No option will have a per share exercise price that is less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock as of the date the option is granted. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">May the option exercise price be reduced? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">No. Specifically, no option will be issued in exchange for or as a reissuance of any outstanding option and the option exercise price for any outstanding option will not be changed, if the effect of such exchange or change would be to reduce the option exercise price for any outstanding option, except as necessary to reflect the effect of certain changes in corporate structure or capitalization or a change in control, as described below. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">When can an option be exercised? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The period in which an option may be exercised will be determined by the Executive Committee and specifically set forth in the written agreement with the agent, provided that an option may not be exercisable for a period longer than ten&#160;years from the date the option is granted. Unless otherwise specified in an award agreement in respect of any option, options vest six months after their date of grant. No option may be exercised for fewer than 100 shares of common stock (or, if fewer, the number of shares subject to the option). </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">What happens if there is a stock split or stock dividend? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In the event of any change in our outstanding common stock by reason of any stock dividend, splitup (or reverse stock split), recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, reincorporation, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, liquidation or similar change in corporate structure, the Executive Committee will, in its discretion and to the extent necessary to compensate for the effect of such transaction or change, provide for an equitable substitution for or adjustment in (i)&#160;the number and class of shares subject to outstanding options; (ii)&#160;the price of outstanding options; and (iii)&#160;the aggregate number and class of shares that may be issued under the Plan. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">How may the option price be paid? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Payment of the option exercise price shall be made in cash. The Executive Committee may provide in a written agreement with the agent that part or all of such payment may be made by the optionee (i)&#160;by delivery to us of shares of our common stock valued at fair market value on the date the option is exercised or (ii)&#160;by delivery of an exercise notice and irrevocable instructions to a registered securities broker approved by the Executive Committee to sell shares and deliver cash to us. </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">4</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Who else may exercise an option? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Options are not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. An option may be exercised during the optionee's lifetime only by the optionee or, in the event of his or her legal disability, by his or her legal representative. In the event of the death of the optionee, his or her options may be exercised by the optionee's designated beneficiary. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">When do options terminate? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">All options terminate at the end of the term established by the written agreement with the agent which may be no longer than ten years from date the option is granted. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Generally, if the status of a holder of an option as an agent is terminated for any reason, the option will expire upon such termination and will thereby be forfeited. However, in the case of the death or disability of an optionee the vesting of the optionee's outstanding options shall accelerate, and/or any other restrictions on exercise shall be removed. The option will expire unless exercised within one year after the date of death or the cessation of service of the optionee by reason of the disability. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">What happens upon a change of control of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">If there is a change of control of our company, as defined in the Plan, the vesting of all outstanding options may accelerate, and/or any other restrictions on exercise may be removed following delivery of a written election of such acceleration by the optionee. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Is the status of an individual holding an option affected? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">No. The granting of an option to an agent does not confer any right to continue as an agent of American Equity Life or interfere in any way with the right of American Equity Life to terminate its relationship with the agent. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Does a holder of an option have any rights as a shareholder? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">No, not unless and until an option is exercised and stock is issued. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">When does the Plan terminate? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Unless sooner terminated by our board of directors, the Plan will terminate on February 1, 2016, and no options may be granted after that date. However, the termination of the Plan will not affect the validity of any option outstanding on the date of termination. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Who is responsible for taxes or other withholding obligations with respect to the options? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any and all taxes and other withholding obligations payable in connection with or relating to the grant or exercise of an option, and/or the sale of any shares of our common stock by an optionee, will be the sole responsibility of the optionee. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">What tax considerations affect the options? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Set forth below is a discussion of certain United States federal tax consequences with respect to the options. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the &#8220;Code&#8221;), judicial decisions and administrative interpretations thereof, as currently in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change. This discussion does not address all of the tax consequences that may be applicable to any particular optionee. In addition to being subject to the federal tax consequences described below, an optionee may also be subject to foreign, state, and local income or other tax consequences in the jurisdiction in which he works and/or resides. EACH OPTIONEE IS URGED TO CONSULT HIS OR HER PERSONAL TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OR HER OF THE PLAN (OR ANY COMPONENT THEREOF), INCLUDING THE INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING AND EXERCISING AN OPTION AND SELLING THE SHARES ACQUIRED UPON EXERCISE OF THE OPTION. </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">5</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Options granted under the Plan are non-qualified options under the Code. The grant of non-qualified stock options will not result in the recognition of taxable income for federal income tax purposes. However, when a nonqualified option is exercised, an optionee recognizes, as ordinary income, the excess of the fair market value of the stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price. We are entitled to an income tax deduction to the same extent and at the same time as income is recognized by the optionee. The shares acquired upon exercise of the option will have a basis equal to their fair market value, and the holding period will commence on the day after the stock is received. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Are there any other considerations relating to ERISA or a Tax-Qualified Plan? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Plan is not qualified under Section&#160;401(a) of the Code and is not subject to any provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (referred to as &#8220;ERISA&#8221;). </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Are there any other considerations regarding the resale of shares issued? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Shares of our common stock acquired upon exercise or otherwise relating to an option pursuant to the Plan may be sold publicly. However, shares owned by persons who may be deemed to be our &#8220;affiliates&#8221; as defined in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 may not be re-offered or resold except pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">How can optionees obtain additional information about the Plan and its administrators? </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Optionees may request additional information about the Plan by writing or telephoning us as follows: Julie LaFollette, Director of Investor Relations, American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, 6000 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, 1-888-221-1234, ext. 3602.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">USE OF PROCEEDS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">LEGAL MATTERS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Certain legal matters regarding the securities will be passed upon for us by Marla G. Lacey, our Vice President and Associate General Counsel.  Ms.&#160;Lacey is a full-time employee of our company and currently owns 4,040&#160;shares of our common stock and holds options to purchase an additional 22,500 shares of our common stock. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">EXPERTS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The consolidated financial statements and all related financial statement schedules of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2011, incorporated herein by reference, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, have been audited by KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, and incorporated herein by reference. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them, which means that we can disclose important business and financial information to you that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus by referring you to publicly filed documents that contain the omitted information. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">You may read and copy the information that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus as well as other reports, proxy statements and other information that we file with the SEC at the public reference facility maintained by the SEC at 100&#160;F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. In addition, we are required to file electronic versions of those materials with the SEC through the SEC's EDGAR system. The SEC maintains a web site at </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">http://www.sec.gov</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;that contains reports, proxy statements and other information that registrants, such as us, file electronically with the SEC. You may also request a copy of these filings, at no </font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">6</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sAF86E9C50A24487942AE4B3111F1CF25"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">cost, by writing or telephoning us as follows: Shareholder Relations, American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, 6000 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266, Attention Julie L. LaFollette Director of Investor Relations, 1-888-221-1234, ext. 3602. These reports, proxy statements and other information may also be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate on any date other than the date on the front cover of such documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any distribution of securities pursuant to such documents shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in the information set forth in this prospectus or in our affairs since the date of this prospectus. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to purchase these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form&#160;S-3 under the Securities Act covering the securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits included with or incorporated by reference into the registration statement. The registration statement, including the exhibits contained or incorporated by reference therein, can be read at the SEC's website or at the SEC offices referred to above. Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual contract, agreement or other document. If we have filed or incorporated by reference any contract, agreement or other document as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should read the exhibit for a more complete understanding of the document or matter involved. Each statement regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Rather than include certain information in this prospectus that we have already included in documents filed with the SEC, we are incorporating this information by reference, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring to those publicly filed documents that contain the information. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Accordingly, we incorporate by reference the following documents filed with the SEC by us: </font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Annual Report on Form&#160;10-K for the year ended December&#160;31, 2011, filed on March 1, 2012; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Quarterly Report on Form&#160;10-Q for the quarter ended March&#160;31, 2012, filed on May 7, 2012; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Quarterly Report on Form&#160;10-Q for the quarter ended June&#160;30, 2012, filed on August 6, 2012; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Current Report on Form&#160;8-K, dated March 9, 2012, filed on March 14, 2012; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Current Report on Form&#160;8-K, dated May 31, 2012, filed on June 1, 2012; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Current Report on Form&#160;8-K, dated June 8, 2012, filed on June 8, 2012; </font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Current Report on Form&#160;8-K, dated June 7, 2012, filed on June 11, 2012;</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our Current Report on Form&#160;8-K, dated June 27, 2012, filed on June 27, 2012; and</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:72px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8226;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The description of the common stock which is contained in a registration statement on Form&#160;8-A filed on November&#160;26, 2003 (File No.&#160;001-31911) under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description. </font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than information furnished under Item&#160;2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form&#160;8-K) we make with the SEC pursuant to Sections&#160;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1)&#160;after the date of the filing of this registration statement and before its effectiveness and (2)&#160;until all of the securities to which this prospectus relates are sold or the offering is otherwise terminated. Our subsequent filings with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">7</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4F4F4CAE7C6289986CC34B342F048DE7"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">PART II</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 14. Other Expenses Of Issuance And Distribution </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by American Equity Investment Life Holding Company in connection with the offer and sale of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:63.671875%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="4"></td></tr><tr><td width="82%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="16%"></td><td width="1%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">SEC Registration Fee</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;background-color:#cceeff;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3,997</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">NYSE Listing Fees</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">12,000</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Legal Fees and Expenses</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">50,000</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Accounting Fees and Expenses</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15,000</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Miscellaneous</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#cceeff;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15,000</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;background-color:#cceeff;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Total</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;"><div style="text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">95,997</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:3px double #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Section 490.202 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act, or the IBCA, provides that a corporation's articles of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or failure to take action, as a director, provided that the provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA, which relates to liability for unlawful distributions; or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. Further, Section 490.851 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors party to a proceeding against liability incurred in the proceeding by reason of such person serving in the capacity of director, if such person has acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed by the individual to be in the best interests of the corporation, if the director was acting in an official capacity, and in all other cases that the individual's conduct was at least not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and in any criminal proceeding if such person had no reasonable cause to believe the individual's conduct was unlawful or the director engaged in conduct for which broader indemnification has been made permissible or obligatory under a provision of the articles of incorporation.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The indemnity provisions under Section 490.851 do not apply (1) in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation except for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding if it is determined that the director has met the relevant standard of conduct under Subsection 1 of Section 490.851; or (2) in connection with any proceedings with respect to conduct for which the director was adjudged liable on the basis that the director received a financial benefit to which the director was not entitled, whether or not involving action in the director's official capacity. In addition, Section 490.852 of the IBCA provides mandatory indemnification of reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is wholly successful in defending any action in which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of the corporation. A director who is a party to a proceeding because the person is a director may also apply for court-ordered indemnification and advance of expenses under Section 490.854 of the IBCA.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Section 490.853 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he is a director if the director delivers the following to the corporation: (1) a written affirmation that the director has met the standard of conduct described above or that the proceeding involved conduct for which liability has been eliminated under the corporation's articles of incorporation; and (2) the director's written undertaking to repay any funds advanced if the director is not entitled to mandatory indemnification under Section 490.852 of the IBCA and it is ultimately determined that the director has not met the standard of conduct described above.</font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Part II - </font><font style="font-family:inherit;">1</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4F4F4CAE7C6289986CC34B342F048DE7"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Under Section 490.856 of the IBCA, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he is an officer to the same extent as a director. In addition, if the person is an officer but not a director, further indemnification may be provided by the corporation's articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors or contract, except for liability in connection with (1) a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation other than for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the proceeding; and (2) conduct that constitutes receipt by the officer of a financial benefit to which the officer is not entitled, an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or the shareholders, or an intentional violation of criminal law. Such indemnification is also available to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which the officer is made a party to a proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our amended articles of incorporation provide that our directors will not be liable to us or our shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) intentional infliction of harm on us or our shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA, which relates to liability for unlawful distributions; and (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. Our amended articles of incorporation also provide that each of our current and former directors who was or is made a party to, or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of us or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be indemnified and held harmless by us to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except liability for (1) a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm on us or our shareholders; (3) an unlawful distribution to shareholders; and (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. In addition to such indemnification, any such director and any officer are entitled to have any expenses reasonably incurred in defending any such proceeding or any similar proceeding against any officer in advance of its final disposition paid directly by us to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Our bylaws also provide indemnification to our directors on the same terms as the indemnification provided in our amended articles of incorporation. Our bylaws also provide for advances of expenses to our directors and officers on the same terms as provided in our amended articles of incorporation. The indemnification provisions of our bylaws are not exclusive of any other right which any person seeking indemnification may have or acquire under any statute, our amended articles of incorporation or any agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Section 490.857 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a person who is a director or officer of a corporation, or who, while a director or officer of a corporation, serves at the corporation's request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other entity, against liability asserted against or incurred by that person in that capacity or arising from that person's status as a director or officer, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify or advance expenses to that person against the same liability under the IBCA. As permitted by and in accordance with Section 490.857 of the IBCA, we maintain insurance coverage for our officers and directors as well as insurance coverage to reimburse us for potential costs for indemnification of directors and officers.</font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Part II - </font><font style="font-family:inherit;">2</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4F4F4CAE7C6289986CC34B342F048DE7"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 16. Exhibits </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:84.5703125%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td width="11%"></td><td width="89%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&#160;No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of Amendment, of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;10, filed on May&#160;6, 1999, File No.&#160;000-25985, and Post-Effective Amendment No.&#160;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;10, filed on July&#160;22, 1999, File No.&#160;000-25985, and the Form&#160;10-Q for the period ended June&#160;30, 2000, filed on August&#160;14, 2000, File No.&#160;000-25985)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No.&#160;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;S-1, filed on October&#160;20, 2003, File No.&#160;333-108794)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.3</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;S-3, filed on January&#160;15, 2008, File No.&#160;333-148681)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.4</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for the period ended, June 30, 2011, File No. 001-31911)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.5</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to Form&#160;8-K, filed on September&#160;2, 2008, File No.&#160;001-31911)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Opinion of Marla G. Lacey, Associate General Counsel of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">10.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">23.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Consent of KPMG LLP</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">23.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Consent of Marla G. Lacey (contained in Exhibit&#160;5.1)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 17. Undertakings </font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(A)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(1)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(i)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To include any prospectus required by Section&#160;10(a)(3)&#160;of the Securities Act of 1933;</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(ii)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule&#160;424(b)&#160;if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#8220;Calculation of Registration Fee&#8221; table in the effective registration statement; and</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(iii)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">provided</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">however, </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">that paragraphs (A)(1)(i), (A)(1)(ii)&#160;and (A)(1)(iii)&#160;above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section&#160;13 or Section&#160;15(d)&#160;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule&#160;424(b)&#160;that is part of the registration statement.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Part II - </font><font style="font-family:inherit;">3</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4F4F4CAE7C6289986CC34B342F048DE7"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(2)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">bona fide </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">offering thereof.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(3)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(4)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:96px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(i)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule&#160;424;</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(ii)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(iii)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(iv)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(B)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section&#160;13(a)&#160;or Section&#160;15(d)&#160;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section&#160;15(d)&#160;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;">bona fide </font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">offering thereof.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-bottom:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:48px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:0px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(C)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</font></div></td></tr></table><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Part II - </font><font style="font-family:inherit;">4</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sBF4C73A0C09148C149C14B1BB2C1DA0D"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form&#160;S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of West Des Moines, State of Iowa, on August 23, 2012.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:85.546875%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="49%"></td><td width="8%"></td><td width="43%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">By:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;/s/ John M. Matovina</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Name:</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">John M. 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Hilton</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Robert L. Hilton</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Robert L. Howe</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Robert L. Howe</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ David S. Mulcahy</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">David S. Mulcahy</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sBF4C73A0C09148C149C14B1BB2C1DA0D"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:84.375%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="49%"></td><td width="3%"></td><td width="48%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Gerard D. Neugent</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Gerard D. Neugent</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Debra J. Richardson</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ A.J. Strickland, III</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">A.J. Strickland,&#160;III</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Harley A. Whitfield, Sr.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Harley A. Whitfield, Sr.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:1pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:1pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s30BB7C016366D7C725534EF64D524BE0"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT INDEX </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:85.3515625%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="10%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="89%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&#160;No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of Amendment, of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;10, filed on May&#160;6, 1999, File No.&#160;000-25985, and Post-Effective Amendment No.&#160;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;10, filed on July&#160;22, 1999, File No.&#160;000-25985, and the Form&#160;10-Q for the period ended June&#160;30, 2000, filed on August&#160;14, 2000, File No.&#160;000-25985)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No.&#160;1 to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;S-1, filed on October&#160;20, 2003, File No.&#160;333-108794)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.3</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form&#160;S-3, filed on January&#160;15, 2008, File No.&#160;333-148681)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.4</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q for the period ended, June 30, 2011, File No. 001-31911)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.5</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (incorporated by reference to Form&#160;8-K, filed on September&#160;2, 2008, File No.&#160;001-31911)</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Opinion of Marla G. Lacey, Associate General Counsel of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">10.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">23.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Consent of KPMG LLP</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">23.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Consent of Marla G. Lacey (contained in Exhibit&#160;5.1)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a2012-08x22_aelsx3exhibit51.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 5.1
<TEXT>
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<a name="s28736730FB8A928473FF4AE7A578FBED"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 5.1</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:240px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">August 23, 2012</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6000 Westown Parkway</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">West Des Moines, Iowa 50266</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Re:   &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Registration Statement on Form S-3</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Ladies and Gentlemen:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">I am the Vice President, Associate General Counsel for American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, an Iowa corporation (the &#8220;Company&#8221;), and have participated in the legal review in connection with the preparation and filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Act&#8221;), for the registration of 3,000,000 shares (the &#8220;Shares&#8221;) of the Company's common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the &#8220;Common Stock&#8221;), issuable upon the exercise of up to 3,000,000 stock options (each, an &#8220;Option,&#8221; and collectively, the &#8220;Options&#8221;) to be granted under the Company's 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan (the &#8220;Plan&#8221;) and the issuance of up to 3,000,000 Options under the Plan.  This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Act.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In rendering the opinion set forth herein, I have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of (i) a draft of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to the Plan to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;Commission&#8221;) on the date hereof under the Act (the &#8220;Registration Statement&#8221;); (ii) a specimen certificate representing the Common Stock, (iii) the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as in effect as of the date hereof; (iv)&#160;the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as in effect as of the date hereof; (v) the Plan; and (vi) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Plan and the filing of the Registration Statement.  I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion set forth below.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In my examination, I have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.  In making my examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, I have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties.  As to any facts material to the opinion expressed herein that I did not independently establish or verify, I have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">I have assumed that prior to the issuance of any Shares, the Company and the recipient of an award under the Plan will have duly entered into an applicable award agreement and the issuance of any such Shares will be in accordance with the terms of the Plan.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In addition, I have assumed that the terms of the Options will have been established so as not to, and that the execution and delivery by the Company of, and the performance of its obligations under, any Option Agreement (as defined below) to be entered into in connection with the issuance of Options, will not violate, conflict with or constitute a default under (i) any agreement or instrument to which the Company or its properties is subject, (ii) any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or its properties is subject, (iii) any judicial or regulatory order or decree of any governmental authority or (iv) any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which I have not independently established or verified, I have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others.</font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">1</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s28736730FB8A928473FF4AE7A578FBED"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">My opinions set forth herein are limited to the laws of the state of Iowa that, in my experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Registration Statement and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as &#8220;Opined on Law&#8221;). I do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined on Law or as to the effect of any such non-Opined on Law on the opinions herein stated. The Shares may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that: </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1. </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">With respect to the Options, when (i) the Registration Statement as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Act; (ii) the Board of Directors of the Company, including any appropriate committee appointed thereby, and appropriate officers of the Company have taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Options and related matters; (iii) an option agreement relating to the Options (the &#8220;Option Agreement&#8221;) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (iv) the terms of the Options and of their issuance have been duly established in conformity with the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement so as not to violate the terms of the Plan, any applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, the Options, when issued in accordance with the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement or any other duly authorized, executed and delivered valid and binding agreement, will be duly authorized and validly issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent that enforcement thereof may be limited by (a) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) and (c) public policy considerations which may limit the rights of parties to obtain remedies. </font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;padding-left:96px;text-indent:-48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">2. </font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">With respect to the Shares, when (i) the Registration Statement as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), has become effective under the Act; (ii) certificates representing the Shares to be issued under the Plan in the form of the specimen certificate examined by me have been manually signed by an authorized officer of the transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock and registered by such transfer agent and registrar; and (iii) such certificates have been delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable Option Agreement and the Plan, the issuance and sale of the Shares will have been duly authorized, and the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company's Registration Statement. I also consent to the inclusion of my name under the caption &#8220;Legal Matters&#8221; in the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and I disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes to applicable law. </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:192px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Very truly yours,</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:192px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Marla G. Lacey</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:192px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Marla G. Lacey</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:192px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Associate General Counsel</font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">2</font></div></div>	</body>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>a2012-08x22_aelsx3exhibit1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 10.1
<TEXT>
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<a name="s4C2E7D1C126E81CC0F6F4AE6C63B1DEB"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 10.1</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">2012 INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT STOCK OPTION PLAN</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">WHEREAS</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, the Board of Directors of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) deems it in the best interest of the Company that independent insurance agents (&#8220;Agents&#8221;) who are significant producers for the Company's wholly owned operating subsidiary, American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, be given an opportunity to acquire an interest in the operation and growth of the Company as a means of assuring their maximum effort and continued association with the Company; and</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">WHEREAS</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, the Board believes that the Company can best obtain these and other benefits by granting stock options to Agents designated from time to time, pursuant to this Plan;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">NOW, THEREFORE</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">, the Board does hereby adopt this 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan, effective as of January 1, 2012, with such terms and conditions set forth below.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE I</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">DEFINITIONS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Except where the context otherwise indicates, the following definitions apply:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Agent</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means an individual who has been validly appointed by American Equity as a sales agent for American Equity's products in applicable jurisdictions and who has a valid and existing agent's contract with American Equity in effect and not terminated prior to any grant of Options under this Plan.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Agreement</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means a written agreement granting an Option that is executed by the Company and the Optionee.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.3</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">American Equity</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company, a life insurance company domiciled in the State of Iowa.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.4&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Board</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the Board of Directors of the Company.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;padding-left:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.5&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Code</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.6&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Committee</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the Executive Committee of the Board.</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.7</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Common Stock</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the common stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.8</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Company</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, an Iowa corporation.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.9</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Exercise</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the date on which the Company receives notice of the exercise of an Option and payment of the exercise price in accordance with the terms of Article VII hereof.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.10</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Date of Grant</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the date on which an Option is granted under the Plan.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.11</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Director</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.12</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Disability</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, as determined by the Committee.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.13</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Fair Market Value</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; of a Share as of a particular date means (1)&#160;the closing sale price reported for such Share on the national securities exchange or national market system on which such stock is principally traded as of such date, or (2)&#160;if the Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or national market system, or the value of such Shares is not otherwise determinable, such value as determined by the Committee in good faith in its sole discretion.</font></div></td></tr></table><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">1</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4C2E7D1C126E81CC0F6F4AE6C63B1DEB"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.14</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Option</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means an option to purchase Shares granted under the Plan.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.15</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Option Period</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the period during which an Option may be exercised.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.16</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Option Price</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the price per Share at which an Option may be exercised, provided, however, that the Option Price shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share as of the Date of Grant. The Option Price of any Option shall be subject to adjustment to the extent provided in Article IX hereof, but subject to Section 6.2 hereof.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.17</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Optionee</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means an Agent to whom an Option has been granted under this Plan.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.18</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Plan</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company Independent Insurance Agent Option Plan.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.19</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Share</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221; means a share of Common Stock.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE II</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">PURPOSE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Plan is intended to assist the Company and American Equity in attracting and retaining Agents of outstanding ability and to promote the identification of their interests with those of the stockholders of the Company.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE III</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">ADMINISTRATION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have plenary authority and discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to determine the terms (which terms need not be identical) of all Options including, but not limited to, which Agents shall be granted Options, the time or times at which Options are granted, the Option Price, the number of Shares subject to an Option, any provisions relating to vesting, any circumstances in which Options terminate or Shares may be repurchased by the Company, the period during which Options may be exercised and any other terms, conditions or restrictions on Options. In making these determinations, the Committee may adopt rules from time to time regarding sales production criteria for the granting of Options, and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have plenary authority to construe and interpret the Plan and the Agreements, to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan and to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, any determination to accelerate the vesting or exercisability of outstanding Options. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Article III shall be binding and final.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE IV</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">ELIGIBILITY</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Options may be granted only to Agents who meet the requirements established by the Committee from time to time, including without limitation rules regarding sales production criteria.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE V</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.1&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Number of Shares Reserved</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Article IX hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is 3,000,000 Shares.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.2&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Terminated Options Available for Grant</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  If an Option expires or terminates for any reason without having been fully exercised, the unissued Shares which had been subject to such Option shall become available for the grant of additional Options.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">2</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4C2E7D1C126E81CC0F6F4AE6C63B1DEB"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE VI</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">OPTIONS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6.1&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Option Period</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The Option Period for Options granted to eligible individuals shall be determined by the Committee and specifically set forth in the Agreement; provided, however, that (a) an Option shall not be exercisable after ten years from its Date of Grant; (b) an Option granted to an Agent whose agent's contract with American Equity is terminated for any reason, with or without cause, shall expire upon such termination and shall thereby be forfeited; and (b) in the case of the death or Disability of an Optionee, the Option Period shall expire unless exercised within one (1) year after the date of death or the cessation of service by the Optionee by reason of the Disability.  In the event of the death of the Optionee, his or her Options may be exercised by the Optionee's designated beneficiary.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to extend the ultimate term of the Option beyond the period of time as set out above.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6.2&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">No Reissuance at Reduced Price</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, no Option shall be issued in exchange for or as a reissuance of any outstanding Option or the Option Price for any outstanding Option shall not be changed, if the effect of such exchange or change would be to reduce the Option Price for any outstanding Option, except as necessary to reflect the effect of a stock split, stock dividend or similar event as described in Article IX hereof or a &#8220;Change of Control,&#8221; as hereinafter defined.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE VII</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">EXERCISE OF OPTIONS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">7.1&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Notice of Exercise</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  An Option may, subject to the terms of the applicable Agreement under which it is granted, be exercised in whole or in part by the delivery to the Company of written notice of the exercise, in such form as the Committee may prescribe, accompanied by full payment of the Option Price for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised as provided in Section 7.2 hereof.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">7.2&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Payment of Exercise Price</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  Payment of the aggregate Option Price for the Shares with respect to which an Option is being exercised shall be made in cash; provided, however, that the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide in an Agreement that part or all of such payment may be made by the Optionee in one or more of the following manners:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">a.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">By delivery (including constructive delivery) to the Company of Shares valued at Fair Market Value on Date of Exercise;</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">b.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">By delivery on a form prescribed by the Committee of a properly executed exercise notice and irrevocable instructions to a registered securities broker approved by the Committee to sell Shares together with prompt delivery of cash to the Company.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">7.3&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Minimum Exercise</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  No Option may be exercised for less than one hundred (100) shares or, if fewer, the number of Shares remaining subject to the Option.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">7.4&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Minimum Vesting Period</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  In the absence of a specified vesting schedule established by the Committee and set forth in the applicable agreement evidencing the grant of any options, all options will vest six months after the date of grant.  However, should the agent's contract of any Optionee be terminated for any reason (except to the extent provided in Section 7.5, by reason of death or Disability) with or without cause, prior to the expiration of six months or the vesting schedule established by the Committee, whichever is the later, the Optionee will forfeit all options not fully vested on the effective date of such termination.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">7.5&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Acceleration of Vesting</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  If an Option contains a vesting schedule or has not become totally exercisable as of the date of any of the following events, such vesting schedule shall be accelerated, and/or any other restrictions on exercise shall be removed:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:105px;"><font style="padding-top:13px;text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;padding-right:38px;">(i)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The death of the Optionee;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:105px;"><font style="padding-top:13px;text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;padding-right:38px;">(ii)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Disability of the Optionee;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:48px;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:105px;"><font style="padding-top:13px;text-align:left;font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;padding-right:38px;">(iii)</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">A &#8220;Change of Control&#8221; as hereinafter defined.</font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">3</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4C2E7D1C126E81CC0F6F4AE6C63B1DEB"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">7.6&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Change of Control</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  For purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise defined in an Agreement, a &#8220;Change of Control&#8221; shall be deemed to have occurred on such date if:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(i)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any person, organization or association of persons or organizations acting in concert, excluding affiliates of the Company itself or any benefit plan of the Company or any affiliate thereof, shall acquire more than twenty percent (20%) of the outstanding voting stock of the Company in whole or in part by means of an offer made publicly to the holders of all or substantially all of the outstanding shares of any one or more classes of the voting securities of the Company to acquire such shares for cash, other property or a combination thereof; or</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(ii)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any person, organization or association of persons or organizations acting in concert shall succeed in electing two or more directors in any one election in opposition to those proposed by management; or</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(iii)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Company transfers all or substantially all of its operating properties and assets to another person, organization or association of persons or organizations, excluding affiliates of the Company itself; or</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:13px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:96px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(iv)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Company shall consolidate with or merge into any person, firm, corporation or other entity unless the Company or one of its affiliates shall be the continuing corporation or the successor corporation;</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE VIII</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Options shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. An Option may be exercised during the Optionee's lifetime only by the Optionee or, in the event of his or her legal disability, by his or her legal representative. The Shares acquired pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to such restrictions and agreements regarding sale, assignment, encumbrances, or other transfers or dispositions thereof as are in effect among the stockholders of the Company at the time such Shares are acquired or as the Committee shall deem appropriate or as are required by applicable law.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE IX</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">CAPITAL ADJUSTMENT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In the event of any change in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend, splitup (or reverse stock split), recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization, reincorporation, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation, liquidation or similar change in corporate structure, the Committee shall, in its discretion and to the extent necessary to compensate for the effect thereof, provide for an equitable substitution for or adjustment in (i)&#160;the number and class of Shares subject to outstanding Options, (ii)&#160;the Option Price of outstanding Options, and (iii) the aggregate number and class of Shares that may be issued under the Plan.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE X</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Board may amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan in any respect at any time; provided, however, that no amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall be made by the Board without approval of each affected Optionee if such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination would adversely affect his or her vested rights or obligations under any Option granted prior to the date of such amendment, alteration, suspension or termination or without shareholder approval to the extent such approval is required by applicable law or an exchange, market or other listing requirement.  No Option may be granted nor any Shares issued under the Plan during any suspension or after termination of the Plan.</font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">4</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4C2E7D1C126E81CC0F6F4AE6C63B1DEB"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE XI</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">MODIFICATION; EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF OPTIONS; SUBSTITUTED OPTIONS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee may modify, extend or renew the terms of any outstanding Options, or accept the surrender of outstanding Options granted under the Plan or options granted under any other plan of the Company (to the extent not theretofore exercised) and authorize the granting of new Options in substitution therefor (to the extent not theretofore exercised). Subject to Section 6.2 hereof, any such substituted Options may specify a longer term than the surrendered options, or have any other provisions that are authorized by the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, alter or impair any of the Optionee's rights or obligations under such Option.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE XII</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">TAXES PAYABLE BY AGENT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Any and all taxes and other withholding obligations payable in connection with or relating to the grant or exercise of an Option, and/or the sale of any Shares by Optionee, shall be the sole responsibility of the Optionee.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE XIII</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">TERM OF THE PLAN</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Unless sooner terminated by the Board pursuant to Article X hereof, the Plan shall terminate on February 1, 2016, and no Options may be granted after such date. The termination of the Plan shall not affect the validity of any Option outstanding on the date of termination.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICEL XIV</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">INDEMNIFICATION OF COMMITTEE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as Directors or as members of the Committee, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against the reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therein, to which they or any of them may be a party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, any Agreement or any Option granted hereunder, and against all amounts reasonably paid by them in settlement thereof or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding, if such members acted in good faith and in a manner which they believed to be in, and not opposed to, the best interests of the Company.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ARTICLE XV</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">GENERAL PROVISIONS</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15.1&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">No Other Rights Conferred</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The establishment of the Plan shall not confer upon any Agent any legal or equitable right against the Company or any member of the Committee or the Board, except as expressly provided in the Plan.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15.2&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">No Employment Contract</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The Plan does not constitute inducement or consideration for the services of any Agent, nor is it a contract between the Company or American Equity and any Agent. Participation in the Plan shall not give an Agent any right to be retained under his or her applicable agent's contract with American Equity.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15.3&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Plan Interest Not Subject to Creditor Claims</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The interests of any eligible individual under the Plan are not subject to the claims of creditors and may not, in any way, be assigned, alienated or encumbered except as provided in an Agreement.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15.4&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Applicable Laws</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The Plan shall be governed, construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Iowa.</font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">5</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s4C2E7D1C126E81CC0F6F4AE6C63B1DEB"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15.5&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Representations Regarding Investment Intent; Restrictive Legends</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The Committee may require each person acquiring Shares pursuant to Options hereunder to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the Shares without a view to distribution thereof. The certificates for such Shares may include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer. All certificates for Shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange or interdealer quotation system upon which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted, and any applicable federal or state securities laws. The Committee may place a legend or legends on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions. The certificates for Shares acquired pursuant to an Option may also include any legend which the Committee deems appropriate to reflect restrictions contained in this Plan or in the applicable Agreement or to comply with the Iowa Business Corporation Law.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-top:13px;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">15.6&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-style:italic;text-decoration:underline;">Regulatory Approvals</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  The Company shall not be required to issue any certificate or certificates for Shares upon the exercise of Options, or record any person as a holder of record of such Shares, without obtaining, to the complete satisfaction of the Committee, the approval of all regulatory bodies deemed necessary by the Committee, and without complying to the Committee's complete satisfaction, with all rules and regulations, under federal, state or local law deemed applicable by the Committee and all applicable listing or exchange requirements.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;">6</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sD88254F8B21A88328F5C4E9D6BF41402"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(&#8220;AEL&#8221;)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">2012 INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT STOCK OPTION PLAN</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Rules for Option Grants - 2012 Annuity Production</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Qualification Period: </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">RULES:</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">Plan</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">:&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;AEL has adopted a 2012 Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plan (the &#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Plan</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221;) under which independent sales agents of American Equity Investment Life Insurance Company (&#8220;</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">American Equity</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#8221;) may become eligible to receive grants of options to acquire shares of the Common Stock of AEL. All capitalized terms used in these Rules but not defined in this document shall have the meaning specified in the Plan.  All provisions of these rules are subject to and governed by the Plan, and in the event of any conflict between the provisions of these rules and those of the Plan, the Plan will control.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">2.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;">2012 Production Requirements for Option Grants</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">:</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:144px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Subject to all terms and conditions of these Rules and the Plan, Options may be granted to Agents in accordance with the following tables:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:144px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:68.75%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td width="67%"></td><td width="33%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Net Paid Annuity Production</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Basic Grant Eligibility</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$1,000,000</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">250 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Each $100,000 over $1,000,000</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">50 options</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:144px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;</font><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:68.75%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="2"></td></tr><tr><td width="67%"></td><td width="33%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Net Paid Annuity Production</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Bonus Grant Eligibility</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$2,000,000 - $2,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">100 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$3,000,000 - $3,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">200 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$4,000,000 - $4,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">300 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$5,000,000 - $5,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1,500 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$6,000,000 - $6,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1,600 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$7,000,000 - $7,499,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">1,700 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$7,500,000 - $7,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3,200 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$8,000,000 - $8,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3,300 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$9,000,000 - $9,999,999</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3,400 options</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$10,000,000 +</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-left:1px solid #000000;border-right:1px solid #000000;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5,000 options</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:144px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Net Paid Annuity Production</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;shall include all first year premium received during the Qualification Period in connection with any annuity offered and sold by American Equity; provided that, (i) within the Qualification Period all documentation required to issue any such annuity shall have been completed and submitted in form and content satisfactory to American Equity in its sole discretion; (ii) internal roll-over premium shall be excluded; and (iii) any premium refunded to a policyholder by American Equity for any reason in its sole discretion shall be excluded.</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:144px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">3.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Conditions</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">:</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:192px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:144px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">a.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Agents who are eligible to receive Options must each sign an Option Agreement in form and content approved by AEL.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:192px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:144px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">b.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Taxes on the exercise of any Option or the sale of Shares acquired upon the exercise of any Option or otherwise relating to any Option are the sole responsibility of the Agent.</font></div></td></tr></table><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">A-</font><font style="font-family:inherit;">1</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="sD88254F8B21A88328F5C4E9D6BF41402"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:144px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">c.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;No Option is transferable.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:16px;padding-top:16px;text-align:left;padding-left:144px;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">d.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;AEL has no obligation to facilitate the payment of the exercise price by the Agent.</font></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:192px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:144px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">e.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">To be eligible to receive any Option grant the Agent must have a valid and existing contract with American Equity and be in good standing with American Equity throughout the Qualification Period and any applicable vesting period.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Right of Set-Off</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  AEL reserves the right to apply all or any part of any Shares to satisfy any indebtedness of the Agent to American Equity. Such indebtedness shall include any debit balance, outstanding loan, indemnification obligation, or any other debt or charge of any kind owed by the producer to American Equity whenever and however such debt or charge is or was created.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Interpretation</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  AEL shall have the sole right to interpret and administer these Rules, and all such interpretations and actions shall be binding and conclusive on the Agents.</font></div></td></tr></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="padding-top:16px;padding-bottom:16px;font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt;"><tr><td style="width:96px;"></td><td></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;padding-left:48px;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">6.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;"><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Agents Contracts</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">.  All terms and conditions of each Agent's contract with American Equity are incorporated by reference in these Rules, including without limitation the requirement for arbitration of any disputes concerning the interpretation or administration of these Rules.</font></div></td></tr></table><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">A-</font><font style="font-family:inherit;">2</font></div></div>	</body>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>a2012-08x22_aelsx3exhibit2.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1
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		<title>2012-08-22_AEL S-3 Exhibit 23.1</title>
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<a name="s0AA5B7B2FB5EBAE573F14AE838F8805B"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;padding-top:13px;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 23.1</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:32px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:24px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The Board of Directors</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:24px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company:</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:13px;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">We consent to the use of our report dated February 29, 2012, with respect to the consolidated financial statements, and all related financial statement schedules, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading &#8220;Experts&#8221; in the prospectus.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:10px;text-align:center;font-size:9pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:10px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ KPMG LLP</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:40px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Des Moines, Iowa</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-bottom:40px;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">August 22, 2012</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div style="text-align:center;"><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></div>	</body>
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