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Subordinated Debentures Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
American Equity Capital Trust I [Member] |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Trust Preferred Securities, Conversions, Principal Amount | $ 20.6 |  |
Trust Preferred Securities, Conversions, Mandatory Redemption | 688,327 |  |
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues, Mandatory Redemption | 2,549,333 |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  | 8.00% |
Trust Preferred Securities, Conversions | 4,000 |  | 2,010
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 14,814 |  | 7,444
Payments to Acquire Trust Preferred Investments |  | 38,001 |
Payments to Acquire Trust Preferred Investments | 1.1 |  |
Trust Preferred Securities, Remaining Shares to be Settled in Cash | 6,000 |  |
Trust Preferred Securities, Cash Payments to Settle Remaining Shares | 0.2 |  |
American Equity Capital Trust II [Member] |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage |  | 5.00% |
Subordinated Debt, Principal Amount | 100.0 |  |
Subordinated Debt, Fair Value at Issuance | $ 74.7 |  |
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage | 6.80% |  |
Ownership Percentage, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation | 50.00% |  |

X
- Definition Item represents the percentage ownership of voting capital stock held by Iowa Farm Bureau Federation of FBL Financial Group, Inc. (parent of EquiTrust). The trust preferred securities issued by American Equity Capital Trust II were issued to Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Number of new stock issued during the period as a result of our mandatory redemption of American Equity Capital Trust I. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Item represents the fair value of subordinated debentures issued by American Equity Capital Trust II at issuance and is based upon the effective yield-to-maturity of 6.8%. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The stated principal amount of subordinated debt at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the cash payments necessary to settle the remaining shares of trust preferred securities that were redeemed during the year. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Item represents the number of trust preferred securities issued by American Equity Capital Trust I that were converted into shares of common stock. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Item represents the number of trust preferred securities issued by American Equity Capital Trust I that were converted into shares of common stock as a result of a mandatory redemtion. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the outstanding principal amount of trust preferred securities redeemed and converted into common stock. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the remaining shares that have been redeemed but remain outstanding and will be settled in cash. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the number of trust preferred securities redeemed during the year that were settled in cash. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow for the purchase of trust preferred securities, which possess characteristics of both equity and debt securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 24 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3521-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 26 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3574-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 26, 31 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Number of new stock issued during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644 + Details
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