XML 37 R31.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6

Investments Schedule of Credit Quality of Fixed Maturity Security Portfolio by NAIC Designation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013 Fair Value, Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Fair Value, Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Amortized Cost Basis [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Amortized Cost Basis [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Percentage of Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities, at Fair Value	98.00%
NAIC 1 Designation		$ 16,121,041	$ 15,250,560	$ 14,659,495	$ 13,737,381
NAIC 2 Designation		9,087,432	8,533,121	8,457,623	7,838,186
NAIC 3 Designation		408,178	387,222	419,163	398,294
NAIC 4 Designation		53,006	56,151	50,789	53,879
NAIC 5 Designation		0	0	0	0
NAIC 6 Designation		1,734	6,603	2,238	5,375
Fixed Maturity Securities		$ 25,671,391	$ 24,233,657	$ 23,589,308	$ 22,033,115

X

- Definition

Investment securities with a single maturity date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_FixedMaturitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities from Class 1 (highest quaility) to class 6 (lowest quality). These securities represent Class 1.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_Naic1Designation
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities from Class 1 (highest quaility) to class 6 (lowest quality). These securities represent Class 2.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_Naic2Designation
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities from Class 1 (highest quaility) to class 6 (lowest quality). These securities represent Class 3.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_Naic3Designation
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities from Class 1 (highest quaility) to class 6 (lowest quality). These securities represent Class 4.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_Naic4Designation
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities from Class 1 (highest quaility) to class 6 (lowest quality). These securities represent Class 5.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_Naic5Designation
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) assigns designations to fixed maturity securities from Class 1 (highest quaility) to class 6 (lowest quality). These securities represent Class 6.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_Naic6Designation
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Represents the percentage of fixed income securities at fair value rated investment grade (NAIC 1 or 2) compared to the entire fixed income security portfolio at fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentHoldingsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration