XML 55 R29.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Level 3 Assets) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |
Beginning balance | $ 1,541 | $ 2,005 | $ 1,812 | $ 2,098
Principal returned | (148) | (101) | (709) | (194)
Accretion of discount | (18) | 13 | 116 | 60
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized): included in other comprehensive income (loss) | (61) | 28 | 95 | 211
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized): included in operations | 0 | (73) | 0 | (303)
Ending balance | $ 1,314 | $ 1,872 | $ 1,314 | $ 1,872

X
- Definition Represents the (amortization)/accretion of premium/discount that have taken palce during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationAmortizationOrAccretionOfPremiumOrDiscountOnLevel3Assets
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationCalculationRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) recognized in earnings, arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInEarnings1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income, arising from assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (level 3). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetGainLossIncludedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Settlements that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSettlements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32 -Subparagraph c -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
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant