Number of days past due for loans to be considered delinquent.

No definition available.

Name:	ael_DelinquentLoanStatusNumberofDays
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of portfolio segments which make up financing receivables.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_FinancingReceivableNumberofPortfolioSegments
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Circumstances in which borrowers pay a protion of their loan payment into an escrow account that can be used for capital and tenant improvements of a period not more than 12 months.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ImpairedMortgageLoansWorkoutTermsCashFlowSweepNumberofMonths
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Loan workout terms in which a borrower makes interest only payments on the commerical mortgage loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ImpairedMortgageLoansWorkoutTermsInterestOnlyPaymentsSixMonthTerms
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Loan workout terms in which a borrower makes interest only payments on the commerical mortgage loan.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ImpairedMortgageLoansWorkoutTermsInterestOnlyPaymentsTwelveMonthTerms
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of loans that were satisfied by taking ownership of the underlying collateral during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNumberOfLoansSatisfiedByForeclosure
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of days past due for loans to be placed on non-accrual status.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_NonAccrualStatusNumberofDays
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Recorded investment in financing receivables that are on nonaccrual status as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph (d)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7512638&loc=d3e5111-111524

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentNonaccrualStatus
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The undisbursed portion of the commercial loan receivable balance (loans in process) which is deducted separately from total loans.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher OTS

-Name Federal Regulation (FR)

-Number Title 12

-Section 563c.102

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph g

-Chapter V

-Subsection I

-LegacyDoc This is a non-GAAP reference that was included in the 2009 taxonomy. It will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableCommercialLoansInProcess
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

- Definition

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 60

-Paragraph 47

-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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph c

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013 loans	Sep. 30, 2012 loans	Sep. 30, 2013 loans	Sep. 30, 2012 loans	Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate	$ 2,593,851,000		$ 2,593,851,000		$ 2,623,940,000
Commitments outstanding	81,200,000		81,200,000
Number of portfolio segments that make up financing receivables	1		1
Number of days past due, delinquent status			60 days
Number of days past due, non-accrual status			90 days
Impaired mortgage loans, workout terms, interest only payments, six month terms			6 months
Impaired mortgage loans, workout terms, interest only payments, twelve month terms			12 months
Impaired mortgage loans, workout terms, cash flow sweep, number of months			12 months
Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Abstract]
Mortgage loans on real estate	2,593,851,000		2,593,851,000		2,623,940,000
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Number of mortgage loans satisfied by foreclosure	3	2	4	8
Outstanding principal of loans in a non-accrual status	$ 6,000,000		$ 6,000,000		$ 34,700,000