XML 64 R62.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8

Notes Payable (Repurchase Agreements Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Repurchase agreement, maximum amount borrowed		$ 258,600,000	$ 0
Repurchase agreement, average borrowings	$ 131,500,000	$ 47,500,000
Repurchase agreement, weighted average interest rate	0.17%	0.18%

X

- Definition

The average amount borrowed during the reporting period on repurchase agreements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The average rate of interest paid on the amount borrowed on securities repurchase agreements during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The maximum amount borrowed on repurchase agreements during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

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