XML 86 R108.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (Changes in the Number of Stock Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Outstanding, number of shares | 3,976,725 | 5,732,450 | 4,844,850 | 4,120,850
Outstanding, weighted-average exercise price per share | $ 10.86 | $ 10.35 | $ 10.13 | $ 8.78
Outstanding, total exercise price | $ 43,171 | $ 59,321 | $ 49,097 | $ 36,187
Granted, number of shares | 1,210,950 | 1,558,900 | 1,486,850 |
Granted, weighted-average exercise price per share | $ 13.13 | $ 10.40 | $ 12.99 |
Granted, total exercise price | 15,899 | 16,216 | 19,309 |
Canceled, number of shares | (29,400) | (28,050) | (177,500) |
Canceled, weighted-average exercise price per share | $ 9.96 | $ 8.97 | $ 9.66 |
Canceled, total exercise price | (293) | (251) | (1,714) |
Exercised, number of shares | (2,937,275) | (643,250) | (585,350) |
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price per share | $ 10.81 | $ 8.93 | $ 8.00 |
Exercised, total exercise price | $ (31,756) | $ (5,741) | $ (4,685) |

X
- Definition Total exercise price attributable to options exercised in the period based upon the number of options exercised and their weighted average exercise price. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisedInPeriodTotalExercisePirice
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total exercise price attributable to options forfeited in the period based upon the number of options forfeited and their weighted average exercise price. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodTotalExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total exercise price attributable to options granted in the period based upon the number of options granted and their weighted average exercise price. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodTotalExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total exercise prices of options outstanding based upon the weighted average excercise prices and number of options. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingTotalExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The number of shares under options that were cancelled during the reporting period as a result of occurrence of a terminating event specified in contractual agreements pertaining to the stock option plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Gross number of share options (or share units) granted during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested options. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)-(ii) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Weighted average price at which grantees can acquire the shares reserved for issuance under the stock option plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Weighted average price at which option holders acquired shares when converting their stock options into shares. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Weighted average price at which grantees could have acquired the underlying shares with respect to stock options that were terminated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Weighted average per share amount at which grantees can acquire shares of common stock by exercise of options. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 2: 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 Reference 3: 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=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.28,29) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(1)(iv)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration