XML 19 R33.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Investments (Net Unrealized Gains on Available for Sale Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities Reported as a Separate Component of Stockholders' Equity) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
--- | --- | ---
Investments [Abstract] |  |
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities | $ 1,060,110 | $ 82,992
Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements | (583,340) | (46,588)
Deferred income tax valuation allowance reversal | 22,534 | 22,534
Deferred income tax benefit | (166,869) | (12,742)
Net unrealized gains reported as accumulated other comprehensive income | $ 332,435 | $ 46,196

X
- Definition Accumulated unrealized gain or loss before tax on available for sale securities at the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The tax effect on the accumulated unrealized gain or loss on the total available for sale security portfolio at the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeOrLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount included in other comprehensive incoem attributable to the adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements due to net unrealized gains and losses on available for sale fixed maturity and equity securities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeAdjustmentsForAssumedChangesInAmortizationOfDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAndDeferredSalesInducements
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of reversal recorded to eliminate the deferred tax asset valuation allowance that represents a component of net unrealized gain/loss in other comprehensive income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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