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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2013
Premiums and other considerations | $ 9,123 | $ 11,551 | $ 16,454 | $ 24,635
Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits | 10,987 | 13,768 | 21,082 | 28,528
Interest sensitive and index product benefits | 367,774 | 333,001 | 684,966 | 556,171
Restatement Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |
Premiums and other considerations |  | 8,600 |  | 19,000
Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits |  | 11,600 |  | 24,700
Interest sensitive and index product benefits |  | $ (3,000) |  | $ (5,700)

X
- Definition This element includes index credits on fixed index policies, interest allocated to policies that provide a guaranteed yield, and living income benefit rider credits to policies that the policyholder has elected to add to those policies. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount, after effects of policies assumed or ceded, of expense related to the provision for policy benefits and costs incurred. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 5 -Article 7 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6480758&loc=d3e6811-158387 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount, after premiums ceded to other entities and premiums assumed by the entity, of premiums earned. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 17 -Article 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 235 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.12-17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6588446&loc=d3e574992-122915 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 1 -Article 7 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 605 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6486672&loc=d3e27261-158547 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PremiumsEarnedNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration