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Notes Payable (2015 Notes Narrative) (Details) (September 2015 Notes [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
September 2015 Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of debt, amount	$ 46.5
Extinguishment of debt, cash paid	52.9
Extinguishment of debt, cash paid for shares of common stock	33.1
Extinguishment of debt, shares issued	1,496,664
Extinguishment of debt, carrying value at extinguishment	43.8
Extinguishment of debt, loss, net of tax	$ (5.4)

X

- Definition

Extinguishment of debt, carrying value at extinguishment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The amount of cash paid to extinguish outstanding debt that has not reached its maturity date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Extinguishment Of Debt, Cash Paid For Shares Of Common Stock

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The number of shares issued to extinguish outstanding debt that has not reached its maturity date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ExtinguishmentOfDebtSharesIssued
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Gross amount of debt extinguished.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of the extinguished debt recognized currently as a component of income in the period of extinguishment, net of tax.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12317-112629



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6401765&loc=d3e13305-112630

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Balance Type:	credit
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