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Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (Stock Option Plans) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Options outstanding, intrinsic value $ 57.3us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingIntrinsicValue    
Options vested and expected to vest, intrinsic value 50.0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsVestedAndExpectedToVestExercisableAggregateIntrinsicValue    
Proceeds from stock options exercised 13.7us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised 31.8us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised 5.7us-gaap_ProceedsFromStockOptionsExercised
Tax benefit from stock options exercised 1.0us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised 1.0us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised 0.1us-gaap_DeferredTaxExpenseFromStockOptionsExercised
Stock Option Plans, 1996 Stock Option Plan, 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan, 2000 Directors Stock Option Plan, 2011 Directors Stock Option Plan [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Number of shares authorized 3,475,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlans1996StockOptionPlan2000EmployeeStockOptionPlan2000DirectorsStockOptionPlan2011DirectorsStockOptionPlanMember
   
Duration of award 10 years    
Stock Option Plans, 1996 Stock Option Plan, 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan, 2000 Directors Stock Option [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Award vesting period 6 months    
Stock Option Plans, 2011 Director Stock Option Plan [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Award vesting period 3 years    
Number of shares available for future grant 18,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlans2011DirectorsStockOptionPlanMember
   
Stock Option Plans, Independent Insurance Agent Stock Option Plans [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Number of shares authorized 8,000,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansIndependentInsuranceAgentStockOptionPlansMember
   
Duration of award 7 years    
Award vesting period 6 months    
Options, grants in period, net of forfeitures   1,284,950us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansIndependentInsuranceAgentStockOptionPlansMember
1,125,100us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansIndependentInsuranceAgentStockOptionPlansMember
Commission expense   8.1us-gaap_IssuanceOfStockAndWarrantsForServicesOrClaims
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansIndependentInsuranceAgentStockOptionPlansMember
3.9us-gaap_IssuanceOfStockAndWarrantsForServicesOrClaims
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansIndependentInsuranceAgentStockOptionPlansMember
Stock Option Plans, All Stock Option Plans For Officers, Directors And Employees [Member]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Options exercised in period, total intrinsic value $ 5.4us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansAllStockOptionPlansForOfficersDirectorsAndEmployeesMember
$ 10.4us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansAllStockOptionPlansForOfficersDirectorsAndEmployeesMember
$ 0.9us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodTotalIntrinsicValue
/ us-gaap_PlanNameAxis
= ael_StockOptionPlansAllStockOptionPlansForOfficersDirectorsAndEmployeesMember