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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative and Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Sep. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]          
2015   $ 2,323,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueCurrent      
2016   1,718,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInTwoYears      
2017   1,473,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInThreeYears      
2018   1,398,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFourYears      
2019   1,377,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueInFiveYears      
2020 and thereafter   10,102,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDueThereafter      
Rent expense   2,500,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 2,300,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense 2,000,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense  
Aggregate future minimum lease payments due   18,400,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesFutureMinimumPaymentsDue      
Estimated litigation liability   11,100,000us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue 21,200,000us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue   17,500,000us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Change in estimated litigation liability (2,300,000)us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease        
Legal fees paid 7,800,000us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePayments        
Unfunded commitments to limited partnerships   30,600,000ael_UnfundedCommitmentsToPrivateEquityLimitedPartnerships      
Unfunded commitments to secured bank loans   $ 5,700,000ael_UnfundedCommitmentsToSecuredBankLoans