XML 19 R121.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Premiums and product charges	$ 42,639ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 38,001ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 38,370ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 32,603ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 42,986ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 36,325ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 35,062ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet	$ 34,565ael_PolicyChargesInsuranceAndPremiumsEarnedNet
Net investment income	403,849us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	386,931us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	370,882us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	370,005us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	363,947us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	354,147us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	336,143us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	329,690us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	1,531,667us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	1,383,927us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome	1,286,923us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome
Change in fair value of derivatives	146,231us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	39,218us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	270,883us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	48,493us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	444,985us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	193,028us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	64,040us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	373,962us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	504,825us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	1,076,015us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet	221,138us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses	2,131us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	(3,190)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	(2,230)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	(714)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	16,364us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	(2,077)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	15,689us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	10,585us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	(4,003)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	40,561us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments	(6,454)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments
Net OTTI losses recognized in operations	(564)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(564)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(594)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(905)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	0us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(222)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(2,775)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(3,237)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(2,627)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(6,234)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet	(14,932)us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(1,951)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(6,574)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(3,977)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(30,988)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(938)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(589)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(12,502)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	(32,515)us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt	0us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Total revenues	592,335us-gaap_Revenues	460,396us-gaap_Revenues	670,737us-gaap_Revenues	445,505us-gaap_Revenues	837,294us-gaap_Revenues	580,263us-gaap_Revenues	447,570us-gaap_Revenues	745,565us-gaap_Revenues	2,168,973us-gaap_Revenues	2,610,692us-gaap_Revenues	1,652,356us-gaap_Revenues
Net income (loss)	$ 31,217us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 67,815us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 36,744us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ (9,753)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 50,958us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 56,181us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 120,113us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 26,031us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 126,023us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 253,283us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	$ 57,798us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Earnings (loss) per common share	$ 0.41us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.90us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.49us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ (0.13)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.73us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.86us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.87us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.41us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 1.69us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 3.86us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic	$ 0.94us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Earnings (loss) per common share—assuming dilution	$ 0.39us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.85us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.46us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ (0.13)us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.64us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.75us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.71us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.38us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 1.58us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 3.38us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted	$ 0.89us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted

X

- Definition

Item represents a combination of insurance policy charges and premiums earned, net. Policy charges represent an amount that an insurer adds to a policy's premium, or deducts from a policy's cash value or contract holder's account, as compensation for services rendered; may include fees. Premiums earned, net, represents premiums earned on the income statement for all insurance and reinsurance contracts after subtracting any amounts ceded to another insurer and adding premiums assumed from other insurers.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5618551-113959



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=32703322&loc=d3e4984-109258



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



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 210.9-04.23)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882



Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 18

-Article 7



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5



Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 21

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EarningsPerShareBasic
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 18

-Article 7



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 21

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EarningsPerShareDiluted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph ((b)(7))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585



Reference 2: 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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 50

-Section 40

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6850294&loc=d3e12355-112629

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5



Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Amount, after investment expense, of income earned from investments in securities and real estate. Includes, but is not limited to, real estate investment, policy loans, dividends, and interest. Excludes realized gain (loss) on investments.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 16

-Article 12



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 2

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NetInvestmentIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8B

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=SL6284393-111563

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration