Interest crediting rate, range for fixed index annuities

No definition available.

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- Definition

Investment maturity period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Represents the percentage of total production of National Marketing Organizations whose individual production was in excess of 10%.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of organizations whose production exceeded 10% of total company production during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of days past due for loans to be placed on non-accrual status.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of states in which the entity is licensed to sell insurance products.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Provision for annual experience refunds of permiums equal to net premiums less a 16% administrative fee and less claims incurred.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ProvisionForAnnualExperienceRefundsOfPremiums
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Reserve interest assumptions, range

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ReserveInterestAssumptionsRange
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Data Type:	na
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- Details

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Balance Type:
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- Details

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Balance Type:
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- Details

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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 NMOs states	Dec. 31, 2013 NMOs	Dec. 31, 2012 NMOs
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of states in which entity is licensed to sell insurance products	50
Number of days past due, non-accrual status	90 days
Provision for annual experience refunds of premiums	$ 1.7	$ 1.1	$ 1.1
Statement [Line Items]
National marketing organizations, number of organizations accounting for more than 10% of annuity deposits and insurance premium collections	2	1	3
Minimum [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Interest crediting rate, range for fixed index annuities	1.20%	1.20%	1.20%
Reserve interest assumptions, range	3.00%
Maximum [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Interest crediting rate, range for fixed index annuities	4.50%	4.50%	4.50%
Reserve interest assumptions, range	5.50%
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investment maturity period (less than)	3 months
Repurchase Agreements [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Investment maturity period (less than)	42 days
National Marketing Organization, Greater than 10%, NMO 1 [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
National marketing organizations, percent of annuity deposits and insurance premiums collected individually	10.00%	11.00%	12.00%
National Marketing Organization, Greater than 10%, NMO 2 [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
National marketing organizations, percent of annuity deposits and insurance premiums collected individually	10.00%		11.00%
National Marketing Organization, Greater than 10%, NMO 3 [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
National marketing organizations, percent of annuity deposits and insurance premiums collected individually			10.00%