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Investments (Non-Income Producing Investments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-income producing investments	$ 879ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments	$ 3,531ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-income producing investments	11ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember	20ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-income producing investments	0ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember	3,511ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember
Real Estate Owned [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Non-income producing investments	$ 868ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember	$ 0ael_NonIncomeProducingInvestments / invest_InvestmentAxis = us-gaap_RealEstateMember

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- Definition

Represents the carrying value of investments that were non-income producing as of the reporting date.

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No definition available.

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