XML 49 R67.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Investments (Significant Assumptions Used to Determine the Credit Loss Component of Other Than Temporary Impariment on Residential Mortgage Backed Securities) (Details) (Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member])
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2003 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   5.10%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2003Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Default rate   2.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2003Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Loss severity   30.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= ael_VintageYear2003Member
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2003 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   5.10%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2003Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Default rate   2.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2003Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Loss severity   30.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2003Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2005 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 7.50%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
6.50%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Default rate 15.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
8.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Loss severity 50.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
50.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2005 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 7.50%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
7.70%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Default rate 15.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
18.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Loss severity 50.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
65.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2005Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2006 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 6.50%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
5.80%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Default rate 11.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
9.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Loss severity 40.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
= ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
45.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2006 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 7.40%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
6.90%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Default rate 15.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
16.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
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Loss severity 50.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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50.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= ael_VintageYear2006Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2007 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 7.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
6.20%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Default rate 14.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
11.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Loss severity 55.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
40.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
/ invest_InvestmentSectorAxis
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2007 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 7.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
6.70%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Default rate 14.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
25.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Loss severity 55.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
60.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2007Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2008 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   6.60%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2008Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Default rate   16.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2008Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Loss severity   45.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2008Member
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2008 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   6.60%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2008Member
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Default rate   16.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2008Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Loss severity   45.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2008Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2009 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   6.80%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
= ael_VintageYear2009Member
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= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Default rate   17.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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Loss severity   60.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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Prime Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2009 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   6.80%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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Default rate   17.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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Loss severity   60.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Alt-A Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2005 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 5.60%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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5.60%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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Default rate 87.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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13.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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Loss severity 2.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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2.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
Alt-A Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2005 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate 6.40%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
/ us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis
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8.70%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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Default rate 91.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= us-gaap_MaximumMember
81.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
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= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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Loss severity 2.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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= ael_VintageYear2005Member
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/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
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65.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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Alt-A Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2007 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   6.20%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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Default rate   38.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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Loss severity   60.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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Alt-A Sector [Member] | Vintage Year 2007 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
   
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]    
Discount rate   6.90%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDiscountRate
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Default rate   52.00%us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAvailableforsaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresDefaultRate
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Loss severity   65.00%ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetQualitativeDisclosuresLossSeverity
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