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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Conversion of subordinated debentures	$ 0ael_ValueOfSubordinatedDebenturesConvertedDuringPeriod	$ 0ael_ValueOfSubordinatedDebenturesConvertedDuringPeriod	$ 20,770ael_ValueOfSubordinatedDebenturesConvertedDuringPeriod
Shares of common stock allocated by ESOP, including excess income tax benefits	58,618us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockOwnershipPlan	181,181us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockOwnershipPlan	96,294us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesEmployeeStockOwnershipPlan
Shares of common stock issued under compensation plans, including excess income tax benefits	1,567,607us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	3,294,995us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation	1,349,914us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensation
Shares of common stock issued upon extinguishment of convertible senior notes	3,959,396us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1	5,489,808us-gaap_DebtConversionConvertedInstrumentSharesIssued1
Dividends on common stock (per share amount)	$ 0.20us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	$ 0.18us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared	$ 0.15us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclared

X

- Definition

The carrying value of the subordinated debentures that were converted into common stock of the issuing company.

+ References

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	credit
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X

- Definition

Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

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X

- Definition

The number of shares issued in exchange for the original debt being converted in a noncash (or part noncash) transaction. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or payments in the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586



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

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

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- Definition

Number of shares of capital stock issued (purchased by employees) in connection with an employee stock ownership plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 40

-Section 25

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6418455&loc=d3e16649-113920

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- Definition

Number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of any shares forfeited. Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 29, 30

-Article 5

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