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Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Mortgage Loans by Credit Quality Indicator) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Abstract]
Performing	$ 2,451,760ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePerforming	$ 2,593,276ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePerforming
In workout	0ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInWorkout	6,248ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateInWorkout
Delinquent	0us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePrincipalAmountOfDelinquentLoans	0us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstatePrincipalAmountOfDelinquentLoans
Collateral dependent	5,961ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent	8,174ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent
Principal outstanding	$ 2,457,721us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate	$ 2,607,698us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate	$ 2,658,883us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate

X

- Definition

Mortgage loans on real estate at the reporting date that are not performing and will probably be satisfied by taking ownership of the real estate serving as collateral.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Mortgage loans that are in a workout period at the end of the reporting period. Workouts are payment periods that are not in compliance with original loan agreement, such as interest only periods, no debt service payment periods, or escrowing principal portion of payments to be used for capital improvements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Mortgage loans that are in compliance with contractual terms at end of period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Amount before allowance of commercial loans issued to businesses to acquire, develop, construct, improve, or refinance land or building. Includes deferred interest and fees, undisbursed portion of loan balance, unamortized costs and premiums and discounts from face amounts. Excludes loans covered under loss sharing agreements.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35738203&loc=d3e5066-111524



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph a

-Article 9



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.7(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

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- Definition

Amount of principal due on loans that have been delinquent, which may exclude loans having interest delinquent for three months or less, as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-04.(c) Schedule IV)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27047687&loc=d3e5864-122674



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 29

-Article 12



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph c

-Subparagraph Schedule IV

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 948

-SubTopic 310

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-29.10(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6589523&loc=d3e617274-123014

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