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Derivative Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	$ 731,113us-gaap_DerivativeAssets	$ 856,050us-gaap_DerivativeAssets
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	764,182us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	969,906us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Derivative liabilities	5,607,588us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	4,513,204us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Call Options [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	731,113us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CallOptionMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	856,050us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_CallOptionMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	30,291us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_OptionOnSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	107,041us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_OptionOnSecuritiesMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Interest Rate Caps [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	2,778us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	6,103us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets	0us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	712us-gaap_DerivativeAssets / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Derivative liabilities	2,644us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	0us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	5,574,653us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = ael_FixedIndexAnnuityEmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	4,406,163us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = ael_FixedIndexAnnuityEmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liabilities	$ 30,291us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = ael_A2015NotesEmbeddedConversionDerivativeMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember	$ 107,041us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities / us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis = ael_A2015NotesEmbeddedConversionDerivativeMember / us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis = us-gaap_NondesignatedMember

X

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13495-108611



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226008-175313

+ Details

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X

- Definition

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41228-113958



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13495-108611



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34720828&loc=SL20225862-175312



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6945355&loc=d3e41271-113958



Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36459792&loc=SL20226008-175313

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