Reinsurance and Policy Provisions (Amounts Ceded to Equitrust and Athene, Impact on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Annuity product charges	$ 118,990us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees	$ 103,591us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees	$ 89,006us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees
Change in fair value of derivatives	504,825	1,076,015	221,138
Interest sensitive and index product benefits	1,473,700	1,272,867	808,479
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	32,321	133,968	286,899
Other operating costs and expenses	81,584us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	91,915us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating	95,495us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Coinsurance deposits	109,184	25,729	4,885
Coinsurance Agreements, EquiTrust and Athene [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Annuity product charges	5,956	6,551	6,796
Change in fair value of derivatives	31,076	60,876	17,106
Coinsurance, revenues included in consolidated statement of operations	37,032	67,427	23,902
Interest sensitive and index product benefits	122,666	117,934	94,113
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives	35,820	2,898	9,373
Other operating costs and expenses	9,241	9,926	9,333
Coinsurance, benefits and expenses included in the consolidated statement of operations	167,727	130,758	112,819
Annuity deposits	(171,124)	(182,616)	(203,552)
Cash payments to policyholders	280,308	208,345	208,437
Coinsurance deposits	$ 109,184	$ 25,729	$ 4,885

Reinsurance and Policy Provisions (Amounts Ceded to Equitrust and Athene, Impact on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]

Annuity product charges

$ 118,990us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees

$ 103,591us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees

$ 89,006us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees

Change in fair value of derivatives

504,825us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet

1,076,015us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet

221,138us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet

Interest sensitive and index product benefits

1,473,700ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits

1,272,867ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits

808,479ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits

Change in fair value of embedded derivatives

32,321us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet

133,968us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet

286,899us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet

Other operating costs and expenses

81,584us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating

91,915us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating

95,495us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating

Coinsurance deposits

109,184ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits

25,729ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits

4,885ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits

Coinsurance Agreements, EquiTrust and Athene [Member]

Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]

Annuity product charges

5,956us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

6,551us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

6,796us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Change in fair value of derivatives

31,076us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

60,876us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

17,106us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Coinsurance, revenues included in consolidated statement of operations

37,032ael_CoinsuranceRevenuesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

67,427ael_CoinsuranceRevenuesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

23,902ael_CoinsuranceRevenuesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Interest sensitive and index product benefits

122,666ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

117,934ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

94,113ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Change in fair value of embedded derivatives

35,820us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

2,898us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

9,373us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Other operating costs and expenses

9,241us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

9,926us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

9,333us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Coinsurance, benefits and expenses included in the consolidated statement of operations

167,727ael_CoinsuranceBenefitsAndExpensesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

130,758ael_CoinsuranceBenefitsAndExpensesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

112,819ael_CoinsuranceBenefitsAndExpensesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Annuity deposits

(171,124)ael_AnnuityDepositsCoinsurance
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

(182,616)ael_AnnuityDepositsCoinsurance
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

(203,552)ael_AnnuityDepositsCoinsurance
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Cash payments to policyholders

280,308ael_ReinsuredPolicyPaymentsToPolicyholders
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

208,345ael_ReinsuredPolicyPaymentsToPolicyholders
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

208,437ael_ReinsuredPolicyPaymentsToPolicyholders
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

Coinsurance deposits

$ 109,184ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

$ 25,729ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

$ 4,885ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits
/ ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsAxis
= ael_CoinsuranceAgreementsEquitrustLifeInsuranceCompanyAndAtheneLifeReLtdCompanyMember

- Definition

Item represents annuity deposits received under coinsurance agreements during the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_AnnuityDepositsCoinsurance
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Item represents benefits and expenses included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a result of coinsurance agreements with Equitrst Life Insurance Company and Athene Life Re Ltd. Company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_CoinsuranceBenefitsAndExpensesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Item represents revenues included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a result of coinsurance agreements with Equitrst Life Insurance Company and Athene Life Re Ltd. Company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_CoinsuranceRevenuesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperations
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element includes index credits on fixed index policies, interest allocated to policies that provide a guaranteed yield, and living income benefit rider credits to policies that the policyholder has elected to add to those policies.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net cash inflow (outflow) associated with coinsurance deposits during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_PaymentsForProceedsFromCoinsuranceDeposits
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Cash received from reinsurer for payments to policyholders for policy that were ceded to reinsurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_ReinsuredPolicyPaymentsToPolicyholders
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value of derivatives recognized in the income statement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4A

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5618551-113959

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-Subparagraph (a),(c),(d),(e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_EffectsOfReinsuranceLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives included in earnings in the period.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4C

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35706170&loc=SL5624171-113959

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Income from agency and brokerage operations (includes sales of annuities and supplemental contracts); service charges, commissions, and fees from the sale of insurance and related services; and management fees from separate accounts, deferred annuities, and universal life products.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.13(c),(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph c, d

-Article 9

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 4

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The total amount of other operating cost and expense items that are associated with the entity's normal revenue producing operation.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 3

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
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Period Type: