XML 31 R62.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.0.814

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated litigation liability		$ 11.1	$ 21.2	$ 17.5
Change in estimated litigation liability	$ (2.3)
Legal fees paid	$ 7.8
Unfunded commitments to limited partnerships		28.5
Unfunded commitments to secured bank loans		$ 13.9

X

- Definition

Amount that we have committed to investment partnerships, less what we have contributed as capital to date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_UnfundedCommitmentsToPrivateEquityLimitedPartnerships
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of secured bank loans that we have agreed to purchase as of the end of the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ael_UnfundedCommitmentsToSecuredBankLoans
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of loss contingency liability.

+ References

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



-Publisher FASB



-Name Accounting Standards Codification



-Topic 450



-SubTopic 20



-Section 50



-Paragraph 1



-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of payments made reducing loss contingency liability.

+ References

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



-Publisher FASB



-Name Accounting Standards Codification



-Topic 450



-SubTopic 20



-Section 50



-Paragraph 1



-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in loss contingency liability.

+ References

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



-Publisher FASB



-Name Accounting Standards Codification



-Topic 450



-SubTopic 20



-Section 50



-Paragraph 1



-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=25496072&loc=d3e14326-108349

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualCarryingValuePeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration