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Notes Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Repurchase Agreements Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2013
Notes Payable [Abstract] |  |  |
Repurchase agreement, maximum amount borrowed | $ 40.6 | $ 138.7 | $ 258.6
Repurchase agreement, average borrowings | $ 0.5 | $ 9.2 | $ 68.3
Repurchase agreement, weighted average interest rate | 0.39% | 0.19% | 0.20%

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- Definition The average amount borrowed during the reporting period on repurchase agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The average rate of interest paid on the amount borrowed on securities repurchase agreements during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The maximum amount borrowed on repurchase agreements during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NotesPayableAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration