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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
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Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Estimated litigation liability | $ 11.1
Unfunded commitments to limited partnerships | 41.9
Unfunded commitments to secured bank loans | $ 13.3

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- Definition Amount that we have committed to investment partnerships, less what we have contributed as capital to date. + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- 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
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Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- References No definition available. + Details
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- 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
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