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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
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

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

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