<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001341004-16-001640.txt : 20160908
<SEC-HEADER>0001341004-16-001640.hdr.sgml : 20160908
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160908170653
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001341004-16-001640
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160908
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160908
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20160908

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001039828
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				421447959
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-8
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-213545
		FILM NUMBER:		161876962

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
		CITY:			WEST DEMOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50266
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152210002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
		CITY:			WEST DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50266
</SEC-HEADER>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</font></div>
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<td valign="top" width="44%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
<td valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">6000 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Shilpi Gupta</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#8220;large accelerated filer,&#8221; &#8220;accelerated filer&#8221; and &#8220;smaller reporting company&#8221; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</font></div>

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<td align="left" valign="top" width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160;</font></td>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Smaller reporting company <font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: ms gothic, &#8218;l&#8218;r &#402;s&#402;v&#402;b&#402;n, monospace">&#9744;</font></font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></div>

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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Title of securities to be registered</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Amount to be registered (1) (2)</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Proposed maximum offering price per share (3)</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Proposed maximum aggregate offering price</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid; BORDER-TOP: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Amount of registration fee (3)</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Common stock, par value $1 per share</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">2,726,707 shares</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">$17.67</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">$48,167,279.16</font></div>
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<td align="left" valign="top" width="16%" style="BORDER-BOTTOM: black 0.5pt solid">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">$4,851</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">(1)</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">This registration statement registers the issuance of 2,726,707 shares of common stock, par value $1 per share of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the &#8220;Registrant&#8221;) which are issuable pursuant to the Registrant&#8217;s 2016 Employee Incentive Plan (as amended, the &#8220;Plan&#8221;).</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;), this registration statement shall also cover an indeterminate amount of additional securities as may result from anti-dilution adjustments under the Plan and which may hereinafter be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or certain other capital adjustments.</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, based on the average high and low prices per share of common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on September 6, 2016.</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Calculated pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Securities Act by multiplying 0.0001007 by the proposed maximum aggregate offering price (as computed in accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee of the securities registered hereby).</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The information required by Part I is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;), and the Note to Part I of Form S-8.&#160;&#160;The documents containing the information required by Part I will be delivered to the participants in the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2016 Employee Incentive Plan as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 3.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The following documents previously filed by American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the &#8220;Registrant&#8221;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;Commission&#8221;) are incorporated by reference into this registration statement:</font></div>

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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed on February 26, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, filed on May 10, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2016, filed on August 9, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 10, 2016, filed on March 11, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 4, 2016, filed on April 5, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 11, 2016, filed on April 12, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 2, 2016, filed on June 8, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 15, 2016, filed on June 16, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 29, 2016, filed on July 1, 2016;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the Registrant&#8217;s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 1, 2016, filed on August 1, 2016; and</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">the description of the Registrant&#8217;s common stock, which is contained in the Registrant&#8217;s registration statement on Form 8-A filed on November 26, 2003 (File No. 001-31911) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;), including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement and prior to the termination of the offering (other than documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules) shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. The most recent information that the Registrant files with the Commission automatically updates and supersedes older information.&#160;&#160;The information contained in any such filing will be deemed to be a part of this prospectus, commencing on the date on which the document is filed. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate by reference information furnished to, but not filed with, the Commission.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 5.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The validity of the issuance of the shares of the Registrant&#8217;s common stock, par value $1 per share, offered hereby will be passed upon for the Registrant by Renee D. Montz, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of the Registrant.&#160;&#160;Ms. Montz owns shares of the Registrant&#8217;s common stock, beneficially and as a participant in various employee benefit plans, holds shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units, and is eligible to participate in the 2016 Employee Incentive Plan.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2015, and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, expresses an opinion that American Equity Investment Life Holding Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 because of the effect of a material weakness on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria and contains an explanatory paragraph that states: A material weakness related to inadequate controls over implementation of changes to the calculation of lifetime income benefit reserves has been identified and included in management&#8217;s assessment.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 6.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Section 490.202 of the Iowa Business Corporation Act (the &#8220;IBCA&#8221;) provides that a corporation&#8217;s articles of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for any action taken, or failure to take action, as a director, provided that the provision does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for: (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA, which relates to liability for unlawful distributions; or (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. Further, Section 490.851 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may indemnify its directors party to a proceeding against liability incurred in the proceeding by reason of such person serving in the capacity of director, subject to specified standards being met and subject to certain exclusions.&#160;&#160;In addition, Section 490.852 of the IBCA provides mandatory indemnification of reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is wholly successful in defending any action in which the director was a party because the director is or was a director of the corporation. A director who is a party to a proceeding because the person is a director may also apply for court-ordered indemnification and advance of expenses under Section 490.854 of the IBCA.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Section 490.853 of the IBCA provides that a corporation may, before final disposition of a proceeding, advance funds to pay for or reimburse the reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to a proceeding because he is a director if the director meets certain conditions.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Under Section 490.856 of the IBCA, a corporation may indemnify and advance expenses to an officer of the corporation who is a party to a proceeding because he is an officer to the same extent as a director. In addition, if the person is an officer but not a director, further indemnification may be provided by the corporation&#8217;s articles of incorporation, the bylaws, a resolution of the board of directors or contract, subject to certain exclusions. Such indemnification is also available to an officer who is also a director if the basis on which the officer is made a party to a proceeding is an act or omission solely as an officer.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Registrant&#8217;s amended articles of incorporation provide that its directors will not be liable to the Registrant or its shareholders for money damages for any action taken, or any failure to take any action, as a director, except liability for: (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) intentional infliction of harm on the Registrant or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 490.833 of the IBCA, which relates to liability for unlawful distributions; and (4) an intentional violation of criminal law.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Registrant&#8217;s amended articles of incorporation also provide that each of its current and former directors who was or is made a party to, or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director of the Registrant or is or was serving at its request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except liability for: (1) a financial benefit received by a director to which the director is not entitled; (2) an intentional infliction of harm on the Registrant or its shareholders; (3) an unlawful distribution to shareholders; and (4) an intentional violation of criminal law. In addition to such indemnification, any such director and any officer are entitled to have any expenses reasonably incurred in defending any such proceeding or any similar proceeding against any officer in advance of its final disposition paid directly by the Registrant to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Registrant&#8217;s bylaws also provide indemnification to its directors on the same terms as the indemnification provided in the Registrant&#8217;s amended articles of incorporation. The Registrant&#8217;s bylaws also provide for advances of expenses to its directors and officers on the same terms as provided in the Registrant&#8217;s amended articles of incorporation. The indemnification provisions of the Registrant&#8217;s bylaws are not exclusive of any other right which any person seeking indemnification may have or acquire under any statute, the Registrant&#8217;s amended articles of incorporation or any agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">As permitted by and in accordance with Section 490.857 of the IBCA, the Registrant maintains insurance coverage for its officers and directors as well as insurance coverage to reimburse the Registrant for potential costs for indemnification of directors and officers.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Item 8.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Exhibits.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.1</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Incorporation, including Articles of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on July 22, 1999, File No. 000-25985)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.2</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000 filed on August 14, 2000, File No. 000-25985)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.3</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2003, File No. 333-108794)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.4</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 15, 2008, File No. 333-148681)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.5</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 filed on August 5, 2011, File No. 001-31911)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Third Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed on September 2, 2008, File No. 001-31911)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">5.1</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Opinion of Renee D. Montz, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">*</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">23.1</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Consent of KPMG LLP<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">*</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">23.2</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Consent of Renee D. Montz (contained in Exhibit&#160;5.1)<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">*</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Powers of Attorney of certain officers and directors (included on the signature page of the registration statement)<font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">*</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">99.1</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2016 Employee Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to the Appendix A to the Company&#8217;s proxy statement on Form DEF 14A filed on April 18, 2016)</font></div>

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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the &#8220;Calculation of Registration Fee&#8221; table in the effective registration statement;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <font style="FONT-STYLE: italic; DISPLAY: inline">bona fide</font> offering thereof.</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#8217;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan&#8217;s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new</font></div>
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<div align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of West Des Moines, State of Iowa, on September 8, 2016.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John M. Matovina, Chief Executive Officer and President and Renee D. Montz, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, and each of them, as attorneys-in-fact, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, so long as such individual remains an executive officer of the Company, to sign (i) any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and (ii) any registration statement of the type contemplated by Rule 462 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.3</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 20, 2003, File No. 333-108794)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.4</font></div>

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<td align="left" valign="top" width="67%">
<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on January 15, 2008, File No. 333-148681)</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">4.6</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">23.2</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">September 8, 2016</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</font></div>

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<td width="7%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Re:</font></td>
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<td width="92%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</font></td>
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<td width="92%"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Registration Statement on Form S-8</font></td>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Ladies and Gentlemen:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I am the Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, an Iowa corporation (the &#8220;Company&#8221;), and have acted in such capacity in connection with the registration statement on Form S-8 (the &#8220;Registration Statement&#8221;) to be filed on the date hereof by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;Commission&#8221;) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Act&#8221;).&#160;&#160;The Registration Statement relates to the registration of 2,726,707 shares (the &#8220;Shares&#8221;) of the Company&#8217;s common stock, par value $1 per share (the &#8220;Common Stock&#8221;) issuable under the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company 2016 Employee Incentive Plan (as amended, the &#8220;Plan&#8221;).</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">In rendering the opinion stated herein, I have examined and relied upon the following: (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) a specimen certificate representing the Common Stock; (iii) the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to date and in effect on the date hereof; (iv) the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the date hereof; (v) the Plan; (vi) the approval of the Plan by the shareholders of the Company at the annual meeting of the Company held on June 2, 2016; and (vii) certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Plan and the filing of the Registration Statement.&#160;&#160;I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinion stated below.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">In my examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including endorsements, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to me as facsimile, electronic, certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies.&#160;&#160;In making my examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, I have assumed that the parties thereto, other than the Company, had or will have the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and the validity and binding effect thereof on such parties.&#160;&#160;As to any facts relevant to the opinion stated herein that I did not independently establish or verify, I</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">In rendering the opinion stated herein, I have also assumed that (i) an appropriate account statement evidencing the Shares credited to the recipient&#8217;s account maintained with the Company&#8217;s transfer agent has been issued by the Company&#8217;s transfer agent, (ii) the issuance of the Shares will be duly recorded in the books and records of the Company, (iii) each award agreement and the issuance of any Shares will be consistent with the Plan and will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto and (iv) the consideration received by the Company for each of the Shares delivered pursuant to the Plan shall not be less than the per share par value of the Common Stock.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I am a member of the Bar in the State of Iowa and my opinion set forth herein is limited to the Iowa Business Corporation Act and, to the extent that judicial or regulatory orders or decrees or consents, approvals, licenses, authorizations, validations, filings, recordings or registrations with governmental authorities are relevant, to those required under such laws (all of the foregoing being referred to as &#8220;Opined on Law&#8221;).&#160;&#160;I do not express any opinion with respect to the law of any jurisdiction other than Opined on Law or as to the effect of any non-Opined on Law on the opinion herein stated.&#160;&#160;The Shares may be issued from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis, and this opinion is limited to the laws, including the rules and regulations, as in effect on the date hereof, which laws are subject to change with possible retroactive effect.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, I am of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company and, when issued, delivered and paid for in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan and any applicable award agreement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.&#160;&#160;I also hereby consent to the inclusion of my name under the heading &#8220;Legal Matters&#8221; in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement.&#160;&#160;In giving this consent, I do not thereby admit that I am within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.&#160;&#160;This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and I disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.</font></div>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>ex23_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1 - CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The Board of Directors</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Our report dated February 26, 2016, on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, expresses our opinion that American Equity Investment Life Holding Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 because of the effect of a material weakness on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria and contains an explanatory paragraph that states a material weakness related to inadequate controls over implementation of changes to the calculation of lifetime income benefit reserves has been identified and included in management&#8217;s assessment.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">/s/ KPMG LLP</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Des Moines, Iowa</font></div>

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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.2
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>ex99_2.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.2 - FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Exhibit 99.2</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The following amendment to the American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) 2016 Employee Incentive Plan (the &#8220;Plan&#8221;) was adopted by the Compensation Committee (the &#8220;Committee&#8221;) of the Board of Directors of the Company on September 2, 2016:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The following is added as a new Section 3.4 of the Plan:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">&#8220;The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to select Participants to receive Awards under the Plan and to grant such Participants one or more Awards on such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as such officer or officers shall determine, provided that no such Award shall be a Covered Award, be made to any individual who in respect of the Company is an officer within the meaning of Rule 16a-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act, be made in respect of Shares exceeding in number any limit as may be specified by the Committee from time to time for such purpose, or be inconsistent with any other limitations on such delegation as may be specified by the Committee from time to time.&#160;&#160;When and to the extent exercising the authority described in the preceding sentence, such officer or officers shall be deemed for purposes of the Plan (including without limitation Article XIII) to be acting as the Committee under the Plan.&#8221;</font></div>

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