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Schedule III - Supplementary Insurance Information (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Supplementary Insurance Information [Abstract] |
Supplemental Insurance Information | Schedule III—Supplementary Insurance Information AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY
Column A |  | Column B |  | Column C |  | Column D |  | Column E
|  | Deferred policy acquisition costs |  | Future policy benefits, losses, claims and loss expenses |  | Unearned premiums |  | Other policy claims and benefits payable
|  | (Dollars in thousands)
As of December 31, 2016: Life insurance |  | $ | 2,905,377 |  |  | $ | 51,637,026 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 298,347 |
As of December 31, 2015: Life insurance |  | $ | 2,905,136 |  |  | $ | 45,495,431 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 324,850 |
As of December 31, 2014: Life insurance |  | $ | 2,058,556 |  |  | $ | 39,802,861 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 365,819 |
Column A |  | Column F |  | Column G |  | Column H |  | Column I |  | Column J
|  | Premium revenue |  | Net investment income |  | Benefits, claims, losses and settlement expenses |  | Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs |  | Other operating expenses
|  | (Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended December 31, 2016: Life insurance |  | $ | 217,346 |  |  | $ | 1,849,872 |  |  | $ | 1,572,586 |  |  | $ | 374,012 |  |  | $ | 143,437 |
For the year ended December 31, 2015: Life insurance |  | $ | 172,216 |  |  | $ | 1,692,192 |  |  | $ | 758,203 |  |  | $ | 286,114 |  |  | $ | 137,306 |
For the year ended December 31, 2014: Life insurance |  | $ | 151,613 |  |  | $ | 1,531,667 |  |  | $ | 1,679,255 |  |  | $ | 163,578 |  |  | $ | 130,076 |
See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

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