XML 95 R81.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands |  | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 13 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 15, 2015 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2010 USD ($) counterparties $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) shares | Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) $ / shares shares | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) partial_unwind_agreement | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative collateral |  |  | $ 827,800 |  |  |  | $ 349,800 |  |  |  | $ 827,800 | $ 349,800 |  | $ 827,800
Credit risk, maximum exposure |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 55,500 | 36,900 |  |
Number of partial unwind agreements | partial_unwind_agreement |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 |
Net cash received from counterparties for settlement of call options and warrants |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 16,600 |
Warrants reclassified from equity to a derivative liability, at fair value |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (51,257) |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (543,465) | 464,698 | (32,321) |
Net income |  |  | 120,796 | $ (7,420) | $ 14,708 | $ (44,841) | $ 33,776 | $ 97,306 | $ 82,845 | $ 5,903 | $ 83,243 | $ 219,830 | 126,023 |
Shares of common stock issued to settle warrants that have reached their expiration | shares |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 92,998 | 47,868 |  | 140,866
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of counterparties | counterparties |  | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Conversion spread, shares of common stock | shares |  | 16,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative asset, strike price | $ / shares |  | $ 12.50 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative asset, cash received to settle | $ 25,800 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0 | $ 4,516 | 19,036 |
Derivative liability, cash paid to settle conversion premium | $ 25,800 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
2015 Warrants [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of securities called by warrants | shares |  | 16,000,000 |  |  |  |  | 1,600,000 |  |  |  |  | 1,600,000 |  |
Warrants, exercise price | $ / shares |  | $ 16.00 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 15.59 |  |
Proceeds from issuance of warrants |  | $ 15,600 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
September 2015 Notes [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, face amount |  | $ 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate |  | 3.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
SunTrust [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Collateral on deposit |  |  | $ 700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 700 |  |  | $ 700
SunTrust [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative, term of contract |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7 years |  |  |
SunTrust [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative, term of contract |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7 years |  |  |
SunTrust [Member] | Three Month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cap rate |  |  | 2.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.50% |  |  | 2.50%
Change in Assumptions for Fair Value [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (62,600) |
Net income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 14,800 |
Call Options [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Derivative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Investment maturity period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1 year |  |  |

X
- Definition The amount of cash received at maturity to settle the derivative asset. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_DerivativeAssetCashReceivedtoSettle
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The price per share that we will be entitled to receive if we opt to exercise the call options of the 2015 notes hedge. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_DerivativeAssetStrikePrice
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of shares that is the basis for the amount of cash that we are entitled to if we exercise the call options in the 2015 notes hedge. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_DerivativeConversionSpreadShares
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid to settle the conversion premium of convertible senior notes which was accounted for as an embedded conversion derivative liability. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_DerivativeLiabilityCashPaidtoSettleConversionPremium
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Investment maturity period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_InvestmentMaturityPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net cash received from counterparties for settlement of call options and warrants. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_NetCashReceivedFromCounterpartiesForSettlementofCallOptionsandWarrants
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of partial unwind agreements entered into. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_NumberOfPartialUnwindAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of counterparties. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_NumberofCounterparties
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Outstanding stock warrants that were originally issued with the intention to share settle if holder exercised before expiration, which resulted in the proceeds from the sale of the warrants to be recognized as equity. These warrants subsequently were assigned to a partial unwind agreement to be net cash settled, which required reclassification at fair value from equity to a derivative liability. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_WarrantsReclassifiedFromEquitytoLiabilityAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Exercise price of the warrants. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column A + Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentWarrantsExercisePrice
Namespace Prefix: | invest_
Data Type: | num:perShareItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of securities into which the class of warrant or right may be converted. For example, but not limited to, 500,000 warrants may be converted into 1,000,000 shares. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(i)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ClassOfWarrantOrRightNumberOfSecuritiesCalledByWarrantsOrRights
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based on the gross fair value of the financial instrument, the entity would incur if parties to the financial instruments that make up the concentration failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts and the collateral or other security, if any, for the amount due proved to be of no value to the entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13537-108611 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskCreditRiskFinancialInstrumentMaximumExposure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Cap rate on an interest rate derivative such as an interest rate cap or collar. If market rates exceed the cap rate, a payment or receipt is triggered on the contract. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCapInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of obligation to return cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41678-113959 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against derivative liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=d3e41678-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period the derivative contract is outstanding, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeTermOfContract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives included in earnings in the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Net Income -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831255 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04(22)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04(18)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Other Comprehensive Income -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51831270 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(20)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow from issuance of rights to purchase common shares at predetermined price (usually issued together with corporate debt). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3255-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfWarrants
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of shares of stock issued attributable to transactions classified as other. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesOther
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_OptionOnSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=ael_A2015NotesEmbeddedConversionDerivativeMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_WarrantMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=ael_ConvertibleDebtIssuedIn2010Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis=ael_DerivativeCounterpartySuntrustMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_HedgingDesignationAxis=us-gaap_NondesignatedMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_ChangeInAccountingEstimateByTypeAxis=ael_ChangeinAssumptionsforFairValueMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_CallOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |