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Statutory Financial Information and Dividend Restrictions (Narrative and Statutory Accounting Practices Tables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance [Abstract] |  |  |
American Equity Life, statutory net income | $ 75,035 | $ 131,452 | $ 340,000
American Equity Life, statutory capital and surplus balance | 2,726,664 | 2,415,419 |
Total adjusted capital | 2,933,193 | 2,593,472 |
Company Action Level RBC | $ 857,321 | $ 771,293 |
Ratio of adjusted capital to Company Action Level RBC | 342.00% | 336.00% |
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Amount Available for Dividend Payments [Abstract] |  |  |
Statutory amount available for dividend payments without regulatory approval | $ 272,700 |  |
Dividends paid by insurance subsidiaries | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0

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- Definition Capital and surplus level that would require corporate action. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the total adjusted capital and surplus balance for purposes of calculating risk based capital. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Total Capital divided by risk weighted assets as defined in the regulations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1H -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=d3e65071-112826 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35709795&loc=SL5958568-112826 + Details
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- Definition Amount of dividends that can be declared or paid without approval of regulatory agency. + 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.(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
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- Definition The amount of statutory capital and surplus (stockholders' equity) as of the balance sheet date using prescribed or permitted statutory accounting practices (rather than GAAP, if different) of the state or country. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(23)(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 505 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6486098&loc=d3e24708-158529 + Details
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