XML 97 R83.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.6.0.2

Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ 164,219 | $ (336,146) | $ 504,825
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 543,465 | (464,698) | 32,321
Call Options [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 165,029 | (327,921) | 521,947
2015 Notes Hedges [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 0 | (4,516) | (8,934)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (482) | (2,341) | (4,863)
Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (328) | (1,368) | (3,325)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 145,045 | (825,668) | (532,337)
Other Changes in Difference Between Policy Benefit Reserves Computed Using Derivative Accounting Vs. Long-Duration Contracts Accounting [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 398,420 | 365,486 | 579,885
2015 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | 0 | (4,516) | (19,036)
2029 Notes Embedded Conversion Derivative [Member] |  |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 3,809

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_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CallOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=ael_OtherChangesinDifferenceBetweenPolicyBenefitReservesComputedUsingDerivativeAccountingVsLongDurationContractsAccountingMember
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=ael_EmbeddedConversionDerivative2029NotesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |