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Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) (Details) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] |
ESOP, requisite service period | 6 months
ESOP, vesting percentage | 100.00%
ESOP, vesting period | 2 years

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- Definition Item represents the number of years of service that must be completed before an employee vests in employer contributions to the employee stock ownership plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanESOPVestingPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The minimum period that the individual is required to perform services in order to be eligibile to participate in the American Equity Investment Employee Stock Ownership Plan. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanRequisiteServicePeriod
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Percentage employee becomes vested in the employer contributions to the ESOP once the vesting period requirements have been met. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanVestingPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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