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Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Repurchase Agreements Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] |  |  |
Repurchase agreement, maximum amount borrowed | $ 113.0 | $ 40.6 | $ 138.7
Repurchase agreement, average borrowings | $ 4.5 | $ 0.5 | $ 9.2
Repurchase agreement, weighted average interest rate | 0.66% | 0.39% | 0.19%

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- Definition The average amount borrowed during the reporting period on repurchase agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The average rate of interest paid on the amount borrowed on securities repurchase agreements during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The maximum amount borrowed on repurchase agreements during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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