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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Insurance [Abstract] |  |  |
Deferred policy acquisition costs, increase (decrease) in amortization due to unlocking adjustment | $ 48.2 | $ (11.0) | $ (35.5)
Deferred sales inducements, increase (decrease) in amortization due to unlocking adjustment | $ 35.8 | $ (5.6) | $ (12.6)

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- Definition Item represents adjustments to amortization through a retrospective unlocking process where amortization is adjusted to reflect current estimates of future gross profits/margins (including the impact of realized investment gains and losses) to be realized from a group of products. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Item represents adjustments to amortization through a retrospective unlocking process where amortization is adjusted to reflect current estimates of future gross profits/margins (including the impact of realized investment gains and losses) to be realized from a group of products. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_DeferredSalesInducementsIncreaseDecreaseDueToUnlockingAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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