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Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	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

X

- 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

X

- 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