<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.7.0.1</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>395</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>385</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>110</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>11</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information Document</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformationDocument</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information Document</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1003000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1004501 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfChangesInStockholdersEquityParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>104000 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - Investments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/Investments</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstate</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreements</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2120100 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2206201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - Investments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/Investments</ParentRole>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstate</ParentRole>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstruments</ParentRole>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2314301 - Disclosure - Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreements</ParentRole>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2320301 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquity</ParentRole>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Financial Instruments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsFairValuesAndCarryingAmountsOfFinancialInstrumentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Financial Instruments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis by Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisByFairValueHierarchyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis by Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsAssumptionsUsedInEstimatingFairValueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Assumptions Used in Estimating Fair Value) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407406 - Disclosure - Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Level 3 Liabilities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsReconciliationOfBeginningAndEndingBalancesOfLevel3LiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances of Level 3 Liabilities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/FairValuesOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - Investments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - Investments (Schedule of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfAmortizedCostAndFairValueOfFixedMaturityAndEquitySecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Schedule of Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408404 - Disclosure - Investments (Fixed Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesByContractualMaturityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Fixed Maturity Securities by Contractual Maturity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408405 - Disclosure - Investments (Net Unrealized Gains on Available for Sale Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities Reported as a Separate Component of Stockholders' Equity) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsNetUnrealizedGainsOnAvailableForSaleFixedMaturitySecuritiesAndEquitySecuritiesReportedAsSeparateComponentOfStockholdersEquityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Net Unrealized Gains on Available for Sale Fixed Maturity Securities and Equity Securities Reported as a Separate Component of Stockholders' Equity) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408406 - Disclosure - Investments (Schedule of Credit Quality of Fixed Maturity Portfolio by NAIC Designation) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsScheduleOfCreditQualityOfFixedMaturityPortfolioByNaicDesignationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Schedule of Credit Quality of Fixed Maturity Portfolio by NAIC Designation) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408407 - Disclosure - Investments (Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments, By Category and Length of Time) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsGrossUnrealizedLossesOnInvestmentsByCategoryAndLengthOfTimeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments, By Category and Length of Time) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408408 - Disclosure - Investments (Changes in Net Unrealized Gains on Investments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsOnInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Changes in Net Unrealized Gains on Investments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408409 - Disclosure - Investments (Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Invesments, Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsNetRealizedGainsLossesOnInvesmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Invesments, Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairments) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408410 - Disclosure - Investments (Significant Assumptions in Determining Credit Loss Component of Other Than Temporary Impairment on Residential Mortgage Backed Securities) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsSignificantAssumptionsInDeterminingCreditLossComponentOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentOnResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Significant Assumptions in Determining Credit Loss Component of Other Than Temporary Impairment on Residential Mortgage Backed Securities) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408411 - Disclosure - Investments (Other Than Temporary Impairments by Asset Type) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsByAssetTypeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Other Than Temporary Impairments by Asset Type) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408412 - Disclosure - Investments (Cumulative Credit Loss Portion of Other Than Temporary Impairment Recognized in Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsCumulativeCreditLossPortionOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentRecognizedInOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Cumulative Credit Loss Portion of Other Than Temporary Impairment Recognized in Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408413 - Disclosure - Investments (Cumulative Noncredit Portion of Other Than Temporary Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Change in Fair Value Since Other Than Temporary Impairment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsCumulativeNoncreditPortionOfOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentRecognizedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeAndChangeInFairValueSinceOtherThanTemporaryImpairmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Investments (Cumulative Noncredit Portion of Other Than Temporary Impairment Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income and Change in Fair Value Since Other Than Temporary Impairment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/InvestmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Summary of Mortgage Loan Portfolio) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateSummaryOfMortgageLoanPortfolioDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Summary of Mortgage Loan Portfolio) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Mortgage Loan Portfolio Summarized by Geographic Region and Property Type) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMortgageLoanPortfolioSummarizedByGeographicRegionAndPropertyTypeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Mortgage Loan Portfolio Summarized by Geographic Region and Property Type) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409405 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Allowance for Loan Losses Rollforward) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateAllowanceForLoanLossesRollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Allowance for Loan Losses Rollforward) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409406 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Impaired Mortgage Loans on Real Estate by Basis of Impairment) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateImpairedMortgageLoansOnRealEstateByBasisOfImpairmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Impaired Mortgage Loans on Real Estate by Basis of Impairment) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409407 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Real Estate Owned) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateRealEstateOwnedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Real Estate Owned) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409408 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Mortgage Loans by Credit Quality Indicator) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMortgageLoansByCreditQualityIndicatorDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Mortgage Loans by Credit Quality Indicator) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409409 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Schedule of Financing Receivables Past Due) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateScheduleOfFinancingReceivablesPastDueDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Schedule of Financing Receivables Past Due) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409410 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Schedule of Impaired Financing Receivables) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateScheduleOfImpairedFinancingReceivablesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Schedule of Impaired Financing Receivables) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409411 - Disclosure - Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Troubled Debt Restructurings) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTroubledDebtRestructuringsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Troubled Debt Restructurings) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/MortgageLoansOnRealEstateTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410403 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsFairValueOfDerivativeInstrumentsAsPresentedInConsolidatedBalanceSheetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410404 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesIncludedInConsolidatedStatementOfOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410405 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Derivative Call Options, Notional Amount and Fair Value, by Counterparty) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsDerivativeCallOptionsNotionalAmountAndFairValueByCounterpartyDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Derivative Call Options, Notional Amount and Fair Value, by Counterparty) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410406 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Interest Rate Swap) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsInterestRateSwapDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Interest Rate Swap) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410407 - Disclosure - Derivative Instruments (Interest Rate Caps) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsInterestRateCapsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Derivative Instruments (Interest Rate Caps) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/DerivativeInstrumentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414402 - Disclosure - Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Schedule of Notes and Loan Payable) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsScheduleOfNotesAndLoanPayableDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Schedule of Notes and Loan Payable) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414403 - Disclosure - Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Line of Credit and Term Loan Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsLineOfCreditAndTermLoanNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Line of Credit and Term Loan Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414404 - Disclosure - Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Repurchase Agreements Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsRepurchaseAgreementsNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Repurchase Agreements Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/NotesAndLoanPayableAndAmountsDueUnderRepurchaseAgreementsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418401 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420402 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityScheduleOfEarningsLossPerShareBasicAndDilutedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic and Diluted) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420403 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityScheduleOfAntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsLossPerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="ael-20170331.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2420404 - Disclosure - Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Stockholders' Equity Narrative) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityStockholdersEquityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Earnings (Loss) Per Share and Stockholders' Equity (Stockholders' Equity Narrative) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.american-equity.com/role/EarningsLossPerShareAndStockholdersEquityTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>ael-20170331.xml</File>
    <File>ael-20170331.xsd</File>
    <File>ael-20170331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>ael-20170331_def.xml</File>
    <File>ael-20170331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>ael-20170331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
