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    <link:label id="lab_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Sector [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Sector [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013/invest-2013-01-31.xsd#invest_InvestmentSectorDomain" xlink:label="loc_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE" xlink:to="lab_invest_InvestmentSectorDomain_4724E8AE81B4337613B3D9B3A81BB4CE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EnergySectorMember_30B2E08447EA78B77076D9B3A81BEA3B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EnergySectorMember_30B2E08447EA78B77076D9B3A81BEA3B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Energy [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EnergySectorMember_30B2E08447EA78B77076D9B3A81BEA3B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EnergySectorMember_30B2E08447EA78B77076D9B3A81BEA3B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Energy Sector [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EnergySectorMember_30B2E08447EA78B77076D9B3A81BEA3B_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EnergySectorMember_30B2E08447EA78B77076D9B3A81BEA3B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the energy sector.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Telecommunications [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Telecommunications Sector [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the telecommunications sector.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E" xlink:to="lab_ael_TelecommunicationsSectorMember_50CF24F6B8AA26474BE1D9B3A81CA24E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Utilities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Utilities Sector [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the utilities sector.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_UtilitiesSectorMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341" xlink:to="lab_ael_UtilitiesSectorMember_B577B7393CDD6CD4A93CD9B3A81C5341" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsIncludingMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestmentsHeldAtCostIncomeStatementReportedAmountsSummaryLineItems_5C76AF7F373F347D50C2D9B3A81C6084_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsIncludingMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestmentsHeldAtCostIncomeStatementReportedAmountsSummaryLineItems_5C76AF7F373F347D50C2D9B3A81C6084" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsIncludingMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestmentsHeldAtCostIncomeStatementReportedAmountsSummaryLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsIncludingMarketableSecuritiesAndInvestmentsHeldAtCostIncomeStatementReportedAmountsSummaryLineItems_5C76AF7F373F347D50C2D9B3A81C6084" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAbstract_EB28E2103F2C921E5994D9B3A81CD954_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAbstract_EB28E2103F2C921E5994D9B3A81CD954" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsAbstract_EB28E2103F2C921E5994D9B3A81CD954" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNumberOfSecurities_6D2028C82CD5BF74A515D9B3A81C78D6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNumberOfSecurities_6D2028C82CD5BF74A515D9B3A81C78D6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Other than temporary impairment, number of securities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNumberOfSecurities_6D2028C82CD5BF74A515D9B3A81C78D6_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNumberOfSecurities_6D2028C82CD5BF74A515D9B3A81C78D6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents the number of securites for which other than temporary impairment was recognized.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNumberOfSecurities" xlink:label="loc_ael_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentNumberOfSecurities_6D2028C82CD5BF74A515D9B3A81C78D6" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments_EBE3F9A20CCF6D3AD5B3D9B3A81C2103_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments_EBE3F9A20CCF6D3AD5B3D9B3A81C2103" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Total OTTI losses</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ImpairmentOfInvestments_EBE3F9A20CCF6D3AD5B3D9B3A81C2103" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent_0AA48FE1F9CD5F032D79D9B3A81CD856_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionInOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTaxPortionAttributableToParent_0AA48FE1F9CD5F032D79D9B3A81CD856" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Portion of OTTI losses recognized in (from) other comprehensive income</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresAbstract_F8DA50961112FE2CFCFFF7C96A476A55_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresAbstract_F8DA50961112FE2CFCFFF7C96A476A55" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainsOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_8A23DDDB074459189826D9B3A827121D_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainsOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_8A23DDDB074459189826D9B3A827121D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Gains on Sales of Other Real Estate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainsOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_8A23DDDB074459189826D9B3A827121D_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainsOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_8A23DDDB074459189826D9B3A827121D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The gain resulting from sales and other disposals of other real estate owned.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_GainsOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate" xlink:label="loc_ael_GainsOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_8A23DDDB074459189826D9B3A827121D" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Loss on sale of real estate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Losses on Sales of Other Real Estate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The loss resulting from sales and other disposals of other real estate owned.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate" xlink:label="loc_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA" xlink:to="lab_ael_LossesOnSalesOfOtherRealEstate_98B667CB44D3C6BBF681D9B3A827D3CA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (loss) on other investments</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Other Investments</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (loss) recognized during the period on the assets in our investment porfolio categorized as other investments.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments" xlink:label="loc_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F" xlink:to="lab_ael_GainLossonOtherInvestments_14A05133D8DA3CF87976D9B3A8274B9F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Decrease (increase) in allowance for credit losses</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Provision for Loan, Lease, and Other Losses</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ProvisionForLoanLeaseAndOtherLosses_7B4F640DE209007B94A3D9B3A8278CED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Recovery of specific allowance</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses, Recovery</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_142D7C0BD5B54CD52DE9D9B3A8275477" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA_negatedTotalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTotalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Change in allowance for credit losses and recoveries</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance For Credit Losses, Period (Increase) Decrease, Provision And Recoveries, Total</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance For Credit Losses, Period (Increase) Decrease, Provision And Recoveries, Total</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal" xlink:label="loc_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA" xlink:to="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesPeriodIncreaseDecreaseProvisionAndRecoveriesTotal_6B82F45D07E124969C2DD9B3A8277FFA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Net realized gains (losses) on investments, excluding other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Investments, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestmentsExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments_B0E8E76FCC8226045C3ED9B3A8279DBE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTable_E39819A42A1FD8C4D7D4587080A9C98A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Prime Sector [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Prime Sector [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Residential Mortgage Backed Securities, Prime Sector.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0" xlink:to="lab_ael_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesPrimeSectorMember_0C0B853371CBE85588A8587080AA6CA0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Secondary Categorization [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Secondary Categorization [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis_03A8A073030573A5379E587080AACCA9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_41D08314F47F04749989587080AB6B18_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_41D08314F47F04749989587080AB6B18" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Investments by Secondary Categorization [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_41D08314F47F04749989587080AB6B18_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_41D08314F47F04749989587080AB6B18" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Investments by Secondary Categorization [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsBySecondaryCategorizationDomain_41D08314F47F04749989587080AB6B18" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Vintage Year 2005 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Vintage Year 2005 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the vintage year 2005 pertaining to investments.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_VintageYear2005Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_VintageYear2005Member_2AF5FAD863E439D8EFFA587080ABC6D6" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_VintageYear2006Member_677E51433DDA1E8C779A587080AB7387_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VintageYear2006Member_677E51433DDA1E8C779A587080AB7387" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Vintage Year 2006 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_VintageYear2006Member_677E51433DDA1E8C779A587080AB7387_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VintageYear2006Member_677E51433DDA1E8C779A587080AB7387" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Vintage Year 2006 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_VintageYear2006Member_677E51433DDA1E8C779A587080AB7387_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VintageYear2006Member_677E51433DDA1E8C779A587080AB7387" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the vintage year 2006 pertaining to investments.</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesPercentage" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesPercentage_AB77346C64CD5203BD68C4E1E2FD08A0" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesCurrentlyCallablePercentage" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesCurrentlyCallablePercentage_6A1B71B5E79CA0EC12BFC4E1E2FE17A6" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesCurrentlyCallableAmount_50CB6507AB31E33062F3C4E1E2FEE852_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesCurrentlyCallableAmount_50CB6507AB31E33062F3C4E1E2FEE852" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the amount of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are currently callable.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsPercentage_21052942E4671DB35524C4E1E2FEDE83_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsPercentage_21052942E4671DB35524C4E1E2FEDE83" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed Income Securities with Call Features, Callable During Next 12 Months, Percentage</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsPercentage_21052942E4671DB35524C4E1E2FEDE83_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritiesWithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsPercentage_21052942E4671DB35524C4E1E2FEDE83" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the percentage of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are callable over the next 12 months.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsAmount_CC2C72CA56417DD66B34C4E1E2FECB40_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsAmount_CC2C72CA56417DD66B34C4E1E2FECB40" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the amount of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are callable during the next 12 months.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsAmount" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesCallableDuringNext12MonthsAmount_CC2C72CA56417DD66B34C4E1E2FECB40" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesNotCallableUntilWithin6MonthsofStatedMaturityPercentage_AE80873E704A0B0C8BCEC4E1E2FE7EA1_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesNotCallableUntilWithin6MonthsofStatedMaturityPercentage_AE80873E704A0B0C8BCEC4E1E2FE7EA1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the percentage of debt securities in the investment portfolio with call features that permit the issuer of the debt to repay before the stated maturity date (early retirement date) and are not callable until within 6 months of their stated maturities.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesNotCallableUntilWithin6MonthsofStatedMaturityPercentage" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesNotCallableUntilWithin6MonthsofStatedMaturityPercentage_AE80873E704A0B0C8BCEC4E1E2FE7EA1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesNotCallableUntilWithin6MonthsofStatedMaturityPercentage_AE80873E704A0B0C8BCEC4E1E2FE7EA1" xlink:to="lab_ael_FixedIncomeSecuritieswithCallFeaturesNotCallableUntilWithin6MonthsofStatedMaturityPercentage_AE80873E704A0B0C8BCEC4E1E2FE7EA1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Percentage of fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade based on NAIC designations</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Percentage of Investment Grade Fixed Maturity Securities, at Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the percentage of fixed income securities at fair value rated investment grade (NAIC 1 or 2) compared to the entire fixed income security portfolio at fair value.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue" xlink:label="loc_ael_PercentageOfInvestmentGradeFixedMaturitySecuritiesAtFairValue_35074714314789FDA90EC4E1E2FE742E" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1_9386F468C105C3E12A3CC4E1E2FE2ECD_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1_9386F468C105C3E12A3CC4E1E2FE2ECD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Number of individual securities with unrealized losses</link:label>
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    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1_9386F468C105C3E12A3CC4E1E2FE2ECD" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1_9386F468C105C3E12A3CC4E1E2FE2ECD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesUnrealizedLossPositionClassifiedAsInvestmentGrade_933729865F2B242D9768C4E1E2FEAA31_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesUnrealizedLossPositionClassifiedAsInvestmentGrade_933729865F2B242D9768C4E1E2FEAA31" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Percentage of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities where securities are rated investment grade</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesUnrealizedLossPositionClassifiedAsInvestmentGrade_933729865F2B242D9768C4E1E2FEAA31_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesUnrealizedLossPositionClassifiedAsInvestmentGrade_933729865F2B242D9768C4E1E2FEAA31" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">This item represents the percentage of unrealized losses on fixed maturity securities that is on securities classified as investment grade.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember_EC3DFC1C32F1CE7A0996C4E1E2FF970B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember_EC3DFC1C32F1CE7A0996C4E1E2FF970B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available For Sale Securities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember_EC3DFC1C32F1CE7A0996C4E1E2FF970B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember_EC3DFC1C32F1CE7A0996C4E1E2FF970B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available-for-sale Securities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesMember_EC3DFC1C32F1CE7A0996C4E1E2FF970B" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_31598FD789F6D4CAF564FE69337D4E2E_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_B2EF3D138DB559E893504FC281A48C74" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivables, 60 to 89 Days Past Due [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_B2EF3D138DB559E893504FC281A48C74" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E77A67ACFBD1A810ADCBFE69337D8BE0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E72F832128F852048DB5D1FB19356689" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">90 Days and Over [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E77A67ACFBD1A810ADCBFE69337D8BE0_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E72F832128F852048DB5D1FB19356689" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivables, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E72F832128F852048DB5D1FB19356689" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E72F832128F852048DB5D1FB19356689" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_E72F832128F852048DB5D1FB19356689" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_D2A610D72CEFFC32A98CFE69337D2CF2_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_928E855835BD53FCA5D30539F4DF313B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_D2A610D72CEFFC32A98CFE69337D2CF2_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_928E855835BD53FCA5D30539F4DF313B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_928E855835BD53FCA5D30539F4DF313B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_928E855835BD53FCA5D30539F4DF313B" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems_928E855835BD53FCA5D30539F4DF313B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_C7CBFB6238F7EC25C336FE69337DE1E6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_E57D4606A8975281AF188D086C1B57C9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Commercial mortgage loans, past due</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_C7CBFB6238F7EC25C336FE69337DE1E6_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_E57D4606A8975281AF188D086C1B57C9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_E57D4606A8975281AF188D086C1B57C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_E57D4606A8975281AF188D086C1B57C9" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_E57D4606A8975281AF188D086C1B57C9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_B040B95C003E9BE74AE4FE69337D0D49_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_919608C9FB2959BB9849CD5202B03EB8" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Commercial mortgage loans, current</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_B040B95C003E9BE74AE4FE69337D0D49_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_919608C9FB2959BB9849CD5202B03EB8" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Current</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_919608C9FB2959BB9849CD5202B03EB8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_919608C9FB2959BB9849CD5202B03EB8" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_919608C9FB2959BB9849CD5202B03EB8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent_E81579DC2A1D21D6F5D5FE69337DE915_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent_BF3AE01FD6C657E491848911C587EB8A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Commercial mortgage loans, collateral dependent receivables</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent" xlink:label="loc_ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent_BF3AE01FD6C657E491848911C587EB8A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent_BF3AE01FD6C657E491848911C587EB8A" xlink:to="lab_ael_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCollateralDependent_BF3AE01FD6C657E491848911C587EB8A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_8A67407B9D7365F53C3BE85C46D02F4F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_8A67407B9D7365F53C3BE85C46D02F4F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_8A67407B9D7365F53C3BE85C46D02F4F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_8A67407B9D7365F53C3BE85C46D02F4F" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_8A67407B9D7365F53C3BE85C46D02F4F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Operating activities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesContinuingOperationsAbstract_4C244E5B70DF2AEAEC95E85C46D0BB89" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AdjustmentsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesAbstract_FCF84FC9DE25413DC385E85C46D0057F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Interest sensitive and index product benefits</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Interest Sensitive And Index Product Benefits</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">This element includes index credits on fixed index policies, interest allocated to policies that provide a guaranteed yield, and living income benefit rider credits to policies that the policyholder has elected to add to those policies.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits" xlink:label="loc_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8" xlink:to="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_9BB994422B8B0A359FB0E85C46D1A5D8" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_1E8E6BA2B57A43F86B6CE85C46D1772E_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_1E8E6BA2B57A43F86B6CE85C46D1772E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Annuity product charges</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_1E8E6BA2B57A43F86B6CE85C46D1772E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_1E8E6BA2B57A43F86B6CE85C46D1772E" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_1E8E6BA2B57A43F86B6CE85C46D1772E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Change in traditional life and accident and health insurance reserves</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Increase (Decrease) in Insurance Liabilities</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInsuranceLiabilities_93FCF1E285195C1E4F6AE85C46D18B17" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Policy acquisition costs deferred</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts_AC98C161A02C9CEBB22EE85C46D19E62" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Provision for depreciation and other amortization</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Other Depreciation and Amortization</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_98D09717A7F7A3296FCAE85C46D1C301" xlink:type="arc" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMortgageNotesReceivable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireMortgageNotesReceivable_FCAAFDD839E79FDE6719E85C46D34575" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsForDerivativeInstrumentInvestingActivities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsForDerivativeInstrumentInvestingActivities_492CF7A2A470761912B7E85C46D31E4A" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_72DC19EDE2CBD19025D0E85C46D3907E_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_72DC19EDE2CBD19025D0E85C46D3907E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOutstandingChecksFinancingActivities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOutstandingChecksFinancingActivities_2D13CECEA97B6A766F1DE85C46D3E742" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_853B67FCBADAE99649CEE85C46D353E7_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_853B67FCBADAE99649CEE85C46D353E7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Net cash provided by financing activities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_853B67FCBADAE99649CEE85C46D353E7_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities_853B67FCBADAE99649CEE85C46D353E7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease_F16446A49CDDC43E22AFE85C46D40C04" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_DAE601AA1458CD98D6F2E85C46D41097" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InterestPaidAbstract_B88718B983643BE44C38E85C46D45EFC_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InterestPaidAbstract_B88718B983643BE44C38E85C46D45EFC" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Cash paid during period for interest:</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis_D1149774182C4C5A762501222BE1A9AE" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_09C6C3A6BFB85EFBD10201222BE11CBA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_09C6C3A6BFB85EFBD10201222BE11CBA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_09C6C3A6BFB85EFBD10201222BE11CBA" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_08A8F8D6A36B526F416B01222BE1A369_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member_08A8F8D6A36B526F416B01222BE1A369" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9BF5A3061704B203A83701222BE103E0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9BF5A3061704B203A83701222BE103E0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member_9BF5A3061704B203A83701222BE103E0" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_A969ACEBD20B035E6784FB66C0A5CA0B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_A969ACEBD20B035E6784FB66C0A5CA0B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Products and Services [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProductsAndServicesDomain_A969ACEBD20B035E6784FB66C0A5CA0B" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_04609B2FF937992A9A0CFBA6469F6C68_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_04609B2FF937992A9A0CFBA6469F6C68" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed Annuity [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_WeightedAverageMember_B779A7D953894776EF14FB66C0A68396" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationRangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationRangeAxis_15B97B7C321BB18E8EA9FB66C0A629F5" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationRangeDomain" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationRangeDomain_C3C152FD7A576CA3515FFB66C0A668E3" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration, Group 1 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 1.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B" xlink:to="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_02839A963837B41E76BEFB66C0A6DC7B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), Group 2 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration, Group 2 [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45" xlink:to="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_0B1533F19CC7B57D9843FB66C0A66C45" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), Group 3 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration, Group 3 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 3.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A" xlink:to="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_988B5F43561BE73896C2FB66C0A6676A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member_1BC7ADC35DCA5B3062BBFB66C0A6544B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member_1BC7ADC35DCA5B3062BBFB66C0A6544B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), Group 4 [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member_1BC7ADC35DCA5B3062BBFB66C0A6544B" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup5Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup5Member_210FE940035DF07366CAFB66C0A65864" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_B06234BE2AE55FD40E92FB66C0A69BB9" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_B06234BE2AE55FD40E92FB66C0A69BB9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ExpectedCostofAnnualCallOptions_DE66E5D1C6B493960228FB6838FFC375_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ExpectedCostofAnnualCallOptions_DE66E5D1C6B493960228FB6838FFC375" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Expected cost of annual call options</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ExpectedCostofAnnualCallOptions" xlink:label="loc_ael_ExpectedCostofAnnualCallOptions_DE66E5D1C6B493960228FB6838FFC375" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableNumberofPortfolioSegments_30D4DD23848E4A28CB10ED6B30465D20_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableNumberofPortfolioSegments_30D4DD23848E4A28CB10ED6B30465D20" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Number of portfolio segments that make up financing receivables</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount_65E5FE0983980E93252FFB66BF351D92_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount_65E5FE0983980E93252FFB66BF351D92" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Liabilities, Level 2 to Level 1 Transfers, Amount</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount_65E5FE0983980E93252FFB66BF351D92" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount_65E5FE0983980E93252FFB66BF351D92" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueLiabilitiesLevel2ToLevel1TransfersAmount_65E5FE0983980E93252FFB66BF351D92" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Assets, transfers into Level 3, amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset Transfers Into Level 3</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersIntoLevel3_3F46116CAD346144015AFB66BF36B1AA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Liabilities, transfers into Level 3, amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers Into Level 3</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersIntoLevel3_3FFD9F6938FF5590D854FB66BF36B140" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Assets, transfers out of Level 3, amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Recurring Basis, Asset, Transfers out of Level 3</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetTransfersOutOfLevel3_93BF34954004B8E36D23FB66BF36937F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Liabilities, transfers out of Level 3, amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Measurement with Unobservable Inputs Reconciliation, Liability, Transfers out of Level 3</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationLiabilityTransfersOutOfLevel3_F42466EC3C7C6E1B5E5BFB66BF36D55F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair value, sensitivity, discount rate adjustment (basis points)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Sensitivity, Discount Rate Adjustment</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents the number of basis points of change in the assumed discount rate utilized to determine the fair value of embedded derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment" xlink:label="loc_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95" xlink:to="lab_ael_FairValueSensitivityDiscountRateAdjustment_D7331E5ECD0023947956FB66BF36BD95" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed index annuities embedded derivative, adjustment due to change in discount rate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed Index Annuities Embedded Derivative, Fair Value Disclosure, Adjustment Due to Change in Discount Rate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Amount of change in the fair value of fixed index embedded derivative liabilities due to a change in the discount rate.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F" xlink:to="lab_ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosureAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRate_C073D8FBD46BB6EBA1B7FB66BF365E0F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred policy scquisition costs and deferred sales inducements, combined balance, adjustment due to change in discount rate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements, Adjustment Due to Change in Discount Rate, Combined Balance</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Corresponding amount of change in the combined balance of deferred policy acquistion costs and deferred sales inducements due to a change in the discount rate utilized to determine the fair value of embedded derivatives.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance" xlink:label="loc_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7" xlink:to="lab_ael_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducementsAdjustmentDuetoChangeinDiscountRateCombinedBalance_9903EF1207E2BA93EB35FB66BF36D5B7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Repurchase agreement, average borrowings</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Repurchase Agreement, Average Borrowings</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The average amount borrowed during the reporting period on repurchase agreements.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings" xlink:label="loc_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4" xlink:to="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings_E743D4CA0C415C44100CED992FBE3AE4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Repurchase agreement, maximum amount borrowed</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Repurchase Agreement, Maximum Amount Borrowed</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The maximum amount borrowed on repurchase agreements during the reporting period.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed" xlink:label="loc_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736" xlink:to="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed_B1EA0591C504883FF2EEED992FBEF736" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Repurchase agreement, weighted average interest rate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Repurchase Agreement, Average Interest Rate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The average rate of interest paid on the amount borrowed on securities repurchase agreements during the period.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED" xlink:to="lab_ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate_76413CCEB7E75F3330E4ED992FBEA2ED" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate_E3F19C6217BF0B3CA0BDD9B3A80601F9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate_E3F19C6217BF0B3CA0BDD9B3A80601F9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Principal outstanding</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate_E3F19C6217BF0B3CA0BDD9B3A80601F9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate_E3F19C6217BF0B3CA0BDD9B3A80601F9" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LoansReceivableCommercialRealEstate_E3F19C6217BF0B3CA0BDD9B3A80601F9" xlink:type="arc" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLenderDomain_744B07DFA05B6B70A260E8BC3DE1F6DE" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">2016 Line of Credit [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit, 2016 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Revolving line of credit entered into in September 2016.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_LineofCredit2016Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA" xlink:to="lab_ael_LineofCredit2016Member_9B6C4783F1B3A628EA8BE8BC3DE16AAA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityLineItems_84E7DA5C17482857A65AE8BC3DE1714F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Number of banks in agreement</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit Agreement, Number of Banks in Agreement</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The number of banks listed in the credit agreement.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement" xlink:label="loc_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57" xlink:to="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofBanksinAgreement_3802FC9232679E7013C3E8BC3DE1AA57" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity_0BB906B1AB07B031300EE8BC3DE2AF28" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Term loan</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Instrument, Face Amount</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount_AF00F27D5D3C39BF1C9BE8BC3DE23F38" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit agreement, interest rate, floating, applicable margin</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit Agreement, Interest Rate, Floating, Applicable Margin</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The variable interest rate for all borrowings under the credit agreement that is equal to an alternate base rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus the applicable margin that is equal to this value.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin" xlink:label="loc_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5" xlink:to="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingApplicableMargin_50D2E570BFDB57112F02E8BC3DE2E3B5" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit agreement, interest rate, floating, adjusted LIBOR</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit Agreement, Interest Rate, Floating, Adjusted LIBOR</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The variable interest rate for all borrowings under the credit agreement that is equal to an alternate base rate (as defined in the drecit agreement) plus the adjusted LIBOR rate that is equal to this value.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR" xlink:label="loc_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C" xlink:to="lab_ael_CreditAgreementInterestRateFloatingAdjustedLIBOR_9B1102708A08E87293A3E8BC3DE2CB9C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of credit, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage_BDDF1C88D7CB49C19857E8BC3DE2B5DA" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Term loan, interest rate, effective percentage</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage_E2852C0A8127BAF32283E8BC3DE2B63A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum risk-based capital ratio</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Covenants, Minimum Risk-Based Capital Ratio</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the minimum risk-based capital ratio required under debt covenants.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio" xlink:label="loc_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121" xlink:to="lab_ael_DebtCovenantsMinimumRiskBasedCapitalRatio_0BFA5ECF002D19FB2694E8BC3DE27121" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Maximum debt to capital ratio</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Maximum Debt to Capital Ratio</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the maximum debt to capital ratio in relation to the credit agreement.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio" xlink:label="loc_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B" xlink:to="lab_ael_MaximumDebtToCapitalRatio_45EED6657E05C8097E1BE8BC3DE2416B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum capital to be retained</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum Capital to be Retained</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the percentage of minimum capital that must be retained under the debt covenants for the credit agreement.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained" xlink:label="loc_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A" xlink:to="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalToBeRetained_64DCBCF6126FF8C42167E8BC3DE2B54A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum portion of net income to be retained</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum Portion of Net Income to be Retained</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the minimum portion of net income that is to be retained under the debt covenants related to the credit agreement.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained" xlink:label="loc_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89" xlink:to="lab_ael_MinimumPortionOfNetIncomeToBeRetained_14844EA8DC1F9CA62137E8BC3DE29D89" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum capital contributions to be retained</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Minimum Capital Contributions to be Retained</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the minimum capital contributions subsequent that are to be retained under the debt covenants related to the credit agreement.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained" xlink:label="loc_ael_MinimumCapitalContributionsToBeRetained_CFAE042C7C8B0D531D99E8BC3DE24CD5" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of credit, number of occasions borrowing capacity can be increased</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line Of Credit, Number Of Occasions Borrowing Capacity Can Be Increased</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The number of occasions the borrowing capacity of the Revolving Facility can be increased.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased" xlink:label="loc_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028" xlink:to="lab_ael_LineOfCreditNumberOfOccasionsBorrowingCapacityCanBeIncreased_74E24D04B3F0651CA120E8BC3DE2C028" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of credit, additional borrowing capacity, aggregate amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line Of Credit, Additional Borrowing Capacity, Aggregate Amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The aggregate amount of the additional borrowing capacity of the Revolving Facility.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount" xlink:label="loc_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB" xlink:to="lab_ael_LineOfCreditAdditionalBorrowingCapacityAggregateAmount_D1BC9697BCBBC485FC4EE8BC3DE2ECBB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of credit, maturity date extension available, years</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line Of Credit, Maturity Date Extension</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The duration of the maturity date extension available under the Revolving Facility.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension" xlink:label="loc_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9" xlink:to="lab_ael_LineOfCreditMaturityDateExtension_C9B47694AD1257D72678E8BC3DE3C6A9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit agreement, number of guarantors</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit Agreement, Number of Guarantors</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The number of guarantors under the credit agreement.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors" xlink:label="loc_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669" xlink:to="lab_ael_CreditAgreementNumberofGuarantors_06ADDD9E6BFA8E96AE7FE8BC3DE36669" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Line of credit, amount outstanding</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Long-term Line of Credit</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCredit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LineOfCredit_B2FE958D04D639552AAAE8BC3DE31A59" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Cash in excess of amount required by covenants</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Cash In Excess of Required by Covenants</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The amount of cash and cash equivalents reported on the balance sheet that is in excess of the amount required to be held by debt or credit agreement covenants.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants" xlink:label="loc_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D" xlink:to="lab_ael_CashInExcessOfRequiredByCovenants_907E4EBB40AABC5D4FB8E8BC3DE3D65D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_977B98173F9E530482F3FE6933CD6D79_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_41632EA21B2959D293215AE2A12DA1A6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_977B98173F9E530482F3FE6933CD6D79_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_41632EA21B2959D293215AE2A12DA1A6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Table]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_41632EA21B2959D293215AE2A12DA1A6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_41632EA21B2959D293215AE2A12DA1A6" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareDilutedByCommonClassTable_41632EA21B2959D293215AE2A12DA1A6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6EC4C9C3764C245DED6DFE6933CD59B6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5A73094B34245DF39FED8B0E20DCAB6A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Award Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_6EC4C9C3764C245DED6DFE6933CD59B6_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5A73094B34245DF39FED8B0E20DCAB6A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Award Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5A73094B34245DF39FED8B0E20DCAB6A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5A73094B34245DF39FED8B0E20DCAB6A" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_5A73094B34245DF39FED8B0E20DCAB6A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4B2BDAD84CAF950E6DE5FE6933CDAB9D_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_C91D5470D2FF57F4B3F01CCA7D0FB8F7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Award [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_4B2BDAD84CAF950E6DE5FE6933CDAB9D_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_C91D5470D2FF57F4B3F01CCA7D0FB8F7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Award [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_C91D5470D2FF57F4B3F01CCA7D0FB8F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_C91D5470D2FF57F4B3F01CCA7D0FB8F7" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_C91D5470D2FF57F4B3F01CCA7D0FB8F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_8F1057C124B5C73B41B3FE6933CE3BA3_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_24FA8BE0F968518C841CA7DE1D15AE2B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Stock Options and Deferred Compensation Agreements [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_8F1057C124B5C73B41B3FE6933CE3BA3_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_24FA8BE0F968518C841CA7DE1D15AE2B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Stock Options And Deferred Compensation Agreements [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_8F1057C124B5C73B41B3FE6933CE3BA3_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_24FA8BE0F968518C841CA7DE1D15AE2B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Stock Options And Deferred Compensation Agreements [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_24FA8BE0F968518C841CA7DE1D15AE2B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_24FA8BE0F968518C841CA7DE1D15AE2B" xlink:to="lab_ael_StockOptionsAndDeferredCompensationAgreementsMember_24FA8BE0F968518C841CA7DE1D15AE2B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember_D952702BA4686607C21BFE6933CE37D9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember_EA7B78BEB793562B85AF9841B997D867" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember_D952702BA4686607C21BFE6933CE37D9_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RestrictedStockAndRestrictedStockUnitsMember_EA7B78BEB793562B85AF9841B997D867" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Units [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_28ECDD9DDC7D514731D4D9B3A801D37D_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_28ECDD9DDC7D514731D4D9B3A801D37D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Real Estate [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_28ECDD9DDC7D514731D4D9B3A801D37D" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateNamePropertyTypeDomain_28ECDD9DDC7D514731D4D9B3A801D37D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Office [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Office Building [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_OfficeBuildingMember_619AD4F7B076D9AA0496D9B3A80185E7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Medical Office [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans Medical Office Property Type [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans on commercial real estate with medical office as the property type of the real estate serving as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_A4F51F3BE7860E5E29F7D9B3A80131AA" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Retail [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Retail Site [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetailSiteMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_RetailSiteMember_73BC2888012461A4132DD9B3A801379B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Industrial/Warehouse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans Industrial and Warehouse Property Type [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans on commercial real estate with industrial/warehouse as the property type of the real estate serving as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_MortgageLoansIndustrialAndWarehousePropertyTypeMember_2A158421F51B888AB10CD9B3A801CC74" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember_D37DA9D604E9FF0564F5D9B3A8014CDD_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember_D37DA9D604E9FF0564F5D9B3A8014CDD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Apartment [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember_D37DA9D604E9FF0564F5D9B3A8014CDD_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember_D37DA9D604E9FF0564F5D9B3A8014CDD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Apartment Building [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ApartmentBuildingMember_D37DA9D604E9FF0564F5D9B3A8014CDD" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember_2B92D732EF1784FFA2C3D9B3A8022CCF_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember_2B92D732EF1784FFA2C3D9B3A8022CCF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mixed Use/Other [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember_2B92D732EF1784FFA2C3D9B3A8022CCF_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember_2B92D732EF1784FFA2C3D9B3A8022CCF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Other Property [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherPropertyMember_2B92D732EF1784FFA2C3D9B3A8022CCF" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_DFEAC39D4B51BCA3BC6ED9B3A802231B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_DFEAC39D4B51BCA3BC6ED9B3A802231B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Geographical [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_DFEAC39D4B51BCA3BC6ED9B3A802231B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_DFEAC39D4B51BCA3BC6ED9B3A802231B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Geographical [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis_DFEAC39D4B51BCA3BC6ED9B3A802231B" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_33423DB353FEA0CE3A43D9B3A8026049_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_33423DB353FEA0CE3A43D9B3A8026049" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Geographical [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_33423DB353FEA0CE3A43D9B3A8026049_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_33423DB353FEA0CE3A43D9B3A8026049" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Geographical [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SegmentGeographicalDomain_33423DB353FEA0CE3A43D9B3A8026049" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">East [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">East United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">East United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0" xlink:to="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_5A41AB11C7F4583FC2A5D9B3A80222A0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Middle Atlantic [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Middle Atlantic United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Middle Atlantic United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898" xlink:to="lab_ael_MiddleAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_7803045A2D8730B98D33D9B3A8021898" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mountain [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mountain United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Mountain United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_MountainUnitedStatesRegionMember_8508D6FB38F05839D9A6D9B3A802D0EF" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">New England [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">New England United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">New England United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_NewEnglandUnitedStatesRegionMember_4039B7962194D11B84E4D9B3A80264D2" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember_C928DFFAD95B98883483D9B3A8021E5F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember_C928DFFAD95B98883483D9B3A8021E5F" xlink:to="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember_C928DFFAD95B98883483D9B3A8021E5F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">South Atlantic [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">South Atlantic United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">South Atlantic United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9" xlink:to="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_E4F3CC944A177099FD53D9B3A80211C9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">West North Central [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">West North Central United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">West North Central United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B" xlink:to="lab_ael_WestNorthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_D44D97E9240ADA092DABD9B3A802543B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">West South Central [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">West South Central United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">West South Central United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363" xlink:to="lab_ael_WestSouthCentralUnitedStatesRegionMember_62C9D8953A7D6189C8B1D9B3A802C363" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Percent</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Percent of Mortgage Loans</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the specific geographic distribution or property type distribution amount as a percentage of the total amortized cost of mortgage loans.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans" xlink:label="loc_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A" xlink:to="lab_ael_PercentOfMortgageLoans_5582F1619DB28860B5F0D9B3A8025F1A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the finance, insurance and real estate sectors.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004" xlink:to="lab_ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember_E0167933F3870F4150B5FB684F16B004" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Manufacturing, Construction and Mining [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Manufacturing, Construction, and Mining Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the manufacturing, construction and mining sectors.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4" xlink:to="lab_ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember_6490FE0FBB565AC3A2DDFB684F1709A4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Utilities and Related Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Utilities and Related Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in utilities and related sectors.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB" xlink:to="lab_ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember_2071955A327A5A52C524FB684F1799DB" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Wholesale/Retail Trade [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Wholesale and Retail Trade Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the wholesale and retail trade sectors.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD" xlink:to="lab_ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember_31C66B605944892CB184FB684F1733CD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Services, Media and Other [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Services, Media, and Other Sectors [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the services, media and other sectors.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD" xlink:to="lab_ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember_B859B14F071A6087BBBDFB684F175FBD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Insurance [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Insurance Sector [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Item represents securities held in the insurance sector.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_InsuranceSectorMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C" xlink:to="lab_ael_InsuranceSectorMember_FCA8B5773BB3500589ABFB684F17156C" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAbstract_CEF6C1C7D9C414A64167FB684F17E95F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Less than Twelve Months, Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue_718756417C9FA67B7987FB684F170562" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_998D1BB57095275C95F4FB684F171F48_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_998D1BB57095275C95F4FB684F171F48" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_1101EC3A3EE365200048D5882DDA77B5_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_1101EC3A3EE365200048D5882DDA77B5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Unamortized debt issue costs</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_1101EC3A3EE365200048D5882DDA77B5_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_1101EC3A3EE365200048D5882DDA77B5" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Issuance Costs, Net</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_1101EC3A3EE365200048D5882DDA77B5" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_93EF0CD3248658586F8CFE69326BF96A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_81207BFFE9945A30A973F26B09D3DFD6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Bank of America [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_93EF0CD3248658586F8CFE69326BF96A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_81207BFFE9945A30A973F26B09D3DFD6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Bank of America [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_93EF0CD3248658586F8CFE69326BF96A_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_81207BFFE9945A30A973F26B09D3DFD6" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Bank of America [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_81207BFFE9945A30A973F26B09D3DFD6" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_81207BFFE9945A30A973F26B09D3DFD6" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_81207BFFE9945A30A973F26B09D3DFD6" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_C2F9B19CEC6BAD11436DFE69326B537A_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_E27C8AB6AE545539B996B4051878B41E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Barclays [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_C2F9B19CEC6BAD11436DFE69326B537A_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_E27C8AB6AE545539B996B4051878B41E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Barclays [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_C2F9B19CEC6BAD11436DFE69326B537A_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_E27C8AB6AE545539B996B4051878B41E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Barclays [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_E27C8AB6AE545539B996B4051878B41E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_E27C8AB6AE545539B996B4051878B41E" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_E27C8AB6AE545539B996B4051878B41E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_AC86D05F2CC9AA118821FE69326BE91F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_31F92BDAFB3B59AA8355D849743B27DD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">BNP Paribas [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_AC86D05F2CC9AA118821FE69326BE91F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_31F92BDAFB3B59AA8355D849743B27DD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, BNP Paribas [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_AC86D05F2CC9AA118821FE69326BE91F_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_31F92BDAFB3B59AA8355D849743B27DD" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, BNP Paribas [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_31F92BDAFB3B59AA8355D849743B27DD" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_31F92BDAFB3B59AA8355D849743B27DD" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBnpParibasMember_31F92BDAFB3B59AA8355D849743B27DD" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_203D77ED48A13A2028D5FE69326B5C4D_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_644DAB41EBDB5978A2B930D0FCF96E84" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Citibank, N.A. [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_203D77ED48A13A2028D5FE69326B5C4D_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_644DAB41EBDB5978A2B930D0FCF96E84" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Citibank, N.A. [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_203D77ED48A13A2028D5FE69326B5C4D_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_644DAB41EBDB5978A2B930D0FCF96E84" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Citibank, N.A. [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_644DAB41EBDB5978A2B930D0FCF96E84" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_644DAB41EBDB5978A2B930D0FCF96E84" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCitibankN.A.Member_644DAB41EBDB5978A2B930D0FCF96E84" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_B087F0517EAAB476C7AAFE69326B2843_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_3EBD541AD05C5332926D2540E2BD632E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Credit Suisse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_B087F0517EAAB476C7AAFE69326B2843_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_3EBD541AD05C5332926D2540E2BD632E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Credit Suisse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_B087F0517EAAB476C7AAFE69326B2843_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_3EBD541AD05C5332926D2540E2BD632E" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Credit Suisse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_3EBD541AD05C5332926D2540E2BD632E" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_3EBD541AD05C5332926D2540E2BD632E" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_3EBD541AD05C5332926D2540E2BD632E" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_B655A83617C374070647FE69326BB345_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_4C568556B5C5513B8CAA332E4DD22D8D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Deutsche Bank [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_B655A83617C374070647FE69326BB345_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_4C568556B5C5513B8CAA332E4DD22D8D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Deutsche Bank [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_B655A83617C374070647FE69326BB345_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_4C568556B5C5513B8CAA332E4DD22D8D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Deutsche Bank [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_4C568556B5C5513B8CAA332E4DD22D8D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_4C568556B5C5513B8CAA332E4DD22D8D" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyDeutscheBankMember_4C568556B5C5513B8CAA332E4DD22D8D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_E41C45146120AFCFF606FE69326B4395_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_B33A6997926D5C02A56FBCB00213BB0F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">J.P. Morgan [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_E41C45146120AFCFF606FE69326B4395_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_B33A6997926D5C02A56FBCB00213BB0F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, J.P. Morgan [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_E41C45146120AFCFF606FE69326B4395_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_B33A6997926D5C02A56FBCB00213BB0F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, J.P. Morgan [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_B33A6997926D5C02A56FBCB00213BB0F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_B33A6997926D5C02A56FBCB00213BB0F" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyJPMorganMember_B33A6997926D5C02A56FBCB00213BB0F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_88F6DD627BE07318276EFE69326C889B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_B920401B881F5EBE8600E066744D416A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Morgan Stanley [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_88F6DD627BE07318276EFE69326C889B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_B920401B881F5EBE8600E066744D416A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Morgan Stanley [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_88F6DD627BE07318276EFE69326C889B_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_B920401B881F5EBE8600E066744D416A" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Morgan Stanley [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_B920401B881F5EBE8600E066744D416A" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_B920401B881F5EBE8600E066744D416A" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyMorganStanleyMember_B920401B881F5EBE8600E066744D416A" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_6E0752E034028947B669FE69326C7A41_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_34D9E40AEA455115ABFE01F7FF5E644D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Royal Bank of Canada [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_6E0752E034028947B669FE69326C7A41_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_34D9E40AEA455115ABFE01F7FF5E644D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Royal Bank of Canada [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_6E0752E034028947B669FE69326C7A41_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_34D9E40AEA455115ABFE01F7FF5E644D" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Royal Bank of Canada [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_34D9E40AEA455115ABFE01F7FF5E644D" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_34D9E40AEA455115ABFE01F7FF5E644D" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyRoyalBankofCanadaMember_34D9E40AEA455115ABFE01F7FF5E644D" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_9F53FC24022530F2E9D2FE69326C0C7C_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_0E92806B4B2B51298E0EAFC40C386798" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Wells Fargo [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_9F53FC24022530F2E9D2FE69326C0C7C_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_0E92806B4B2B51298E0EAFC40C386798" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Wells Fargo [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_9F53FC24022530F2E9D2FE69326C0C7C_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_0E92806B4B2B51298E0EAFC40C386798" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Wells Fargo [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_0E92806B4B2B51298E0EAFC40C386798" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_0E92806B4B2B51298E0EAFC40C386798" xlink:to="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_0E92806B4B2B51298E0EAFC40C386798" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_0AEFD8925BCC7A3E9093FE69326CB11D_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_1C114EC4D3B35D739925EBC5B8CAE9BF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Exchange Traded [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_0AEFD8925BCC7A3E9093FE69326CB11D_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_1C114EC4D3B35D739925EBC5B8CAE9BF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Exchange Traded [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_0AEFD8925BCC7A3E9093FE69326CB11D_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_1C114EC4D3B35D739925EBC5B8CAE9BF" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Exchange Traded [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_1C114EC4D3B35D739925EBC5B8CAE9BF" xlink:type="locator" />
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAmortizedCost_7F2ECBDD7D9E660BD449FE69325585B9_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAmortizedCost_3C58E57F67B0518DACAC0B9FB77275F4" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Amortized cost of fixed maturity portfolio, available for sale and held for investment, combined totals.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAmortizedCost" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAmortizedCost_3C58E57F67B0518DACAC0B9FB77275F4" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAmortizedCost_3C58E57F67B0518DACAC0B9FB77275F4" xlink:to="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityAmortizedCost_3C58E57F67B0518DACAC0B9FB77275F4" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_23043B1E2506DD74874BFE6932558EBB_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_887A9CFDE0735E82948BEB88EEF9A921" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_23043B1E2506DD74874BFE6932558EBB_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_887A9CFDE0735E82948BEB88EEF9A921" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed Maturity Securities, Available For Sale And Held To Maturity, Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_23043B1E2506DD74874BFE6932558EBB_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_887A9CFDE0735E82948BEB88EEF9A921" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio, available for sale and held for investment, combined totals.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue" xlink:label="loc_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_887A9CFDE0735E82948BEB88EEF9A921" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_887A9CFDE0735E82948BEB88EEF9A921" xlink:to="lab_ael_FixedMaturitySecuritiesAvailableForSaleAndHeldToMaturityFairValue_887A9CFDE0735E82948BEB88EEF9A921" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_DA5D27DB4A7DD03C8ACDFE6932E9566C_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_8FC37121590D5E5C956327EDEF03A4B9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities and equity securities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_DA5D27DB4A7DD03C8ACDFE6932E9566C_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_8FC37121590D5E5C956327EDEF03A4B9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss), before Tax</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_8FC37121590D5E5C956327EDEF03A4B9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_8FC37121590D5E5C956327EDEF03A4B9" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainLossBeforeTax_8FC37121590D5E5C956327EDEF03A4B9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_5A0C003CB93970D82D25FE6932E943DA_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_48489A45B44D5964824E44314DFE49B1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_5A0C003CB93970D82D25FE6932E943DA_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_48489A45B44D5964824E44314DFE49B1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Adjustments for Assumed Changes in Amortization of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Deferred Sales Inducements</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_5A0C003CB93970D82D25FE6932E943DA_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_48489A45B44D5964824E44314DFE49B1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The amount included in other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to the adjustments for assumed changes in amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements due to net unrealized gains and losses on available for sale fixed maturity and equity securities.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements" xlink:label="loc_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_48489A45B44D5964824E44314DFE49B1" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_48489A45B44D5964824E44314DFE49B1" xlink:to="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAdjustmentsforAssumedChangesinAmortizationofDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsandDeferredSalesInducements_48489A45B44D5964824E44314DFE49B1" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_A6118A09E298C85C86ACFE6932EAEAE6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_D2C18C4FD9D75B66B191331032C59EB9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred income tax valuation allowance reversal</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_A6118A09E298C85C86ACFE6932EAEAE6_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_D2C18C4FD9D75B66B191331032C59EB9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Other Comprehensive Income, Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Reversal</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_A6118A09E298C85C86ACFE6932EAEAE6_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_D2C18C4FD9D75B66B191331032C59EB9" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The amount of reversal recorded to eliminate the deferred tax asset valuation allowance that represents a component of net unrealized gain/loss in other comprehensive income.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal" xlink:label="loc_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_D2C18C4FD9D75B66B191331032C59EB9" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_D2C18C4FD9D75B66B191331032C59EB9" xlink:to="lab_ael_OtherComprehensiveIncomeValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetReversal_D2C18C4FD9D75B66B191331032C59EB9" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_19E9A2BDFB4717FD1E48FE6932EA5B69_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_97BD54544BA45587A709D55A2938D1F7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred income tax expense</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_19E9A2BDFB4717FD1E48FE6932EA5B69_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_97BD54544BA45587A709D55A2938D1F7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_19E9A2BDFB4717FD1E48FE6932EA5B69_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_97BD54544BA45587A709D55A2938D1F7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The tax effect on the accumulated unrealized gain or loss on the total available for sale security portfolio at the reporting date.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" xlink:label="loc_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_97BD54544BA45587A709D55A2938D1F7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_97BD54544BA45587A709D55A2938D1F7" xlink:to="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_97BD54544BA45587A709D55A2938D1F7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_1E2C78557EB866F04613FE6932EAE105_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_56A1A165A53A5951A6F0BD433C4358B7" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Net unrealized gains reported as accumulated other comprehensive income</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_56A1A165A53A5951A6F0BD433C4358B7" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_56A1A165A53A5951A6F0BD433C4358B7" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_56A1A165A53A5951A6F0BD433C4358B7" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Public offering related to equity forward transaction, shares</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Forward Transaction, Shares In Connection With Public Offering</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the number of shares in connection with public offering under the equity forward transaction.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering" xlink:label="loc_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F" xlink:to="lab_ael_EquityForwardTransactionSharesInConnectionWithPublicOffering_A6758A73FD838B717AC8FCE43BF4334F" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Forward rate per share</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityForwardRate_7701EB8D529E2E34C22EFCE43BF5D7E0" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Shares subject to forward sale agreement</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ForwardContractIndexedToIssuersEquityShares_2053A0DCE3191ED92593FCE43BF5DC0B" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Optional shares available to underwriters</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Optional Shares Available to Underwriters</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">The number of shares that the underwriters have an option to purchase for a definite time period after close of forward equity transaction.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="ael-20170331.xsd#ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters" xlink:label="loc_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3" xlink:type="locator" />
    <link:labelArc order="1" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3" xlink:to="lab_ael_ForwardContractIndexedtoIssuersEquityOptionalSharesAvailabletoUnderwriters_DA42D5ACB943182E02DCFCE43BF542C3" xlink:type="arc" />
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_186141886CFE7A164416FCE43BF5D539_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_186141886CFE7A164416FCE43BF5D539" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Shares of common stock issued</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_186141886CFE7A164416FCE43BF5D539_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_186141886CFE7A164416FCE43BF5D539" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xml:lang="en-US">Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues_186141886CFE7A164416FCE43BF5D539" xlink:type="locator" />
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