XML 36 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1

Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification	$ 1.3

X

- Definition

Represents the quantification of the effect of adopting the new accounting standard or change in accounting principle expected by the entity to have a significant effect on the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=ael_AccountingStandardsUpdate201609Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: