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Notes and Loan Payable and Amounts Due Under Repurchase Agreements (Repurchase Agreements Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] |  |  |  |
Repurchase agreement, average borrowings | $ 36,100 | $ 0 | $ 69,100 | $ 0
Repurchase agreement, maximum amount borrowed |  |  | $ 274,500 |
Repurchase agreement, weighted average interest rate | 1.02% |  | 0.74% |

X
- Definition The average amount borrowed during the reporting period on repurchase agreements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageBorrowings
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The average rate of interest paid on the amount borrowed on securities repurchase agreements during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The maximum amount borrowed on repurchase agreements during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_RepurchaseAgreementMaximumAmountBorrowed
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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