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v3.7.0.1

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |  | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jul. 17, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2017 | Jun. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Loss on extinguishment of debt |  | $ (428) | $ 0
July 2021 Notes [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] |  |  |
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |  |  |
Extinguishment of debt, cash paid | $ 413,300 |  |
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage | 3.313% |  |
Extinguishment of debt, amount | $ 400,000 |  |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | $ (18,400) |  |

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- Definition The amount of cash paid to extinguish outstanding debt. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 470 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph e -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823 + Details
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Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Gross amount of debt extinguished. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
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- Definition Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12317-112629 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 470 -SubTopic 50 -Section 40 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170532&loc=d3e12355-112629 + Details
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- Definition Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
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Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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- Details
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