XML 40 R28.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.7.0.1

Fair Values of Financial Instruments (Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis by Fair Value Hierarchy) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Jun. 30, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016
--- | --- | ---
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | $ 43,893,785 | $ 41,060,494
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Full Faith and Credit [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 12,174 | 11,805
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 1,340,839 | 1,344,787
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Municipalities, States and Territories [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 4,137,714 | 3,926,950
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 238,869 | 236,341
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Corporate Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 29,287,071 | 27,114,418
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 1,181,850 | 1,254,835
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 5,540,383 | 5,365,235
Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Other Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 2,154,885 | 1,806,123
Equity Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 7,982 | 8,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Derivative assets | 1,086,624 | 830,519
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,574,913 | 791,266
Counterparty collateral | 144,283 | 145,693
Assets | 46,708,055 | 42,837,054
Liabilities |  |
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | 7,552,365 | 6,563,288
Liabilities | 7,554,366 | 6,565,401
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Interest rate derivative assets | 468 | 1,082
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Liabilities |  |
Interest rate derivative liabilities | 2,001 | 2,113
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Full Faith and Credit [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 12,174 | 11,805
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 1,340,839 | 1,344,787
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Municipalities, States and Territories [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 4,137,714 | 3,926,950
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 238,869 | 236,341
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Corporate Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 29,287,071 | 27,114,418
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 1,181,850 | 1,254,835
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 5,540,383 | 5,365,235
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Other Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 2,154,885 | 1,806,123
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 7,982 | 8,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,574,913 | 791,266
Counterparty collateral | 0 | 0
Assets | 1,580,726 | 796,653
Liabilities |  |
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | 0 | 0
Liabilities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Interest rate derivative assets | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Liabilities |  |
Interest rate derivative liabilities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Full Faith and Credit [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 5,807 | 5,381
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Municipalities, States and Territories [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Corporate Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 6 | 6
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Other Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Derivative assets | 1,086,624 | 830,519
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | 0
Counterparty collateral | 144,283 | 145,693
Assets | 45,127,329 | 42,040,401
Liabilities |  |
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | 0 | 0
Liabilities | 2,001 | 2,113
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Interest rate derivative assets | 468 | 1,082
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Liabilities |  |
Interest rate derivative liabilities | 2,001 | 2,113
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Full Faith and Credit [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 6,367 | 6,424
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 1,340,839 | 1,344,787
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Municipalities, States and Territories [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 4,137,714 | 3,926,950
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 238,869 | 236,341
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Corporate Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 29,287,065 | 27,114,412
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 1,181,850 | 1,254,835
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 5,540,383 | 5,365,235
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Other Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 2,154,885 | 1,806,123
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 7,982 | 8,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Derivative assets | 0 | 0
Cash and cash equivalents | 0 | 0
Counterparty collateral | 0 | 0
Assets | 0 | 0
Liabilities |  |
Fixed index annuities - embedded derivatives | 7,552,365 | 6,563,288
Liabilities | 7,552,365 | 6,563,288
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Caps [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Interest rate derivative assets | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] |  |
Liabilities |  |
Interest rate derivative liabilities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Full Faith and Credit [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Government Sponsored Agencies [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | United States Municipalities, States and Territories [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Foreign Government Obligations [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Corporate Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] | Other Asset Backed Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | 0 | 0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Equity Securities [Member] |  |
Assets |  |
Available for sale securities | $ 0 | $ 0

X
- Definition Fair value of fixed index embedded derivative liabilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ael_FixedIndexAnnuitiesEmbeddedDerivativeFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | ael_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Fair value portion of probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884222&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66010992&loc=d3e26610-111562 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value, before effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets elected not to be offset. Excludes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4B -Subparagraph (a),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5624163-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51825145&loc=SL20226000-175313 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (c)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64830801&loc=SL51823488-111719 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative assets, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13433-108611 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeAssetsAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value as of the balance sheet date of interest rate derivative liabilities, which includes all such derivative instruments in hedging and nonhedging relationships that are recognized as liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73719730&loc=d3e13433-108611 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestRateDerivativeLiabilitiesAtFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Fair value of financial and nonfinancial obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value portion of other assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_FixedMaturitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementFrequencyAxis=us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsRecurringMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |