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Subordinated Debentures (Summary of Subordinated Debt Obligations to the Trusts) (Details) - Subordinated Debentures - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 247,161 | $ 246,908
Unamortized debt issue costs |  | (4,179) | (4,343)
Subordinated debentures |  | 242,982 | 242,565
American Equity Capital Trust II |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 77,551 | 77,298
Interest rate |  | 5.00% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Jun. 01, 2047 |
American Equity Capital Trust III |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 27,840 | 27,840
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.90% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Apr. 29, 2034 |
American Equity Capital Trust IV |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 12,372 | 12,372
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 4.00% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Jan. 08, 2034 |
American Equity Capital Trust VII |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 10,830 | 10,830
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.75% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Dec. 14, 2034 |
American Equity Capital Trust VIII |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 20,620 | 20,620
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.75% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Dec. 15, 2034 |
American Equity Capital Trust IX |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 15,470 | 15,470
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.65% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Jun. 15, 2035 |
American Equity Capital Trust X |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 20,620 | 20,620
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.65% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Sep. 15, 2035 |
American Equity Capital Trust XI |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 20,620 | 20,620
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.65% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Dec. 15, 2035 |
American Equity Capital Trust XII |  |  |
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items] |  |  |
Subordinated debentures, gross |  | $ 41,238 | $ 41,238
Description of variable rate basis | [1] | *LIBOR + |
Basis spread on variable rate |  | 3.50% |
Subordinated borrowing, due date |  | Apr. 07, 2036 |
[1] | three month London Interbank Offered Rate

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