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Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (2014 Independent Insurance Agent Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan) (Details) - 2014 Independent Insurance Agent Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Number of shares authorized | 1,800,000 |  |  |  |
Number of shares available for future grant | 667,626 |  |  |  |
2015 and 2016 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Restricted Stock Units | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting rights, percentage | 20.00% |  |  |  |
Award vesting period | 1 year |  |  |  |
2015 and 2016 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting rights, percentage | 80.00% |  |  |  |
Award vesting period | 3 years |  |  |  |
2015 and 2016 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting rights, percentage | 80.00% |  |  |  |
2015 and 2016 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units | Maximum | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting period | 5 years |  |  |  |
2016 American Equity Life Agent Grant |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Commission expense | $ 1.6 | $ 1.3 | $ 2.6 |  |
2016 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Restricted Stock Units |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity instruments granted |  |  | 363,624 |  |
Award vested in period | 57,562 | 138,820 |  |  |
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Commission expense | $ 2.4 | $ 2.2 | $ 1.7 |  |
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Restricted Stock Units |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity instruments granted |  |  |  | 650,683 |
Award vested in period | 89,367 | 100,586 | 246,532 |  |
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Commission expense | $ 0.9 | $ 0.8 | $ 0.6 |  |
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity instruments granted |  |  |  |  | 27,985
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Equity instruments granted |  |  |  |  | 221,489
Award vested in period | 28,575 | 32,815 | 36,609 |  |
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting rights, percentage | 20.00% |  |  |  |
Award vesting period | 1 year |  |  |  |
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting rights, percentage | 80.00% |  |  |  |
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent | Restricted Stock Units | Maximum | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Award vesting period | 5 years |  |  |  |

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- Definition Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that vested during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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- Definition The difference between the maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) authorized for issuance under the plan (including the effects of amendments and adjustments), and the sum of: 1) the number of shares (or other type of equity) already issued upon exercise of options or other equity-based awards under the plan; and 2) shares (or other type of equity) reserved for issuance on granting of outstanding awards, net of cancellations and forfeitures, if applicable. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109197908&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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