XML 70 R57.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.10.0.1

Investments (Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments, By Category and Length of Time) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2018 | Dec. 31, 2017
--- | --- | ---
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | $ 19,341,518 | $ 3,999,294
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (803,628) | (47,884)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 6,619,197 | 4,815,325
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (547,459) | (221,017)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 25,960,715 | 8,814,619
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (1,351,087) | (268,901)
United States Government Full Faith and Credit |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 543 | 1,565
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (3) | (10)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 7,785 | 6,731
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (319) | (137)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 8,328 | 8,296
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (322) | (147)
United States Government Sponsored Agencies |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 30,089 | 44,794
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (949) | (180)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 953,421 | 958,965
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (82,085) | (31,550)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 983,510 | 1,003,759
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (83,034) | (31,730)
United States Municipalities, States and Territories |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 340,103 | 44,736
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (6,816) | (128)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 162,997 | 128,499
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (8,842) | (3,468)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 503,100 | 173,235
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (15,658) | (3,596)
Foreign Government Obligations |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 98,511 | 49,663
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (1,748) | (337)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 11,859 | 12,625
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (2,411) | (1,688)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 110,370 | 62,288
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (4,159) | (2,025)
Corporate Securities | Finance, Insurance and Real Estate |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 2,501,640 | 456,244
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (87,220) | (5,135)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 884,870 | 600,655
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (77,507) | (28,043)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 3,386,510 | 1,056,899
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (164,727) | (33,178)
Corporate Securities | Manufacturing, Construction and Mining |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 2,045,859 | 222,985
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (84,972) | (3,475)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 349,738 | 231,196
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (34,635) | (10,849)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 2,395,597 | 454,181
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (119,607) | (14,324)
Corporate Securities | Utilities and Related Sectors |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 2,313,271 | 395,183
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (82,119) | (4,099)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 591,482 | 249,416
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (45,838) | (8,901)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 2,904,753 | 644,599
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (127,957) | (13,000)
Corporate Securities | Wholesale/Retail Trade |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 1,032,603 | 152,941
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (51,228) | (1,249)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 198,805 | 178,635
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (26,326) | (11,371)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 1,231,408 | 331,576
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (77,554) | (12,620)
Corporate Securities | Services, Media and Other |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 4,618,477 | 729,124
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (196,520) | (19,000)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 1,072,722 | 891,654
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (152,364) | (53,565)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 5,691,199 | 1,620,778
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (348,884) | (72,565)
Corporate Securities | Insurance |  |
Debt Securities, Held-to-maturity, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Held for investment, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 0
Held for investment, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | 0
Held for investment, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 76,460
Held for investment, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (581)
Held for investment, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 76,460
Held for investment, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (581)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 145,613 | 39,771
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (2,638) | (387)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 22,689 | 32,917
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (1,487) | (2,084)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 168,302 | 72,688
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (4,125) | (2,471)
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 2,141,560 | 1,096,757
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (37,150) | (10,385)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 2,090,835 | 1,306,437
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (97,676) | (59,455)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 4,232,395 | 2,403,194
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | (134,826) | (69,840)
Other Asset Backed Securities |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract] |  |
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value | 4,073,249 | 765,531
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | (252,265) | (3,499)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value | 271,994 | 217,595
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | (17,969) | (9,906)
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value | 4,345,243 | 983,126
Available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | $ (270,234) | $ (13,405)

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

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for more than 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12Months
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in unrealized loss position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale), in unrealized loss position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous loss position for 12 months or longer. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in unrealized loss position. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in unrealized loss position. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous loss position for less than 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of investment in debt security measured at amortized cost (held-to-maturity), in continuous unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27337-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentAgenciesDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentSectorAxis=ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentSectorAxis=ael_ManufacturingConstructionandMiningSectorsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentSectorAxis=ael_UtilitiesandRelatedSectorsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentSectorAxis=ael_WholesaleandRetailTradeSectorsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentSectorAxis=ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentSectorAxis=ael_InsuranceSectorMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

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

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