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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
	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

Fair value of share-based compensation granted to nonemployees as payment for services rendered or acknowledged claims.

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