XML 22 R1.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3.a.u2
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Feb. 19, 2020
Jun. 28, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 001-31911    
Entity Registrant Name American Equity Investment Life Holding Co    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code IA    
Entity Tax Identification Number 42-1447959    
Entity Address, Address Line One 6000 Westown Parkway    
Entity Address, City or Town West Des Moines    
Entity Address, State or Province IA    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 50266    
City Area Code 515    
Local Phone Number 221-0002    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 2,432,845,919
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   91,291,805  
Entity Central Index Key 0001039828    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2019    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Common Stock      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Title of 12(b) Security Common stock, par value $1    
Trading Symbol AEL    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Series A Preferred Stock      
Entity Information [Line Items]      
Title of 12(b) Security Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/1,000th interest in a share of 5.95% Fixed-Rate Reset Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A    
Trading Symbol AELPRA    
Security Exchange Name NYSE