XML 16 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.1

Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - Accounting Standards Update 2016-13 $ in Millions | Jan. 01, 2020 USD ($)
--- | ---
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification | $ 8.6
Reinsurance Recoverable, Allowance for Credit Loss |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification | 3.2
Retained Earnings |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification | $ (9.3)

X
- Definition Represents the quantification of the effect of adopting the new accounting standard or change in accounting principle expected by the entity to have a significant effect on the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleEffectOfAdoptionQuantification
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=ael_FinancingReceivableAllowanceforCreditLossMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=ael_ReinsuranceRecoverableAllowanceforCreditLossMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |