XML 27 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.1

Derivative Instruments (Change in Fair Value of Derivatives Included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | $ (941,874) | $ 384,469
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (1,250,061) | 766,323
Call Options |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | (941,936) | 385,166
Interest Rate Swap |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 0 | (368)
Interest Rate Caps |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of derivatives | 62 | (329)
Fixed Index Annuities - Embedded Derivatives |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | (1,285,071) | 652,642
Other Changes in Difference Between Policy Benefit Reserves Computed Using Derivative Accounting Vs. Long-Duration Contracts Accounting |  |
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] |  |
Change in fair value of embedded derivatives | $ 35,010 | $ 113,681

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_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of realized and unrealized gain (loss) of derivative instruments not designated or qualifying as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4CC -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL109998890-113959 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109980867&loc=SL5624171-113959 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsNotDesignatedAsHedgingInstrumentsGainLossNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net Increase or Decrease in the fair value of the embedded derivative or group of embedded derivatives included in earnings in the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2229187 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CallOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateCapMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFinancialInstrumentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=ael_OtherChangesinDifferenceBetweenPolicyBenefitReservesComputedUsingDerivativeAccountingVsLongDurationContractsAccountingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |