XML 19 R35.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.1

Investments (Gross Unrealized Losses on Investments, By Category and Length of Time) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Mar. 31, 2020 | Jan. 01, 2020 | [2] | Dec. 31, 2019
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | $ 14,807,510 |  |  | $ 3,259,219
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (1,392,795) | [1] |  | (59,699)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 2,641,615 |  |  | 4,448,519
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (1,000,487) | [1] |  | (232,356)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 17,449,125 |  |  | 7,707,738
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (2,393,282) | [1] |  | (292,055)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 28,332 |  | $ 0 |
United States Government Full Faith and Credit |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  |  |  |  | 144,582
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  |  |  |  | (96)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  |  |  |  | 0
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  |  |  |  | 0
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  |  |  |  | 144,582
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  |  |  |  | (96)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 0 |  |  |
United States Government Sponsored Agencies |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  |  |  |  | 168,732
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  |  |  |  | (1,229)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  |  |  |  | 201,444
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  |  |  |  | (3,556)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  |  |  |  | 370,176
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  |  |  |  | (4,785)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 0 |  |  |
United States Municipalities, States and Territories |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 209,291 |  |  | 285,481
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (4,130) | [1] |  | (8,173)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 0 |  |  | 3,081
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | 0 | [1] |  | (77)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 209,291 |  |  | 288,562
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (4,130) | [1] |  | (8,250)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 0 |  |  |
Foreign Government Obligations |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 60,079 |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses | [1] | (4,465) |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 0 |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses | [1] | 0 |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 60,079 |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses | [1] | (4,465) |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 0 |  |  |
Corporate Securities |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 28,332 |  | 0 |
Corporate Securities | Finance, Insurance and Real Estate Sectors |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 1,970,305 |  |  | 267,521
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (109,704) | [1] |  | (4,785)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 3,547 |  |  | 121,993
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (372) | [1] |  | (4,744)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 1,973,852 |  |  | 389,514
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (110,076) | [1] |  | (9,529)
Corporate Securities | Manufacturing, Construction and Mining |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 1,154,320 |  |  | 161,633
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (60,623) | [1] |  | (6,039)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 24,866 |  |  | 44,606
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (6,705) | [1] |  | (3,951)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 1,179,186 |  |  | 206,239
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (67,328) | [1] |  | (9,990)
Corporate Securities | Utilities and Related Sectors |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 1,375,023 |  |  | 334,635
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (87,628) | [1] |  | (7,730)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 43,307 |  |  | 51,269
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (10,413) | [1] |  | (3,482)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 1,418,330 |  |  | 385,904
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (98,041) | [1] |  | (11,212)
Corporate Securities | Wholesale/Retail Trade |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 643,529 |  |  | 54,289
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (63,887) | [1] |  | (1,751)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 88,471 |  |  | 129,364
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (44,320) | [1] |  | (9,411)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 732,000 |  |  | 183,653
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (108,207) | [1] |  | (11,162)
Corporate Securities | Services, Media and Other |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 2,683,039 |  |  | 275,135
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (366,658) | [1] |  | (6,135)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 183,159 |  |  | 316,086
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (105,860) | [1] |  | (34,231)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 2,866,198 |  |  | 591,221
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (472,518) | [1] |  | (40,366)
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 740,561 |  |  | 212,404
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (23,072) | [1] |  | (2,686)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 10,375 |  |  | 11,332
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (1,533) | [1] |  | (1,005)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 750,936 |  |  | 223,736
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (24,605) | [1] |  | (3,691)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 0 |  |  |
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 3,979,173 |  |  | 602,394
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (296,598) | [1] |  | (9,366)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 94,240 |  |  | 194,328
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (14,299) | [1] |  | (4,417)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 4,073,413 |  |  | 796,722
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (310,897) | [1] |  | (13,783)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | 0 |  | 0 |
Other Asset Backed Securities |  |  |  |  |
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, fair value |  | 1,992,190 |  |  | 752,413
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses |  | (376,030) | [1] |  | (11,709)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value |  | 2,193,650 |  |  | 3,375,016
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, unrealized losses |  | (816,985) | [1] |  | (167,482)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value |  | 4,185,840 |  |  | 4,127,429
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, unrealized losses |  | (1,193,015) | [1] |  | $ (179,191)
Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, allowance for credit losses |  | $ 0 |  | $ 0 |
[1] | (1) Unrealized losses have not been reduced to reflect the allowance for credit losses of $28.3 million as of March 31, 2020.
[2] | (1) The allowance for credit loss associated with available for sale fixed maturity securities was applied prospectively upon adoption of authoritative guidance effective January 1, 2020. See Note 1 for further details.

X
- Definition Amount of allowance for credit loss on investment in debt security measured at fair value with change in fair value recognized in other comprehensive income (available-for-sale). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922900-210455 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (i) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922900-210455 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (aaa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118939692&loc=d3e27161-111563 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942338&loc=SL82898722-210454 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
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 more than 12 months, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922890-210455 Reference 2: 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=118939692&loc=d3e27337-111563 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942371&loc=SL82922954-210456 + 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, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset. + 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=118939692&loc=d3e27337-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922890-210455 + 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, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset. + 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=118939692&loc=d3e27337-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922890-210455 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942371&loc=SL82922954-210456 + 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, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922890-210455 Reference 2: 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=118939692&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 without allowance for credit loss. + 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=118939692&loc=d3e27290-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922888-210455 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118942371&loc=SL82922954-210456 + 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, without allowance for credit loss. Includes beneficial interest in securitized financial asset. + 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=118939692&loc=d3e27290-111563 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 326 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118955579&loc=SL82922888-210455 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionAccumulatedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

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: | us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=ael_FinanceInsuranceandRealEstateSectorsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentSecondaryCategorizationAxis=ael_ServicesMediaandOtherSectorsMember
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: |