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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, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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	0
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
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
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%
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	$ 0.2	$ 0.9	$ 1.4
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	3,568	41,735	58,617
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Commission expense		$ 0.1	$ 2.2
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		4,042	89,382

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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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