Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	$ 0	$ 0
Period subject to examination	3 years
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 87,300
Deferred income tax assets:
Policy benefit reserves	1,373,485	1,586,000
Credit losses/Impairments	15,275	28,519
Other policyholder funds	3,332	3,789
Deferred compensation	3,434	2,161
Share-based compensation	5,171	2,189
Net operating loss carryforwards	87,314	0
Other	1,140	3,569
Gross deferred tax assets	1,489,151	1,626,227
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements	(1,170,859)	(1,268,790)
Net unrealized gains on available for sale fixed maturity securities	(489,290)	(579,766)
Derivative instruments	(107,717)	(119,444)
Policy benefit reserves	(98,616)	(123,270)
Investment income items	(56,285)	(28,719)
Amounts due reinsurer	(103,234)	(5,636)
Other	(5,122)	(4,602)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	(2,031,123)	(2,130,227)
Net deferred income tax liability	(541,972)	$ (504,000)
Deferred Tax Asset, Valuation Allowance, Unrealized Losses on Available For Sale Fixed Maturity Securities
Valuation Allowance [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets, valuation allowance	$ 0

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from amounts due reinsurer.

No definition available.

Name:	ael_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesAmountsDueReinsurer
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis and basis of deferred policy acquisition costs and deferred sales inducements that were capitalized in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. The difference in basis will reverse in future periods.

+ References

No definition available.