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<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_HedgingDesignationDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Hedging Designation [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_7a9651d2-7942-430d-bf4d-66abdb40fcdf_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred income tax expense</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableforsaleSecuritiesDeferredIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">The tax effect on the accumulated unrealized gain or loss on the total available for sale security portfolio at the reporting date.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_55c82b3f-e643-42aa-a238-15bf6572ebec_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Total Fair Value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_1e67cfb8-4af0-4b80-a0ba-2e1bdbe350c0_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net income available to American Equity Investment Life Holding Company stockholders</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_RetailSiteMember_e98be02d-1768-4097-b19c-055194dd0793_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RetailSiteMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Retail</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_ee455c6f-a91b-4546-ac12-a6bc21393b9a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred stock, shares outstanding</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_RangeMember_73a7ec84-8750-437a-a3f2-3df66c3db6a6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RangeMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statistical Measurement [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_srt_RangeMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RangeMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statistical Measurement [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CashSurrenderValueFairValueDisclosure_b134aad7-b5f9-4bdd-b5a3-2def831a4a5f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CashSurrenderValueFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">COLI, fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CashSurrenderValueFairValueDisclosure_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CashSurrenderValueFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Cash Surrender Value, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeLiabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Liability</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName_7a09b14d-f074-4cf2-bb48-2d4957fb2f01_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_SecurityExchangeName" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Security Exchange Name</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ExpectedCostofAnnualCallOptions_cb315bb9-1dce-41ad-afb5-2ca5b375a39c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ExpectedCostofAnnualCallOptions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Expected cost of annual call options</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherCommitmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherCommitmentsFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Commitments, Fixed Maturity Securities</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseSubordinatedNotesAndDebentures" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseSubordinatedNotesAndDebentures"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber_62a5199f-3471-4a29-8dd8-8077cca24c3f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity File Number</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity File Number</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFileNumber" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityFileNumber"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleMaturityAllocatedandSingleMaturityDateafterTwentyYearsAmortizedCost_4f7fce13-ffe0-496f-a48c-bb53ff6379ae_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleMaturityAllocatedandSingleMaturityDateafterTwentyYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, due after twenty years, amortized cost</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsTable_af7e994c-0ce1-4d33-a53e-0ef02d4c2d9e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfGainLossOnInvestmentsTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Realized Gains/Losses on Investments, Excluding Other Than Temporary Impairment [Table]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeDomain"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1_f93b9afc-be01-43b6-b79c-0784f92ce341_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_ec57d56b-0dd2-4080-9d8d-999bbd9fbaed_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Valuation Approach and Technique [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash_d3341add-f3e2-4536-9fa4-34ec6ac9e743_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative collateral</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeCollateralObligationToReturnCash"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount_13abd9c5-b447-4c33-bb70-85969a796bf3_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per common share, amount (shares)</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtServiceCoverageRatioLessThan1.0Member_e61de26c-1a4c-4dc5-bfc1-2295be9ec682_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtServiceCoverageRatioLessThan1.0Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Service Coverage Ratio: Less Than 1.0</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_8a8d8d22-9732-479e-9672-2e52628fa727_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">East</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">East United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_EastUnitedStatesRegionMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities_ac000671-e9ff-46a0-a914-17e45a4fda3c_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Principal repayments, calls and tenders for available for sale fixed maturity securities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromMaturitiesPrepaymentsAndCallsOfAvailableForSaleSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Debt Securities, Available-for-sale</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_InitialPurchaseMember_ddd3cd27-e8ef-4a78-9e10-e663f6888969_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InitialPurchaseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Initial Purchase</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InitialPurchaseMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InitialPurchaseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Initial Purchase [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_InitialPurchaseMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InitialPurchaseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Initial Purchase</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_InitialPurchaseMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_InitialPurchaseMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax_6fe77e83-5a1b-462f-b903-54000492eb33_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred income tax asset/liability</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">OCI, Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Gain (Loss), after Adjustment, Tax</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesTax"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfMortgageNotesReceivable_9e253702-a5d7-486b-bd61-08b547971148_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleAndCollectionOfMortgageNotesReceivable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans on real estate</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables_d2e8a819-5a54-430d-b4f5-e5c8661dba6c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Coinsurance deposits (net of allowance for credit losses of $2,862 as of 2022 and $2,264 as of 2021)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables_2e8ebd2c-c60e-4c47-a296-b3009ccfa624_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ReinsuranceRecoverables" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Coinsurance ceded, fixed index annuities embedded derivatives</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss_72fd7e25-6b70-461c-b465-997726175866_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans, carrying value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Excluding Accrued Interest, after Allowance for Credit Loss</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts_a5deced1-edb7-4e75-98fb-8bcafaeb152c_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Total adjustment for effect on other balance sheet accounts</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Changes In Net Unrealized Gains (Losses), Adjustments For Effect On Other Balance Sheet Accounts</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the aggregate of the adjustments for the effect on other balance sheet accounts related to the pretax change in net unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities that has been included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders' equity, during the period.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts" xlink:to="lab_ael_ChangesInNetUnrealizedGainsLossesAdjustmentsForEffectOnOtherBalanceSheetAccounts" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_93e55b07-70be-41cf-8469-dfc3db53a62a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Exchange Traded</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Exchange Traded [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Exchange Traded [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyExchangeTradedMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_84a34c7a-4084-4060-89d3-3ffec1c58bb9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Medical Office</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans Medical Office Property Type [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans on commercial real estate with medical office as the property type of the real estate serving as collateral.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:to="lab_ael_MortgageLoansMedicalOfficePropertyTypeMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost_4d4fd38c-6b07-474d-939d-846be6a96b49_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, due after one year through five years, amortized cost</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Amortized Cost, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Year One Through Five</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock_ec507722-98c2-4e95-9980-cbd5c8e557bf_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Commitments and Contingencies, Policy</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesPolicyTextBlock" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt_1046c660-cf85-4b26-83f6-6ea2ea37b822_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Interest expense on notes payable</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Interest Expense, Debt</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess_9d21f706-1892-4dba-8331-3904b78fec51_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Commitments outstanding</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Loan in Process</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableLoanInProcess" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_9cac909c-882e-42a6-8676-94c417337b0e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed Index Annuities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed Annuity [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FixedAnnuityMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_75b43825-ee54-45f1-bbcc-b0c07b0726df_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value Measurement [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value Measurement [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_38b125ce-793d-4d5a-99e6-5342a36d6ccf_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeFairValueOfDerivativeAsset" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy_1fe2c670-79b8-4007-b3a4-2bd1b5261538_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Troubled Debt Restructuring, Policy</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Troubled Debt Restructuring [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableTroubledDebtRestructuringPolicy" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans_b92fe917-3d1b-4594-8960-8c044a071f84_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (loss) on mortgage loans</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Mortgage Loans</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Mortgage Loans</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans" xlink:to="lab_ael_GainLossOnMortgageLoans" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration_2300d0c9-927d-4695-8701-ef3053159611_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract duration (years)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Long Duration Contracts, Assumptions By Product And Guarantee, Contract Duration</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Long Duration Contracts, Assumptions By Product And Guarantee, Contract Duration</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration" xlink:to="lab_ael_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeContractDuration" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_06c3259b-91ce-4bdf-83d9-4e15aa98766a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearFiveOriginatedFourYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYearAverageLoanToValuePercentage_d5e87380-197a-4b29-b0d3-35c1da7b4f7a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearFiveOriginatedFourYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYearAverageLoanToValuePercentage" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Average LTV, year five, originated four years before current fiscal year</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization_92779caf-1b53-4b19-bc23-f21eae8f3dbd_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherDepreciationAndAmortization" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Provision for depreciation and other amortization</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ThirdPartyOwnershipInterestInCompanysCommonStockPricePerShare_4eccaca4-e4d2-488a-97f1-dd3b569d7601_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ThirdPartyOwnershipInterestInCompanysCommonStockPricePerShare" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Third party ownership interest in Company's common stock, price per share</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGainLossOnSalesNet_506eaafd-e318-4280-aa9d-e9db249285d2_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableGainLossOnSalesNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (loss) on sale of mortgage loans</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ScheduleOfNetUnrealizedGainsLossesOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesReportedAsSeparateComponentOfStockholdersEquityTableTextBlock_95be73cc-2710-40e0-96cf-8271c5885362_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ScheduleOfNetUnrealizedGainsLossesOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesReportedAsSeparateComponentOfStockholdersEquityTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Net Unrealized Gains on Available for Sale Fixed Maturity Securities Reported as Separate Component of Stockholders' Equity</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeTable_515dc4c0-8899-4e96-ae60-d7b1dce1c33f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Long-Duration Contracts, Assumptions, by Product and Guarantee [Table]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredOther_9edfc0c4-11fd-4c99-9885-4d5db9cede0a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PolicyholderBenefitsAndClaimsIncurredOther" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Insurance policy benefits and change in future policy benefits</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract_18a7b75c-c6f8-4a41-8015-ab177143e17c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investing activities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits_afd26abd-426a-471c-b69f-09a6a15858af_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_InterestSensitiveAndIndexProductBenefits" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Interest sensitive and index product benefits</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities_5f0498df-82fb-446d-b662-3ecfd849b9ea_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherLiabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other liabilities (2022 and 2021 include $64,598 and $20,168 related to consolidated variable interest entities)</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup5Member_ac1f5ffe-416b-4927-9bf1-85246cc3ac0d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup5Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), 20 or More</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup5Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup5Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 5.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossesOnFinancingReceivablesTableTextBlock_efc8dfd9-1b1c-4acc-9910-587a47592b36_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AllowanceForCreditLossesOnFinancingReceivablesTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Rollforward of Valuation Allowance on Mortgage Loan Portfolios</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_933e6b1b-e1ab-4c16-adc4-569d23405b91_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Total liabilities and stockholders' equity</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableBeforeAllowanceForCreditLossAndFee_4442346b-f8fb-44f4-a82a-e999fb62e7fe_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableBeforeAllowanceForCreditLossAndFee" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Principal outstanding</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_StatementScenarioAxis_0517590b-6331-4b23-add7-9e652fd39146_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_StatementScenarioAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statement, Scenario [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_5109b7cb-e078-45a5-95d7-ef77a17b896c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Amortized cost, originated three years before latest fiscal year</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTax_b846ec41-6779-4929-99e4-38b9f69fe85e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities available for sale carried at fair value</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_HotelMember_f8f21a84-4de7-40cb-9457-214d36134608_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_HotelMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Hotel</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_HotelMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_HotelMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAccruedInterestWriteoff_1baf8810-2bee-4d70-a582-5b250a68888f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAccruedInterestWriteoff" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Accrued interest receivable written off</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital_aec1607a-15f9-471b-a1ce-833c27eab82d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapital" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Additional paid-in capital</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade_88ec8f0c-301b-4b10-8d23-f479b0032e97_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Percentage of fixed maturity portfolio rated investment grade based on NAIC designations</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Percent Investment Grade</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Represents the percent of available-for-sale debt securities at fair value, rated investment grade (NAIC 1 or 2).</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSalePercentInvestmentGrade"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_e0a2b094-2058-4abc-9324-04d2140613f9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Liabilities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financial and Nonfinancial Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_c9495333-3562-4ab5-ae9c-a39493ba0814_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Unamortized debt issue costs</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Issuance Costs, Net</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable_51061bf0-a0c1-467a-9d04-2343dd89db63_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAllowanceForCreditLossTable"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract_8a4d6abb-24bd-41eb-8069-74fbe468e11f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Cash paid during period for income taxes:</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Income Taxes Paid, Net [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaidNetAbstract" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_0bf720a8-b9e1-4f9c-944f-4a29fdf76bd1_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred stock, shares authorized</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember_0bf94bbc-1119-4286-b78a-acedd7ad10d7_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Agricultural Mortgage Loans</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Agricultural [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Agricultural [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_AgriculturalMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_AgriculturalMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_AgriculturalMember" xlink:to="lab_ael_AgriculturalMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_ba8c8841-f6cd-4873-9c49-6877a9006c2a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Long-Duration Contracts, Assumptions by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Long-Duration Contracts, Assumptions by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLineItems" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_67bcf84c-22e7-4611-818a-304f186ad009_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityCommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_bf833e1a-b9a1-43ae-9d40-d9f953c8eb12_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, gross unrealized gains</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAccumulatedGrossUnrealizedGainBeforeTax" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_79e0f41f-bc6a-4d48-ae34-f38b68b32095_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, State or Province</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Address, State or Province</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:to="lab_dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_e02ba847-880a-4807-b9ca-b19fac321ee9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationTable" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_2b4967c7-a5ef-4812-bde6-69e7a9328027_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, 12 months or more, fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLonger" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosurePolicy_1e7e3a19-319a-4e6f-8dcc-61712c8bda5d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosurePolicy" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Real Estate Acquired Through Foreclosure, Policy</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosurePolicy" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableRealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosurePolicy"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense_176776e6-9f8c-4deb-a6b7-eb153e74a460_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostAmortizationExpense" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_16c49a29-bfb4-48d4-87d9-9b9e0633c093_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Issuance of stock</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_a3a66772-ecf8-42b0-b120-f66524417fdb_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), 11-15</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration, Group 3 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 3.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup3Member"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock_135872d8-395c-40a5-be81-8961898ac6f6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Notes Payable</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Disclosure [Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureTextBlock" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds_b098fac3-36f0-4611-9880-c0d2c76eb677_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Change in other policy funds and contract claims</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Increase (Decrease) in Other Policyholder Funds</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherPolicyholderFunds" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds_063f791f-7b41-4d55-9eb4-fffec4f55ea4_negatedTerseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedTerseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Income tax refunds received</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIncomeTaxRefunds" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet_0c9d18fc-973c-48bb-9e8c-566982243f58_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred sales inducements</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred Sale Inducement Cost</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DeferredSalesInducementsNet" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_bf9cdb7f-21b3-484d-9bfb-0bf572fc1099_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss_749eefe7-d96f-49a9-9105-91e6b1d48f1c_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Realized gains (losses)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Gain (Loss)</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleGainLoss" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure_386e4b26-b131-4890-b242-a710c910aae0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Short-term loans, fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Investments, Short Term Loans, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Investments, Short Term Loans, Fair Value Disclosure</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure" xlink:to="lab_ael_OtherInvestmentsShortTermLoansFairValueDisclosure" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_bc5ecd29-d250-460d-a193-d1cff0ce3265_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Securities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Securities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract_74582740-1427-4543-9c49-44727edade02_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Accounting Policies [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Accounting Policies [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_e9a080e3-460b-4193-b1ee-db5cb971ac74_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Foreign Government Obligations</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Security, Government, Non-US [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_410cde22-c6e1-4006-9fda-357cbe6206e7_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Instrument [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Instrument [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy_c2d075c1-3bd3-4d77-acff-3ebb2b46ef9e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Allowance for Loan Losses, Policy</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Loans and Leases Receivable, Allowance for Loan Losses Policy [Policy Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LoansAndLeasesReceivableAllowanceForLoanLossesPolicy" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_9c1fbdfa-8d11-4788-a03b-b6c42868883e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentTransitionReport" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Document Transition Report</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentTransitionReport_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentTransitionReport" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Document Transition Report</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_DocumentTransitionReport"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_dei_DocumentTransitionReport" xlink:to="lab_dei_DocumentTransitionReport" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CallOptionMember_f2750069-d0fc-4135-b8c7-1eed2b688633_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CallOptionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Call Options</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CallOptionMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CallOptionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Call Option [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CallOptionMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CallOptionMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CallOptionMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_CallOptionMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_b0d7b692-8a70-42e1-b1f1-c706c037af5f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), 6-10</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration, Group 2 [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 2.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:to="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup2Member" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_078d507d-e512-49bc-844b-d75642656db4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Common stock; par value $1 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized; issued and outstanding: 2022 - 95,019,904 shares (excluding 14,326,518 treasury shares); 2021 - 92,513,517 shares (excluding 9,936,715 treasury shares)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockValue_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Common Stock, Value, Issued</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments_39cca216-928f-4b32-a6a9-b8ac8ab6f08d_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other investments</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Payments to Acquire Other Investments</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireOtherInvestments" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_64bd9412-1977-4da8-a08b-4e872e10c3a8_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Additional Paid-In Capital</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_41618182-7c04-4004-8193-32a1c1c6b6ea_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Cash and cash equivalents (2022 and 2021 include $30,067 and $23,763 related to consolidated variable interest entities)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_6d17f1f4-0076-4ae0-8055-cce552ea2a21_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Cash and cash equivalents</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_3c044788-9e82-4819-bb5d-827f43e2fa9a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Bank of America</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Bank of America [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Bank of America [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBankOfAmericaMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_OfficeBuildingMember_dee5e80a-6da1-47a3-9ad9-52b0bc929a25_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_OfficeBuildingMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Office</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_srt_OfficeBuildingMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_OfficeBuildingMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Office Building [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_OfficeBuildingMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_OfficeBuildingMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_srt_OfficeBuildingMember" xlink:to="lab_srt_OfficeBuildingMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_165b2fee-9f4f-40e5-b110-148480c72be5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred stock, liquidation preference, per share</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockLiquidationPreference" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_d1482e04-2d6d-43c4-9a5b-8628caef1a02_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Change in fair value of derivatives</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments, Net, Pretax</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnDerivativeInstrumentsNetPretax"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_a3058bc0-2551-45dc-b0d6-b2195701eecb_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Payments to Acquire Debt Securities, Available-for-sale</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebt" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2_d23d6fd2-a61f-4807-9674-572eb0915a90_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Number of TDRs</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Modifications, Number of Contracts</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableModificationsNumberOfContracts2" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss_37b363f7-36ba-4ad3-b213-dc30449a8e51_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Accrued interest receivable</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-Sale, Accrued Interest, after Allowance for Credit Loss</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleAccruedInterestAfterAllowanceForCreditLoss" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate_4903bc1f-5422-44b2-813f-28d9d860ab6f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Average lapse rates</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Long-Duration Contracts, Assumptions by Product and Guarantee, Lapse Rate</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_LongDurationContractsAssumptionsByProductAndGuaranteeLapseRate" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_ed2c31c8-08c6-4d63-bf69-698728b1a2a4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityInformationLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Information [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityInformationLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityInformationLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Information [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityInformationLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityInformationLineItems"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_dfac5985-bd9c-487f-bc40-983d64305e68_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Notional amount</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative, Notional Amount</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeNotionalAmount" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_21c4ad65-dd3a-42aa-8f44-f4218b1159b5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Change in other liabilities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherOperatingLiabilities" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_94549f53-1d11-4260-bdea-eedf724f61fd_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Purchases of property, furniture and equipment</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleMaturityAllocatedandSingleMaturityDateafterTenYearsthroughTwentyYearsAmortizedCost_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DebtSecuritiesAvailableforsaleMaturityAllocatedandSingleMaturityDateafterTenYearsthroughTwentyYearsAmortizedCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Maturity, Allocated and Single Maturity Date, after Ten Years through Twenty Years, Amortized Cost</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact_780e7948-6baa-4ba1-b078-eef82dafdecf_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendsIncomeStatementImpact" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Less: Preferred stock dividends</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_Liabilities_869d286f-b089-49b1-ba24-ecfcb1d06792_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_Liabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Total liabilities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_Liabilities_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_Liabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Liabilities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember_c30314cb-9521-408a-bc29-fc5b29b3bcaf_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyBarclaysMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Barclays</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_b6eecb4f-8f48-4a93-86f6-cc9c658ceb3b_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Internal Credit Assessment [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InternalCreditAssessmentAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Internal Credit Assessment [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_977d95ec-0d50-4e60-9a3f-d53e5eb5e95e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Award Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Award Type [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract_bf88b8c4-ee8d-48d7-8b37-f173d1b1e180_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivitiesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing activities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember_3d080390-8517-48e7-8121-d0da21238c2f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Pacific</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Pacific United States Region [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_PacificUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Pacific United States Region [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis_9b232ef8-0e9b-4877-b046-58c153744a7c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">External Credit Rating by Grouping [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis_0ea461ac-38dc-414d-8435-234d76a31743_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Measurement Input Type [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity_f55749ab-bb75-49a5-abb8-25785c57c019_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Total stockholders' equity attributable to American Equity Investment Life Holding Company</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued_9a492857-686e-4865-9059-00a9ed071317_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Common stock, shares issued</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_CityAreaCode_dae2aecf-50e9-4830-b487-c0fea3272b80_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_CityAreaCode" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">City Area Code</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable_dfeb0182-25f8-44fb-8a44-a714d64d7719_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Table]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentHoldingsTable_fde7d4bd-e738-441f-8c35-99089716f661_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentHoldingsTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Holdings [Table]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedLoss_56af5afc-6d5d-4801-a82f-91373d5581be_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleRealizedLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gross realized losses</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember_3475e4da-ab0a-41c3-b7d6-529ccc1a80af_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Residential Mortgage Loans</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Residential Mortgage [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract_fe399687-62f4-42a7-9481-c585c7dea1e1_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Stockholders' equity:</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_AgreementStagesAxis_7bf33a13-0ea7-4e4f-a9cc-6e01a51bf2f5_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_AgreementStagesAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Agreement Stages [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableUnamortizedLoanFeeCost_9b821a6f-acce-4dec-b5ca-0401014645c1_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableUnamortizedLoanFeeCost" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Deferred fees and costs, net</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_NAICClass1DesignationMember_17ce8ef5-4d8f-477d-aa6a-364e1a3e38c4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NAICClass1DesignationMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">NAIC, Class 1 Designation</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableThresholdPeriodNonperforming_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableThresholdPeriodNonperforming" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Threshold period for when financing receivable is considered nonperforming.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_RealizedGainLossOnInvestmentsTableTextBlock_35b0f5fd-624f-462c-ac9b-26258010c746_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_RealizedGainLossOnInvestmentsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_RealizedGainLossOnInvestmentsTableTextBlock" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RealizedGainLossOnInvestmentsTableTextBlock"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_NonCashOperatingActivityAbstract_69291047-2d2d-462a-aef5-2fa879acbde0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NonCashOperatingActivityAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Non-cash operating activity:</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_NonCashOperatingActivityAbstract_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NonCashOperatingActivityAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">No definition available.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_a6127174-96d9-4f47-b236-b67edb79d039_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Retained earnings</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_183e9b19-c659-4940-b7f0-bc2948445d4e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativesFairValueLineItems"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_13d841fd-612e-4325-8497-4daa7a9acf61_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Recoveries</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Recovery</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesRecovery" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract_3f96c445-2408-4c05-b028-f259eed739ed_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementOfStockholdersEquityAbstract"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityFilerCategory_5fec9da9-9dd9-453b-9e4c-755f451d09db_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityFilerCategory" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Filer Category</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityFilerCategory_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityFilerCategory" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Filer Category</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_dei_EntityFilerCategory" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021q4/dei-2021q4.xsd#dei_EntityFilerCategory"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ThirdPartyOwnershipInterestInCompanysCommonStockShares_a1ece3f7-5ae1-4aaa-89fd-8f357d240bef_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ThirdPartyOwnershipInterestInCompanysCommonStockShares" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Third party ownership interest in Company's common stock, shares</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_ThirdPartyOwnershipInterestInCompanysCommonStockShares" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_ThirdPartyOwnershipInterestInCompanysCommonStockShares"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_b35e6891-4b7b-4e23-b963-c8ad44fc1018_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net realized losses on investments</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_33946b7d-b3e3-4b4a-9601-b6aec2209e72_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Realized gains/losses on investments</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_ee2300cb-2a2b-45f2-9d31-bb7e5fb6017b_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net realized losses on investments</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Gain (Loss) on Investments</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossInStatementOfFinancialPerformanceTextBlock_fb9d78a4-e96c-4735-8285-8ffc38d74645_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfDerivativeInstrumentsGainLossInStatementOfFinancialPerformanceTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Derivative Instruments</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearTwoOriginatedFiscalYearBeforeCurrentFiscalYearAverageLoanToValuePercentage_9c2f80a9-1e98-4d5e-8e8a-91de3e41a068_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearTwoOriginatedFiscalYearBeforeCurrentFiscalYearAverageLoanToValuePercentage" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Average LTV, year two, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember_30e6371b-c573-4f9b-86e5-b7febf2a43d4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_USTreasurySecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">United States Government Full Faith and Credit</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember_0f0c7f9e-8bec-409a-9b24-b3d792ce8d7a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ValuationTechniqueDiscountedCashFlowMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Valuation Technique, Discounted Cash Flow</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_c21d5e2b-6b29-4fba-86a8-1d2c4ad94c81_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Income Statement [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Income Statement [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementAbstract"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsMeasurementInput_fc81d197-691f-4a74-bfa3-45eec98d9f13_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsMeasurementInput" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Real estate investments, measurement input</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsMeasurementInput_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsMeasurementInput" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Value of input used to measure real estate investments.</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsMeasurementInput" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_RealEstateInvestmentsMeasurementInput"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems_e7c305be-3f07-4eda-8075-41c21ae302af_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossLineItems"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_8388b7ce-01ed-40ef-8050-2d4db3daa455_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred stock, par value (dollars per share)</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_b6f42c2c-679f-4abe-a9bc-88c1adf59a7a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Total Stockholders' Equity</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Component [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_2da9ad39-f13c-4dc8-afce-91186ebfd8da_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesLineItems"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_edc91f61-a5df-4c8f-8c40-26748f6a3ab4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfAccountsNotesLoansAndFinancingReceivableTable"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet_9355f19e-4aa0-4116-a07f-ad22522651fa_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans on real estate (net of allowance for credit losses of $29,269 as of 2022 and $24,024 as of 2021)</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Commercial and Consumer, Net</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet_03edb4a5-2064-442f-bdfb-5973b77ee0e1_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Change in fair value of embedded derivatives</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnEmbeddedDerivativeNet"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_40507a8c-4166-45ed-ae0f-b65d01d7ad09_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityLineItems" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_e51c4331-874b-407a-89b3-8a8d5287174f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investments:</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investments [Abstract]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_4cc8024f-1b7d-482c-a912-c30b4a3c4b7e_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt financing costs</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Issuance Costs, Gross</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_1f6bbce9-db7a-418e-9d92-7c6e442b7e86_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statement [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statement [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_a10290c8-dfb3-4158-a5b2-eb544064c614_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherIncome_13f2c616-2504-4a57-b8c4-04b9bfa3cb5d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherIncome" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other revenue</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherIncome_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherIncome" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Income</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherIncome" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncome"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_78f40199-d798-4f43-b5ef-4079c9d71038_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Credit Suisse</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Credit Suisse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Credit Suisse [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCreditSuisseMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock_921a0e29-14ad-4546-93e6-5dc6e4216dbc_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans By Credit Quality Indicator</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableCreditQualityIndicatorsTableTextBlock" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ExternalCreditRatingByGroupingDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">External Credit Rating by Grouping [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Liabilities [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember_a8d1b882-ce1e-4505-a8b4-cf4401b2b58f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Series B</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup1Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 1.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_e2965cb0-445f-4d5a-a219-5da971c0c6ba_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_0b9b957f-70da-4929-b691-634e63b5183f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Counterparty Name [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RepurchaseAgreementCounterpartyNameDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Counterparty Name [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureAbstract_050a3eed-ba46-4b67-b822-d73ce332b91f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtDisclosureAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Disclosure [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdvancesFromFederalHomeLoanBanks_b2b031df-f6eb-42ec-80d0-1b87e7116c86_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdvancesFromFederalHomeLoanBanks" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other policy funds - FHLB</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AdvancesFromFederalHomeLoanBanks_5d359fab-a9d7-4789-8916-a29995a277a0_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AdvancesFromFederalHomeLoanBanks" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">FHLB funding agreements outstanding</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Benefits, Losses and Expenses</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition_c593842d-99b6-4eeb-b19c-0fef94c81976_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, total, fair value</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPosition" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Unrealized Loss Position</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_OtherPropertyMember_96083806-8f7b-47ea-801c-2ba32acbee07_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_OtherPropertyMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mixed Use/Other</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_srt_OtherPropertyMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_OtherPropertyMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Property [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember_5dea4fbf-e983-438d-991a-a21f757af3fd_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Commercial Mortgage Loans</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember_acec3c0b-635e-4836-b126-8eb715fdedf4_verboseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/verboseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Commercial</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Commercial Real Estate Portfolio Segment [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member_a4573b49-2eb2-489c-9d4c-e2fa0985ee3f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract Duration (Years), 16-20</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_ContractDurationGroup4Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Information by range of contract duration, group 4.</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_d6f49995-30b4-4cbd-b1d9-870d5c9c0a6d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, amortized cost</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Amortized Cost</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AvailableForSaleDebtSecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReinsurancePayables_70ec1f9f-dde3-4974-a93e-a32cec14ce1b_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReinsurancePayables" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Change in funds withheld from reinsurers</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReinsurancePayables" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInReinsurancePayables"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableUnamortizedPurchasePremiumDiscount_ccad930f-bedd-46ae-b560-5da8a1273756_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableUnamortizedPurchasePremiumDiscount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Unamortized discounts and premiums, net</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableUnamortizedPurchasePremiumDiscount_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableUnamortizedPurchasePremiumDiscount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Unamortized Purchase Premium (Discount)</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock_33d5744f-41e2-4069-bcb3-0c8df780d481_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ScheduleOfEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedTableTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Schedule of Earnings Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_ff2f4f2e-542d-425f-877b-452d79f6355a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Annuity product charges</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_2212f57c-1426-43d4-9c3c-5fb8238a2885_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Annuity product charges</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InsuranceCommissionsAndFees" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Insurance Commissions and Fees</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis_7d6e0abd-bdc6-4633-9e85-3cb573324e66_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Asset Class [Axis]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_Security12bTitle_0d872e03-7dd1-4cfa-a853-8a3a2abacb94_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_Security12bTitle" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Title of 12(b) Security</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherInsuranceLiabilities_c8598641-b927-47e4-a7fc-279ad3679fa6_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInOtherInsuranceLiabilities" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Change in traditional life and accident and health insurance reserves</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_9896ab37-34ee-4652-9202-9207b27a7f9c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Wells Fargo</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Wells Fargo [Member]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Derivative Counterparty, Wells Fargo [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember" xlink:href="ael-20220331.xsd#ael_DerivativeCounterpartyWellsFargoMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock_9faffbd4-4b8a-43cc-85e6-12acd7ffdedb_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_DocumentType_3ae25c00-7981-4d3c-a8bf-cba908e04bfa_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_DocumentType" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Document Type</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain_3e7decac-2f14-4742-926d-9c763a907d01_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_ProductsAndServicesDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Product and Service [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_RealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosure_e18c8a45-216b-41b2-89bb-b4e70872c1af_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_RealEstateAcquiredThroughForeclosure" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Real estate owned</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentPolicyTextBlock_66eb6365-09a0-46e9-80cc-f6ddff30fae4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentPolicyTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investments, Policy</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating_f14f6132-774c-4fda-b4ff-ffdf0df96a91_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherCostAndExpenseOperating" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other operating costs and expenses</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_NotesPayable_180ded81-0310-4286-ac6c-41c226b003a4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_NotesPayable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Notes payable</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryLimitedPartnershipFundsMember_8c6fb4fc-309e-4ddf-aeb4-adcc7769dce1_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryLimitedPartnershipFundsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entity, Limited Partnership Funds</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryLimitedPartnershipFundsMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryLimitedPartnershipFundsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary, Limited Partnership Funds [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_ebdf3b88-92a9-40be-bf72-444ff30873da_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Corporate Securities</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Corporate Debt Securities [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresTextBlock_59f701ea-03cd-4e1b-82e2-8f7f86543a35_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueDisclosuresTextBlock" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fair Values of Financial Instruments</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember_06cff80b-cd40-492f-b808-ca9f28e49624_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions_88113dd7-0ebf-46d6-bbab-7c7c29ae9545_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleUnrealizedLossPositionNumberOfPositions" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Number of securities in unrealized loss position</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus_c045345f-f9ef-45b2-9112-588105470388_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntityCurrentReportingStatus" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entity Current Reporting Status</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlements_fb020be5-aa28-46ab-ac66-635ff7e857be_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetPurchasesSalesIssuancesSettlements" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Purchases and sales, net</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain_a2f117f3-6523-4cc9-9131-d75094009f8a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ContractWithCustomerDurationDomain" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Contract with Customer, Duration [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember_615bab41-4d38-4f50-80a9-92eca331cc73_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock, Series A</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_dei_EntitiesTable_cf0b0782-68da-45fa-a0ca-8ea596b714f8_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_dei_EntitiesTable" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Entities [Table]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_87ef442e-b4a9-4e64-a29e-aae0b989b61d_totalLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProfitLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/totalLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net income</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_f0842ce3-fe26-45b3-b64a-d6562dd5e5d9_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProfitLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net income for period</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_ProfitLoss_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_ProfitLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_a0164406-2bc3-4f37-9796-99a0447c9e3a_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investments [Domain]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Investments [Domain]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateInvestmentsMember_072d78f8-6457-456d-99eb-a9d5e4196a3c_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateInvestmentsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entity, Real Estate Investments</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateInvestmentsMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryRealEstateInvestmentsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary, Real Estate Investments</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestOriginatedMoreThanFiveYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYear_23d2ed50-9ee9-4401-b669-1e0439a7c433_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestOriginatedMoreThanFiveYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYear" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents_56823f79-a928-4575-bb85-57f04d361b75_periodStartLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_CashCashEquivalentsRestrictedCashAndRestrictedCashEquivalents" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/periodStartLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember_a28e5a2f-b944-4466-b731-f0775f7a05be_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_SouthAtlanticUnitedStatesRegionMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">South Atlantic</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract_d989feb1-71a6-48a1-ba6f-dff274d6a8ae_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_StatementOfCashFlowsAbstract" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount_dec6f04d-0697-40c2-a831-8125ff4a2307_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">VIE, not the primary beneficiary, maximum loss exposure, amount</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Asset-backed Securities [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis_ddc06664-4980-4527-b122-c370616e147f_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Commitments [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other Commitments [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_OtherCommitmentsAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_NAICClass5DesignationMember_c0521526-a9aa-4a42-918b-08b9734db703_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NAICClass5DesignationMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">NAIC, Class 5 Designation</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_NAICClass5DesignationMember_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_NAICClass5DesignationMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">NAIC, Class 5 Designation [Member]</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsAtFairValue_db471301-9214-4ad7-b175-b2469ad8577d_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsAtFairValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Real estate investments related to consolidated variable interest entities</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsAtFairValue_documentation_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_RealEstateInvestmentsAtFairValue" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/documentation" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Real Estate Investments, at Fair Value</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_srt_RangeAxis_d81e4311-3589-4c0b-9d3b-d4636bbe70f4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RangeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statistical Measurement [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_srt_RangeAxis_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_srt_RangeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Statistical Measurement [Axis]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_srt_RangeAxis" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember_8fcf465c-5d35-4d9d-8595-e5343392d85b_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Subsequent Events</link:label>
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    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_7c7fb09c-3575-4020-bf51-9227adc1be04_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage Loans on Real Estate</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MortgagesMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgages [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MortgagesMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_MortgagesMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_5583f2a2-655d-48cc-b14f-cc7c1fec1676_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Mortgage loans on real estate, allowance for credit losses</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_ed50ee9c-bbdb-4278-af5a-122a779c8285_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Valuation allowance</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_8a5502eb-0e9c-400d-8de9-24164fd381f4_negatedPeriodStartLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedPeriodStartLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Beginning allowance balance</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses"/>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_4c9a5dd5-48d5-4a7f-a704-d0af9b1a6957_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Preferred Stock [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_PreferredStockMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCanadianImperialBankofCommerceMember_611b7129-5aac-4709-be49-854cb9a035b4_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_ael_DerivativeCounterpartyCanadianImperialBankofCommerceMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_MinorityInterest_3abfa31b-0ef1-483b-8ec5-5930dba19b82_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_MinorityInterest" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Noncontrolling interests</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EquityContractMember_2013effd-af1c-4787-bdb5-5ada43052a98_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EquityContractMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Warrants</link:label>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_EquityContractMember_label_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_EquityContractMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Equity Contract [Member]</link:label>
    <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:label="loc_us-gaap_EquityContractMember" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityContractMember"/>
    <link:labelArc xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="loc_us-gaap_EquityContractMember" xlink:to="lab_us-gaap_EquityContractMember" xlink:type="arc" order="1"/>
    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear_d9627f63-9b38-4d3d-88a9-1fd6ab9ae029_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_FinancingReceivableOriginatedFourYearsBeforeLatestFiscalYear" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Amortized cost, originated four years before latest fiscal year</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss_c2e0f8bf-3a10-4364-b5b1-87e75da2dbef_negatedLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesAvailableForSaleContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAccumulatedLoss" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negatedLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Fixed maturity securities, available for sale, continuous unrealized loss position, less than 12 months, unrealized losses</link:label>
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    <link:label id="lab_us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds_9bd7eb9a-810d-449d-9190-40c25e24e6dd_terseLabel_en-US" xlink:label="lab_us-gaap_OtherPolicyholderFunds" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xlink:type="resource" xmlns:xml="http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace" xml:lang="en-US">Other policy funds and contract claims</link:label>
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