Mortgage Loans on Real Estate (Aging of Financing Receivables) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Commercial Mortgage Loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	$ 44,171	$ 425,875
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	520,651	592,468
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	632,843	486,339
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	435,768	591,076
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	560,750	416,132
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	1,350,816	1,042,668
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	3,544,999	3,554,558
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	44,171	425,875
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	520,651	592,468
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	632,843	486,339
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	435,768	591,076
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	560,750	416,132
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	1,350,816	1,042,668
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	3,544,999	3,554,558
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| 30 - 59 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| 60 - 89 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Loans \| Over 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	0	0
Agricultural Mortgage Loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	48,676	196,347
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	192,677	160,641
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	133,639	169,346
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	168,500	5,629
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	2,141	34,000
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	34,000	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	579,633	565,963
Agricultural Mortgage Loans \| Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	48,676	196,347
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	182,273	160,641
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	131,448	166,211
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	168,500	5,629
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	2,141	34,000
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	34,000	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	567,038	562,828
Agricultural Mortgage Loans \| 30 - 59 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	0	0
Agricultural Mortgage Loans \| 60 - 89 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	0	0
Agricultural Mortgage Loans \| Over 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	10,404	0
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	2,191	3,135
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	0	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	12,595	3,135
Residential Mortgage Loans
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	1,228,190	1,970,718
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	1,612,223	624,834
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	403,572	233,741
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	174,271	31,262
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	31,139	4,506
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	1,702	417
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	3,451,097	2,865,478
Residential Mortgage Loans \| Current
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	1,183,248	1,915,169
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	1,493,165	595,363
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	365,704	211,119
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	161,426	27,483
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	22,654	1,710
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	794	417
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	3,226,991	2,751,261
Residential Mortgage Loans \| 30 - 59 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	21,367	39,179
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	58,420	8,238
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	10,253	13,073
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	5,731	1,960
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	4,988	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	100,759	62,450
Residential Mortgage Loans \| 60 - 89 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	5,017	6,668
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	22,383	7,165
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	3,908	3,034
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	1,839	57
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	99	0
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	0	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	33,246	16,924
Residential Mortgage Loans \| Over 90 Days Past Due
Financing Receivable, Past Due [Line Items]
Amortized cost, originated in current fiscal year	18,558	9,702
Amortized cost, originated in fiscal year before current fiscal year	38,255	14,068
Amortized cost, originated two years before current fiscal year	23,707	6,515
Amortized cost, originated three years before current fiscal year	5,275	1,762
Amortized cost, originated four years before current fiscal year	3,398	2,796
Amortized cost, originated more than five years before current fiscal year	908	0
Mortgage loans, amortized cost	$ 90,101	$ 34,843

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, before allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable. Excludes net investment in lease.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479344/326-20-45-1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-3B

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestBeforeAllowanceForCreditLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, of financing receivable originated more than five years prior to current fiscal year. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 79
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479294/326-20-55-79

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-6

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3B
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-3B

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestOriginatedMoreThanFiveYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, of financing receivable originated four years prior to current fiscal year. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearFiveOriginatedFourYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, of financing receivable originated three years prior to current fiscal year. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearFourOriginatedThreeYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, of financing receivable originated in current fiscal year. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearOneOriginatedCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest, of financing receivable originated two years prior to current fiscal year. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearThreeOriginatedTwoYearsBeforeCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amortized cost excluding accrued interest of financing receivable originated in fiscal year prior to current fiscal year. Excludes net investment in lease.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableExcludingAccruedInterestYearTwoOriginatedFiscalYearBeforeCurrentFiscalYear
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 14
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479319/326-20-50-14

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 55
-Paragraph 80
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147479294/326-20-55-80

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDueLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_CommercialRealEstatePortfolioSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancialAssetNotPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis=us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=ael_AgriculturalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: