Schedule IV - Reinsurance

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Schedule IV - Reinsurance [Abstract]

Supplemental Schedule of Reinsurance Premiums for Insurance Companies [Text Block]

Schedule IV—Reinsurance

AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING COMPANY

Column A	Column B		Column C		Column D		Column E		Column F
	Gross amount		Ceded to other companies		Assumed from other companies		Net amount		Percent of amount assumed to net
	(Dollars in thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2011:
Life insurance in force, at end of year	$	2,469,428	$	4,692	$	65,197	$	2,529,933	2.58	%
Insurance premiums and other considerations:
Annuity product charges	$	84,338	$	8,149	$	—	$	76,189	—
Traditional life and accident and health insurance premiums	11,777		348		722		12,151		5.94	%
	$	96,115	$	8,497	$	722	$	88,340	0.82	%
Year ended December 31, 2010:
Life insurance in force, at end of year	$	2,505,280	$	3,147	$	69,734	$	2,571,867	2.71	%
Insurance premiums and other considerations:
Annuity product charges	$	78,138	$	9,063	$	—	$	69,075	—
Traditional life and accident and health insurance premiums	11,811		711		882		11,982		7.36	%
	$	89,949	$	9,774	$	882	$	81,057	1.09	%
Year ended December 31, 2009:
Life insurance in force, at end of year	$	2,508,623	$	2,945	$	72,874	$	2,578,552	2.83	%
Insurance premiums and other considerations:
Annuity product charges	$	70,554	$	7,196	$	—	$	63,358	—
Traditional life and accident and health insurance premiums	12,014		243		883		12,654		6.98	%
	$	82,568	$	7,439	$	883	$	76,012	1.15	%

See accompanying Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.