Subordinated Debentures (Summary of Subordinated Debt Obligations to the Trusts) (Details) - Subordinated Debentures [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 246,908	$ 246,671
Unamortized debt issue costs		(4,343)	(4,818)
Subordinated debentures		242,565	241,853
American Equity Capital Trust II [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 77,298	77,061
Interest rate		5.00%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Jun. 01, 2047
American Equity Capital Trust III [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 27,840	27,840
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.90%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Apr. 29, 2034
American Equity Capital Trust IV [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 12,372	12,372
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		4.00%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Jan. 08, 2034
American Equity Capital Trust VII [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 10,830	10,830
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.75%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Dec. 14, 2034
American Equity Capital Trust VIII [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 20,620	20,620
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.75%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Dec. 15, 2034
American Equity Capital Trust IX [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 15,470	15,470
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.65%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Jun. 15, 2035
American Equity Capital Trust X [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 20,620	20,620
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.65%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Sep. 15, 2035
American Equity Capital Trust XI [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 20,620	20,620
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.65%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Dec. 15, 2035
American Equity Capital Trust XII [Member]
Subordinated Borrowing [Line Items]
Subordinated debentures, gross		$ 41,238	$ 41,238
Description of variable rate basis	[1]	*LIBOR +
Basis spread on variable rate		3.50%
Subordinated borrowing, due date		Apr. 07, 2036

[1] three month London Interbank Offered Rate