Investment maturity period.

No definition available.

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of days past due for loans to be placed on non-accrual status.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash collateral posted as a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Rate of interest credited to policyholder deposits.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 40
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=117419472&loc=d3e14931-158439

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Section S99
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

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- Definition

Represents the quantification of the effect of adopting the new accounting standard or change in accounting principle expected by the entity to have a significant effect on the entity's financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of states the entity operates in as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of asset associated with securities loaned to entities in exchange for collateral.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
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+ Details

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

- Definition

Fair value of the securities pledged as collateral against securities loaned.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 20
-Section 55
-Paragraph 12
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226013-175313

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

- Details

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Balance Type:
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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
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Balance Type:
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
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- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) states	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Number of states in which entity is licensed to sell insurance products \| states		50
Fair value of loaned securities		$ 0.1	$ 477.5
Minimum
Number of days past due, non-accrual status		90 days
Securities loaned, cash collateral posted by borrowers as a percent of the market value of loaned securities		102.00%
Interest crediting rate, range for fixed index annuities and other deferred annuity products		1.45%	1.45%	1.45%
Minimum \| Other Investments
Investment maturity period		3 months
Maximum
Interest crediting rate, range for fixed index annuities and other deferred annuity products		2.60%	2.60%	2.60%
Maximum \| Other Investments
Investment maturity period		12 months
Maximum \| Cash and Cash Equivalents
Investment maturity period		3 months
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification			$ 6.0
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification				$ 128.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Securities loaned, fair value of collateral		$ 0.1	495.1
Other Liabilities
Securities loaned, fair value of collateral		$ 0.1	$ 495.1
Mortgage Loans, Allowance for Credit Losses \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification	$ 8.6
Reinsurance Recoverable, Allowance for Credit Loss \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification	3.2
Retained Earnings \| Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
New accounting pronouncement, effect of adoption, quantification	$ (9.3)