Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (2014 Independent Insurance Agent Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan) (Details) - 2014 Independent Insurance Agent Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized	1,000,000
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Commission expense	$ 3.5
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity instruments granted	650,683
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage	20.00%
Award vesting period	1 year
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage	80.00%
Award vesting period	4 years
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage	80.00%
2015 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period	5 years
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Commission expense	$ 1.3	$ 1.9
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity instruments granted		27,985
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity instruments granted		221,489
Award vested in period	85,104
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage		20.00%
Award vesting period		1 year
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting rights, percentage		80.00%
2014 American Equity Life Agent Grant [Member] | Non-Retirement Eligible Agent [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period		5 years