Retirement and Share-based Compensation Plans (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
ESOP, requisite service period	6 months
ESOP, vesting percentage	100.00%
ESOP, vesting period	2 years

The minimum period that the individual is required to perform services in order to be eligibile to participate in the American Equity Investment Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

No definition available.

Name:	ael_EmployeeStockOwnershipPlanRequisiteServicePeriod
Namespace Prefix:	ael_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration