<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001341004-16-001640-index.html : 20160908
<SEC-HEADER>0001341004-16-001640.hdr.sgml : 20160908
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160908170653
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001341004-16-001640
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	S-8
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		4
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160908
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160908
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20160908

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AMERICAN EQUITY INVESTMENT LIFE HOLDING CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001039828
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
		IRS NUMBER:				421447959
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		S-8
		SEC ACT:		1933 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	333-213545
		FILM NUMBER:		161876962

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
		CITY:			WEST DEMOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50266
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5152210002

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		6000 WESTOWN PARKWAY
		CITY:			WEST DES MOINES
		STATE:			IA
		ZIP:			50266
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-8
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>forms_8.htm
<DESCRIPTION>S-8
<TEXT>
Document 1 - file: forms_8.htm

</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ex5_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 5.1 - OPINION OF MONTZ
<TEXT>
Document 2 - file: ex5_1.htm

</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.1
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>ex23_1.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23.1 - CONSENT OF KPMG LLP
<TEXT>
Document 3 - file: ex23_1.htm

</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.2
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>ex99_2.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99.2 - FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE 2016 EMPLOYEE INCENTIVE PLAN
<TEXT>
Document 4 - file: ex99_2.htm

</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>