WEST DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2007--American Equity Investment Life Holding Company (NYSE:AEL), a leading underwriter of fixed rate and index annuities, today reported May annuity sales of $225.2 at its annual stockholders meeting. The strong sales for the month of May continued a pattern of sales growth from March sales of $178.8 million and April sales of $209.1 million, and marks the first period since 2005 of sales exceeding $200 million per month for at least two consecutive months. "Building sales volumes is a major focus for AEL in 2007," commented David J. Noble, Chairman, CEO and President of American Equity. "It is one of the keys to our long-term strategy of growth in assets, earnings and shareholder value. Our vision of the future of AEL extends well beyond the end of the next quarter. As shareholders ourselves, we remain firmly committed to our plan of long term growth."

ABOUT AMERICAN EQUITY

Founded in 1995, American Equity Investment Life Holding Company is a full-service underwriter of a broad line of annuity and insurance products, with a primary emphasis on the sale of fixed rate and index annuities. The Company's headquarters are located at 5000 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266. The mailing address of the company is: P.O. Box 71216, Des Moines, Iowa, 50325.

    CONTACT: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company
             Debra J. Richardson, 515-273-3551
             Sr. Vice President
             drichardson@american-equity.com
             or
             John M. Matovina, 515-457-1813
             Vice Chairman
             jmatovina@american-equity.com
             or
             D. J. Noble, 515-457-1705
             Chairman
             dnoble@american-equity.com
             or
             Julie L. LaFollette, 515-273-3602
             Investor Relations
             jlafollette@american-equity.com

    SOURCE: American Equity Investment Life Holding Company