XML 24 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Investments (Details 16) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
--- | --- | ---
Other Investments [Line Items] |  |
Other invested assets | $ 940,605 | $ 1,012,541
Equity Securities [Member] |  |
Other Investments [Line Items] |  |
Other invested assets | 79,197 | 113,900
Limited Partner [Member] |  |
Other Investments [Line Items] |  |
Other invested assets | 300,385 | 251,315
Secured Debt [Member] |  |
Other Investments [Line Items] |  |
Other invested assets | 238,367 | 281,022
Gain (Loss) on Derivatives [Member] |  |
Other Investments [Line Items] |  |
Other invested assets | 250,460 | 257,050
Other [Member] |  |
Other Investments [Line Items] |  |
Other invested assets | $ 72,196 | $ 109,254

X
- Details
Name: | rga_OtherInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Other investments not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(f,g)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 12 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph g Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant