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Employee Benefit Plans | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] |
Employee Benefit Plans | Note 10 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Certain subsidiaries of the Company are sponsors or administrators of both qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans (“Pension Plans”). The largest of these plans is a non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plan sponsored by RGA Reinsurance that covers U.S. employees. The benefits under the Pension Plans are generally based on years of service and compensation levels. The Company also provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. The health care benefits are provided through a self-insured welfare benefit plan. Employees become eligible for these benefits if they meet minimum age and service requirements. The retiree's cost for health care benefits varies depending upon the credited years of service. The Company recorded benefits expense of approximately $3.6 million, $2.5 million, and $2.0 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively that are related to these postretirement plans. Virtually all retirees, or their beneficiaries, contribute a portion of the total cost of postretirement health benefits. Prepaid benefit costs and accrued benefit liabilities are included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. A December 31 measurement date is used for all of the defined benefit and postretirement plans. The status of these plans as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 is summarized below (dollars in thousands):
|  | December 31, |
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits |
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |
Change in benefit obligation: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefit obligation at beginning of year | $ | 93,101 |  | $ | 69,626 |  | $ | 28,854 |  | $ | 18,395 |
| Service cost |  | 7,531 |  |  | 5,985 |  |  | 1,641 |  |  | 1,116 |
| Interest Cost |  | 4,072 |  |  | 3,916 |  |  | 1,246 |  |  | 1,035 |
| Participant contributions |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | 122 |  |  | 176 |
| Actuarial (gains) losses |  | 13,270 |  |  | 16,164 |  |  | 2,341 |  |  | 8,348 |
| Benefits paid |  | (5,776) |  |  | (2,100) |  |  | (251) |  |  | (216) |
| Foreign currency rate change effect |  | 561 |  |  | (490) |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |
Benefit obligation at end of year | $ | 112,759 |  | $ | 93,101 |  | $ | 33,953 |  | $ | 28,854 |
| December 31, |
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits |
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |
Change in plan assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | $ | 41,300 |  | $ | 35,888 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |
| Actual return on plan assets |  | 5,449 |  |  | 540 |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |
| Employer contributions |  | 8,543 |  |  | 6,972 |  |  | 129 |  |  | 40 |
| Participant contributions |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | 122 |  |  | 176 |
| Benefits paid and expenses |  | (5,776) |  |  | (2,100) |  |  | (251) |  |  | (216) |
| Administrative expense |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year | $ | 49,516 |  | $ | 41,300 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |
Funded status at end of year | $ | (63,243) |  | $ | (51,801) |  | $ | (33,953) |  | $ | (28,854) |
|  | December 31,
|  | Qualified Plans |  | Non-Qualified Plans(1) |  | Total
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011
Aggregate fair value of plan assets | $ | 49,516 |  | $ | 41,300 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |  | $ | 49,516 |  | $ | 41,300
Aggregate projected benefit obligations |  | 62,397 |  |  | 51,980 |  |  | 50,362 |  |  | 41,121 |  |  | 112,759 |  |  | 93,101
| Under funded | $ | (12,881) |  | $ | (10,680) |  | $ | (50,362) |  | $ | (41,121) |  | $ | (63,243) |  | $ | (51,801)
(1) For non-qualified plans, there are no required funding levels.
|  | December 31, |
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits |
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial loss | $ | 37,314 |  | $ | 30,565 |  | $ | 15,472 |  | $ | 13,875 |
Net prior service cost |  | 2,506 |  |  | 2,804 |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |
Total | $ | 39,820 |  | $ | 33,369 |  | $ | 15,472 |  | $ | 13,875 |
The following table presents information for qualified and non-qualified pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Projected benefit obligation | $ | 112,759 |  | $ | 93,101 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 49,516 |  |  | 41,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit pension plans were $106.8 million and $89.5 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The following table presents information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 (dollars in thousands):
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accumulated benefit obligation | $ | 106,845 |  | $ | 89,531 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair value of plan assets |  | 49,516 |  |  | 41,300 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
The components of net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income were as follows (dollars in thousands):
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010
Net periodic benefit cost: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Service cost | $ | 7,531 |  | $ | 5,985 |  | $ | 4,762 |  | $ | 1,641 |  | $ | 1,116 |  | $ | 847
Interest cost |  | 4,072 |  |  | 3,916 |  |  | 3,420 |  |  | 1,246 |  |  | 1,035 |  |  | 882
Expected return on plan assets |  | (3,066) |  |  | (2,937) |  |  | (2,577) |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
Amortization of prior actuarial losses |  | 3,439 |  |  | 980 |  |  | 688 |  |  | 743 |  |  | 353 |  |  | 236
Amortization of prior service cost |  | 376 |  |  | 399 |  |  | (171) |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
Settlements |  | 841 |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
| Net periodic benefit cost |  | 13,193 |  |  | 8,343 |  |  | 6,122 |  |  | 3,630 |  |  | 2,504 |  |  | 1,965
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net actuarial (gains) losses |  | 10,888 |  |  | 18,561 |  |  | (3,743) |  |  | 2,341 |  |  | 8,348 |  |  | 2,326
Prior service cost |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses |  | (3,439) |  |  | (980) |  |  | (688) |  |  | (743) |  |  | (353) |  |  | (236)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit) |  | (376) |  |  | (399) |  |  | 171 |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
Settlements |  | (841) |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
Foreign exchange translations and other adjustments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | 219 |  |  | (196) |  |  | (307) |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |  |  | --
| Total recognized in other comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | 6,451 |  |  | 16,986 |  |  | (4,567) |  |  | 1,598 |  |  | 7,995 |  |  | 2,090
| Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| $ | 19,644 |  | $ | 25,329 |  | $ | 1,555 |  | $ | 5,228 |  | $ | 10,499 |  | $ | 4,055
The Company expec ts to contribute to the plans $5.0 mill ion in pension benefits and $0.4 million in other benefits during 201 3. The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service as appropriate, are expected to be paid (dollars in thousands):
| Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
2013 | $ | 4,971 |  | $ | 350
2014 |  | 5,320 |  |  | 438
2015 |  | 5,547 |  |  | 505
2016 |  | 8,297 |  |  | 584
2017 |  | 7,167 |  |  | 666
2018-2022 |  | 45,270 |  |  | 4,812
The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost ov er the next fiscal year are $4.0 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Assumptions Weighted average assumptions used to determine the accumulated benefit obligation and net benefit cost or income for the year ended December 31:
|  | Pension Benefits |  | Other Benefits
|  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010 |  | 2012 |  | 2011 |  | 2010
Discount rate used to determine benefit obligation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 3.80 | % |  | 4.48 | % |  | 5.47 | % |  | 4.15 | % |  | 4.50 | % |  | 5.40 | %
Discount rate used to determine net benefit cost or income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 4.12 | % |  | 5.22 | % |  | 5.96 | % |  | 4.50 | % |  | 5.40 | % |  | 5.75 | %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 7.75 | % |  | 7.75 | % |  | 8.50 | % |  | -- | % |  | -- | % |  | -- | %
Rate of compensation increases | 4.20 | % |  | 4.20 | % |  | 4.20 | % |  | -- | % |  | -- | % |  | -- | %
The expected rate of return on plan assets is based on anticipated performance of the various asset sectors in which the plan invests, weighted by target allocation percentages. Anticipated future performance is based on long-term historical returns of the plan assets by sector, adjusted for the long-term expectations on the performance of the markets. While the precise expected return derived using this approach may fluctuate from year to year, the policy is to hold this long-term assumption constant as long as it remains within reasonable tolerance from the derived rate. This process is consistent for all plan assets as all the assets are invested in mutual funds. The assumed health care cost trend rates used in measuring the accumulated non-pension post-retirement benefit obligation were as follows:
| December 31,
| 2012 |  | 2011
Pre-Medicare eligible claims | 9% down to 5% in 2016 |  | 9% down to 5% in 2015
Medicare eligible claims | 9% down to 5% in 2015 |  | 8% down to 5% in 2013
Assumed health care cost trend rates may have a significant effect on the amounts reported for health care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects (dollars in thousands):
| One Percent Increase |  | One Percent Decrease |
Effect on total of service and interest cost components | $ | 826 |  | $ | (607) |
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation | $ | 8,238 |  | $ | (6,222) |
Plan Assets Target allocations of assets are determined with the objective of maximizing returns and minimizing volatility of net assets through adequate asset diversification and partial liability immunization. Adjustments are made to target allocations based on the Company's assessment of the effect of economic factors and market conditions. The target allocations for plan assets are 60% equity securities and 40% debt se curities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The Company's plan assets are primarily invested in mutual funds. The mutual funds include holdings of S&P 500 securities, large-cap securities, mid-cap securities, small-cap securities, international securities, corporate debt securities, U.S. and other government securities, mortgage-related securities and cash. Equity and debt securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, changes in the values of investment securities will occur and any change w ould affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. The fair values of the Company's pension plan assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 are summarized below (dollars in thousands):
|  | December 31, 2012 |
|  |  |  |  | Fair Value Measurement Using: |
|  | Total |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |
Mutual Funds(1) | $ | 49,456 |  | $ | 49,456 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |
Cash |  | 60 |  |  | 60 |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |
| Total | $ | 49,516 |  | $ | 49,516 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |
(1) | Mutual funds were invested 42% in U.S. equity funds, 39% in U.S. fixed income funds, 16% in non-U.S. equity funds and 3% in other.
|  | December 31, 2011 |
|  |  |  |  | Fair Value Measurement Using: |
|  | Total |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |
Mutual Funds(2) | $ | 41,250 |  | $ | 41,250 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |
Cash |  | 50 |  |  | 50 |  |  | -- |  |  | -- |
| Total | $ | 41,300 |  | $ | 41,300 |  | $ | -- |  | $ | -- |
(2) | Mutual funds were invested 43% in bond index funds, 25% in S&P 500 index funds, 12% in mid-cap stock funds, 13% in foreign large blend funds and 7% in small-cap funds.
As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company classified all of its pension plan assets in the Level 1 category as quoted prices in active markets are available for these assets. See Note 6 – “Fair Value of Asset and Liabilities” for additional detail on the fair value hierarchy. Savings and Investment Plans Certain subsidiaries of RGA also sponsor saving and investment plans under which a portion of employee contributions are matched. Subsidiary contributions to these plans, which are partially tied to RGA's financial results, were $6.4 million, $5.1 million and $3.9 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for pension and other postretirement benefits. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2235017 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 87 -Paragraph 264 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 158 -Paragraph 7, 21, 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Staff Position (FSP) -Number FAS106-2 -Paragraph 20, 21, 22 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Implementation Guide (Q and A) -Number FAS88 -Paragraph 63 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph h -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 30 -Paragraph 26 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 03-2 -Paragraph 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 8 -Subparagraph m -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 132R -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph q -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 106 -Paragraph 518 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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