XML 167 R130.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Segment Information (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Jun. 30, 2011 | Mar. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Total Revenues [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues | $ 2,723,102,000 | $ 2,449,081,000 | $ 2,375,753,000 | $ 2,292,975,000 | $ 2,348,219,000 | $ 1,994,907,000 | $ 2,203,977,000 | $ 2,282,435,000 | $ 9,840,911,000 | $ 8,829,538,000 | $ 8,261,730,000
US Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Total Revenues [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5,722,634,000 | 4,915,055,000 | 4,966,353,000
Canada Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Total Revenues [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,140,264,000 | 1,056,031,000 | 980,170,000
Europe And South Africa Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Total Revenues [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,372,291,000 | 1,249,859,000 | 960,235,000
Asia Pacific Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Total Revenues [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,495,545,000 | 1,430,414,000 | 1,243,464,000
Corporate And Other Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Total Revenues [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 110,177,000 | $ 178,179,000 | $ 111,508,000

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

X
- Definition Aggregate revenue recognized during the period (derived from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an entity's earning process). For financial services companies, also includes investment and interest income, and sales and trading gains. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 5 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration