XML 158 R88.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6

Fair Value Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 22,291,614,000	$ 16,200,950,000
Funds withheld at interest - embedded derivatives	(243,177,000)	(361,456,000)
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments	239,131,000	46,671,000
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	419,861,000	462,945,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	575,864,000	504,522,000
Reinsurance ceded receivable - embedded derivatives	0	4,945,000
Total	23,283,293,000	16,858,577,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest-sensitive contract liabilities - embedded derivatives	912,361,000	1,028,241,000
Total	944,013,000	1,057,891,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	533,349,000	612,945,000
Funds withheld at interest - embedded derivatives	0	0
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments	178,923,000	37,155,000
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	225,401,000	150,639,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	575,864,000	504,522,000
Reinsurance ceded receivable - embedded derivatives	0	0
Total	1,513,537,000	1,305,261,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest-sensitive contract liabilities - embedded derivatives	0	0
Total	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	19,520,344,000	14,212,340,000
Funds withheld at interest - embedded derivatives	0	0
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments	38,177,000	9,516,000
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	194,460,000	300,817,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Reinsurance ceded receivable - embedded derivatives	0	0
Total	19,752,981,000	14,522,673,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest-sensitive contract liabilities - embedded derivatives	0	0
Total	31,652,000	29,650,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	2,237,921,000	1,375,665,000
Funds withheld at interest - embedded derivatives	(243,177,000)	(361,456,000)
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Short Term Investments	22,031,000	0
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	11,489,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Reinsurance ceded receivable - embedded derivatives	0	4,945,000
Total	2,016,775,000	1,030,643,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest-sensitive contract liabilities - embedded derivatives	912,361,000	1,028,241,000
Total	912,361,000	1,028,241,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	196,000	3,171,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	196,000	3,171,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0	0
Credit Default Swap [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	1,953,000	5,633,000
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0	0
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	1,953,000	5,633,000
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0	0
Currency Swap [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	27,398,000	23,710,000
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0	0
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	27,398,000	23,710,000
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0	0
Equity Swap [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities		(2,864,000)
Equity Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities		0
Equity Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities		(2,864,000)
Equity Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities		0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	2,105,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	2,105,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	74,841,000	78,183,000
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	64,268,000	58,906,000
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	10,573,000	19,277,000
Nonredeemable Preferred Stock [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Equity Securities, Other [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	147,859,000	35,717,000
Equity Securities, Other [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	147,859,000	5,308,000
Equity Securities, Other [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	18,920,000
Equity Securities, Other [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	11,489,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	104,972,000	168,484,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	104,972,000	168,484,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Future [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	1,017,000	4,560,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	1,017,000	4,560,000
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	1,446,000	766,000
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	1,446,000	766,000
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Credit Default Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	(1,741,000)	(4,003,000)
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	(1,741,000)	(4,003,000)
Credit Default Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Equity Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	62,514,000	87,243,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0
Equity Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0
Equity Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	62,514,000	87,243,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0
Equity Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	0
Currency Swap [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Currency Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	17,002,000	32,622,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	1,323,000	27,052,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	15,679,000	5,570,000
Securities Pledged as Collateral [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Other Invested Assets [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	11,951,000	59,373,000
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	11,951,000	59,373,000
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Other Invested Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Other Invested Assets	0	0
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	12,380,071,000	7,461,106,000
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	43,544,000	76,097,000
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	10,667,964,000	6,410,840,000
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,668,563,000	974,169,000
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	4,049,334,000	3,869,933,000
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	4,049,334,000	3,869,933,000
Canadian Provincial Governments [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,042,064,000	1,227,234,000
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	948,133,000	1,145,579,000
Residential Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	93,931,000	81,655,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	691,555,000	401,991,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	459,164,000	208,499,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	232,391,000	193,492,000
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,698,903,000	1,242,219,000
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	0
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,531,897,000	1,126,243,000
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	167,006,000	115,976,000
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	265,190,000	374,002,000
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	192,780,000	300,514,000
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	67,872,000	73,488,000
US Treasury and Government [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	4,538,000	0
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	302,498,000	205,386,000
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	0	12,894,000
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	259,286,000	182,119,000
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	43,212,000	10,373,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,861,999,000	1,419,079,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	297,025,000	223,440,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	1,536,694,000	1,195,639,000
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale	$ 28,280,000	$ 0

X

- Definition

Embedded derivatives related to funds held by the ceding insurer on behalf the reinsurer, including funds held in trust, under reinsurance treaties or contracts with the assuming insurer as security for the payment of the obligations thereunder, which represent an asset for the reinsurer. There is another concept for the corresponding liability of the ceding insurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetEmbeddedDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Other Invested Assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Reinsurance ceded receivable - embedded derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisReinsuranceCededReceivableEmbeddedDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Short Term Investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisShortTermInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Interest-sensitive contract liabilities - embedded derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisGuaranteedInterestContractsEmbeddedDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Other Liabilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringBasisOtherLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the liabilities reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

For an unclassified balance sheet, total of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26610-111562



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 12

-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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 15D

-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 133

-Paragraph 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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 15C

-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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 13

-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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 320

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)-(g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62557-112803



Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 137

-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 115

-Paragraph 16

-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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6379932&loc=d3e22054-111558

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Cash Equivalents

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 7, 8, 9, 10

-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 95

-Paragraph 7

-Footnote 1

-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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 8

-Footnote 2

-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

Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration