XML 48 R77.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6

Investments (Narrative Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Sold At Loss	$ 828,000,000	$ 476,600,000	$ 622,400,000
Mortgage Loan Percent Of Invested Assets	7.00%	4.00%
Loans and Leases Receivable, Impaired, Nonperforming, Nonaccrual of Interest	16,900,000	20,300,000
Policy Loans Percent Of Invested Assets	3.90%	5.00%
Funds Withheld At Interest Percent Of Invested Assets	17.00%	21.70%
Other Invested Assets Percent Of Invested Assets	3.50%	4.10%
Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Specific Client	3,900,000,000
Funds Withheld At Interest Investment Yield	6.97%	6.87%	7.20%
Other Impairment Losses Limited Partnership	8,200,000
Other Impairment Losses Real Estate Held For Investment	2,100,000
SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements	342,000,000
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions	567	940
Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost [Member] [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase	290,200,000
Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure [Member] [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase	305,900,000
Non-Income Producing Securities [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	54,200,000	86,200,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	58,500,000	79,700,000
Canadian Province Of Onatio Securities [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,400,000,000	1,323,100,000
Canadian Province Of Quebec Securities [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	1,785,000,000	1,681,900,000
Asset And Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, 12 Months or Longer, Aggregate Losses	61,500,000	68,600,000
Collateral Pledged Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	16,900,000	29,000,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	17,000,000	32,600,000
Collateral Received Fixed Maturity Securities [Member]
Investment Narrative [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 95,600,000	$ 1,000,000

X

- Definition

Funds Withheld At Interest concentrated with one client.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Represents investment yield on Funds Withheld At Interest Assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestInvestmentYield
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Funds Withheld At Interest Percent Of Invested Assets

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	rga_InvestmentNarrativeLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Mortgage loan as a percentage of invested assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_MortgageLoanPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Other impairment losses in the limited partnership asset class.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_OtherImpairmentLossesLimitedPartnership
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Other impairment losses in the real estate held for investment asset class.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_OtherImpairmentLossesRealEstateHeldForInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Other Invested Assets Percent Of Invested Assets

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_OtherInvestedAssetsPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Policy Loans Percent Of Invested Assets

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_PolicyLoansPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Proceeds from sale of securities at fair value.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldAtLoss
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 7

-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.



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 19

-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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This item represents the excess of amortized cost basis over fair value of securities that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer for those securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses1
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 represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale.

+ References

Reference 1: 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 2: 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



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Disclosure regarding factors used to determine that the impairment of securities not categorized as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities (hence equal to available for sale securities) where cost exceeds fair value is not an other than temporary impairment (OTTI). This item contains disclosure of the number of investment positions in the available-for-sale investments determined to be temporarily impaired.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 03-1

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph b(3)

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS115-1/124-1

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph b(3)

-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 Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (b)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6872113&loc=d3e27290-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Reflects the carrying amount of loans deemed to be questionable as to collection on which no interest is continuing to be recognized.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 01-6

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph g

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 310

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6965416&loc=d3e5111-111524

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The carrying value of securities purchased to be resold in reverse repurchase transactions as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(m)(2)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of securities that an institution sells and agrees to repurchase (the identical or substantially the same securities) as a seller-borrower at a specified date for a specified price, also known as a repurchase agreement, or repo. Most repos involve obligations of the federal government or its agencies, but other financial instruments, such as commercial paper, banker's acceptances, and negotiable certificates of deposit, are sometimes used in repos.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6935251&loc=d3e9760-107771



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph 1

-Article 9



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(m)(1)(a)(i))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690



Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 140

-Paragraph 100

-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 AICPA

-Name Audit and Accounting Guide (AAG)

-Number AAG-BRD

-Chapter 4

-Paragraph 36

-IssueDate 2006-05-01

-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_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant