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Segment Information (Details 1) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax [Line Items] |  |
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax Segment | $ 278,827,000 | $ 180,763,000
US Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax [Line Items] |  |
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax Segment | 174,409,000 | 92,745,000
Canada Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax [Line Items] |  |
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax Segment | 36,308,000 | 55,063,000
Europe And South Africa Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax [Line Items] |  |
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax Segment | 17,385,000 | 6,606,000
Asia Pacific Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax [Line Items] |  |
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax Segment | 14,518,000 | 32,067,000
Corporate And Other Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax [Line Items] |  |
Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax Segment | $ 36,207,000 | $ (5,718,000)

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- Definition Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Provision For Income Tax + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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