XML 24 R73.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | $ 40,197,101,000 | $ 40,360,438,000
US Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 24,802,143,000 | 24,924,363,000
Canada Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 3,946,500,000 | 3,764,002,000
Europe And South Africa Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 2,137,397,000 | 2,235,199,000
Asia Pacific Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 3,051,842,000 | 3,208,732,000
Corporate And Other Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | $ 6,259,219,000 | $ 6,228,142,000

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

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 7 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 -Section S99 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -Paragraph 1 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON) -Number 6 -Paragraph 25 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant