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Derivative Instruments (Details 7) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Credit Exposure of Derivative Contracts
Estimated fair value of derivatives in net asset (liability) position	$ 133,157,000	$ 136,558,000
Cash provided as collateral	(6,250,000)	(27,867,000)
Securities provided as collateral	(14,118,000)	(1,565,000)
Cash received as collateral	(126,329,000)	(136,414,000)
Securities received as collateral	(17,664,000)	(22,458,000)
Net credit exposure	9,532,000	7,118,000
Margin account related to exchange-traded futures	$ 3,529,000	$ 5,605,000

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- Details

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- Definition

The aggregate estimated fair value asset (liability) of derivative instruments that are subject to or not subject to credit-contingent provisions at the end of the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
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- Definition

The aggregate cash amounts of collateral provided for derivative instruments that are subject to or not subject to credit-contingent provisions that are in a net liability position at the end of the reporting period. The estimated fair value amounts are included in cash.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

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- Definition

The aggregate estimated fair value amounts of collateral provided for derivative instruments that are subject to or not subject to credit-contingent provisions that are in a net liability position at the end of the reporting period. The estimated fair value amounts are included in other invested assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_EstimatedFairValueOfCollateralProvidedIncludedInOtherInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

The aggregate cash amounts of collateral provided for derivative instruments that are subject to or not subject to credit-contingent provisions that are in a net asset position at the end of the reporting period. The estimated fair value amounts are included in cash.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

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- Definition

The aggregate estimated fair value amounts of collateral provided for derivative instruments that are subject to or not subject to credit-contingent provisions that are in a net asset position at the end of the reporting period. The estimated fair value amounts are included in fixed maturity securities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

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- Definition

Represents the entity's margin account related to exchange-traded futures.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

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- Definition

Represents the entity's net credit exposure related to derivative contracts.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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