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Repurchase of Collateral Finance Facility Notes (Narrative Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Repurchase Of Collateral Finance Facility Notes [Abstract]
Debt Instrument Repurchased Face Amount	$ 160,000,000
Repurchase of long-term debt	112,000,000	0
Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Collateral Finance Securities	$ 46,506,000	$ 0

X

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount represents the difference between the fair value of the payments made and the carrying amount of the debt at the time of its extinguishment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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X

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 15

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 18

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 20

-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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228

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