XML 22 R53.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Investments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended |  | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2013 securities | Jun. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2013 securities | Jun. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 securities | Jun. 30, 2013 Collateral Fixed Maturity Securities | Dec. 31, 2012 Collateral Fixed Maturity Securities | Jun. 30, 2013 Canadian Province Of Ontario Securities | Dec. 31, 2012 Canadian Province Of Ontario Securities | Jun. 30, 2013 Canadian Province Of Quebec Securities | Dec. 31, 2012 Canadian Province Of Quebec Securities | Jun. 30, 2013 Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Dec. 31, 2012 Available For Sale Securities Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Jun. 30, 2013 Investment in mortgage loans | Dec. 31, 2012 Investment in mortgage loans | Jun. 30, 2013 Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities Non-investment grade securities | Dec. 31, 2012 Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities Non-investment grade securities
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis | $ 11,346,144,000 |  | $ 11,346,144,000 |  | $ 11,333,431,000 | $ 32,900,000 | $ 16,900,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities held in trust |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,046,900,000 | 7,549,000,000 | 8,377,600,000 | 7,913,800,000 |  |  |  |
Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Sold At Loss | 257,600,000 | 153,500,000 | 461,900,000 | 401,600,000 |  | 91,500,000 | 95,600,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale Securities | 11,803,481,000 |  | 11,803,481,000 |  | 12,380,071,000 | 33,900,000 | 17,000,000 | 1,231,600,000 | 1,400,000,000 | 1,516,300,000 | 1,785,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities as a percentage of consolidated stockholder equity | 10.00% |  | 10.00% |  | 10.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of fixed maturity and equity securities in an unrealized loss position | 1,394 |  | 1,394 |  | 567 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gross Unrealized Losses - 12 months or greater |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29,200,000 | 61,500,000
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses on fixed maturities recognized in earnings | (10,109,000) | (1,797,000) | (10,311,000) | (16,625,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized losses on fixed maturity and equity securities sold | (6,760,000) | (8,918,000) | (17,972,000) | (16,422,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum percentage of fair value |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities Borrowed |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 87,500,000 | 87,500,000 | 87,500,000 | 87,500,000 |  |  |  |
Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements |  |  | 100.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities pledged or received | 292,100,000 |  | 292,100,000 |  | 290,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Fair Value of Collateral | 307,700,000 |  | 307,700,000 |  | 305,900,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Securities | 338,000,000 |  | 338,000,000 |  | 342,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mortgage loans percentage of total investments | 7.50% |  | 7.50% |  | 7.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum loan to value ratio on mortgage loan approval |  |  | 75.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mortgage loans on nonaccrual status |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 7,930,000 | $ 16,886,000 |  |
Policy loans, percentage of total investments | 3.90% |  | 3.90% |  | 3.90% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funds withheld at interest, percentage of total investments | 18.20% |  | 18.20% |  | 17.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Funds withheld at interest, percentage attibutable to one client | 70.80% |  | 70.80% |  | 69.70% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other invested assets, percentage of total investments | 3.30% |  | 3.30% |  | 3.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueReverseRepurchaseAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Funds Withheld At Interest concentrated with one client. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetSpecificClient
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Funds Withheld At Interest As A Percentage Of Total Investments + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestPercentOfTotalInvestments
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 Loans as a Percent Of total Cash And Invested Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_MortgageLoanPercentOfCashAndInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The maximum loan-to-value ratio at the time of mortgage loan approval. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_MortgageLoanToValueRatioOnApproval
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Other Invested Assets as a Percent Of total Cash And Invested Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_OtherInvestedAssetsPercentOfCashAndInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Policy Loans as a percentage of total investments. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_PolicyLoansPercentOfTotalInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldAtLoss
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Securities as percentage of consolidated stockholder equity. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_SecuritiesAsPercentageOfConsolidatedStockholderEquity
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Securities Borrowed Or Pledged, Minimum Fair Value Percentage + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_SecuritiesBorrowedOrPledgedMinimumFairValuePercentage
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of cash and securities held by third party trustees pursuant to terms of debt instruments or other agreements as of the date of each statement of financial position presented, which can be used by the trustee only to pay the noncurrent portion of specified obligations. + 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.(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrust
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. + References Reference 1: 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=28360136&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -Subparagraph (aa) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27232-111563 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6871852&loc=d3e26610-111562 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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 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 Amount of unrealized loss on securities classified as available-for-sale that have been in a loss position for twelve months or longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the gross loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLosses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of investment positions in available-for-sale investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for which an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has not been recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: 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=27724398&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Financing receivables that are equal to or greater than 90 days past due. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28368275&loc=SL6953401-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8B -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=SL6284393-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of securities borrowed from entities in exchange for collateral. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226008-175313 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7523297&loc=SL6224234-111729 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 940 -SubTopic 405 -Section 55 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6476329&loc=d3e44140-110984 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesBorrowed
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of funds outstanding borrowed in the form of a security resale agreement between the entity and another party for the purchase and resale of identical or substantially the same securities at a date certain for a specified price. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement. + 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 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226008-175313 Reference 4: 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 5: 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=7472769&loc=d3e9760-107771 Reference 6: 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=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchase
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of right to receive securities collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against securities sold under agreement to repurchase. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20225523&loc=SL20225862-175312 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseCollateralRightToReclaimSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Fair value of securities pledged as collateral against securities sold under agreement to repurchase. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28370219&loc=SL20226013-175313 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseFairValueOfCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant