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Employee Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] |
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer | $ 3.4
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year | $ 6.8

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | rga_
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- Definition The increase in the fair value of plan assets from contributions made by the employer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28361610&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Amount of employer's best estimate of contributions expected to be paid to the plan in the current remaining fiscal period. + References No definition available. + Details
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