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Repurchase of Collateral Finance Facility Notes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Repurchase Of Collateral Finance Facility Notes [Abstract]
Debt Instrument Repurchased Face Amount	$ 160,000,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt	112,000,000	0
Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Collateral Finance Securities	$ 46,500,000

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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- Details

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

- Definition

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

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

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=31042434&loc=d3e3291-108585



Reference 2: 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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