XML 79 R74.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Segment Information (Total Assets of Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012
--- | --- | ---
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | $ 39,526,555 | $ 40,360,438
US Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 24,601,693 | 24,924,363
Canada Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 4,065,475 | 3,764,002
Europe And South Africa Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 2,403,094 | 2,235,199
Asia Pacific Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | 3,396,639 | 3,208,732
Corporate And Other Segment Reporting Information [Member] |  |
Segment Total Assets [Line Items] |  |
Total assets | $ 5,059,654 | $ 6,228,142

X
- Details
Name: | rga_SegmentTotalAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + 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 210.5-02.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant