XML 42 R87.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.8

Derivative Instruments (Changes in Estimated Fair Value Related to Embedded Derivatives) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total investment related gains (losses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 63,990 | $ 254,136 | $ (36,056)
Total benefits and expenses | 2,507,304 | 2,188,120 | 2,665,400 | 2,322,275 | 2,402,013 | 2,247,602 | 2,159,861 | 2,112,212 | 9,683,099 | 8,921,688 | 8,065,967
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent | 144,959 | 137,955 | (49,612) | 185,535 | 222,989 | 144,475 | 141,111 | 123,318 | 418,837 | 631,893 | 546,045
Embedded Derivatives In Modified Coinsurance Or Funds Withheld Arrangements And Variable Annuity Contracts [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total investment related gains (losses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70,177 | 115,009 | (87,236)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18,920 | 25,454 | (7,599)
Embedded Derivatives In Variable Annuity Contracts [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total investment related gains (losses), net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 142,050 | 104,613 | (224,184)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70,123 | 6,367 | (30,230)
Embedded Derivatives In Equity Indexed Annuities [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total benefits and expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (115,409) | (30,434) | (114,921)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ (106,792) | $ 6,110 | $ (55,915)

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

X
- Definition The total amount of expense recognized during the period for future policy benefits, claims and claims adjustment costs, and for selling, general and administrative costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.5,6,7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 5, 6, 7 -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27405-111563 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (c)-(e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 20 -Article 9 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Other Comprehensive Income -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Net Income -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 260 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e565-108580 Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 19 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration