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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Amounts of Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred and Amortized) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Line Items]        
Deferred policy acquisition costs $ 3,342,575us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts $ 3,517,796us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts $ 3,619,274us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts $ 3,543,925us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Assumed [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Line Items]        
Deferred policy acquisition costs 3,391,291us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
/ rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAxis
= rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAssumedMember
3,573,054us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
/ rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAxis
= rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAssumedMember
   
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Retroceded [Member]        
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Line Items]        
Deferred policy acquisition costs $ (48,716)us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
/ rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAxis
= rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsRetrocededMember
$ (55,258)us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
/ rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAxis
= rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsRetrocededMember