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Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 2,314,293us-gaap_LongTermDebt	$ 2,214,350us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Subordinated Debentures Due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	400,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member	400,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Junior Subordinated Debentures Due 2065 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	318,732us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member	318,729us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member
Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	398,684us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member	398,533us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	398,583us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member	398,362us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	399,669us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member	399,602us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	299,397us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member	299,124us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 99,228us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember	$ 0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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