XML 38 R133.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Aug. 21, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 19, 2013	Aug. 21, 2014	Jun. 30, 2006
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 850,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	836,500,000.0us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	5.69%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate			5.76%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Debt Instrument, Covenant Default, Amount of Non-Payment	100,000,000rga_DebtInstrumentCovenantDefaultAmountofNonPayment
Long-term debt	2,314,293,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt			2,214,350,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	2,681,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
Junior Subordinated Debentures Due 2065 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 31, 2065
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member
Long-term debt	318,732,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member			318,729,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member
Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 31, 2021
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member
Long-term debt	398,583,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member			398,362,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member
Subordinated Debentures Due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member		6.20%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date			Sep. 15, 2042
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member		400,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Proceeds From Issuance Of Subordinated Long Term Debt				393,700,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSubordinatedLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Debt Issuance Costs Incurred And Capitalized				6,300,000rga_DebtIssuanceCostsIncurredAndCapitalized / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Long-term debt	400,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member			400,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member					4.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date						Sep. 15, 2023
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member					400,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Proceeds From Issuance Of Subordinated Long Term Debt	395,100,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSubordinatedLongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Debt Issuance Costs Incurred And Capitalized	3,400,000rga_DebtIssuanceCostsIncurredAndCapitalized / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Long-term debt	398,684,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member			398,533,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							4.09%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date							Sep. 01, 2039
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							100,000,000.0us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Long-term debt	99,228,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember			0us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	400,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member
Long-term debt	399,669,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member			399,602,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member
Senior Notes Due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.625%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	300,000,000us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
Long-term debt	299,397,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member			299,124,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt / us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis = rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
Syndicated Credit Facility $850 Million [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	850,000,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = rga_SyndicatedCreditFacility850MillionMember
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 204,774,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = rga_SyndicatedCreditFacility850MillionMember	[1]		$ 67,561,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit / us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis = rga_SyndicatedCreditFacility850MillionMember	[1]
[1] Represents issued but undrawn letters of credit. There was no cash borrowed for the periods presented.

X

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Covenant Default, Amount of Non-Payment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_DebtInstrumentCovenantDefaultAmountofNonPayment
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The amount of issuance costs that were incurred and capitalized for a debt transaction.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_DebtIssuanceCostsIncurredAndCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 22

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- 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.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878



Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9



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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 470

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6802200&loc=d3e1835-112601



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The cash inflow from a borrowing where a lender is placed in a lien position behind debt having a higher priority of repayment (senior) in liquidation of the entity's assets or underlying collateral.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Financing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228



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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 14

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfSubordinatedLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=rga_SyndicatedCreditFacility850MillionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rga_JuniorSubordinatedDebenturesDue2065Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rga_SeniorNotesDue2017Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rga_SeniorNotesDue2021Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rga_SeniorNotesDue2023Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=rga_SubordinatedDebenturesDue2042Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=us-gaap_NotesPayableToBanksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: