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Derivative Instruments (Cash Flow Hedges) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Gains Losses Deferred In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss On Derivatives $ (25,801)rga_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivatives    
Interest Rate Swap [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Gains Losses Deferred In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss On Derivatives (12,431)rga_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivatives
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
(3,969)rga_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivatives
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
2,613rga_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivatives
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Forward Contracts [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Gains Losses Deferred In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss On Derivatives (13,370)rga_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivatives
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
   
Investment Related Gains Losses [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net 19us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= rga_InvestmentRelatedGainsLossesMember
   
Investment Related Gains Losses [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net 19us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= rga_InvestmentRelatedGainsLossesMember
6us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= rga_InvestmentRelatedGainsLossesMember
(41)us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= rga_InvestmentRelatedGainsLossesMember
Investment Related Gains Losses [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossRecognizedInIncomeIneffectivePortionAndAmountExcludedFromEffectivenessTestingNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= rga_InvestmentRelatedGainsLossesMember
   
Investment Income [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net 1,212us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
   
Investment Income [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net 1,212us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
1,012us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
1,382us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
Investment Income [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]      
Derivatives In Cash Flow Hedging Relationships [Line Items]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net $ 0us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossReclassifiedFromAccumulatedOCIIntoIncomeEffectivePortionNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForwardContractsMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember