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Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Fair Value Assets Measured on Non-Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets Carrying Value Prior To Impairment | $ 3,540 rga_FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember | [1] | $ 10,660 rga_FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember | [1]
Fair Value Assets Gains Losses | 50 rga_FairValueAssetsGainsLosses / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember | [1] | 380 rga_FairValueAssetsGainsLosses / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember | [1]
Partnership Interest [Member] |  |  |  |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Fair Value Assets Carrying Value Prior To Impairment | 13,667 rga_FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember | [2] | 0 rga_FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember | [2]
Fair Value Assets Gains Losses | $ (4,509)rga_FairValueAssetsGainsLosses / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember | [2] | $ 0 rga_FairValueAssetsGainsLosses / rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis = us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember | [2]
[1] | Mortgage loans — The impaired mortgage loans presented above were written down to their estimated fair values at the date the impairments were recognized and are reported as losses above. Subsequent improvements in estimated fair value on previously impaired loans recorded through a reduction in the previously established valuation allowance are reported as gains above. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments on mortgage loans are based on the fair value of underlying collateral or discounted cash flows.
[2] | Limited partnership interests — The impaired limited partnership interests presented above were accounted for using the cost method. Impairments on these cost method investments were recognized at estimated fair value determined using the net asset values of the Company’s ownership interest as provided in the financial statements of the investees. The market for these investments has limited activity and price transparency.

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- Definition This element represents the carrying reported amount, before impairment, of an asset that is still held as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition This element represents the difference between the carrying value of the asset before being adjusted to fair value as of the reporting date and its reported estimated fair value as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_FairValueAssetsGainsLosses
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
Name: | rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis=us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

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- Details
Name: | rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis=us-gaap_PartnershipInterestMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |