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Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] |  |  |
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net | $ 0.1 us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet |  |
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Recorded In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss For Terminated Net Investment In Foreign Operations Hedges | 125.8 rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges |  | 75.8 rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges
Embedded Derivative Gain Loss In Financial Statements From Use Of Own Credit Risk | 0.1 rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk | (0.9)rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk |
Embedded Derivative Gain Loss On Variable Annuity Contracts In Financial Statements From Use Of Own Credit Risk |  | $ 0.5 rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnVariableAnnuityContractsInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk |

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- Definition Cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) related to hedges of net investments in foreign operations which have been terminated. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition The effect on the statement of income reflected in investment related gains (losses) associated with using the Company's own credit risk in the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivatives. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The effect on the statement of income reflected in investment related gains (losses) associated with using the Company's own credit risk in the calculation of the fair value of the embedded derivatives on variable annuity contracts. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnVariableAnnuityContractsInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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

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- Definition The estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses on interest rate cash flow hedges as of the balance sheet date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next twelve months. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736893&loc=d3e80748-113994 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant