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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Balance of and Changes in Each Component of AOCI) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax | $ 391,626 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTax |  | $ 424,772 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeTax |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax | (157,639)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax |  | (147,536)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossTax |
Net income | 125,114 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss |  | 136,664 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss |
Balance, Beginning of Period | 1,657,129 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | 1,005,607 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | 184,125 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments |  | 199,440 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments |
Balance, End of Period | 1,884,236 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |  | 1,279,499 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax |
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | (59,011)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit |  | (62,776)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax | 233,987 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |  | 277,236 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax |
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax | (103,285)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | (45,428)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTransactionAndTranslationAdjustmentBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax | (14,486)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 2,745 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Net income | 0 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Balance, Beginning of Period | 81,847 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 207,083 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | 0 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Balance, End of Period | (35,924)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 164,400 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | 0 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | 0 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax | (117,771)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |  | (42,683)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedTranslationAdjustmentMember |
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member] |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Reclassification Adjustments and Tax | 494,294 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeReclassificationAdjustmentsAndTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | 469,975 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentBeforeReclassificationAdjustmentsAndTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, before Reclassification Adjustments, Tax | (142,978)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesBeforeReclassificationAdjustmentsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | (150,217)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossAvailableForSaleSecuritiesBeforeReclassificationAdjustmentsTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Net income | (7,392)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | (3,924)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Balance, Beginning of Period | 1,624,773 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | 820,245 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | (8,252)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | (5,828)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Balance, End of Period | 1,968,697 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | 1,136,079 us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | 860 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | 1,904 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax | 351,316 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1] | 319,758 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedNetUnrealizedInvestmentGainLossMember | [1]
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member] |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, before Tax | 617 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 225 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansBeforeTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax | (175)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (64)us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Net income | 512 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 580 us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Balance, Beginning of Period | (49,491)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (21,721)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | 787 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 892 us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Balance, End of Period | (48,537)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | (20,980)us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | 275 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 312 us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax | 442 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |  | 161 us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossBeforeReclassificationsNetOfTax / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = us-gaap_AccumulatedDefinedBenefitPlansAdjustmentMember |
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI [Member] |  |  |  |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net income | (6,880)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember |  | (3,344)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember |
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | (7,465)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember |  | (4,936)us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember |
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) | $ (585)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember |  | $ (1,592)us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit / us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis = rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember |
[1] | Includes cash flow hedges. See Note 5 - “Derivative Instruments” for additional information on cash flow hedges.

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- Definition Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 11 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e637-108580 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=d3e681-108580 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36458714&loc=SL7669686-108580 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 31 -Article 5 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 + Details
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