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Investments (Other Invested Assets) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets $ 1,243,033us-gaap_OtherInvestments $ 1,198,319us-gaap_OtherInvestments
Equity securities    
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets 134,619us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
126,860us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_EquitySecuritiesMember
Limited Partner [Member]    
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets 450,842us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember
446,604us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_LimitedPartnerMember
Structured loans    
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets 148,377us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
164,309us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Derivatives    
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets 265,020us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeMember
216,966us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_DerivativeMember
Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member]    
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets 136,597us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= rga_FairValueOptionContractholderDirectedUnitLinkedInvestmentsMember
140,344us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= rga_FairValueOptionContractholderDirectedUnitLinkedInvestmentsMember
Other    
Other Investments [Line Items]    
Other invested assets $ 107,578us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCreditDerivativesMember
$ 103,236us-gaap_OtherInvestments
/ rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis
= us-gaap_OtherCreditDerivativesMember