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Derivative Instruments (Changes in Estimated Fair Value Related to Embedded Derivatives) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total investment related gains (losses), net	$ 7,583us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments	$ 84,571us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Gain Loss On Investments Related To Change In Fair Value Of Derivatives Excluding Embedded Derivatives	20,930rga_GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives	19,777rga_GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives
Total benefits and expenses	2,336,488us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses	2,457,733us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses
Net income	125,114us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss	136,664us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss
Embedded Derivatives In Modified Coinsurance Or Funds Withheld Arrangements
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total investment related gains (losses), net	(2,325)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInModifiedCoinsuranceOrFundsWithheldArrangementsMember	77,241us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInModifiedCoinsuranceOrFundsWithheldArrangementsMember
Net income	(2,588)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInModifiedCoinsuranceOrFundsWithheldArrangementsMember	18,079us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInModifiedCoinsuranceOrFundsWithheldArrangementsMember
Embedded Derivatives In Equity Indexed Annuities [Member]
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total benefits and expenses	(29,326)us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInEquityIndexedAnnuitiesMember	(23,840)us-gaap_BenefitsLossesAndExpenses / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInEquityIndexedAnnuitiesMember
Net income	(15,999)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInEquityIndexedAnnuitiesMember	(18,375)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInEquityIndexedAnnuitiesMember
Embedded Derivatives In Variable Annuity Contracts [Member]
Changes In Estimated Fair Value Related To Embedded Derivatives [Line Items]
Total investment related gains (losses), net	(25,133)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInVariableAnnuityContractsMember	(23,661)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInVariableAnnuityContractsMember
Net income	$ (9,409)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInVariableAnnuityContractsMember	$ (13,669)us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss / rga_TypesOfEmbeddedDerivativesAxis = rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInVariableAnnuityContractsMember

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The total amount of expense recognized during the period for future policy benefits, claims and claims adjustment costs, and for selling, general and administrative costs.

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