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Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	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	$ 0.1us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Recorded In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss For Terminated Net Investment In Foreign Operations Hedges	125.8rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges		75.8rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges
Embedded Derivative Gain Loss In Financial Statements From Use Of Own Credit Risk	0.1rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk	(0.9)rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk
Embedded Derivative Gain Loss On Variable Annuity Contracts In Financial Statements From Use Of Own Credit Risk		$ 0.5rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnVariableAnnuityContractsInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk

X

- 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

X

- 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

X

- 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

X

- Details

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

X

- 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