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Equity Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]    
Equity compensation expense $ 4.5us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense $ 4.3us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Stock appreciation rights granted 300,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross  
Stock appreciation rights granted, weighted average exercise price (per share) $ 90.06us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice  
Performance contingent units 200,000rga_PerformanceContingentUnits  
Shares Granted To Non Employee Directors 15,174rga_SharesGrantedToNonEmployeeDirectors  
Options exercisable (shares) 1,900,000us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber  
Options exercisable, weighted average price (per share) $ 53.08us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice  
Options, remaining term 5 years 1 month  
Compensation cost not yet recognized $ 43.0us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized  
Period for recognition 2 years 3 months