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Retrocession Arrangements and Reinsurance Ceded Receivables (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Reinsurance Claims Recoverables	253.7rga_ReinsuranceClaimsRecoverables	143.0rga_ReinsuranceClaimsRecoverables
Claims Recoverable From Retrocessionaires Past Due	13.6rga_ClaimsRecoverableFromRetrocessionairesPastDue	10.9rga_ClaimsRecoverableFromRetrocessionairesPastDue
AM Best, A- Rating [Member]
Ceded Credit Risk [Line Items]
Ceded Credit Risk, Disclosure	“A- (excellent)”	“A- (excellent)”

X

- Definition

Represents the amount of claims paid by the company and recoverable from retrocessionaires which is contractually past due in excess of 90 days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_ClaimsRecoverableFromRetrocessionairesPastDue
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The known and estimated amount recoverable as of the balance sheet date from reinsurers for claims paid or incurred by the ceding insurer and associated claims settlement expenses, including estimated amounts for claims incurred but not reported, and policy benefits, net of any related valuation allowance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_ReinsuranceClaimsRecoverables
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

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

X

- Definition

Description of ceding entity's credit risk concentration associated with reinsurance receivables and prepaid reinsurance premiums. Includes, but is not limited to, concentration of activity, region, or economic characteristics.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 825

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28088331&loc=SL29635902-196195



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13531-108611



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 21

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13537-108611

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

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- Details

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Period Type: