XML 123 R106.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.1.900

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs Disclosures [Abstract] |
Nature of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs | Some reinsurance agreements involve reimbursing the ceding company for allowances and commissions in excess of first-year premiums. These amounts represent acquisition costs and are capitalized to the extent deemed recoverable from the future premiums and amortized against future profits of the business.
Type of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs | This type of agreement presents a risk to the extent that the business lapses faster than originally anticipated, resulting in future profits being insufficient to recover the Company’s investment.
DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditionsPreviousMethodology | $ 464.3

X
- Definition Total amount of policy acquisition costs acquired during the income statement period using the Company's previous methodology for the DAC estimation process. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsAdditionsPreviousMethodology
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredPolicyAcquisitionCostsDisclosuresAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Describes the nature of costs related directly to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755530&loc=d3e11264-158415 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NatureOfDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Describes the type of costs that are included as deferred policy acquisition costs. Acquisition costs are related directly to the successful acquisition of new and renewal insurance contracts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755530&loc=d3e11264-158415 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Acquisition Costs -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755750 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_TypeOfDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCosts
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration