XML 128 R111.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.3.1.900

Income Tax (Tax Effects of Temporary Differences that Give Rise to Significant Portions of the Deferred Income Tax Asset and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
--- | --- | ---
Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract] |  |
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals | $ 116,106 | $ 118,389
Deferred Tax Assets Reinsurance Transactions | 63,543 | 64,445
Deferred Tax Assets Cash And Invested Assets | 5,931 | 0
Deferred Tax Assets Investment Income | 0 | 56,176
Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Acquisition Costs Capitalized For Tax | 131,714 | 92,832
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards | 524,501 | 170,965
Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Acquisition Costs Capitalized For Financial Reporting | 77,888 | 26,365
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross | 919,683 | 529,172
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance | (127,132) | (112,005)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net | 792,551 | 417,167
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] |  |
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Deferred Expense, Deferred Policy Acquisition Cost | 1,011,753 | 961,170
Deferred Tax Liabilities Reinsurance Transactions | 1,509,211 | 1,044,097
Deferred Tax Liabilities Cash And Invested Assets | 336,870 | 667,601
Deferred Tax Liabilities Investment Income | 14,654 | 8,187
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Unrealized Currency Transaction Gains | 81,492 | 64,115
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Prepaid Expenses | 1,014 | 0
Deferred Tax Liabilities | 2,954,994 | 2,745,170
Net deferred income tax liabilities | 2,162,443 | 2,328,003
Balance Sheet Presentation Of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] |  |
Deferred Tax Assets, Other | 55,885 | 37,814
Deferred income taxes | $ 2,218,328 | $ 2,365,817

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

X
- Definition Differences in the tax basis of cash and invested assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxAssetsCashAndInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The sum of tax effects as of the balance sheet date for the deferred acquisition costs capitalized for financial reporting. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredAcquisitionCostsCapitalizedForFinancialReporting
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The sum of tax effects as of the balance sheet date for the deferred acquisition costs capitalized for tax. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxAssetsDeferredAcquisitionCostsCapitalizedForTax
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Differences in the tax basis of investment income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxAssetsInvestmentIncome
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Differences between tax and financial reporting amounts concerning certain reinsurance transactions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxAssetsReinsuranceTransactions
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Differences in the tax basis of cash and invested assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCashAndInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Differences in the tax basis of investment income. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesInvestmentIncome
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Differences between tax and financial reporting amounts concerning certain reinsurance transactions. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesReinsuranceTransactions
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Deferred Tax Liability -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510232 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph b(2) -Article 7 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Deferred Tax Asset -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510090 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsGross
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after allocation of valuation allowances and deferred tax liability, of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible differences and carryforwards, before jurisdictional netting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b),(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible operating loss carryforwards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51675352&loc=d3e28680-109314 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences not separately disclosed. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51675352&loc=d3e28680-109314 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOther
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from reserves and accruals. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51675352&loc=d3e28680-109314 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsTaxDeferredExpenseReservesAndAccruals
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after deferred tax asset, of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable differences, before jurisdictional netting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=37586315&loc=d3e31931-109318 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to policy acquisition costs being expensed for tax purposes but capitalized in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, which will reverse in future periods when amortization of such capitalized costs cannot be deducted for tax purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51675352&loc=d3e28680-109314 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesDeferredExpenseDeferredPolicyAcquisitionCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of deferred tax consequences attributable to taxable temporary differences derived from prepaid expenses. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesPrepaidExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences from unrealized gains on foreign currency transactions. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51675352&loc=d3e28680-109314 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesUnrealizedCurrencyTransactionGains
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant