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Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Beginning Balance |  | $ 142,239 |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance |  | 161,955 |  | $ 142,239 |  |
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Beginning Balance |  | 142,239 |  | 138,196 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost |  | 10,319 |  | 9,222 |  | $ 8,121
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost |  | 4,790 |  | 5,035 |  | 4,972
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments | [1] | 0 | [2] | 0 | [2] | 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses |  | 9,973 |  | (1,919) |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Settlement Gain Loss |  | 258 |  | 0 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation |  | (3,152) |  | 0 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid |  | (3,047) |  | (4,480) |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation |  | 575 |  | (3,815) |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance |  | 161,955 |  | 142,239 |  | 138,196
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward] |  |  |  |  |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Beginning Balance |  | 63,307 |  | 59,782 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost |  | 2,883 |  | 4,062 |  | 2,354
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost |  | 2,259 |  | 2,572 |  | 1,962
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants |  | 305 |  | 229 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments | [1] | (13,743) | [2] | 0 | [2] | 0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses |  | 6,228 |  | (2,729) |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Settlement Gain Loss |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid |  | (715) |  | (609) |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation |  | 0 |  | 0 |  |
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance |  | $ 60,524 |  | $ 63,307 |  | $ 59,782
[1] | Reflects effect of the amendment to RGA’s U.S. retiree health care benefit plan announced in 2016, effective January 1, 2017. The amount was recorded in AOCI and will be amortized through prior service cost.
[2] | Reflects effect of the amendment to RGA’s U.S. retiree health care benefit plan announced in 2016, effective January 1, 2017. The amount was recorded in AOCI and will be amortized through prior service cost.

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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in settlements. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) related to change in benefit obligation resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions, for example, but not limited to, interest, mortality, employee turnover, salary, and temporary deviation from the substantive plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Gain or Loss -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49168827 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition 1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Projected Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522206 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503904 + Details
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- Definition The amount of payments made for which participants are entitled under a pension plan, including pension benefits, death benefits, and benefits due on termination of employment. Also includes payments made under a postretirement benefit plan, including prescription drug benefits, health care benefits, life insurance benefits, and legal, educational and advisory services. This item represents a periodic decrease to the plan obligations and a decrease to plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 60 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6414203&loc=d3e39716-114964 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Benefits -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49170737 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(6) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Postretirement Benefits -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521376 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The amount of contributions made by plan participants. This item represents a periodic increase to the plan obligation and an increase to plan assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(4) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition Amount of gain (loss) from foreign currency exchange rate changes for benefit obligation for plans of a foreign operation whose functional currency is not the reporting currency. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(5) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The increase in a defined benefit pension plan's projected benefit obligation or a defined benefit postretirement plan's accumulated postretirement benefit obligation due to the passage of time. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The amount of increase or decrease due to a change in the terms of an existing plan or the initiation of a new plan. A plan amendment may increase or decrease benefits, including those attributed to years of service already rendered. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Plan Amendment -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=49173939 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The actuarial present value of benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to services rendered by employees during the period. The portion of the expected postretirement benefit obligation attributed to employee service during the period. The service cost component is a portion of the benefit obligation and is unaffected by the funded status of the plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Service Cost (Component of Net Periodic Pension Cost) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525008 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (h)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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- Definition The amount of decrease that relates to an irrevocable action that relieves the employer (or the plan) of primary responsibility for a benefit obligation and eliminates significant risks related to the obligation and the assets used to effect the settlement. Examples of transactions that constitute a settlement include (a) making lump-sum cash payments to plan participants in exchange for their rights to receive specified benefits and (b) purchasing nonparticipating annuity contracts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 30 -Section 15 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7577095&loc=d3e8001-114927 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 715 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a)(10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65897934&loc=d3e1928-114920 + Details
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