XML 84 R71.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities (Balances of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	$ 37,945,260	$ 38,150,820
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		39,806
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	103,983	60,346
Funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives	135,805	122,194
Cash and cash equivalents	538,761	356,788
Short-term investments	58,499	50,746
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	353,707	356,154
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	44,011	40,659
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	39,180,026	39,177,513
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives	964,795	1,014,228
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	971,515	1,038,469
Interest Rate Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	40,812	51,359
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(11,752)	(14,311)
Foreign Currency Forwards
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,932	730
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(345)	(7,213)
Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	(99)	(221)
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(201)	(1,939)
Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	221,512	218,541
Credit Default Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,465	5,908
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(756)	(760)
Equity Option [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	27,140	16,932
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(6,818)	(6,339)
Currency Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	51,945	62,905
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(1,003)	(6,194)
Mortality Swap [Member]
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(1,683)	(1,683)
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	23,520,469	23,210,968
Canadian and Canadian provincial governments
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	4,097,854	4,220,076
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,787,148	1,719,880
Asset-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,734,722	1,648,362
Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,281,933	1,303,387
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,436,114	1,943,592
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	713,513	703,428
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	3,373,507	3,401,127
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,313,806	1,818,006
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		39,806
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	67,831	60,346
Funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	538,761	354,071
Short-term investments	67	0
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	221,043	217,618
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	2,141,508	2,489,847
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Interest Rate Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Foreign Currency Forwards
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	221,043	217,618
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Credit Default Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Equity Option [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Currency Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Mortality Swap [Member]
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Canadian and Canadian provincial governments
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Asset-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | US Treasury and Government [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,313,806	1,818,006
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 Member | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	34,438,306	34,098,204
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	2,717
Short-term investments	55,215	47,650
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	132,664	138,536
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	34,626,185	34,287,107
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	5,037	22,558
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Interest Rate Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	40,812	51,359
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(11,752)	(14,311)
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Foreign Currency Forwards
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,932	730
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(345)	(7,213)
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	(99)	(221)
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(201)	(1,939)
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	469	923
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Credit Default Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	5,465	5,908
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(756)	(760)
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Equity Option [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	27,140	16,932
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(6,818)	(6,339)
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Currency Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	51,945	62,905
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(1,003)	(6,194)
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Mortality Swap [Member]
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	22,221,205	21,873,696
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Canadian and Canadian provincial governments
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	3,525,107	3,626,134
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,666,534	1,611,998
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Asset-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,604,016	1,524,888
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,280,049	1,300,153
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | US Treasury and Government [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	101,255	103,075
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	671,637	662,225
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 Member | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	3,368,503	3,396,035
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	2,193,148	2,234,610
Non Redeemable Preferred Stock Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure		0
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	36,152	0
Funds withheld at interest embedded derivatives	135,805	122,194
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Short-term investments	3,217	3,096
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	44,011	40,659
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	2,412,333	2,400,559
Fair Value Measured On Recurring Basis Guaranteed Interest Contracts Embedded Derivatives	964,795	1,014,228
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring	966,478	1,015,911
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Interest Rate Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Foreign Currency Forwards
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Consumer Price Index Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Fair Value Option Contractholder Directed Unit Linked Investments [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Credit Default Swaps
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Equity Option [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Currency Swap [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	0	0
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Mortality Swap [Member]
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure
Other liabilities	(1,683)	(1,683)
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,299,264	1,337,272
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Canadian and Canadian provincial governments
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	572,747	593,942
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Residential mortgage-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	120,614	107,882
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Asset-backed securities
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	130,706	123,474
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	1,884	3,234
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | US Treasury and Government [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	21,053	22,511
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	41,876	41,203
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 Member | Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Fixed maturity securities, available-for-sale	$ 5,004	$ 5,092

X

- Definition

Embedded derivatives related to funds held by the ceding insurer on behalf the reinsurer, including funds held in trust, under reinsurance treaties or contracts with the assuming insurer as security for the payment of the obligations thereunder, which represent an asset for the reinsurer. There is another concept for the corresponding liability of the ceding insurer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Interest-sensitive contract liabilities - embedded derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	rga_FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisGuaranteedInterestContractsEmbeddedDerivatives
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Short Term Investments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method, specifically Non Redeemable Preferred Stock.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This element represents the aggregate of the assets reported on the balance sheet at period end measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity. This element is intended to be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75030427&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82896770&loc=d3e26610-111562

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (aa)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)-(g)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75019621&loc=d3e62557-112803

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDebtSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of investments accounted under the equity method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66022186&loc=d3e32014-111567

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of investment securities, including, but not limited to, marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(12))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(5))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82895926&loc=d3e24584-111560

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(6))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75030427&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 7: 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(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

Aggregation of the liabilities reported on the balance sheet measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosureRecurring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of other assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherAssetsFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Fair value portion of other liabilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=rga_ConsumerPriceIndexSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=rga_FairValueOptionContractholderDirectedUnitLinkedInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CreditDefaultSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_StockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=rga_MortalitySwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_CorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=rga_CanadianProvincialGovernmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_ResidentialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_CommercialMortgageBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_USTreasuryAndGovernmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_USStatesAndPoliticalSubdivisionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtSecurityAxis=us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis=us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: