XML 99 R84.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.10.0.1

Investments Investments (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) position | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) position | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Securities Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash |  | $ 28,600 | $ 31,200 |
Net Amount Assets Liabilities From Repurchase Reverse Repurchase Agreements |  | 400 | 1,100 |
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis |  | 24,006,407 | 21,966,803 |
Available-for-sale Securities |  | $ 23,982,119 | $ 23,210,968 |
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions | position |  | 3,109 | 1,116 |
Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Sold At Loss |  | $ 5,784,600 | $ 2,550,100 | $ 1,055,500
Available-for-sale Securities, Realized Losses, Excluding Other than Temporary Impairments |  | 158,870 | 37,328 | 47,094
ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesSoldAtLoss |  | 32,800 | 177,700 | 126,100
Securities for Reverse Repurchase Agreements |  | $ 554,806 | $ 413,819 |
Mortgage Loan Percent Of Invested Assets |  | 9.10% | 8.50% |
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Equal to Greater than 90 Days Past Due |  | $ 0 | $ 19,156 |
Policy Loans Percent Of Invested Assets |  | 2.50% | 2.60% |
Funds Withheld At Interest Percent Of Invested Assets |  | 10.60% | 11.80% |
Percentage Of Total Gross Unrealized Losses |  | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Funds withheld at interest |  | $ 5,761,471 | $ 6,083,388 |
Funds Held Under Reinsurance Agreements Asset Specific Client |  | $ 3,800,000 |  |
Other Invested Assets Percent Of Invested Assets |  | 3.50% | 2.90% |
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total |  | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements |  | 100.00% |  |
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss |  | $ 1,937 | $ 4,351 | $ 2,871
Non-Income Producing Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis |  | 41,300 | 38,800 |
Available-for-sale Securities |  | 42,700 | 39,300 |
Canadian Province Of Quebec Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis |  | 913,642 | 939,837 |
Available-for-sale Securities |  | 1,187,526 | 1,282,944 |
Collateral Received Fixed Maturity Securities [Member] |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Available-for-sale Securities |  | 616,584 | 590,417 |
Reported Value Measurement [Member] |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Securities Borrowed |  | 335,781 | 358,875 |
Funds withheld at interest | [1] | $ 5,655,055 | $ 5,955,092 |
CALIFORNIA |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total |  | 18.70% |  |
TEXAS |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total |  | 10.90% |  |
GEORGIA |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total |  | 7.40% |  |
CANADA |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total |  | 2.70% |  |
UNITED KINGDOM |  |  |  |
Investment Narrative [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Mortgage Loans On Real Estate Commercial And Consumer Net Percentage Of Total |  | 0.10% |  |
[1] | Carrying values presented herein may differ from those in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets because certain items within the respective financial statement captions may be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

X
- Definition Collateral Obtained Percent Of Fair Value Reverse Repurchase Agreements + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_CollateralObtainedPercentOfFairValueReverseRepurchaseAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Funds Withheld At Interest concentrated with one client. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetSpecificClient
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Funds Withheld At Interest Percent Of Invested Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

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

X
- Definition Mortgage loan as a percentage of invested assets. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_MortgageLoanPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount represents the total percentage of each property type in comparison to the total of mortgage loans whose balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNetPercentageOfTotal
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Net amount, after affects of netting, from repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements presented on the Balance sheet. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_NetAmountAssetsLiabilitiesFromRepurchaseReverseRepurchaseAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Other Invested Assets Percent Of Invested Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_OtherInvestedAssetsPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage Of total Gross Unrealized Losses + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_PercentageOfTotalGrossUnrealizedLosses
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Policy Loans Percent Of Invested Assets + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_PolicyLoansPercentOfInvestedAssets
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Equity Securities Sold At Loss + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesSoldAtLoss
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | rga_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldAtLoss
Namespace Prefix: | rga_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of unrealized loss before deducting unrealized gain on investments in available-for-sale equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This item represents the cost of debt and equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments including accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAmortizedCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Excludes other than temporary impairments (OTTI). + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLossesExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of investment positions in available-for-sale investments in a continuous unrealized loss position for which an other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has not been recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -Subparagraph (b)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27290-111563 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesInUnrealizedLossPositionsQualitativeDisclosureNumberOfPositions1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Recorded Investment in financing receivables that are past due at the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 310 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 7A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84173941&loc=SL6953401-111524 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of the reinsurer's funds held on its behalf by the ceding insurer, including funds held in trust, under reinsurance treaties or contracts with the assuming insurer as security for the payment of the obligations thereunder. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.2,10) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAsset
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of securities borrowed from entities in exchange for collateral. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226008-175313 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 940 -SubTopic 405 -Section 55 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35710563&loc=d3e44140-110984 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 860 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109249958&loc=SL6224234-111729 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesBorrowed
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The carrying value of securities purchased to be resold in reverse repurchase transactions as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(m)(2)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesForReverseRepurchaseAgreements
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of right to receive cash collateral under master netting arrangements that have not been offset against securities sold under agreement to repurchase. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 55 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=99393222&loc=SL20226016-175313 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (d)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51824906&loc=SL20225862-175312 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SecuritiesSoldUnderAgreementsToRepurchaseCollateralRightToReclaimCash
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | rga_NonIncomeProducingSecuritiesAxis=rga_NonIncomeProducingSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | rga_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis=rga_CanadianProvinceOfQuebecSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | rga_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis=rga_CollateralReceivedFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis=us-gaap_CarryingReportedAmountFairValueDisclosureMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=stpr_CA
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=stpr_TX
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=stpr_GA
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=country_CA
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | invest_InvestmentGeographicRegionAxis=country_GB
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |