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  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ActuarialGainsLossesMember" name="ActuarialGainsLossesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesProvisionForLossNetTextBlock" name="AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesProvisionForLossNetTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AmortizationOfUnrealizedPensionAndPostretirementBenefitsMember" name="AmortizationOfUnrealizedPensionAndPostretirementBenefitsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember" name="AmountsReclassifiedFromAociMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AociComponentsAxis" name="AociComponentsAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AociComponentsDomain" name="AociComponentsDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AociReclassificationTable" name="AociReclassificationTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis" name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain" name="AvailableForSaleSecuritiesDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CanadianProvinceOfOntarioSecuritiesMember" name="CanadianProvinceOfOntarioSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CanadianProvinceOfQuebecSecuritiesMember" name="CanadianProvinceOfQuebecSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CanadianProvincialGovernmentsMember" name="CanadianProvincialGovernmentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_ClaimsRecoverableFromRetrocessionairesPastDue" name="ClaimsRecoverableFromRetrocessionairesPastDue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_CollateralFinancingExpense" name="CollateralFinancingExpense" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CollateralFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember" name="CollateralFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CollateralReceivedFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember" name="CollateralReceivedFixedMaturitySecuritiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommercialRealEstateOtherReceivableWithNoRelatedAllowanceMember" name="CommercialRealEstateOtherReceivableWithNoRelatedAllowanceMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommercialRealEstateOtherReceivableWithRelatedAllowanceMember" name="CommercialRealEstateOtherReceivableWithRelatedAllowanceMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyEightMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyEightMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyFiveMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyFiveMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyFourMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyFourMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyNineMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtyNineMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtySevenMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtySevenMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtySixMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandThirtySixMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember" name="CommitmentPeriodTwoThousandTwentyThreeMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommonStockHeldInTreasuryMember" name="CommonStockHeldInTreasuryMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommonStockIssuableMember" name="CommonStockIssuableMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CommonStockOutstandingMember" name="CommonStockOutstandingMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ConsumerPriceIndexSwapMember" name="ConsumerPriceIndexSwapMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CorporateSecuritiesByInvestmentSectorAndCreditRatingLineItems" name="CorporateSecuritiesByInvestmentSectorAndCreditRatingLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CreditDefaultSubtotalMember" name="CreditDefaultSubtotalMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CreditDefaultSwapsReferencingIndicesMember" name="CreditDefaultSwapsReferencingIndicesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CreditDefaultTypesAxis" name="CreditDefaultTypesAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_CreditDefaultTypesDomain" name="CreditDefaultTypesDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges" name="CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForTerminatedNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DacAttributedToUnrealizedGainsLossesMember" name="DacAttributedToUnrealizedGainsLossesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DebtServiceCoverageRatioByRangeAxis" name="DebtServiceCoverageRatioByRangeAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DebtServiceCoverageRatioByRangeDomain" name="DebtServiceCoverageRatioByRangeDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DebtServiceCoverageRatioRangeOneMember" name="DebtServiceCoverageRatioRangeOneMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DebtServiceCoverageRatioRangeThreeMember" name="DebtServiceCoverageRatioRangeThreeMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DebtServiceCoverageRatioRangeTwoMember" name="DebtServiceCoverageRatioRangeTwoMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_DerivativeFairValueOfFreeStandingDerivativeAsset" name="DerivativeFairValueOfFreeStandingDerivativeAsset" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_DerivativeFairValueOfFreeStandingDerivativeLiability" name="DerivativeFairValueOfFreeStandingDerivativeLiability" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_DerivativesAndOtherInvestmentsNet" name="DerivativesAndOtherInvestmentsNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_DerivativesNonHedgingInstrumentsAxis" name="DerivativesNonHedgingInstrumentsAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_DisclosureOfRealEstateHoldingsByPropertyTypeTableTextBlock" name="DisclosureOfRealEstateHoldingsByPropertyTypeTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncome" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGlobalIntangibleLowTaxedIncome" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInIndexedAnnuityMember" name="EmbeddedDerivativesInIndexedAnnuityMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInModifiedCoinsuranceOrFundsWithheldArrangementsMember" name="EmbeddedDerivativesInModifiedCoinsuranceOrFundsWithheldArrangementsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EmbeddedDerivativesInVariableAnnuityMember" name="EmbeddedDerivativesInVariableAnnuityMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EquityReleaseMortgagesMember" name="EquityReleaseMortgagesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EstimatedFairValueRangesByPercentageAndTimeAxis" name="EstimatedFairValueRangesByPercentageAndTimeAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EstimatedFairValueRangesByPercentageAndTimeDomain" name="EstimatedFairValueRangesByPercentageAndTimeDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_EstimatedFairValuesAndGrossUnrealizedLossesOttiImpairmentLossesReportedInAociLineItems" name="EstimatedFairValuesAndGrossUnrealizedLossesOttiImpairmentLossesReportedInAociLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment" name="FairValueAssetsCarryingValuePriorToImpairment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FairValueAssetsGainsLosses" name="FairValueAssetsGainsLosses" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_FairValueByMajorCategoryAxis" name="FairValueByMajorCategoryAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_FairValueByMajorCategoryDomain" name="FairValueByMajorCategoryDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetEmbeddedDerivatives" name="FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisFundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetEmbeddedDerivatives" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisGuaranteedInterestContractsEmbeddedDerivatives" name="FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisGuaranteedInterestContractsEmbeddedDerivatives" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisShortTermInvestments" name="FairValueMeasuredOnRecurringBasisShortTermInvestments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_FairValueOptionContractholderDirectedUnitLinkedInvestmentsMember" name="FairValueOptionContractholderDirectedUnitLinkedInvestmentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FinancialInstrumentsCarryingAmountsAndEstimatedFairValueTableTextBlock" name="FinancialInstrumentsCarryingAmountsAndEstimatedFairValueTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTotal" name="FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLossesTotal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetSpecificClient" name="FundsHeldUnderReinsuranceAgreementsAssetSpecificClient" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestEmbeddedDerivativesMember" name="FundsWithheldAtInterestEmbeddedDerivativesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestMember" name="FundsWithheldAtInterestMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_FundsWithheldAtInterestPercentOfTotalInvestments" name="FundsWithheldAtInterestPercentOfTotalInvestments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives" name="GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion" name="GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_GrossUnrealizedLossesWithNumberOfSecuritiesLineItems" name="GrossUnrealizedLossesWithNumberOfSecuritiesLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_GuaranteeOfBorrowedSecuritiesMember" name="GuaranteeOfBorrowedSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_GuaranteeOfLeaseObligationsMember" name="GuaranteeOfLeaseObligationsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_ImpairedFinancingReceivableNetOfRelatedAllowance" name="ImpairedFinancingReceivableNetOfRelatedAllowance" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_IncomeAffectOfNonHedgingDerivativesLineItems" name="IncomeAffectOfNonHedgingDerivativesLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_IncomeTaxAbstract" name="IncomeTaxAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInForeignEnactedTaxRate" name="IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInForeignEnactedTaxRate" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxBasisDifferential" name="IncomeTaxReconciliationForeignIncomeTaxBasisDifferential" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_IncomeTaxReconciliationSubpartF" name="IncomeTaxReconciliationSubpartF" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_InsuranceTreatyGuaranteeMember" name="InsuranceTreatyGuaranteeMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_InsuranceTreatyGuaranteeNetOfAssetsHeldInTrustMember" name="InsuranceTreatyGuaranteeNetOfAssetsHeldInTrustMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_InterestSensitiveContractLiabilitiesEmbeddedDerivativesMember" name="InterestSensitiveContractLiabilitiesEmbeddedDerivativesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_InvestmentGainsAndLossesAbstract" name="InvestmentGainsAndLossesAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_InvestmentNarrativeLineItems" name="InvestmentNarrativeLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_InvestmentNarrativeTable" name="InvestmentNarrativeTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_InvestmentsClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateTextBlock" name="InvestmentsClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_InvestmentsInDebtAndEquitySecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossesDisclosuresTextBlock" name="InvestmentsInDebtAndEquitySecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLossesDisclosuresTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_LTV0To59PercentMember" name="LTV0To59PercentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_LTV60To69PercentMember" name="LTV60To69PercentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_LTV70To79PercentMember" name="LTV70To79PercentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_LessThan20PercentMember" name="LessThan20PercentMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNetOfRecoverable" name="LiabilityForUnpaidClaimsAndClaimsAdjustmentExpenseNetOfRecoverable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_LiabilityforUnpaidClaimsandClaimsAdjustmentExpenseInterestAccretion" name="LiabilityforUnpaidClaimsandClaimsAdjustmentExpenseInterestAccretion" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_LongevitySwapMember" name="LongevitySwapMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MajorCategoriesOfInvestmentIncomeNetOfExpensesLineItems" name="MajorCategoriesOfInvestmentIncomeNetOfExpensesLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MajorCategoriesOfInvestmentsAxis" name="MajorCategoriesOfInvestmentsAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MajorCategoriesOfInvestmentsDomain" name="MajorCategoriesOfInvestmentsDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MeasurementInputCreditingRateMember" name="MeasurementInputCreditingRateMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MeasurementInputMortalityImprovementMember" name="MeasurementInputMortalityImprovementMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MoreThanOrEqualTo20PercentForLessThanSixMonthsMember" name="MoreThanOrEqualTo20PercentForLessThanSixMonthsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MoreThanOrEqualTo20PercentForSixMonthsOrGreaterMember" name="MoreThanOrEqualTo20PercentForSixMonthsOrGreaterMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortalitySwapMember" name="MortalitySwapMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortgageLoanMaturityAxis" name="MortgageLoanMaturityAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortgageLoanMaturityDomain" name="MortgageLoanMaturityDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortgageLoanMaturityTable" name="MortgageLoanMaturityTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_MortgageLoanPercentOfCashAndInvestedAssets" name="MortgageLoanPercentOfCashAndInvestedAssets" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_MortgageLoansClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateTableTextBlock" name="MortgageLoansClassifiedByContractualMaturityDateTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNetPercentageOfTotal" name="MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNetPercentageOfTotal" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDueAfterFiveYearsMember" name="MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDueAfterFiveYearsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDueAfterTenYearsMember" name="MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDueAfterTenYearsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDueOneYearThroughFiveYearsMember" name="MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDueOneYearThroughFiveYearsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_NetAmountAssetsLiabilitiesFromRepurchaseReverseRepurchaseAgreements" name="NetAmountAssetsLiabilitiesFromRepurchaseReverseRepurchaseAgreements" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_NonHedgingDerivativesTable" name="NonHedgingDerivativesTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_NonHedgingInstrumentsDomain" name="NonHedgingInstrumentsDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis" name="NonrecurringFairValueAssetsAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_NonrecurringFairValueAssetsDomain" name="NonrecurringFairValueAssetsDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_NonrecurringFairValueTable" name="NonrecurringFairValueTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_OtherImpairmentLossesAndChangeInMortgageLoanProvision" name="OtherImpairmentLossesAndChangeInMortgageLoanProvision" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_OtherInvestedAssetsAxis" name="OtherInvestedAssetsAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_OtherInvestedAssetsDomain" name="OtherInvestedAssetsDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_OtherInvestedAssetsPercentOfCashAndInvestedAssets" name="OtherInvestedAssetsPercentOfCashAndInvestedAssets" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_OtherReinsurersMember" name="OtherReinsurersMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_PensionAndPostretirementBenefitsAxis" name="PensionAndPostretirementBenefitsAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_PensionAndPostretirementBenefitsDomain" name="PensionAndPostretirementBenefitsDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_PercentageOfTotalAvailableForSaleSecurities" name="PercentageOfTotalAvailableForSaleSecurities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_PercentageOfTotalGrossUnrealizedLossesForFixedMaturityAndEquitySecurities" name="PercentageOfTotalGrossUnrealizedLossesForFixedMaturityAndEquitySecurities" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_PerformanceContingentUnits" name="PerformanceContingentUnits" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_PolicyAcquisitionCostsAndOtherInsuranceExpenses" name="PolicyAcquisitionCostsAndOtherInsuranceExpenses" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_PolicyLoansPercentOfTotalInvestments" name="PolicyLoansPercentOfTotalInvestments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_PriorServiceCostMember" name="PriorServiceCostMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesSoldAtLoss" name="ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesSoldAtLoss" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldAtLoss" name="ProceedsFromSaleOfAvailableForSaleSecuritiesSoldAtLoss" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_RGAMember" name="RGAMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_RGAShareRepurchaseProgramMember" name="RGAShareRepurchaseProgramMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_RZAMember" name="RZAMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_RZBMember" name="RZBMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_RecordedInvestmentAndAllowanceForCreditLossesTextBlock" name="RecordedInvestmentAndAllowanceForCreditLossesTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_ReinsuranceClaimsRecoverables" name="ReinsuranceClaimsRecoverables" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ReinsurerAMember" name="ReinsurerAMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ReinsurerBMember" name="ReinsurerBMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ReinsurerCMember" name="ReinsurerCMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ReinsurerDMember" name="ReinsurerDMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ReinsurerEMember" name="ReinsurerEMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_RetrocessionAndClaimsRecoverableTextBlock" name="RetrocessionAndClaimsRecoverableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_RetrocessionArrangementsAndReinsuranceCededReceivablesAbstract" name="RetrocessionArrangementsAndReinsuranceCededReceivablesAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ScheduleMajorCategoriesOfInvestmentIncomeNetOfExpensesTable" name="ScheduleMajorCategoriesOfInvestmentIncomeNetOfExpensesTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ScheduleOfCorporateSecuritiesByMajorIndustryAndCreditRatingTable" name="ScheduleOfCorporateSecuritiesByMajorIndustryAndCreditRatingTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_ScheduleOfEstimatedFairValueRangesByPercentageAndTimeTable" name="ScheduleOfEstimatedFairValueRangesByPercentageAndTimeTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_ScheduleOfOtherInvestedAssetsTableTextBlock" name="ScheduleOfOtherInvestedAssetsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_SecuritiesAsPercentageOfConsolidatedStockholderEquity" name="SecuritiesAsPercentageOfConsolidatedStockholderEquity" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_SeniorNotesDue2019Member" name="SeniorNotesDue2019Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_SharesGrantedToNonEmployeeDirectors" name="SharesGrantedToNonEmployeeDirectors" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_SingleNameCreditDefaultSwapsMember" name="SingleNameCreditDefaultSwapsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_StandardPoorsAaaToAminusRatingsMember" name="StandardPoorsAaaToAminusRatingsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="rga_StockBasedCompensationShares" name="StockBasedCompensationShares" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_SyntheticGuaranteedInvestmentContractsMember" name="SyntheticGuaranteedInvestmentContractsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_UnrealizedAppreciationDepreciationOfInvestmentsMember" name="UnrealizedAppreciationDepreciationOfInvestmentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_UnrealizedGainLossReclassAxis" name="UnrealizedGainLossReclassAxis" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_UnrealizedGainLossReclassDomain" name="UnrealizedGainLossReclassDomain" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="rga_UnrealizedGainsLossesOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMember" name="UnrealizedGainsLossesOnAvailableForSaleSecuritiesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</xsd:schema>
