    <SEC-DOCUMENT>0000898174-21-000019-index.html : 20210803
    <SEC-HEADER>0000898174-21-000019.hdr.sgml : 20210803
    <ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210803162204
    ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000898174-21-000019
    CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
    PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		41
    CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210803
    ITEM INFORMATION:		Results of Operations and Financial Condition
    ITEM INFORMATION:		Regulation FD Disclosure
    ITEM INFORMATION:		Other Events
    ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
    FILED AS OF DATE:		20210803
    DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210803

    FILER:

    	COMPANY DATA:
    		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA INC
    		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000898174
    		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LIFE INSURANCE [6311]
    		IRS NUMBER:				431627032
    		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
    		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

    	FILING VALUES:
    		FORM TYPE:		8-K
    		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
    		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11848
    		FILM NUMBER:		211140118

    	BUSINESS ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		16600 SWINGLEY RIDGE ROAD
    		CITY:			CHESTERFIELD
    		STATE:			MO
    		ZIP:			63017
    		BUSINESS PHONE:		6367367000

    	MAIL ADDRESS:
    		STREET 1:		16600 SWINGLEY RIDGE ROAD
    		CITY:			CHESTERFIELD
    		STATE:			MO
    		ZIP:			63017
    </SEC-HEADER>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>8-K
    <SEQUENCE>1
    <FILENAME>rga-20210803.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>8-K
    <TEXT>
    Document 1 - file: rga-20210803.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-99.1
    <SEQUENCE>2
    <FILENAME>pressrelease2q21.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-99.1
    <TEXT>
    Document 2 - file: pressrelease2q21.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-99.2
    <SEQUENCE>3
    <FILENAME>qfs2q21.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-99.2
    <TEXT>
    Document 3 - file: qfs2q21.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-99.3
    <SEQUENCE>4
    <FILENAME>earningspresentation2q21.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>EX-99.3
    <TEXT>
    Document 4 - file: earningspresentation2q21.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.SCH
    <SEQUENCE>5
    <FILENAME>rga-20210803.xsd
    <DESCRIPTION>XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 5 - file: rga-20210803.xsd

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.DEF
    <SEQUENCE>6
    <FILENAME>rga-20210803_def.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 6 - file: rga-20210803_def.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.LAB
    <SEQUENCE>7
    <FILENAME>rga-20210803_lab.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 7 - file: rga-20210803_lab.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EX-101.PRE
    <SEQUENCE>8
    <FILENAME>rga-20210803_pre.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 8 - file: rga-20210803_pre.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>9
    <FILENAME>a10rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 9 - file: a10rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>10
    <FILENAME>a11rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 10 - file: a11rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>11
    <FILENAME>a12rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 11 - file: a12rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>12
    <FILENAME>a13rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 12 - file: a13rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>13
    <FILENAME>a14rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 13 - file: a14rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>14
    <FILENAME>a15rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 14 - file: a15rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>15
    <FILENAME>a16rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 15 - file: a16rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>16
    <FILENAME>a17rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 16 - file: a17rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>17
    <FILENAME>a18rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 17 - file: a18rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>18
    <FILENAME>a19rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 18 - file: a19rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>19
    <FILENAME>a1rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 19 - file: a1rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>20
    <FILENAME>a20rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 20 - file: a20rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>21
    <FILENAME>a21rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 21 - file: a21rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>22
    <FILENAME>a2rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 22 - file: a2rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>23
    <FILENAME>a3rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 23 - file: a3rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>24
    <FILENAME>a4rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 24 - file: a4rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>25
    <FILENAME>a5rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 25 - file: a5rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>26
    <FILENAME>a6rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 26 - file: a6rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>27
    <FILENAME>a7rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 27 - file: a7rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>28
    <FILENAME>a8rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 28 - file: a8rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>29
    <FILENAME>a9rgaearningspresentation.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 29 - file: a9rgaearningspresentation.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>30
    <FILENAME>quarterlyfinancialsuppleme.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 30 - file: quarterlyfinancialsuppleme.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>31
    <FILENAME>rgalogospelledoutaa01a13.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 31 - file: rgalogospelledoutaa01a13.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>GRAPHIC
    <SEQUENCE>32
    <FILENAME>rgaprlogoaa01a15.jpg
    <TEXT>
    Document 32 - file: rgaprlogoaa01a15.jpg

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>33
    <FILENAME>rga-20210803_htm.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 33 - file: rga-20210803_htm.html

    Document 33 - RAW XML: rga-20210803_htm.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>34
    <FILENAME>R1.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 34 - file: R1.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>35
    <FILENAME>R2.htm
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 35 - file: R2.htm

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>EXCEL
    <SEQUENCE>36
    <FILENAME>Financial_Report.xlsx
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 36 - file: Financial_Report.xlsx

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>37
    <FILENAME>Show.js
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 37 - file: Show.js

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>38
    <FILENAME>report.css
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 38 - file: report.css

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>XML
    <SEQUENCE>39
    <FILENAME>FilingSummary.xml
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 39 - file: FilingSummary.html

    Document 39 - RAW XML: FilingSummary.xml

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>JSON
    <SEQUENCE>41
    <FILENAME>MetaLinks.json
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 41 - file: MetaLinks.json

    </DOCUMENT>
    <DOCUMENT>
    <TYPE>ZIP
    <SEQUENCE>42
    <FILENAME>0000898174-21-000019-xbrl.zip
    <DESCRIPTION>IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
    <TEXT>
    Document 42 - file: 0000898174-21-000019-xbrl.zip

    </DOCUMENT>
    </SEC-DOCUMENT>