Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Maximum Life Insurance Retention Per Individual Life	$ 8,000
Reinsurance ceded receivables	637,859	$ 578,206
Reinsurance Claims Recoverables	233,700	143,000
Claims Recoverable From Retrocessionaires Past Due	2,000	10,900
Statutory Financial Reinsurance	8,800,000	8,200,000
Statutory Reserves Related To Financial Requirements	1,656,900	1,558,300
Assets Held-in-trust	932,600	922,800
Benefit Of RGA Subsidiaries [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	1,638,000	1,633,600
Benefit Of Third Parties [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	$ 10,535,700	$ 10,197,500
AM Best, A- Rating [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Retrocession Pool Participants Minimum AM Best Rating	“A- (excellent)”	“A- (excellent)”