Reinsurance (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Maximum Life Insurance Retention Per Individual Life	$ 8,000
Reinsurance ceded receivables	683,972	$ 637,859
Reinsurance Claims Recoverables	242,000	233,700
Claims Recoverable From Retrocessionaires Past Due	4,000	2,000
Statutory Financial Reinsurance	10,800,000	8,800,000
Statutory Reserves Related To Financial Requirements	1,935,000	1,656,900
Assets Held-in-trust	893,800	932,600
Benefit Of RGA Subsidiaries [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	2,372,100	1,638,000
Benefit Of Third Parties [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Assets Held-in-trust	$ 12,135,300	$ 10,535,700
AM Best, A- Rating [Member]
Effects of Reinsurance [Line Items]
Retrocession Pool Participants Minimum AM Best Rating	“A- (excellent)”	“A- (excellent)”