Employee Benefit Plans (Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Beginning Balance		$ 142,239
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance		161,955		$ 142,239
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Beginning Balance		142,239		138,196
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost		10,319		9,222		$ 8,121
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		4,790		5,035		4,972
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	[1]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses		9,973		(1,919)
Defined Benefit Plan Settlement Gain Loss		258		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation		(3,152)		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(3,047)		(4,480)
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation		575		(3,815)
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance		161,955		142,239		138,196
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Beginning Balance		63,307		59,782
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost		2,883		4,062		2,354
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost		2,259		2,572		1,962
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants		305		229
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	[1]	(13,743)	[2]	0	[2]	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses		6,228		(2,729)
Defined Benefit Plan Settlement Gain Loss		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid		(715)		(609)
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation, Ending Balance		$ 60,524		$ 63,307		$ 59,782

[1] Reflects effect of the amendment to RGA’s U.S. retiree health care benefit plan announced in 2016, effective January 1, 2017. The amount was recorded in AOCI and will be amortized through prior service cost.

[2] Reflects effect of the amendment to RGA’s U.S. retiree health care benefit plan announced in 2016, effective January 1, 2017. The amount was recorded in AOCI and will be amortized through prior service cost.