Employee Benefit Plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax		$ 4,427		$ 4,618		$ (43,025)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax		(444)		(337)		(485)
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
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, Expected Return on Plan Assets		(5,138)		(4,897)		(4,471)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)		4,323		3,429		1,755
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)		294		309		333
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements		(1,026)		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Total		15,614		13,098		10,710
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax		8,785		5,774		20,912
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax		(4,323)		(3,429)		(1,755)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax		(294)		(309)		(333)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Valuation, before Tax		(1,026)		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	[1]	0	[2]	0	[2]	0
Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Foreign Exchange Translations And Other Adjustments		707		(1,797)		(578)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax		3,849		239		18,246
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Before Tax Period Increase Decrease		19,463		13,337		28,956
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
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, Expected Return on Plan Assets		0		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)		1,827		2,465		1,060
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)		(622)		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements		0		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Total		6,347		9,099		5,376
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax		6,228		(2,729)		25,354
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Gain (Loss), before Tax		(1,827)		(2,465)		(1,060)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax		622		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Finalization of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan Valuation, before Tax		0		0		0
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments	[1]	(13,743)	[2]	0	[2]	0
Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plan Net Foreign Exchange Translations And Other Adjustments		0		0		0
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax		(8,720)		(5,194)		24,294
Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Before Tax Period Increase Decrease		$ (2,373)		$ 3,905		$ 29,670

[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.