Name:	rga_DerivativesAndOtherInvestmentsNet
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- References

No definition available.

Name:	rga_InvestmentGainsAndLossesAbstract
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Other impairment losses and change in mortgage loan provision.

No definition available.

Name:	rga_OtherImpairmentLossesAndChangeInMortgageLoanProvision
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27357-111563

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
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Amount of loss realized on the sale of debt or equity securities classified as available-for-sale. Excludes other than temporary impairments (OTTI).

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableforsaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedLossesExcludingOtherThanTemporaryImpairments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The amount of other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses on equity securities, OTTI related to credit losses on debt securities, and OTTI losses on debt securities when the entity intends to sell the securities or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the securities before recovery of its amortized cost basis. Additionally, this item includes OTTI losses recognized during the period on investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=SL6284393-111563

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNet
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The net realized gains or losses on investments during the period, not including gains or losses on securities separately or otherwise categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 225
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 325
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75031664&loc=d3e22529-158502