Name:	rga_DerivativesAndOtherInvestmentsNet
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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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
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of unrealized gain before deducting unrealized loss on investments in equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesGrossUnrealizedGain
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Amount of unrealized loss before deducting unrealized gain on investments in available-for-sale equity securities.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27161-111563

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesGrossUnrealizedLoss
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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.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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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
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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The difference between the carrying value and the sale price of equity securities, not separately or otherwise categorized as trading or available-for-sale. This element includes investments in which the entity holds a small ownership stake (generally, less than 20% of the shares outstanding) and cannot exert significant influence.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfEquityInvestments
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- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The amount of other than temporary impairment losses on investments in debt and equity securities categorized as Available-for-sale which have been recognized in earnings during the period. Such impairment losses consist of other than temporary impairments (OTTI) on equity securities, credit losses on investments in debt securities, and when the entity intends to sell an impaired debt security or it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the impaired debt security before recovery of its amortized cost basis.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 220
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.3(a))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114873790&loc=SL114874131-224263