Name:	dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate
Namespace Prefix:	dei_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount represents the total percentage of each property type in comparison to the total of mortgage loans whose balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

No definition available.

Name:	rga_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNetPercentageOfTotal
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	srt_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The reserve to cover probable credit losses related to specifically identified fixed maturity real estate loans as well as probable credit losses inherent in the remainder of that loan portfolio.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 310
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=118959141&loc=d3e21338-158488

Name:	us-gaap_AllowanceForLoanAndLeaseLossesRealEstate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

The balance represents the amount of loans that are secured by real estate mortgages, offset by the reserve to cover probable credit losses on the loan portfolio.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1(c))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119400593&loc=d3e572229-122910

Name:	us-gaap_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateCommercialAndConsumerNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount, before allowance for credit loss, of financing receivable.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 326
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119407570&loc=SL82919230-210447

Name:	us-gaap_NotesReceivableGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of deferred fees paid by borrowers and unamortized costs incurred to originate loans and leases, unamortized loan commitments and loan syndication fees, and premiums over or discounts from face amounts of loans that are being amortized into income as an adjustment to yield. Excludes amounts for loans and leases covered under loss sharing agreements.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6378536&loc=d3e10092-111533

Name:	us-gaap_UnamortizedLoanCommitmentAndOriginationFeesAndUnamortizedDiscountsOrPremiums
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=srt_ApartmentBuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=srt_RetailSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=srt_OfficeBuildingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	srt_MortgageLoansOnRealEstateDescriptionTypeOfPropertyAxis=srt_IndustrialPropertyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: