Equity (Schedule of Reclassifications out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		$ (81)	$ 12	$ (139)	$ (173)
Net income (loss) available to RGA, Inc. shareholders		284	(22)	419	461
Unrealized Appreciation Depreciation Of Investments [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest		(110)	25	(418)	181
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		24	(5)	88	(38)
Net income (loss) available to RGA, Inc. shareholders		(86)	20	(330)	143
Unrealized Appreciation Depreciation Of Investments [Member] | Unrealized Gains Losses On Available For Sale Securities [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Investment related gains (losses), net		(92)	35	(195)	218
Unrealized Appreciation Depreciation Of Investments [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	[1]	0	(2)	(2)	(6)
Unrealized Appreciation Depreciation Of Investments [Member] | Currency Swap [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	[1]	(3)	0	(5)	0
Unrealized Appreciation Depreciation Of Investments [Member] | DAC Attributed To Unrealized Gains Losses [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Deferred policy acquisition costs attributed to unrealized gains and losses	[2]	(15)	(8)	216	(31)
Amortization Of Unrealized Pension And Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest		0	(3)	(2)	(6)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		0		0	1
Net income (loss) available to RGA, Inc. shareholders		0	(3)	(2)	(5)
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income (loss) available to RGA, Inc. shareholders		(86)	17	(332)	138
Prior Service Cost [Member] | Amortization Of Unrealized Pension And Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Prior service cost	[3]	0	0	1	1
Actuarial Gains Losses [Member] | Amortization Of Unrealized Pension And Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Actuarial gains/(losses)	[3]	$ 0	$ (3)	$ 3	$ (7)

[1] See Note 5 – “Derivative Instruments” for additional information on cash flow hedges.

[2] This AOCI component is included in the computation of the deferred policy acquisition cost. See Note 8 – “Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs” of the 2021 Annual Report for additional details.

[3] This AOCI component is included in the computation of the net periodic pension cost. See Note 10 – “Employee Benefit Plans” for additional details.