-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000728618-03-000019.txt : 20031117
<SEC-HEADER>0000728618-03-000019.hdr.sgml : 20031117
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031117193136
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000728618-03-000019
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031113
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031117

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000898174
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ACCIDENT & HEALTH INSURANCE [6321]
		IRS NUMBER:				431627032
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MO
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1370 TIMBERLAKE MANOR PARKWAY
		CITY:			CHESTERFIELD
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63017-6039
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6367367000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1370 TIMBERLAKE MANOR PARKWAY
		CITY:			CHESTERFIELD
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63017-6039

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE CO/NY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000728618
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11848
		FILM NUMBER:		031009150

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MADISON AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10010
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2125785914

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE MADISON AVENUE LAW DEPARTMENT
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10010-3690
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-13</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000898174</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RGA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000728618</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE CO/NY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE MADISON AVENUE LAW DEPARTMENT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10010-3690</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2205000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2532600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>795000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>36.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>24926250</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4784689</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Footnote.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>

    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are directly owned by Equity Intermediary Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of General American Life Insurance Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GenAmerica Financial Corporation, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are directly owned by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MetLife, Inc., and previously reported on a Form 5 filed for December 2000.</footnote>
    </footnotes>


    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Anthony J. Williamson, Senior Vice-President and Treasurer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-17</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----