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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>0000898174-05-000011.txt : 20050128
<SEC-HEADER>0000898174-05-000011.hdr.sgml : 20050128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050128135848
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000898174-05-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050127
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Bartlett William J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001289203

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11848
		FILM NUMBER:		05557352

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(636)736-7000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		REINSURANCE GROUP OF AMERICA, INCORPORAT
		STREET 2:		1370 TIMBERLAKE MANOR PARKWAY
		CITY:			CHESTERFIELD
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			63017

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-27</periodOfReport>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001289203</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bartlett William J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1370 TIMBERLAKE MANOR PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHESTERFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>63017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1200</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1900</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-01-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>701</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>47.47</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>701</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1059</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">1 for 1 based upon fair market value of Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Acquired in lieu of cash payment and stock grant for director's annual retainer and meeting fees.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Vests on the earlier of (i) 10 years from the last of the plan year in which the phantom unit is granted, or (ii) the holder's retirement.  Payable in cash or common stock, at the election of the Board.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>William L. Hutton, by Power of Attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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