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Segment Information (Reconciliation of Depreciation and Amortization from Segment to Consolidated) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction $ 1,151,088us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization $ 1,087,579us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization $ 1,192,517us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
US Traditional Segment Reporting Information [Member]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction 558,404us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= rga_USTraditionalSegmentReportingInformationMember
564,359us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= rga_USTraditionalSegmentReportingInformationMember
555,875us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= rga_USTraditionalSegmentReportingInformationMember
US Non-Traditional Segment Reporting Information [Member]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction 232,348us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= rga_USNonTraditionalSegmentReportingInformationMember
213,745us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= rga_USNonTraditionalSegmentReportingInformationMember
225,910us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= rga_USNonTraditionalSegmentReportingInformationMember
Canada Segment Reporting Information [Member]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction 204,229us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_CA
193,878us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_CA
182,914us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= country_CA
Europe [Member]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction 57,291us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
55,003us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
69,002us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_EuropeMember
Asia Pacific [Member]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction 95,172us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
57,104us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
154,776us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_AsiaPacificMember
Corporate Segment [Member]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization [Abstract]      
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction $ 3,644us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
$ 3,490us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember
$ 4,040us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateMember