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Derivative Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]      
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net $ 2,100,000us-gaap_InterestRateCashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedDuringNext12MonthsNet    
Cumulative Foreign Currency Translation Gain Loss Recorded In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss For Net Investment In Foreign Operations Hedges 75,800,000rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges 23,900,000rga_CumulativeForeignCurrencyTranslationGainLossRecordedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossForNetInvestmentInForeignOperationsHedges  
Gain Loss On Investments Related To Change In Fair Value Of Derivatives Excluding Embedded Derivatives 80,661,000rga_GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives (177,258,000)rga_GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives (61,446,000)rga_GainLossOnInvestmentsRelatedToChangeInFairValueOfDerivativesExcludingEmbeddedDerivatives
Embedded Derivative Gain Loss In Financial Statements From Use Of Own Credit Risk 1,600,000rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk 1,600,000rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk 62,700,000rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk
Embedded Derivative Gain Loss On Variable Annuity Contracts In Financial Statements From Use Of Own Credit Risk $ 1,600,000rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnVariableAnnuityContractsInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk $ (12,500,000)rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnVariableAnnuityContractsInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk $ 16,500,000rga_EmbeddedDerivativeGainLossOnVariableAnnuityContractsInFinancialStatementsFromUseOfOwnCreditRisk