Financial Condition and Net Income on a Statutory Basis - Significant Subsidiaries (Reconciliation of NAIC SAP and Prescribed Practice) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statutory Basis [Abstract]
Prescribed Practice Surplus Note	$ 639,515	$ 515,399
Prescribed Practice Letters Of Credit	(570,100)	(642,200)
Surplus Deficit NAIC SAP	$ 69,415	$ (126,801)

Represents surplus of the reporting company, including accrued surplus note interest that is reported as a reduction in surplus under prescribed practices but not under NAIC SAP.

No definition available.

Name:	rga_PrescribedPracticeSurplusNote
Namespace Prefix:	rga_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant