Entity Address, State or Province Entity Address, State or Province Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Entity File Number Entity File Number Written Communications Written Communications Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Soliciting Material Soliciting Material RGA [Member] RGA [Member] Reinsurance Group of America, Trading symbol RGA Entity Listings, Exchange [Axis] Entity Listings, Exchange [Axis] City Area Code City Area Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Cover [Abstract] Cover [Abstract] Pre-commencement Tender Offer Pre-commencement Tender Offer Amendment Flag Amendment Flag RZA [Member] RZA [Member] Reinsurance Group of America Fixed to Floating Subordinated Debentures Ticker RZA Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer Exchange [Domain] Exchange [Domain] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Document Period End Date Document Period End Date NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member] NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC. [Member] Document Type Document Type Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town RZB [Member] RZB [Member] Reinsurance Group of America Fixed to Floating Subordinated Debentures Ticker RZB Entities [Table] Entities [Table] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name