EXHIBIT 4.6

                              CERTIFICATE OF TRUST
                                       OF
                              RGA CAPITAL TRUST III

         This Certificate of Trust of RGA Capital Trust III (the "Trust") is
being executed and filed on behalf of the Trust by the undersigned, as trustees,
to form a Statutory Trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (12 Del. C.
Section 3801 et seq.) (the "Act").

         1.       Name. The name of the statutory trust formed hereby is RGA
Capital Trust III.

         2.       Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the
trustee of the Trust in the State of Delaware is The Bank of New York
(Delaware), White Clay Center, Route 273, Newark, Delaware 19771.

         3.       Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective
upon filing.

         In witness whereof, the undersigned have duly executed this Certificate
of Trust in accordance with Section 3811(a)(1) of the Act.

                                         THE BANK OF NEW YORK (DELAWARE),
                                         as Delaware trustee

                                         By:  /s/ JAMES LONGSHAW
                                              ----------------------------------
                                         Name:  James Longshaw
                                                --------------------------------
                                         Title: Senior Vice President
                                               ---------------------------------

                                         /s/ JACK B. LAY
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Jack B. Lay
                                         Trustee

                                         /s/ A. GREIG WOODRING
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         A. Greig Woodring
                                         Trustee

                                         /s/ TODD C. LARSON
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                         Todd C. Larson
                                         Trustee