Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues
Premiums	$ 9,094	$ 9,096	$ 27,403	$ 27,386
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees	2,372	2,131	7,034	6,306
Net investment income	5,026	5,517	16,385	16,436
Other revenues	476	455	1,446	1,445
Net investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(13)	(57)	(77)	(310)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)	(21)	10	(56)	39
Other net investment gains (losses)	(51)	69	472	119
Total net investment gains (losses)	(85)	22	339	(152)
Net derivative gains (losses)	(546)	(718)	(2,866)	(604)
Total revenues	16,337	16,503	49,741	50,817
Expenses
Policyholder benefits and claims	9,472	8,943	27,827	26,958
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	1,600	2,102	6,036	5,681
Policyholder dividends	312	355	954	1,050
Goodwill impairment	0	1,868	0	1,868
Other expenses	3,977	4,245	12,140	13,341
Total expenses	15,361	17,513	46,957	48,898
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax	976	(1,010)	2,784	1,919
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	3	(53)	308	710
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	973	(957)	2,476	1,209
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	2	0	1	17
Net income (loss)	975	(957)	2,477	1,226
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	3	(3)	17	29
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	972	(954)	2,460	1,197
Less: Preferred stock dividends	30	30	91	91
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders	942	(984)	2,369	1,106
Comprehensive income (loss)	(188)	1,655	(3,891)	6,474
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax	(58)	19	(54)	35
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$ (130)	$ 1,636	$ (3,837)	$ 6,439
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 0.85	$ (0.92)	$ 2.15	$ 1.02
Diluted	$ 0.84	$ (0.92)	$ 2.14	$ 1.01
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 0.85	$ (0.92)	$ 2.15	$ 1.04
Diluted	$ 0.84	$ (0.92)	$ 2.14	$ 1.03
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.000	$ 0.00	$ 0.735	$ 0.00