The anticipated future charge against earnings comprised of costs incurred associated with an exit or disposal activity other than for a discontinued operations as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	met_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net gain (loss), net of income tax, related to the pending disposition of business.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	met_NetGainLossNetOfIncomeTaxRelatedToPendingDispositionOfBusiness
Namespace Prefix:	met_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate value (measured at the lower of net carrying value or fair value less cost of disposal) for assets of a disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), to be sold or that has been disposed of through sale, as of the financial statement date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e1107-107759

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The value of all consideration given or received by the Entity in the significant acquisition or disposal.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Acquisitions and Dispositions (MetLife Bank Disposition - Narrative) (Details) (MetLife Bank [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jan. 11, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Assets related to sale of business					$ 6,400,000,000
Net consideration paid					6,400,000,000
Gain (loss) on disposal	(22,000,000)	(45,000,000)	(96,000,000)	(155,000,000)
Minimum [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Additional charges expected related to the exit of business			40,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Additional charges expected related to the exit of business			$ 65,000,000