Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	Total	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]		Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other-Than-Temporary Impairments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 57,889	$ 370		$ 57,519	$ 1	$ 11	$ 26,782	$ (172)	$ 24,814	$ 9,115	$ (441)	$ (648)	$ (1,943)
Stock-based compensation	182			182			182
Dividends on preferred stock	(91)			(91)					(91)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(56)	(56)
Net income (loss)	1,221	24	[1]	1,197					1,197
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,253	11		5,242						4,908	170	89	75
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	64,398	349		64,049	1	11	26,964	(172)	25,920	14,023	(271)	(559)	(1,868)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	64,837	384		64,453	1	11	28,011	(172)	25,205	14,642	(223)	(533)	(2,489)
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	1,000			1,000			1,000
Stock-based compensation	249			249			249
Dividends on preferred stock	(91)			(91)					(91)
Dividends on common stock	(808)			(808)					(808)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(28)	11		(39)			(39)
Net income (loss)	2,477	17	[1]	2,460					2,460
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(6,368)	(71)		(6,297)						(5,389)	70	(1,085)	107
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$ 61,268	$ 341		$ 60,927	$ 1	$ 11	$ 29,221	$ (172)	$ 26,766	$ 9,253	$ (153)	$ (1,618)	$ (2,382)

[1] Net income (loss) at June 30, 2013 and 2012, attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries of less than $1 million and $5 million, respectively.