Investments (Invested Assets on Deposit, Held In Trust and Pledged as Collateral - Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 02, 2014 MetLife Insurance Company Of Connecticut [Member] Subsequent Event [Member]
Financial Instruments Owned and Pledged as Collateral [Line Items]
Invested assets on deposit	$ 2,153	$ 2,362	$ 6,300

The carrying amount of the asset transferred to a third party to serve as a deposit, which typically serves as security against failure by the transferor to perform under terms of an agreement.

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.8,17)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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