Long-term and Short-term Debt (Credit Facilities) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Collateral financing arrangements	$ 4,196	$ 4,196
General Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	4,000
Letter of Credit Issuances	192
Collateral financing arrangements	0
Unused Commitments	3,808
General Credit Facility One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowers	MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc.
Expiration	Sep. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,000
Letter of Credit Issuances	59
Collateral financing arrangements	0
Unused Commitments	941
Fees associated with credit facilities		4
General Credit Facility Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowers	MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc.
Expiration	Aug. 31, 2016
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	3,000
Letter of Credit Issuances	133
Collateral financing arrangements	0
Unused Commitments	$ 2,867