Equity (Statutory Net Income (Loss)) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory net income (loss)	$ 369	$ 1,320	$ 1,970
Statutory capital and surplus	12,428	14,295
American Life Insurance Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory net income (loss)	631	317	334
Statutory capital and surplus	2,711	3,044
MetLife Insurance Company Of Connecticut [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory net income (loss)	790	848	46
Statutory capital and surplus	4,795	5,331
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory net income (loss)	282	235	41
Statutory capital and surplus	2,225	1,987
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company [Member]
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Statutory net income (loss)	52	61	63
Statutory capital and surplus	$ 735	$ 781