Acquisitions and Dispositions (Dispositions - Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended						12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Jan. 11, 2013 MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 MetLife Bank [Member] Minimum [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 MetLife Bank [Member] Maximum [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Ceded Assumption Reinsurance of Certain Closed Blocks of Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Ceded Assumption Reinsurance of Certain Closed Blocks of Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Co Ltd (MSI MetLife) [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Mitsui Sumitomo MetLife Insurance Co Ltd (MSI MetLife) [Member] JPY (¥)	Dec. 31, 2011 MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company Limited [Member] USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2011 MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company Limited [Member] USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Net Sales Proceeds															$ 269	¥ 22,500
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage															50.00%	50.00%
Additional charges expected related to the exit of business											20	45
Net consideration									6,400								180
Net assets sold																		282
Gain (loss) on disposal				2	(5)	21	163	115		212				(25)
Assets related to sale of business							7,800	446	6,400					4,100
Liabilities related to sale of business							6,800	282					4,100
Expense For Reimbursement Of Transaction Costs Related To Disposal Of Joint Venture															4	310
Foreign Operation Hedge Gain (Loss) Reclassified, Net of tax															46
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal	(48)	(36)	4												(57)
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	0	0	(64)														(64)
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation During Phase-out Period, Net of Tax	2	48	88														20
Liabilities of business transferred to subsidiary under funding agreements that are included in policyholder account balances	$ 0	$ 3,806	$ 0				$ 3,800