Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $) In Millions	Total		Convertible Preferred Stock	Noncontrolling Interests		Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock at Cost	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other-Than-Temporary Impairments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 47,218		$ 0	$ 365		$ 46,853	$ 1	$ 10	$ 26,423	$ (172)	$ 19,446	$ 3,488	$ (366)	$ (528)	$ (1,449)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	(2,805)					(2,805)			(2,805)
Preferred stock redemption premium	(146)		(146)			(146)					(146)
Common stock issuance	2,950					2,950		1	2,949
Stock-based compensation	215					215			215
Dividends on preferred stock	(122)					(122)					(122)
Dividends on common stock	(787)					(787)					(787)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	38			38		0
Net income (loss)	6,428	[1]		5	[2]	6,423					6,423
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	4,900			(38)		4,938						5,627	(75)	(120)	(494)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	57,889		0	370		57,519	1	11	26,782	(172)	24,814	9,115	(441)	(648)	(1,943)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	0
Preferred stock redemption premium	0
Common stock issuance	1,000					1,000			1,000
Stock-based compensation	229					229			229
Dividends on preferred stock	(122)					(122)					(122)
Dividends on common stock	(811)					(811)					(811)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(24)			(24)		0
Net income (loss)	1,353	[1]		29	[2]	1,324					1,324
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,323			9		5,314						5,527	218	115	(546)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	64,837			384		64,453	1	11	28,011	(172)	25,205	14,642	(223)	(533)	(2,489)
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	0
Preferred stock redemption premium	0
Common stock issuance	1,000					1,000			1,000
Stock-based compensation	305					305			305
Dividends on preferred stock	(122)					(122)					(122)
Dividends on common stock	(1,119)					(1,119)					(1,119)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	141			180		(39)			(39)
Net income (loss)	3,393	[1]		25	[2]	3,368					3,368
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(6,339)			(46)		(6,293)						(6,089)	84	(1,126)	838
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 62,096			$ 543		$ 61,553	$ 1	$ 11	$ 29,277	$ (172)	$ 27,332	$ 8,553	$ (139)	$ (1,659)	$ (1,651)

[1] Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and net income (loss) exclude gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests of less than $1 million, $9 million and ($13) million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] At December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests of less than of $1 million, $9 million and ($13) million, respectively.