Long-term Debt	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	9. Long-term Debt Senior Notes In April 2014, MetLife, Inc. issued $1.0 billion of senior notes due in April 2024 which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.60%, payable semi-annually. In May 2014, MetLife, Inc. redeemed $200 million aggregate principal amount of MetLife, Inc.’s 5.875% senior notes due in November 2033. Credit Facilities In May 2014, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, entered into a $4.0 billion five-year unsecured credit agreement, which amended and restated both the five-year $3.0 billion and the five-year $1.0 billion unsecured credit agreements in their entireties into a single agreement (the “2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement”). The facility made available by the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes (including in the case of loans, to back up commercial paper and, in the case of letters of credit, to support variable annuity policy and reinsurance reserve requirements). All borrowings under the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement must be repaid by May 30, 2019, except that letters of credit outstanding on that date may remain outstanding until no later than May 30, 2020. MetLife, Inc. incurred costs of $6 million related to the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement, which were capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement.

Long-term Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

9. Long-term Debt

Senior Notes

In April 2014, MetLife, Inc. issued $1.0 billion of senior notes due in April 2024 which bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.60%, payable semi-annually. In May 2014, MetLife, Inc. redeemed $200 million aggregate principal amount of MetLife, Inc.’s 5.875% senior notes due in November 2033.

Credit Facilities

In May 2014, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, entered into a $4.0 billion five-year unsecured credit agreement, which amended and restated both the five-year $3.0 billion and the five-year $1.0 billion unsecured credit agreements in their entireties into a single agreement (the “2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement”). The facility made available by the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement may be used for general corporate purposes (including in the case of loans, to back up commercial paper and, in the case of letters of credit, to support variable annuity policy and reinsurance reserve requirements). All borrowings under the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement must be repaid by May 30, 2019, except that letters of credit outstanding on that date may remain outstanding until no later than May 30, 2020. MetLife, Inc. incurred costs of $6 million related to the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement, which were capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2014 Five-Year Credit Agreement.