Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock at Cost [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other-Than-Temporary Impairments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 64,837	$ 1	$ 11	$ 28,011	$ 25,205	$ (172)	$ 14,642	$ (223)	$ (533)	$ (2,489)	$ 64,453	$ 384
Stock-based compensation	165			165							165
Dividends on preferred stock	(61)				(61)						(61)
Dividends on common stock	(808)				(808)						(808)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(22)			(39)							(39)	17
Net income (loss)	1,502				1,488						1,488	14	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(5,205)						(4,025)	49	(1,292)	73	(5,195)	(10)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	60,408	1	11	28,137	25,824	(172)	10,617	(174)	(1,825)	(2,416)	60,003	405
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	62,096	1	11	29,277	27,332	(172)	8,553	(139)	(1,659)	(1,651)	61,553	543
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(4)					(4)					(4)
Stock-based compensation	161			161							161
Dividends on preferred stock	(61)				(61)						(61)
Dividends on common stock	(706)				(706)						(706)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(22)										0	(22)
Net income (loss)	2,715				2,694						2,694	21	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,995						5,902	69	(80)	63	5,954	41
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2014	$ 70,174	$ 1	$ 11	$ 29,438	$ 29,259	$ (176)	$ 14,455	$ (70)	$ (1,739)	$ (1,588)	$ 69,591	$ 583

[1] Net income (loss) at June 30, 2014 and 2013, attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries of less than $(1) million and less than $1 million, respectively.