Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $341,198 and $333,599, respectively; includes $4,097 and $4,005, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 368,070	$ 350,187
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $3,111 and $3,012, respectively)	3,689	3,402
Fair value option and trading securities, at estimated fair value (includes $690 and $662, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $67 and $92, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	17,246	17,423
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $307 and $322, respectively; includes $313 and $1,621, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities; includes $298 and $338, respectively, under the fair value option)	58,038	57,706
Policy loans (includes $3 and $2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	11,756	11,764
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $8 and $1,141, respectively, relating to variable interest entities, includes $173 and $186, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)	10,393	10,712
Other limited partnership interests (includes $53 and $53, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,214	7,401
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value (includes $35 and $8, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	12,240	13,955
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $56 and $78, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	17,905	16,229
Total investments	507,551	488,779
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $61 and $70, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,783	7,585
Accrued investment income (includes $23 and $26, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,380	4,255
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $33 and $22, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,814	21,859
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired (includes $240 and $255, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	25,503	26,706
Goodwill	10,216	10,542
Other assets (includes $135 and $152, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,900	8,369
Separate account assets (includes $1,140 and $1,033, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	319,480	317,201
Total assets	908,627	885,296
Liabilities
Future policy benefits (includes $557 and $516, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	189,282	187,942
Policyholder account balances (includes $63 and $56, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	215,226	212,885
Other policy-related balances (includes $197 and $123, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	15,026	15,214
Policyholder dividends payable	710	675
Policyholder dividend obligation	2,825	1,771
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	33,776	30,411
Short-term debt	100	175
Long-term debt (includes $186 and $1,868, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	16,389	18,653
Collateral financing arrangements	4,196	4,196
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,193	3,193
Current income tax payable	293	186
Deferred income tax liability	11,357	6,643
Other liabilities (includes $75 and $88, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	25,373	23,168
Separate account liabilities (includes $1,140 and $1,033, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	319,480	317,201
Total liabilities	837,226	822,313
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	102	887
MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized: 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference	1	1
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,130,449,364 and 1,125,224,024 shares issued at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively; 1,119,087,159 and 1,122,030,137 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	11	11
Additional paid-in capital	29,488	29,277
Retained earnings	30,928	27,332
Treasury stock, at cost; 11,362,205 and 3,193,887 shares at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	(615)	(172)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	10,992	5,104
Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	70,805	61,553
Noncontrolling interests	494	543
Total equity	71,299	62,096
Total liabilities and equity	$ 908,627	$ 885,296