Disposition (Disposition - Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 MetLife Assurance Limited [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 MetLife Assurance Limited [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 MetLife Assurance Limited [Member] GBP (£)	Sep. 30, 2014 MetLife Assurance Limited [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 MetLife Assurance Limited [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member] USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net consideration					$ 702	$ 702	£ 418
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses)	(20)	12	(26)	46	0	(633)
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses), net of tax						(442)
Goodwill Disposition						60
Goodwill Disposition, net of tax						51
Net investment gains (losses)	109	(85)	(427)	339				0	(77)
Net income (loss)	2,094	975	4,809	2,477					(50)
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Income (Loss)						$ 77