Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues
Premiums	$ 9,703	$ 9,094	$ 28,795	$ 27,403
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees	2,628	2,372	7,507	7,034
Net investment income	5,410	5,026	15,704	16,385
Other revenues	518	476	1,486	1,446
Net investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(17)	(13)	(40)	(77)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)	(14)	(21)	(16)	(56)
Other net investment gains (losses)	140	(51)	(371)	472
Total net investment gains (losses)	109	(85)	(427)	339
Net derivative gains (losses)	478	(546)	1,132	(2,866)
Total revenues	18,846	16,337	54,197	49,741
Expenses
Policyholder benefits and claims	9,512	9,472	28,824	27,827
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	1,817	1,600	4,995	6,036
Policyholder dividends	347	312	1,047	954
Other expenses	4,218	3,977	12,603	12,140
Total expenses	15,894	15,361	47,469	46,957
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax	2,952	976	6,728	2,784
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	858	3	1,916	308
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	2,094	973	4,812	2,476
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	0	2	(3)	1
Net income (loss)	2,094	975	4,809	2,477
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	3	21	17
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	2,094	972	4,788	2,460
Less: Preferred stock dividends	30	30	91	91
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders	2,064	942	4,697	2,369
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,972	(188)	10,682	(3,891)
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax	(56)	(58)	6	(54)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$ 2,028	$ (130)	$ 10,676	$ (3,837)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 1.83	$ 0.85	$ 4.17	$ 2.15
Diluted	$ 1.81	$ 0.84	$ 4.12	$ 2.14
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 1.83	$ 0.85	$ 4.17	$ 2.15
Diluted	$ 1.81	$ 0.84	$ 4.12	$ 2.14
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.350	$ 0.000	$ 0.975	$ 0.735