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
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	1,000		0	1,000							1,000
Stock-based compensation	249			249							249
Dividends on preferred stock	(91)				(91)						(91)
Dividends on common stock	(808)				(808)						(808)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(28)			(39)							(39)	11
Net income (loss)	2,477				2,460						2,460	17	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(6,368)						(5,389)	70	(1,085)	107	(6,297)	(71)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	61,268	1	11	29,221	26,766	(172)	9,253	(153)	(1,618)	(2,382)	60,927	341
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	(443)					(443)					(443)
Stock-based compensation	211			211							211
Dividends on preferred stock	(91)				(91)						(91)
Dividends on common stock	(1,101)				(1,101)						(1,101)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(55)										0	(55)
Net income (loss)	4,809				4,788						4,788	21	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	5,873						6,206	69	(501)	114	5,888	(15)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$ 71,299	$ 1	$ 11	$ 29,488	$ 30,928	$ (615)	$ 14,759	$ (70)	$ (2,160)	$ (1,537)	$ 70,805	$ 494

[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.