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Investments (Collectively Significant Equity Method Investments - Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)      
Carrying Value of investments accounted for under the equity method $ 14.3us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments    
Unfunded commitments for investments accounted for under the equity method 4.1met_UnfundedCommitmentsForInvestmentsAccountedForUnderEquityMethod    
Total assets for investments accounted for under the equity method 385.7us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets 303.4us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationAssets  
Total liabilities for investments accounted for under the equity method 39.5us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilities 29.7us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationLiabilities  
Net Income (loss) for investments accounted for under the equity method $ 34.9us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss $ 26.3us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss $ 17.9us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentSummarizedFinancialInformationNetIncomeLoss
Aggregate Net income Exceeded Stated Percentage Of The Pre Tax Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations   10.00%met_AggregateNetIncomeExceededStatedPercentageOfPreTaxIncomeLossFromContinuingOperations 10.00%met_AggregateNetIncomeExceededStatedPercentageOfPreTaxIncomeLossFromContinuingOperations