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Junior Subordinated Debt Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest Expense, Junior Subordinated Debentures $ 258us-gaap_InterestExpenseJuniorSubordinatedDebentures $ 258us-gaap_InterestExpenseJuniorSubordinatedDebentures $ 258us-gaap_InterestExpenseJuniorSubordinatedDebentures
Senior Note MLINC $1B maturing in June 2035 [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 5.70%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= met_JuniorSubordinatedDebtInstrumentFiveMember
   
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Jun. 30, 2035    
Junior Subordinated Debt Instrument One [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 10.75%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= met_JuniorSubordinatedDebtInstrumentOneMember
   
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Aug. 01, 2069    
Junior Subordinated Debt Instrument Four [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 6.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= met_JuniorSubordinatedDebtInstrumentFourMember
   
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Dec. 15, 2066    
Junior Subordinated Debt Instrument Three [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.875%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= met_JuniorSubordinatedDebtInstrumentThreeMember
   
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Dec. 15, 2067    
Junior Subordinated Debt Instrument Two [Member]      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 9.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= met_JuniorSubordinatedDebtInstrumentTwoMember
   
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Apr. 08, 2068