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Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Insolvency Assessments) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Premiums and Other Receivables, Net $ 22,244us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet $ 21,859us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet
Other Assets:    
Premium tax offset for future undiscounted assessments 50us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentPremiumTaxOffset 60us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentPremiumTaxOffset
Premium tax offsets currently available for paid assessments 84met_LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentPremiumTaxOffsetCurrentlyAvailable 69met_LossContingencyAccrualInsuranceRelatedAssessmentPremiumTaxOffsetCurrentlyAvailable
Other Liabilities:    
Insolvency assessments 73us-gaap_LossContingencyUndiscountedAmountOfInsuranceRelatedAssessmentLiability 93us-gaap_LossContingencyUndiscountedAmountOfInsuranceRelatedAssessmentLiability
Insurance-related Assessments [Member]    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Premiums and Other Receivables, Net 0us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_InsuranceRelatedAssessmentsMember
5us-gaap_PremiumsAndOtherReceivablesNet
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_InsuranceRelatedAssessmentsMember
Total assets held for insolvency assessments $ 134us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_InsuranceRelatedAssessmentsMember
$ 134us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_InsuranceRelatedAssessmentsMember