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Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Reclassification) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Gains (Losses) On Investments And Sales Of Businesses, Net [Member]    
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment $ (4,166)us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= met_GainsLossesOnInvestmentsAndSalesOfBusinessesNetMember
$ (2,865)us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= met_GainsLossesOnInvestmentsAndSalesOfBusinessesNetMember
Other, Net [Member]    
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment (956)us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= met_OtherNetMember
(322)us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= met_OtherNetMember
Gains (Losses) On Derivatives, Net [Member]    
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment $ 5,122us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= met_GainsLossesOnDerivativesNetMember
$ 3,187us-gaap_PriorPeriodReclassificationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= met_GainsLossesOnDerivativesNetMember