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Insurance (Guarantees Related to Universal and Variable Life Contracts) (Details) (Universal and Variable Life Contracts, USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Secondary Guarantees
   
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]    
Account value (general and separate account) $ 16,875met_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGeneralAndSeparateAccountValue
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_SecondaryGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
$ 16,048met_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGeneralAndSeparateAccountValue
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_SecondaryGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
Net amount at risk 180,069us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRiskInEventOfDeath
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_SecondaryGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
185,920us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRiskInEventOfDeath
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_SecondaryGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
Average attained age of policyholders 56 years 55 years
Paid-Up Guarantees
   
Net Amount at Risk by Product and Guarantee [Line Items]    
Account value (general and separate account) 3,587met_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGeneralAndSeparateAccountValue
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_PaidUpGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
3,700met_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGeneralAndSeparateAccountValue
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_PaidUpGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
Net amount at risk $ 20,344us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRiskInEventOfDeath
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_PaidUpGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
$ 21,737us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeNetAmountAtRiskInEventOfDeath
/ us-gaap_NetAmountAtRiskByProductAndGuaranteeGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_PaidUpGuaranteesMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= met_UniversalAndVariableLifeContractsMember
Average attained age of policyholders 61 years 60 years