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Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Policy-Related Intangibles (Estimated Future Amortization) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Estimated future amortization expense allocated to other expenses for VOBA [Abstract]  
VOBA 2015 $ 633us-gaap_ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearOne
VOBA 2016 532us-gaap_ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearTwo
VOBA 2017 455us-gaap_ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearThree
VOBA 2018 403us-gaap_ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearFour
VOBA 2019 353us-gaap_ExpectedAmortizationExpenseOfEndingPresentValueOfFutureInsuranceProfitsYearFive
Value of Distribution Agreements and Customer Relationships Acquired [Abstract]  
VODA and VOCRA 2015 75us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseNextTwelveMonths
VODA and VOCRA 2016 70us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearTwo
VODA and VOCRA 2017 67us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearThree
VODA and VOCRA 2018 62us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFour
VODA and VOCRA 2019 58us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseYearFive
Negative Value of Business Acquired [Abstract]  
Negative VOBA 2015 (342)met_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationNextTwelveMonths
Negative VOBA 2016 (262)met_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationYearTwo
Negative VOBA 2017 (146)met_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationYearThree
Negative VOBA 2018 (61)met_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationYearFour
Negative VOBA 2019 $ (40)met_FiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilitiesAmortizationYearFive