Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $332,909 and $334,780, respectively; includes $4,326 and $4,266, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 366,275	$ 365,425
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $3,133 and $3,076, respectively)	3,713	3,631
Fair value option and trading securities, at estimated fair value (includes $714 and $704, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $56 and $60, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	16,471	16,689
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $315 and $305, respectively; includes $272 and $280, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities; includes $329 and $308, respectively, under the fair value option)	62,409	60,118
Policy loans (includes $3 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	11,606	11,618
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $8 and $8, respectively, relating to variable interest entities, includes $56 and $172, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)	10,310	10,525
Other limited partnership interests (includes $34 and $34, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,074	8,085
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value (includes $24 and $20, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	14,130	8,621
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $70 and $56, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,763	21,283
Total investments	516,751	505,995
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $54 and $57, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,127	10,808
Accrued investment income (includes $26 and $21, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,298	4,120
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $29 and $21, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	24,190	22,244
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired (includes $246 and $235, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	24,003	24,442
Goodwill	9,717	9,872
Other assets (includes $136 and $134, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	7,980	7,862
Separate account assets (includes $1,167 and $1,128, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	324,724	316,994
Total assets	919,790	902,337
Liabilities
Future policy benefits (includes $636 and $579, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	191,217	189,586
Policyholder account balances (includes $34 and $33, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	206,591	209,294
Other policy-related balances (includes $220 and $198, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	14,586	14,422
Policyholder dividends payable	677	684
Policyholder dividend obligation	3,483	3,155
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	37,312	35,326
Short-term debt	100	100
Long-term debt (includes $143 and $151, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	17,714	16,286
Collateral financing arrangements	4,196	4,196
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,193	3,193
Current income tax payable	243	184
Deferred income tax liability	13,305	11,821
Other liabilities (includes $100 and $80, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	28,040	24,437
Separate account liabilities (includes $1,167 and $1,128, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	324,724	316,994
Total liabilities	845,381	829,678
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 13)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially-owned consolidated subsidiaries	95	99
MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized: 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference	1	1
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,156,311,419 and 1,153,998,144 shares issued, respectively; 1,114,347,885 and 1,131,927,894 shares outstanding, respectively	12	12
Additional paid-in capital	30,632	30,543
Retained earnings	33,754	32,020
Treasury stock, at cost; 41,963,534 and 22,070,250 shares, respectively	(2,158)	(1,172)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	11,529	10,649
Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	73,770	72,053
Noncontrolling interests	544	507
Total equity	74,314	72,560
Total liabilities and equity	$ 919,790	$ 902,337