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Derivatives (Embedded Derivatives) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts $ 104us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset $ 160us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts 137us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability (46)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
Ceded guaranteed minimum benefits | Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts 351us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_ReceivablesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_CededGuaranteedMinimumBenefitMember
324us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_ReceivablesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_CededGuaranteedMinimumBenefitMember
Direct guaranteed minimum benefits | Policyholder account balances [Member]    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts (830)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_DirectGuaranteedMinimumBenefitMember
(1,126)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_DirectGuaranteedMinimumBenefitMember
Funds withheld on assumed reinsurance | Other invested assets    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts 56us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_OtherInvestedAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_FundsWithheldOnAssumedReinsuranceMember
53us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_OtherInvestedAssetsMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_FundsWithheldOnAssumedReinsuranceMember
Assumed guaranteed minimum benefits | Policyholder account balances [Member]    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts 868us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_AssumedGuaranteedMinimumBenefitMember
973us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_AssumedGuaranteedMinimumBenefitMember
Funds withheld on ceded reinsurance | Other liabilities    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts 71us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_FundsWithheldOnCededReinsuranceMember
83us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_FundsWithheldOnCededReinsuranceMember
Other | Policyholder account balances [Member]    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within liability host contracts 28us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_OtherEmbeddedDerivativesMember
24us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeLiability
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
/ us-gaap_LiabilitiesForGuaranteesOnLongDurationContractsGuaranteeTypeAxis
= met_OtherEmbeddedDerivativesMember
Options embedded in debt or equity securities [Member] | Investments    
Embedded Derivative, Fair Value of Embedded Derivative, Net [Abstract]    
Net embedded derivatives within asset host contracts $ (303)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesAssetsMember
$ (217)us-gaap_EmbeddedDerivativeFairValueOfEmbeddedDerivativeAsset
/ us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis
= us-gaap_OtherInvestmentsMember
/ us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis
= us-gaap_SecuritiesAssetsMember