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Investments (Changes in Fixed Maturity Securities with Noncredit OTTI Losses) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Changes in fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)    
Balance at January 1, $ (218)met_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsOnDebtSecuritiesTransferredToOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss $ (361)met_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsOnDebtSecuritiesTransferredToOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Noncredit OTTI losses recognized 17met_NoncreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesIncludedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss 60met_NoncreditLossesOnDebtSecuritiesIncludedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Securities sold with previous noncredit OTTI loss 53us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax 149us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesBeforeTax
Subsequent changes in estimated fair value 36met_ChangeInEstimatedFairValueOfDebtSecuritiesWithNoncreditOttiLossesPreviouslyIncludedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss (66)met_ChangeInEstimatedFairValueOfDebtSecuritiesWithNoncreditOttiLossesPreviouslyIncludedInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss
Balance at December 31, $ (112)met_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsOnDebtSecuritiesTransferredToOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss $ (218)met_OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentsOnDebtSecuritiesTransferredToOtherComprehensiveIncomeLoss