XML 133 R131.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Derivatives (Fair Value Hedges) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives $ 57us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet $ (981)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet $ (135)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items (79)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1 992us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1 127us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
Ineffectiveness Recognized in Net Derivative Gains (Losses) (22)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet 11us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet (8)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
Interest rate swaps | Fixed Maturity Securities      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives 5us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
42us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
(4)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items (1)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
(43)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Ineffectiveness Recognized in Net Derivative Gains (Losses) 4us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
(1)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
(4)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_DebtSecuritiesMember
Interest rate swaps | Policyholder account balances [Member]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives 681us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
(830)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
(82)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items (667)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
835us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
96us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
Ineffectiveness Recognized in Net Derivative Gains (Losses) 14us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
5us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
14us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_PolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
Foreign currency swaps | Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives 13us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
13us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
(1)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items (11)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
(12)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
1us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Ineffectiveness Recognized in Net Derivative Gains (Losses) 2us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
1us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
0us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Foreign currency swaps | Foreign-denominated policyholder account balances [Member]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives (283)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
(97)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
3us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items 270us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
110us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
(20)us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
Ineffectiveness Recognized in Net Derivative Gains (Losses) (13)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
13us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
(17)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_CurrencySwapMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= met_ForeignDenominatedPolicyholderAccountBalancesMember
Foreign currency forwards | Foreign-denominated fixed maturity securities      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Derivatives (359)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
(109)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
(51)us-gaap_DerivativeGainLossOnDerivativeNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Recognized for Hedged Items 330us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
102us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
50us-gaap_ChangeInUnrealizedGainLossOnHedgedItemInFairValueHedge1
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
Ineffectiveness Recognized in Net Derivative Gains (Losses) $ (29)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
$ (7)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember
$ (1)us-gaap_GainLossOnFairValueHedgeIneffectivenessNet
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignGovernmentDebtSecuritiesMember