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Derivatives (Hedges of Net Investments in Foreign Operations) (Details) (Foreign Operations Hedges [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI (Effective Portion) $ 629met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion $ 331met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion $ (14)met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
Foreign currency forwards
     
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI (Effective Portion) 407met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
69met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
(50)met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeForwardMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
Currency options
     
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Amount of Gains (Losses) Deferred in AOCI (Effective Portion) $ 222met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
$ 262met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember
$ 36met_GainsLossesDeferredInAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossOnDerivativesEffectivePortion
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis
= us-gaap_ForeignExchangeOptionMember
/ us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentsGainLossByHedgingRelationshipAxis
= us-gaap_NetInvestmentHedgingMember