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Long-term and Short-term Debt (Credit Facilities) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Collateral financing arrangements $ 4,196us-gaap_SecuredDebt $ 4,196us-gaap_SecuredDebt
General Credit Facility Two [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity 3,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= met_GeneralCreditFacilityTwoMember
 
General Credit Facility Three [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Expiration May 30, 2019  
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity 4,000us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= met_GeneralCreditFacilityThreeMember
 
Letters of Credit Issued 684us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= met_GeneralCreditFacilityThreeMember
 
Collateral financing arrangements 0us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= met_GeneralCreditFacilityThreeMember
 
Unused Commitments 3,316us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= met_GeneralCreditFacilityThreeMember
 
Fees associated with credit facilities $ 6us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCommitmentFeeAmount
/ us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis
= met_GeneralCreditFacilityThreeMember