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Collateral Financing Arrangements Collateral Financing Arrangements (Associated with Secondary Guarantees) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Drawings upon the Collateral Financing Arrangement $ 4,196us-gaap_SecuredDebt $ 4,196us-gaap_SecuredDebt
Secured Debt [Member] | Secured Debt Mrsc [Member]    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Drawings upon the Collateral Financing Arrangement 2,797us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= met_SecuredDebtMrscMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember		 2,797us-gaap_SecuredDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= met_SecuredDebtMrscMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Invested Assets On Deposit Held In Trust And Pledged As Collateral $ 3,471met_InvestedAssetsOnDepositHeldInTrustAndPledgedAsCollateral
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= met_SecuredDebtMrscMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember		 $ 3,440met_InvestedAssetsOnDepositHeldInTrustAndPledgedAsCollateral
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= met_SecuredDebtMrscMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember