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Other Expenses Other Expenses (ALICO Restructuring Charges - Narrative) (Details) (American Life Insurance Company (''American Life'') and Delaware American Life Insurance (''DelAm'') [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Business acquisition integration related expenses $ 138us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts $ 305us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts  
Maximum      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Business acquisition integration related expenses     $ 1us-gaap_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCosts
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= met_AmericanLifeInsuranceCompanyAlicoAndDelawareAmericanLifeInsuranceDelamMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember