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Subsequent Events (Contingencies - Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Claims
Dec. 31, 2013
Claims
Dec. 31, 2012
Claims
Mar. 31, 2015
Minimum        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
The approximate amount of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for matters as to which an estimate can be made 0us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
     
Maximum        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
The approximate amount of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for matters as to which an estimate can be made 390,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
     
C-Mart, Inc. V. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Et Al [Member] | Maximum        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss 23,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= met_CMartInc.V.MetropolitanLifeInsuranceCompanyEtAlMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
     
Asbestos Related Claims [Member]        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
Asbestos-Related Claims 4,636us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
5,898us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
5,303us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
 
Subsequent Event [Member] | MetLife Home Loans LLC        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
Litigation Settlement, Amount       (123,500,000)us-gaap_LitigationSettlementAmount
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= met_MetLifeHomeLoansLLCMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Subsequent Event [Member] | Minimum        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
The approximate amount of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for matters as to which an estimate can be made       0us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Subsequent Event [Member] | Maximum        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
The approximate amount of the aggregate range of reasonably possible losses in excess of amounts accrued for matters as to which an estimate can be made       400,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPortionNotAccrued
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Subsequent Event [Member] | C-Mart, Inc. V. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Et Al [Member]        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss       $ 23,000,000us-gaap_LossContingencyEstimateOfPossibleLoss
/ us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis
= met_CMartInc.V.MetropolitanLifeInsuranceCompanyEtAlMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Subsequent Event [Member] | Asbestos Related Claims [Member]        
Subsequent Event [Line Items]        
Asbestos-Related Claims       1,046us-gaap_LossContingencyNewClaimsFiledNumber
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_AsbestosIssueMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember