Segment Information (Total Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 952,904	$ 877,933
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	257,943	237,858
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	133,881	113,895
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	70,421	64,808
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	27,764	26,767
MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	195,267	187,677
Brighthouse Financial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	240,696	226,792
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 26,932	$ 20,136