Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs and Value of Business Acquired (DAC and VOBA by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 24,748	$ 24,130
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	618	615
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	9,148	8,374
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,846	1,753
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,554	1,532
MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	4,962	5,436
Brighthouse Financial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	6,589	6,390
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 31	$ 30