This element represents disclosure of the aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04.(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 235
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-06)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6882215&loc=d3e537971-122884

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of dividends paid subject to regulatory approval.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

Amount of dividends that can be declared or paid without approval of regulatory agency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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Equity (Dividend Restrictions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Paid	$ 1,489
Total amount of dividend pre-approved by regulatory agency		$ 821
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			$ 3,753
American Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Paid	0	0
American Life Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			0
MetLife Insurance Company USA
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Paid	500	155
MetLife Insurance Company USA \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			586
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Paid	235	200
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			130
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Paid	$ 102	$ 73
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			$ 70