Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,			June 30,		September 30,			December 31,
	(In millions, except per share data)
2015
Total revenues	$	18,710		$	16,166	$	18,031		$	17,044
Total expenses	$	15,651		$	15,053	$	15,868		$	15,909
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	$	2,163		$	1,119	$	1,198		$	842
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss)	$	2,163		$	1,119	$	1,198		$	842
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	5		$	4	$	(5	)	$	8
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	2,158		$	1,115	$	1,203		$	834
Less: Preferred stock dividends	$	30		$	31	$	6		$	49
Preferred stock repurchase premium	$	—		$	42	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	2,128		$	1,042	$	1,197		$	785
Basic earnings per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.89		$	0.93	$	1.07		$	0.71
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	1.92		$	1.00	$	1.08		$	0.75
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.89		$	0.93	$	1.07		$	0.71
Diluted earnings per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.87		$	0.92	$	1.06		$	0.70
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	1.90		$	0.99	$	1.06		$	0.74
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.87		$	0.92	$	1.06		$	0.70
2014
Total revenues	$	17,085		$	18,266	$	18,846		$	19,119
Total expenses	$	15,259		$	16,316	$	15,894		$	17,043
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	$	1,342		$	1,376	$	2,094		$	1,527
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	$	(3	)	$	—	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss)	$	1,339		$	1,376	$	2,094		$	1,527
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	11		$	10	$	—		$	6
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	1,328		$	1,366	$	2,094		$	1,521
Less: Preferred stock dividends	$	30		$	31	$	30		$	31
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1,298		$	1,335	$	2,064		$	1,490
Basic earnings per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.15		$	1.18	$	1.83		$	1.31
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	1.18		$	1.21	$	1.86		$	1.34
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.15		$	1.18	$	1.83		$	1.31
Diluted earnings per common share
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.14		$	1.17	$	1.81		$	1.30
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax, attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	1.16		$	1.20	$	1.84		$	1.33
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$	1.14		$	1.17	$	1.81		$	1.30