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Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Estimated Fair Value Assets $ 15,761 $ 14,406  
Estimated Fair Value Liabilities 10,804 7,049  
Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps 12,645 10,311  
Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps 180 65  
Excess cash collateral received on derivatives 168 89  
Securities collateral received which the company is permitted to sell or repledge, amount that has been sold or repledged 0    
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net investment gains (losses) 171 597 $ (197)
Embedded derivatives gains (losses) (2,224) (239) (321)
Derivative Instrument Detail [Abstract]      
Net amounts reclassified into net derivatives gains (losses) on discontinued cash flow hedges $ 13 $ 11 (15)
Hedging exposure to variability in future cash flows for specific length of time 5 years 5 years  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss $ 2,900 $ 2,400  
Deferred net gains (losses) expected to be reclassified to earnings (176)    
Amount and Location of Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) into Income (Loss) (Effective Portion) $ 0   0
Immateriality of cash flow effectiveness no    
Cumulative foreign currency translation gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for net investment in foreign operations hedges $ 800 1,100  
Potential future recoveries available to offset maximum amount of future payments under credit default swaps 30 80  
Excess securities collateral provided on derivatives 486 204  
Change in fair value of derivatives excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness (23) (11) 3
Over the Counter [Member]      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset 4,897 6,140  
Excess securities collateral received on derivatives (217) (100)  
Excess securities collateral provided on derivatives (297) (150)  
Exchange Cleared [Member]      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset 1,427 378  
Excess securities collateral provided on derivatives (1,174) (315)  
Exchange Traded [Member]      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset 0 0  
Excess securities collateral provided on derivatives (569) (224)  
Nonperformance Risk [Member]      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Embedded derivatives gains (losses) 520 163 $ 13
Hedge Funds [Member]      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Maximum Amount of Future Payments under Credit Default Swaps   20  
Estimated Fair Value of Credit Default Swaps   (2)  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments | MetLife Assurance Limited      
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]      
Net investment gains (losses) (77) (77)  
Accrued Liabilities [Member]      
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]      
Estimated Fair Value Assets 249 278  
Estimated Fair Value Liabilities $ (92) $ 41