Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues
Premiums	$ 39,153	$ 38,545	$ 39,067
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees	9,206	9,507	9,946
Net investment income	19,947	19,281	21,153
Other revenues	1,759	1,983	2,030
Net investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(115)	(84)	(43)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)	(14)	(6)	(17)
Other net investment gains (losses)	300	687	(137)
Total net investment gains (losses)	171	597	(197)
Net derivative gains (losses)	(6,760)	38	1,317
Total revenues	63,476	69,951	73,316
Expenses
Policyholder benefits and claims	40,804	38,714	39,102
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	6,282	5,610	6,943
Policyholder dividends	1,256	1,388	1,376
Goodwill impairment	260	0	0
Other expenses	15,069	16,769	17,091
Total expenses	63,671	62,481	64,512
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax	(195)	7,470	8,804
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(999)	2,148	2,465
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	804	5,322	6,339
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	0	0	(3)
Net income (loss)	804	5,322	6,336
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	12	27
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	800	5,310	6,309
Less: Preferred stock dividends	103	116	122
Preferred stock repurchase premium	0	42	0
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders	$ 697	$ 5,152	$ 6,187
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 0.63	$ 4.61	$ 5.48
Diluted	0.63	4.57	5.42
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.’s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	0.63	4.61	5.48
Diluted	0.63	4.57	5.42
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 1.575	$ 1.475	$ 1.325