Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $333,985 and $330,354, respectively; includes $0 and $3,422, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 355,528	$ 350,889
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $2,919 and $2,744, respectively)	3,377	3,194
Fair value option securities, at estimated fair value (includes $7 and $8, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	14,399	13,923
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $353 and $344, respectively; includes $129 and $136, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities; includes $639 and $566, respectively, under the fair value option)	76,541	74,545
Policy loans	11,115	11,028
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $8 and $59, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)	9,464	9,041
Other limited partnership interests (includes $14 and $14, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	6,762	6,778
Short-term Investments	9,968	7,810
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $31 and $31, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	19,724	23,185
Total investments	506,878	500,393
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $3,374 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	17,411	17,877
Accrued investment income (includes $1 and $1, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	3,984	3,988
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $6 and $2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	25,916	26,081
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	25,547	24,798
Current income tax recoverable	25	20
Goodwill	9,350	9,220
Other assets (includes $3 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,055	7,767
Separate account assets	317,521	308,620
Total assets	914,687	898,764
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	203,226	199,971
Policyholder account balances	214,757	210,235
Other policy-related balances	14,713	14,386
Policyholder dividends payable	699	708
Policyholder dividend obligation	1,983	1,931
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	32,899	33,264
Short-term debt	260	242
Long-term debt (includes $32 and $35, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	16,511	16,502
Collateral financing arrangements	4,059	4,071
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,169	3,169
Deferred income tax liability	9,550	9,367
Other liabilities	27,232	28,818
Separate account liabilities	317,521	308,620
Total liabilities	846,579	831,284
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 13)
MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,165,870,885 and 1,164,029,985 shares issued, respectively; 1,081,321,114 and 1,095,519,005 shares outstanding, respectively	12	12
Additional paid-in capital	30,990	30,944
Retained earnings	34,863	34,480
Treasury stock, at cost; 84,549,771 and 68,510,980 shares, respectively	(4,332)	(3,474)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	6,396	5,347
Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	67,929	67,309
Noncontrolling interests	179	171
Total equity	68,108	67,480
Total liabilities and equity	$ 914,687	$ 898,764