Segment Information (Total Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 914,687	$ 898,764
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	254,041	253,683
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	128,932	120,656
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	71,697	67,233
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	26,786	25,596
MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	184,187	184,276
Brighthouse Financial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	223,746	222,681
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 25,298	$ 24,639