Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock at Cost	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total MetLife, Inc.’s Stockholders’ Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 68,419	$ 0	$ 12	$ 30,749	$ 35,519	$ (3,102)	$ 4,771	$ 67,949	$ 470
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(70)					(70)		(70)
Stock-based compensation	20			20				20
Dividends on preferred stock	(6)				(6)			(6)
Dividends on common stock	(413)				(413)			(413)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(373)							0	(373)
Net income (loss)	2,203				2,201			2,201	2
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	6,185						6,094	6,094	91
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	75,965	0	12	30,769	37,301	(3,172)	10,865	75,775	190
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	67,480	0	12	30,944	34,480	(3,474)	5,347	67,309	171
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(858)					(858)		(858)
Stock-based compensation	46			46				46
Dividends on preferred stock	(6)				(6)			(6)
Dividends on common stock	(437)				(437)			(437)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	4							0	4
Net income (loss)	829				826			826	3
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	1,050						1,049	1,049	1
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 68,108	$ 0	$ 12	$ 30,990	$ 34,863	$ (4,332)	$ 6,396	$ 67,929	$ 179