Segment Information (Total Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 925,199	$ 898,764
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	257,676	253,683
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	130,363	120,656
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	72,458	67,233
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	28,219	25,596
MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	184,817	184,276
Brighthouse Financial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	224,933	222,681
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 26,733	$ 24,639