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	48			48				48
Dividends on preferred stock	(58)				(58)			(58)
Dividends on common stock	(1,295)				(1,295)			(1,295)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(387)							0	(387)
Net income (loss)	2,890				2,888			2,888	2
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	8,919						8,824	8,824	95
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	78,466	0	12	30,797	37,054	(3,172)	13,595	78,286	180
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	(2,305)					(2,305)		(2,305)
Stock-based compensation	122			122				122
Dividends on preferred stock	(58)				(58)			(58)
Dividends on common stock	(1,295)				(1,295)			(1,295)
Stockholders' Equity Note, Spinoff Transaction	(11,666)				(10,346)		(1,320)	(11,666)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	43							0	43
Net income (loss)	1,641				1,629			1,629	12
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,982						2,978	2,978	4
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 56,944	$ 0	$ 12	$ 31,066	$ 24,410	$ (5,779)	$ 7,005	$ 56,714	$ 230