Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $287,099 and $286,069, respectively)	$ 304,711	$ 308,931
Equity securities, at estimated fair value	1,544	2,513
Contractholder-directed equity securities and fair value option securities, at estimated fair value (includes $6 and $6, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	16,444	16,745
Mortgage loans (net of valuation allowances of $327 and $314, respectively; includes $438 and $520, respectively, under the fair value option)	71,055	68,731
Policy loans	9,744	9,669
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $699 and $25, respectively, of real estate held-for-sale)	9,862	9,637
Other limited partnership interests	5,876	5,708
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	5,121	4,870
Other invested assets (includes $123 and $125, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	17,486	17,263
Total investments	441,843	444,067
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $7 and $12, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	13,927	12,701
Accrued investment income	3,638	3,524
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $2 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	19,368	18,423
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	19,330	18,419
Goodwill	9,733	9,590
Other assets (includes $3 and $2, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,387	8,167
Separate account assets	196,358	205,001
Total assets	712,584	719,892
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	180,348	177,974
Policyholder account balances	184,289	182,518
Other policy-related balances	16,023	15,515
Policyholder dividends payable	672	682
Policyholder dividend obligation	1,277	2,121
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	26,151	25,723
Short-term debt	526	477
Long-term debt (includes $5 and $6, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	15,707	15,686
Collateral financing arrangement	1,108	1,121
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,145	3,144
Current income tax payable	155	311
Deferred income tax liability	6,304	6,767
Other liabilities (includes $2 and $3, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	24,013	23,982
Separate account liabilities	196,358	205,001
Total liabilities	656,076	661,022
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 14)
MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; $2,600 and $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference, respectively	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,170,644,215 and 1,168,710,101 shares issued, respectively; 1,024,117,183 and 1,043,588,396 shares outstanding, respectively	12	12
Additional paid-in capital	31,653	31,111
Retained earnings	26,453	26,527
Treasury stock, at cost; 146,527,032 and 125,121,705 shares, respectively	(7,442)	(6,401)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,634	7,427
Total MetLife, Inc.’s stockholders’ equity	56,310	58,676
Noncontrolling interests	198	194
Total equity	56,508	58,870
Total liabilities and equity	$ 712,584	$ 719,892