Basis of Presentation.

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Business Basis Of Presentation And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Textuals Abstract.

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Date when an entity was incorporated.

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Reclassification From Other Net Investment Gains (Losses) To Net Derivative Gains (Losses) Prior Period Reclassification.

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Month, date and year when the results of operations of the acquired entity began to be included in the income statement of the combined entity. For disclosure purposes, the effective date of an acquisition equates to the acquisition date, when acquisition date is defined as the date on which the acquirer obtained control of the acquired entity. The effective date of an acquisition may be either earlier or later than the date on which the acquisition agreement was executed (closed).

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
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-Number 141R
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
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Name of the acquired entity.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Number 141R
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
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Description of the period for which the results of operations of the acquired entity are included in the income statement of the combined entity.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
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Describes an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end should be noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations also should be disclosed.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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Business Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Business Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textuals) [Abstract]
Incorporation Date		1999
Prior period reclassification to conform with current period presentation in connection with net derivative gains (losses)	$ 1,481		$ 1,522
Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition				November 1, 2010
Basis of Presentation
Business Acquisition, Name of Acquired Entity				American Life Insurance Company (“American Life”) from AM Holdings LLC (formerly known as ALICO Holdings LLC) (“AM Holdings”), a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc. (“AIG”), and Delaware American Life Insurance Company (“DelAm”) from AIG, (American Life, together with DelAm, collectively, “ALICO”)
Period of Acquisition's operations included in MetLife's results		For the three months and six months ended May 31, 2011
American Life Insurance Company ("American Life") and Delaware American Life Insurance ("DelAm") Member
Basis of Presentation
Subsidiary's fiscal year end date		November 30