Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues	$ 20,458	$ 12,338	$ 53,517	$ 39,575
Total expenses	15,152	11,953	45,011	35,643
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(1,734)	(68)	(2,681)	(1,251)
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax	229	(223)	221	33
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	4	3	(6)	20
Met Life Taiwan Insurance Company Limited [Member]
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues	101	102	337	296
Total expenses	115	98	329	282
Income (loss) before provision for income tax	(14)	4	8	14
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	3	(2)	(5)	(5)
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax	(11)	2	3	9
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax	0	0	(74)	0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	$ (11)	$ 2	$ (71)	$ 9