Investments (Investment in Leverage Leases) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investment in leveraged leases
Rental receivables, net	$ 715	$ 912
Estimated residual values	807	838
Subtotal	1,522	1,750
Unearned income	(414)	(472)
Investment in leases	1,108	1,278
Rental receivables, net	1,855	2,303
Estimated residual values	42	42
Subtotal	1,897	2,345
Unearned income	(705)	(1,022)
Investment in leases	$ 1,192	$ 1,323

This element represents the subtotal of rental receivables, net plus estimated residual value of the leased assets.

No definition available.

Name:	met_InvestmentInDirectFinancingLeases
Namespace Prefix:	met_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This element represents the subtotal of rental receivables, net plus estimated residual value of the leased assets.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	met_InvestmentInLeveragedLeases
Namespace Prefix:	met_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net investment in direct financing leases as of the balance sheet date consisting of: (a) minimum lease payments due on direct financing leases, (b) unguaranteed residual value, and (c) any unamortized initial direct costs; less: (i) executory costs, (ii) unearned income, and (iii) the accumulated allowance for uncollectible minimum lease payments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The remaining (unamortized) difference between the gross investment in a direct financing lease and the cost or carrying amount, if different, of the leased property as of the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of remaining payments as of the balance sheet date that lessees are obligated to make or can be required to make under direct financing leases, including any guarantee of residual value and executory costs. The amount also includes any guaranteed rental payments by an unrelated third-party provided that are financially capable of making such payments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CapitalLeasesNetInvestmentInDirectFinancingLeasesMinimumPaymentsToBeReceived
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimate of the lease property's economic value at the end of the direct financing lease term excluding any amounts guaranteed by either the lessee or a third-party.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84165051&loc=d3e45377-112738

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimated portion of pretax income and investment tax credit remaining to be allocated to income over the lease term.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77895730&loc=d3e42840-112730

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LeveragedLeasesNetInvestmentInLeveragedLeasesDisclosureDeferredIncome
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The net investment in arrangements meeting the criteria for classification as leveraged leases including deferred taxes.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 35
-Paragraph 33
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77915205&loc=d3e43930-112732

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 14
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77895730&loc=d3e42840-112730

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents leveraged lease rentals receivable, net of that portion of the rental applicable to principal and interest on the nonrecourse debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77895730&loc=d3e42840-112730

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The estimate of the value of the leased asset at the end of the lease term.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 840
-SubTopic 30
-Section 30
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77895730&loc=d3e42840-112730

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant