This element represents disclosure of the aggregate cash dividends paid to the entity by consolidated subsidiaries.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (SX 210.12-04(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e24072-122690

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Amount of dividends that can be declared or paid without approval of regulatory agency.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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Equity (Dividend Restrictions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid	$ 3,736	$ 2,523
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			$ 3,096
American Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid	3,200	2,200
American Life Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			0
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid	233	185
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			171
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid	191	0
Metropolitan Tower Life Insurance Company \| Scenario, Forecast
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Permitted w/o Approval			$ 154
General American Life Insurance Company
Statutory Accounting Practices [Line Items]
Cash Dividends Paid	$ 0	$ 1