Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Fixed Maturity Available-for-Sale and Equity Securities

The following table presents the fixed maturity securities AFS by sector. Municipals includes taxable and tax-exempt revenue bonds, and to a much lesser extent, general obligations of states, municipalities and political subdivisions. Redeemable preferred stock is reported within U.S. corporate and foreign corporate fixed maturity securities AFS. Included within fixed maturity securities AFS are structured securities including RMBS, ABS and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (collectively, “Structured Securities”).

	December 31, 2018											December 31, 2017
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized							Estimated Fair Value
			Gains		Temporary Losses		OTTI Losses (1)							Gains		Temporary Losses		OTTI Losses (1)
	(In millions)
U.S. corporate	$	77,761	$	3,467	$	2,280	$	—		$	78,948	$	76,005	$	7,007	$	351	$	—		$	82,661
Foreign government	56,353		6,406		471		—			62,288		55,351		6,495		312		—			61,534
Foreign corporate	56,290		2,438		2,025		—			56,703		52,409		3,836		676		—			55,569
U.S. government and agency	37,030		2,756		464		—			39,322		43,446		4,227		279		—			47,394
RMBS	27,409		920		394		(26		)	27,961		27,846		1,145		233		(42		)	28,800
ABS	12,552		74		153		1			12,472		12,213		116		39		(1		)	12,291
Municipals	10,376		1,228		71		—			11,533		10,752		1,717		13		1			12,455
CMBS	9,045		115		122		—			9,038		8,047		222		42		—			8,227
Total fixed maturity securities AFS	$	286,816	$	17,404	$	5,980	$	(25	)	$	298,265	$	286,069	$	24,765	$	1,945	$	(42	)	$	308,931

__________________

(1) Noncredit OTTI losses included in AOCI in an unrealized gain position are due to increases in estimated fair value subsequent to initial recognition of noncredit losses on such securities. See also “— Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses).”

Equity securities are summarized as follows at:

	December 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Estimated Fair Value		% of Total		Estimated Fair Value		% of Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Common stock	$	1,037	72.0	%	$	2,035	81.0	%
Non-redeemable preferred stock	403		28.0		478		19.0
Total equity securities	$	1,440	100.0	%	$	2,513	100.0	%

In connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial instruments (see Note 1), effective January 1, 2018, the Company has reclassified its investment in common stock in FHLB from equity securities to other invested assets. These investments are carried at redemption value and are considered restricted investments until redeemed by the respective FHLBanks. The carrying value of these investments at December 31, 2017 was $792 million.

Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity date

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities AFS, by contractual maturity date, were as follows at December 31, 2018:

	Due in One Year or Less		Due After One Year Through Five Years		Due After Five Years Through Ten Years		Due After Ten Years		Structured Securities		Total Fixed Maturity Securities AFS
	(In millions)
Amortized cost	$	12,704	$	54,663	$	59,986	$	110,457	$	49,006	$	286,816
Estimated fair value	$	12,734	$	55,876	$	61,116	$	119,068	$	49,471	$	298,265

Continuous Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

The following table presents the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses of fixed maturity securities AFS in an unrealized loss position, aggregated by sector and by length of time that the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at:

	December 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Less than 12 Months				Equal to or Greater than 12 Months				Less than 12 Months				Equal to or Greater than 12 Months
	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(Dollars in millions)
U.S. corporate	$	32,430	$	1,663	$	5,826	$	617	$	5,604	$	92	$	4,115	$	259
Foreign government	4,392		243		2,902		228		4,234		83		3,251		229
Foreign corporate	19,564		1,230		5,765		795		4,422		99		6,802		577
U.S. government and agency	6,813		58		8,937		406		18,273		93		3,560		186
RMBS	6,506		120		6,423		248		6,359		50		4,159		141
ABS	8,230		138		392		16		1,695		7		729		31
Municipals	1,380		46		349		25		182		2		346		12
CMBS	3,893		67		707		55		1,174		9		413		33
Total fixed maturity securities AFS	$	83,208	$	3,565	$	31,301	$	2,390	$	41,943	$	435	$	23,375	$	1,468
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position	6,913				2,335				2,598				1,955

Disclosure of Mortgage Loans Net of Valuation Allowance

Mortgage loans are summarized as follows at:

	December 31,
	2018					2017
	Carrying Value			% of Total		Carrying Value			% of Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Mortgage loans:
Commercial	$	48,463		64.0	%	$	44,375		64.6	%
Agricultural	14,905			19.7		13,014			18.9
Residential	12,427			16.4		11,136			16.2
Total recorded investment	75,795			100.1		68,525			99.7
Valuation allowances	(342		)	(0.5	)	(314		)	(0.5	)
Subtotal mortgage loans, net	75,453			99.6		68,211			99.2
Residential — FVO	299			0.4		520			0.8
Total mortgage loans, net	$	75,752		100.0	%	$	68,731		100.0	%

Impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment

Mortgage loans by portfolio segment, by method of evaluation of credit loss, impaired mortgage loans including those modified in a troubled debt restructuring, and the related valuation allowances, were as follows at and for the years ended:

	Evaluated Individually for Credit Losses										Evaluated Collectively for Credit Losses				Impaired Loans
	Impaired Loans with a Valuation Allowance						Impaired Loans without a Valuation Allowance
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Valuation Allowances		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Recorded Investment		Valuation Allowances		Carrying Value		Average Recorded Investment
	(In millions)
December 31, 2018
Commercial	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	48,463	$	238	$	—	$	—
Agricultural	31		31		3		169		169		14,705		43		197		123
Residential	—		—		—		431		386		12,041		58		386		358
Total	$	31	$	31	$	3	$	600	$	555	$	75,209	$	339	$	583	$	481
December 31, 2017
Commercial	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	44,375	$	214	$	—	$	5
Agricultural	22		21		2		27		27		12,966		39		46		32
Residential	—		—		—		358		324		10,812		59		324		285
Total	$	22	$	21	$	2	$	385	$	351	$	68,153	$	312	$	370	$	322

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Net

The changes in the valuation allowance, by portfolio segment, were as follows:

	Commercial			Agricultural			Residential			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	188		$	37		$	56		$	281
Provision (release) (1)	157			3			23			183
Charge-offs, net of recoveries (1)	(143		)	(1		)	(16		)	(160		)
Balance at December 31, 2016	202			39			63			304
Provision (release)	12			4			8			24
Charge-offs, net of recoveries	—			(2		)	(12		)	(14		)
Balance at December 31, 2017	214			41			59			314
Provision (release)	24			5			7			36
Charge-offs, net of recoveries	—			—			(8		)	(8		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	238		$	46		$	58		$	342

__________________

(1) In connection with an acquisition in 2010, certain impaired commercial mortgage loans were acquired and accordingly, were not originated by the Company. Such commercial mortgage loans have been accounted for as purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) commercial mortgage loans. Decreases in cash flows expected to be collected on PCI commercial mortgage loans can result in provisions for losses on mortgage loans. For the year ended December 31,2016, in connection with the maturity of an acquired PCI commercial mortgage loan, an increase to the commercial mortgage loan valuation allowance of$143 millionwas recorded and charged-off upon maturity. The Company has recovered a substantial portion of the loss on the loan incurred through an indemnification agreement entered into in connection with the acquisition in 2010.

Schedule of Financing Receivables, Non Accrual Status

The past due and nonaccrual mortgage loans at recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by portfolio segment, were as follows at:

	Past Due				Greater than 90 Days Past Due and Still Accruing Interest				Nonaccrual
	December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
	(In millions)
Commercial	$	9	$	—	$	9	$	—	$	176	$	—
Agricultural	204		134		109		125		105		36
Residential	471		514		35		33		436		481
Total	$	684	$	648	$	153	$	158	$	717	$	517

Schedule of Components of Leveraged Lease Investments [Table Text Block]

Investment in leveraged and direct financing leases consisted of the following at:

	December 31,
	2018						2017
	Leveraged Leases			Direct Financing Leases			Leveraged Leases			Direct Financing Leases
	(In millions)
Rental receivables, net	$	715		$	1,855		$	912		$	2,303
Estimated residual values	807			42			838			42
Subtotal	1,522			1,897			1,750			2,345
Unearned income	(414		)	(705		)	(472		)	(1,022		)
Investment in leases	$	1,108		$	1,192		$	1,278		$	1,323

Schedule of Net Income From Investment In Leveraged Leases [Table Text Block]

The components of income from investment in leveraged and direct financing leases, excluding net investment gains (losses), were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018				2017				2016
	Leveraged Leases		Direct Financing Leases		Leveraged Leases		Direct Financing Leases		Leveraged Leases		Direct Financing Leases
	(In millions)
Lease investment income	$	47	$	95	$	19	$	89	$	51	$	51
Less: Income tax expense	10		20		7		31		18		18
Lease investment income, net of income tax	$	37	$	75	$	12	$	58	$	33	$	33

Components of net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

The components of net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in AOCI were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS	$	11,356		$	22,645		$	20,330
Fixed maturity securities AFS with noncredit OTTI losses included in AOCI	25			41			8
Total fixed maturity securities AFS	11,381			22,686			20,338
Equity securities	—			421			485
Derivatives	2,127			1,453			2,923
Other	290			46			23
Subtotal	13,798			24,606			23,769
Amounts allocated from:
Future policy benefits	31			(77		)	(1,114		)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI	—			—			(3		)
DAC, VOBA and DSI	(1,231		)	(1,768		)	(1,430		)
Policyholder dividend obligation	(428		)	(2,121		)	(1,931		)
Subtotal	(1,628		)	(3,966		)	(4,478		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI	(3		)	(12		)	(1		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	(3,502		)	(6,958		)	(6,634		)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	8,665			13,670			12,656
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(10		)	(8		)	(6		)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	8,655		$	13,662		$	12,650

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc. in the above table include, on a net of income tax basis, $1,250 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, related to assets and liabilities of a disposed subsidiary.

The changes in net unrealized investment gains (losses) were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Balance at January 1,	$	13,662		$	12,650		$	11,769
Cumulative effects of changes in accounting principles, net of income tax (Note 1)	1,258			—			—
Fixed maturity securities AFS on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized	(16		)	33			84
Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the year	(10,367		)	804			2,544
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:
Future policy benefits	108			1,037			(951		)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI	—			3			(3		)
DAC, VOBA and DSI	537			(338		)	(157		)
Policyholder dividend obligation	1,693			(190		)	(148		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in AOCI	9			(11		)	(28		)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)	1,773			(324		)	(485		)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)	8,657			13,664			12,625
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2		)	(2		)	25
Balance at December 31,	$	8,655		$	13,662		$	12,650
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$	(5,005	)	$	1,014		$	856
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2		)	(2		)	25
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	(5,007	)	$	1,012		$	881

Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc. in the above table include, on a net of income tax basis, ($304) million for the year ended December 31, 2016, related to assets and liabilities of a disposed subsidiary.

Securities Lending

A summary of the securities lending and repurchase agreements transactions is as follows:

	December 31,
	2018								2017
	Securities on Loan (1)								Securities on Loan (1)
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cash Collateral Received from Counterparties (2) (3)		Reinvestment Portfolio at Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Cash Collateral Received from Counterparties (2) (3)		Reinvestment Portfolio at Estimated Fair Value
							(In millions)
Securities lending	$	16,969	$	17,724	$	18,005	$	18,074	$	17,801	$	19,028	$	19,417	$	19,508
Repurchase agreements	$	1,033	$	1,093	$	1,067	$	1,069	$	994	$	1,141	$	1,102	$	1,102

__________________

(1) Securities on loan in connection with securities lending are included within fixed maturities securities AFS and securities on loan in connection with repurchase agreements are included within fixed maturities securities AFS, cash equivalents and short-term investments.

(2) In connection with securities lending, in addition to cash collateral received, the Company received from counterparties security collateral of $78 million and $19 millionat December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which may not be sold or re-pledged, unless the counterparty is in default, and is not reflected on the consolidated financial statements.

(3) The securities lending liability for cash collateral is included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions, and the repurchase agreements liability for cash collateral is included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions and other liabilities.

A summary of the remaining contractual maturities of securities lending agreements and repurchase agreements is as follow:

	December 31,
	2018								2017
	Remaining Maturities of the Agreements								Remaining Maturities of the Agreements
	Open (1)		1 Month or Less		Over  1 to 6 Months		Total		Open (1)		1 Month or Less		Over 1 to 6 Months		Total
	(In millions)
Cash collateral liability by loaned security type:
Securities lending:
U.S. government and agency	$	2,736	$	8,995	$	5,220	$	16,951	$	3,753	$	6,031	$	8,607	$	18,391
Foreign government	—		214		761		975		—		192		834		1,026
Agency RMBS	—		79		—		79		—		—		—		—
Total	$	2,736	$	9,288	$	5,981	$	18,005	$	3,753	$	6,223	$	9,441	$	19,417
Repurchase agreements:
U.S. government and agency	$	—	$	1,000	$	—	$	1,000	$	—	$	1,005	$	—	$	1,005
All other corporate and government	—		—		67		67		—		44		53		97
Total	$	—	$	1,000	$	67	$	1,067	$	—	$	1,049	$	53	$	1,102

__________________

(1) The related loaned security could be returned to the Company on the next business day, which would require the Company to immediately return the cash collateral.

Federal Home Loan Bank, Advances [Table Text Block]

The cash advance liability by loaned security type and remaining contractual maturities of the agreements was as follows at:

	December 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Remaining Maturities of the Agreements								Remaining Maturities of the Agreements
	1 Month or Less		Over 1 to 6 Months		6 Months to 1 Year		Total		1 Month or Less		Over 1 to 6 Months		6 Months to 1 Year		Total
	(In millions)
Cash advance liability by loaned security type:
Municipals	$	150	$	650	$	—	$	800	$	—	$	300	$	—	$	300

Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral

Such subsidiaries have also entered into funding agreements with FHLBanks and a subsidiary of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, a federally chartered instrumentality of the U.S. (“Farmer Mac”). The liability for such funding agreements is included in policyholder account balances. Information related to such funding agreements was as follows at:

	Liability				Collateral
	December 31,
	2018		2017		2018			2017
	(In millions)
FHLB of New York (1)	$	14,245	$	14,445	$	16,557	(2)	$	16,605	(2)
Farmer Mac (3)	$	2,550	$	2,550	$	2,639		$	2,644
FHLB of Des Moines (1)	$	425	$	625	$	709	(2)	$	701	(2)
FHLB of Pittsburgh (1)	$	450	$	250	$	590	(2)	$	311	(2)

__________________

(1) Represents funding agreements issued to the applicable FHLBank in exchange for cash and for which such FHLBank has been granted a lien on certain assets, some of which are in the custody of such FHLBank, including residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), to collateralize obligations under advances evidenced by funding agreements. The applicable subsidiary of the Company is permitted to withdraw any portion of the collateral in the custody of such FHLBank as long as there is no event of default and the remaining qualified collateral is sufficient to satisfy the collateral maintenance level. Upon any event of default by such subsidiary, the applicable FHLBank’s recovery on the collateral is limited to the amount of such subsidiary’s liability to such FHLBank.

(2) Advances are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities. The amount of collateral presented is at estimated fair value.

(3) Represents funding agreements issued to a subsidiary of Farmer Mac, as well as certain SPEs that have issued debt securities for which payment of interest and principal is secured by such funding agreements, and such debt securities are also guaranteed as to payment of interest and principal by Farmer Mac. The obligations under these funding agreements are secured by a pledge of certain eligible agricultural mortgage loans and may, under certain circumstances, be secured by other qualified collateral. The amount of collateral presented is at carrying value.

Invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral are presented below at estimated fair value for all asset classes, except mortgage loans, which are presented at carrying value at:

	December 31,
	2018		2017
	(In millions)
Invested assets on deposit (regulatory deposits)	$	1,788	$	1,879
Invested assets held in trust (collateral financing arrangement and reinsurance agreements)	2,971		2,490
Invested assets pledged as collateral (1)	24,168		24,174
Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral	$	28,927	$	28,543

__________________

(1) The Company has pledged invested assets in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding agreements (see Note 4), derivative transactions (see Note 9), secured debt (see Note 12), and a collateral financing arrangement (see Note 13).

The Components of Net Investment Income

The components of net investment income were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017		2016
	(In millions)
Investment income:
Fixed maturity securities AFS	$	11,946		$	11,497	$	11,721
Equity securities	64			129		121
FVO Securities (1)	51			68		37
Mortgage loans	3,340			3,082		2,858
Policy loans	506			517		511
Real estate and real estate joint ventures	694			646		652
Other limited partnership interests	731			798		478
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	387			228		153
Operating joint ventures	51			28		33
Other	364			192		248
Subtotal	18,134			17,185		16,812
Less: Investment expenses	1,285			1,122		972
Subtotal, net	16,849			16,063		15,840
Unit-linked investments (1)	(683		)	1,300		950
Net investment income	$	16,166		$	17,363	$	16,790

__________________

(1) Changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for investments still held as of the end of the respective periods included in net investment income were principally from Unit-linked investments, and were ($771) million, $662 million and $427 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

The components of net investment gains (losses)

The components of net investment gains (losses) were as follows:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities AFS:
Total OTTI losses recognized — by sector and industry:
U.S. and foreign corporate securities — by industry:
Consumer	$	(20	)	$	(4	)	$	—
Finance	(9		)	—			—
Industrial	(2		)	—			(63		)
Utility	—			—			(21		)
Communications	—			—			(3		)
Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities	(31		)	(4		)	(87		)
Foreign government	(9		)	—			—
ABS	—			(3		)	(2		)
RMBS	—			—			(18		)
Municipals	—			(3		)	—
OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities AFS recognized in earnings	(40		)	(10		)	(107		)
Fixed maturity securities AFS — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals (1)	45			328			251
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities AFS	5			318			144
Total gains (losses) on equity securities:
Total OTTI losses recognized — by security type:
Common stock	—			(24		)	(75		)
Non-redeemable preferred stock	—			(1		)	—
OTTI losses on equity securities recognized in earnings	—			(25		)	(75		)
Equity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals	118			117			19
Change in estimated fair value of equity securities (2)	(193		)	—			—
Total gains (losses) on equity securities	(75		)	92			(56		)
Mortgage loans (1)	(56		)	14			(231		)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures	326			603			182
Other limited partnership interests	9			(59		)	(64		)
Other	(169		)	(113		)	(130		)
Subtotal	40			855			(155		)
Change in estimated fair value of other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures	12			—			—
Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) (3), (4), (5)	(350		)	(1,162		)	471
Other	—			(1		)	1
Subtotal	(338		)	(1,163		)	472
Total net investment gains (losses)	$	(298	)	$	(308	)	$	317

__________________

(1) Fixedmaturity securities AFS — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals and mortgage loans for the year endedDecember 31, 2017, included$276 millionand$47 million, respectively, in previously deferred gains on prior period transfers of such investments to Brighthouse. Such gains are no longer eliminated in consolidation after the Separation. SeeNote 3.

(2) Changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for equity securities still held as of the end of the period included in net investment gains (losses) were ($81) million for the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 1.

(3) Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2018 includes a loss of$327 million which represents both the change in estimated fair value of FVO Brighthouse Common Stock held by the Company through the date of disposal and the loss on disposal in June 2018. Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2017 included (i) a loss of $1,016 million which represents a mark-to-market loss on the Company’s retained investment in Brighthouse Financial, Inc. at Separation and (ii) a loss of $95 million which represents the change in estimated fair value of FVO Brighthouse Common Stock held by the Company from the date of Separation to December 31, 2017. See Note 3.

(4) Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes a $98 million loss due to the disposition of MetLife Afore. See Note 3.

(5) Non-investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes a gain of $102 million in connection with the U.S. Retail Advisor Force Divestiture. See Note 3.

Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains and losses

Sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Proceeds from sales or disposals and the components of net investment gains (losses) were as shown in the table below:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
	(In millions)
Proceeds	$	85,058		$	56,509		$	86,179
Gross investment gains	$	856		$	753		$	1,048
Gross investment losses	(811		)	(425		)	(797		)
OTTI losses	(40		)	(10		)	(107		)
Net investment gains (losses)	$	5		$	318		$	144

Rollforward of the Cumulative Credit Loss Component of OTTI income (loss)

The table below presents a rollforward of the cumulative credit loss component of OTTI loss recognized in earnings on fixed maturity securities AFS still held for which a portion of the OTTI loss was recognized in OCI:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2018			2017
	(In millions)
Balance at January 1,	$	138		$	187
Sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) of securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI	(47		)	(48		)
Increase in cash flows — accretion of previous credit loss OTTI	(2		)	(1		)
Balance at December 31,	$	89		$	138

Commercial mortgage loans

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]

The credit quality of commercial mortgage loans was as follows at:

	Recorded Investment										Estimated Fair Value		% of Total
	Debt Service Coverage Ratios						Total		% of Total
	> 1.20x		1.00x - 1.20x		< 1.00x
	(Dollars in millions)
December 31, 2018
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	40,360	$	827	$	101	$	41,288	85.2	%	$	41,599	85.3	%
65% to 75%	5,790		—		25		5,815		12.0		5,849		12.0
76% to 80%	423		209		56		688		1.4		664		1.4
Greater than 80%	496		176		—		672		1.4		635		1.3
Total	$	47,069	$	1,212	$	182	$	48,463	100.0	%	$	48,747	100.0	%
December 31, 2017
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	37,073	$	1,483	$	201	$	38,757	87.4	%	$	39,528	87.7	%
65% to 75%	4,183		98		119		4,400		9.9		4,408		9.8
76% to 80%	235		210		57		502		1.1		476		1.0
Greater than 80%	401		168		147		716		1.6		672		1.5
Total	$	41,892	$	1,959	$	524	$	44,375	100.0	%	$	45,084	100.0	%

Agricultural Portfolio Segment [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]

The credit quality of agricultural mortgage loans was as follows at:

	December 31,
	2018				2017
	Recorded Investment		% of Total		Recorded Investment		% of Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	13,704	92.0	%	$	12,347	94.9	%
65% to 75%	1,145		7.7		618		4.7
76% to 80%	33		0.2		40		0.3
Greater than 80%	23		0.1		9		0.1
Total	$	14,905	100.0	%	$	13,014	100.0	%

Residential mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators [Table Text Block]

The credit quality of residential mortgage loans was as follows at:

	December 31,
	2018				2017
	Recorded Investment		% of Total		Recorded Investment		% of Total
	(Dollars in millions)
Performance indicators:
Performing	$	11,956	96.2	%	$	10,622	95.4	%
Nonperforming (1)	471		3.8		514		4.6
Total	$	12,427	100.0	%	$	11,136	100.0	%

__________________

(1) Includes residential mortgage loans in process of foreclosure of $140 million and $133 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the total assets and total liabilities relating to investment related VIEs for which the Company has concluded that it is the primary beneficiary and which are consolidated at:

	December 31,
	2018				2017
	Total Assets		Total Liabilities		Total Assets		Total Liabilities
	(In millions)
Renewable energy partnership (1)	$	102	$	—	$	116	$	3
Investment funds (2)	79		1		—		—
Other investments (1)	21		5		32		6
Total	$	202	$	6	$	148	$	9

__________________

(1) Assets of the renewable energy partnership and other investments primarily consisted of other invested assets.

(2) Assets of the investment funds primarily consisted of cash and cash equivalents.

Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]

Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]

Unconsolidated VIEs

The carrying amount and maximum exposure to loss relating to VIEs in which the Company holds a significant variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary and which have not been consolidated were as follows at:

	December 31,
	2018				2017
	Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss (1)		Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss (1)
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities AFS:
Structured Securities (2)	$	47,874	$	47,874	$	47,614	$	47,614
U.S. and foreign corporate	932		932		1,560		1,560
Other limited partnership interests	5,641		9,888		4,834		8,543
Other invested assets	1,906		2,063		2,291		2,625
Other investments	296		300		82		87
Total	$	56,649	$	61,057	$	56,381	$	60,429

__________________

(1) The maximum exposure to loss relating to fixed maturity securities AFS is equal to their carrying amounts or the carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to other limited partnership interests is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by creditworthy third parties. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by income tax credits guaranteed by third parties of $94 million and $117 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee.

(2) For these variable interests, the Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor in mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities issued by trusts that do not have substantial equity.