Amount, after accumulated amortization, of deferred policy acquisition costs and present value of future profits from insurance contract acquired in business combination.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755530&loc=d3e11264-158415

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.7)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27015749&loc=d3e569990-122904

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

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Other Policy-Related Intangibles (DAC and VOBA by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 18,895	$ 18,419	$ 17,590
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	633	614
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	10,156	9,261
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,984	2,050
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,622	1,673
MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	4,474	4,797
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 26	$ 24