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=119400593&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, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 17,833	$ 18,895	$ 18,419
U.S.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	649	633
Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	9,764	10,156
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	2,038	1,984
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	1,701	1,622
MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	3,656	4,474
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
DAC and VOBA	$ 25	$ 26