Future Policy Benefits - FPB on Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Mar. 31, 2022
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	$ 191,741	$ 187,222
Variable Annuity [Member] | U.S.
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	59,595	58,495	$ 58,154
Whole and Term Life & Endowments | Asia
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	13,498	12,792	16,614
Accident and Health Insurance Product Line | Asia
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	11,177	10,040	13,841
Fixed Annuity | Latin America
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	10,298	9,265	8,274
Long-term Care | MetLife Holdings
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	14,617	13,845	$ 17,755
Variable Annuity for Deferred Profit Liabilities | U.S.
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	3,384	3,327
Whole and Term Life & Endowments for Deferred Profit Liabilities | Asia
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	531	510
Accident and Health Insurance Product Line for Deferred Profit Liabilities | Asia
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	777	760
Fixed Annuity for Deferred Profit Liabilities | Latin America
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	609	560
Variable Life | Asia
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	1,362	1,381
Universal And Variable Life Contracts [Member] | Asia
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	458	455
Universal And Variable Life Contracts [Member] | MetLife Holdings
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	2,198	2,156
Participating Life Insurance Contract | MetLife Holdings
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	50,114	50,371
Long-Duration Insurance, Other
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	10,212	10,101
Short-Duration Insurance, Other
Net liability for future policy benefits, exclusive of net premiums	$ 12,911	$ 13,164