Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock at Cost	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 50,013	$ 0	$ 12	$ 33,511	$ 36,831	$ (18,157)	$ (2,451)	$ 49,746	$ 267
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(2,031)					(2,031)		(2,031)
Stock-based compensation	37			37				37
Dividends on preferred stock	(92)				(92)			(92)
Dividends on common stock	$ (805)				(805)			(805)
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.980
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	$ (9)							0	(9)
Net income (loss)	2,554				2,544			2,544	10
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(15,658)						(15,655)	(15,655)	(3)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	34,009	0	12	33,548	38,478	(20,188)	(18,106)	33,744	265
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2021	50,013	0	12	33,511	36,831	(18,157)	(2,451)	49,746	267
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(2,700)
Dividends on preferred stock	(156)
Net income (loss)	3,721
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	29,640	0	12	33,589	39,176	(20,862)	(22,526)	29,389	251
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2022	34,009	0	12	33,548	38,478	(20,188)	(18,106)	33,744	265
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(674)					(674)		(674)
Stock-based compensation	41			41				41
Dividends on preferred stock	(64)				(64)			(64)
Dividends on common stock	$ (400)				(400)			(400)
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.500
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	$ (19)							0	(19)
Net income (loss)	1,167				1,162			1,162	5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(4,420)						(4,420)	(4,420)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2022	29,640	0	12	33,589	39,176	(20,862)	(22,526)	29,389	251
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	30,125	0	12	33,616	40,332	(21,458)	(22,621)	29,881	244
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(1,465)					(1,465)		(1,465)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Excise Tax	13
Stock-based compensation	14			14				14
Dividends on preferred stock	(98)				(98)			(98)
Dividends on common stock	$ (788)				(788)			(788)
Dividend Per Share	$ 1.020
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	$ (8)							0	(8)
Net income (loss)	493				482			482	11
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,219						2,235	2,235	(16)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2023	30,492	0	12	33,630	39,928	(22,923)	(20,386)	30,261	231
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2022	30,125	0	12	33,616	40,332	(21,458)	(22,621)	29,881	244
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Excise Tax	22
Dividends on preferred stock	(165)
Net income (loss)	988
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2023	25,895	0	12	33,666	39,958	(23,724)	(24,254)	25,658	237
Beginning Balance at Jun. 30, 2023	30,492	0	12	33,630	39,928	(22,923)	(20,386)	30,261	231
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(801)					(801)		(801)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Excise Tax	9
Stock-based compensation	36			36				36
Dividends on preferred stock	(67)				(67)			(67)
Dividends on common stock	$ (392)				(392)			(392)
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.520
Net income (loss)	$ 495				489			489	6
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(3,868)						(3,868)	(3,868)
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2023	$ 25,895	$ 0	$ 12	$ 33,666	$ 39,958	$ (23,724)	$ (24,254)	$ 25,658	$ 237