Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Treasury Stock, Common	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity	Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Noncontrolling Interests
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	(787)							(787)		(787)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Excise Tax	7
Stock-based compensation	1				1					1
Dividends on preferred stock	(66)					(66)				(66)
Dividends on common stock	$ (389)					(389)				(389)
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.500
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	$ (2)									0		(2)
Net income (loss)	85					80				80		5
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	3,456								3,474	3,474		(18)
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2023	32,423		0	12	33,617	39,957		(22,245)	(19,147)	32,194		229
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2023	30,253	$ (219)	0	12	33,690	40,146	$ (219)	(24,591)	(19,242)	30,015	$ (219)	238
Treasury stock acquired in connection with share repurchases	(1,183)							(1,183)		(1,183)
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, Excise Tax	11
Stock-based compensation	28				28					28
Dividends on preferred stock	(67)					(67)				(67)
Dividends on common stock	$ (377)					(377)				(377)
Dividend Per Share	$ 0.520
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	$ 14									0		14
Net income (loss)	875					867				867		8
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	(528)								(529)	(529)		1
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2024	$ 28,796		$ 0	$ 12	$ 33,718	$ 40,350		$ (25,774)	$ (19,771)	$ 28,535		$ 261