Segment Information (Segment Reconciliation To Net Income (Loss)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	$ 5,996	$ 5,723	$ 5,978
Net investment gains (losses)	(1,184)	(2,824)	(1,260)
Net derivative gains (losses)	(1,623)	(2,140)	(2,251)
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	(1,109)	(994)	(3,674)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	1,178	560	1,062
Net income (loss)	4,444	1,602	5,302
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	6,705	6,483	6,593
Operating Segments | Group Benefits
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	1,606	1,655	1,332
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	0	0	0
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	425	442	357
Operating Segments | RIS
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	1,667	1,708	1,635
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	11	(29)	(314)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	433	450	423
Operating Segments | Asia
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	1,621	1,282	1,617
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	7	(43)	(90)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	630	558	658
Operating Segments | Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	881	840	729
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	0	0	0
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	328	297	220
Operating Segments | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	283	265	249
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	(54)	(40)	(126)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	72	78	73
Operating Segments | MetLife Holdings
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	647	733	1,031
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	(1,074)	(882)	(3,144)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	152	176	254
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Adjusted earnings	(709)	(760)	(615)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net investment gains (losses)	(1,184)	(2,824)	(1,260)
Net derivative gains (losses)	(1,623)	(2,140)	(2,251)
Market risk benefit remeasurement (gains) losses	(1,109)	(994)	(3,674)
Investment hedge adjustments	(604)	(1,012)	(976)
Other	63	(173)	(443)
Provision for income tax (expense) benefit	$ 687	$ 1,034	$ 580