Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs, Value of Business Acquired and Unearned Revenue - DAC VOBA by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2024	Dec. 31, 2024
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			$ 18,178	$ 18,388
Capitalizations	$ 787	$ 683	1,485	1,423
Amortization			(1,000)	(937)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			824	(824)
DAC, Ending Balance	19,487	18,050	19,487	18,050
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			1,449	1,763
Amortization			(60)	(70)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			117	(175)
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	1,506	1,518	1,506	1,518
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	20,993	19,568	20,993	19,568	$ 19,627
Group Benefits
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			250	258
Capitalizations			12	9
Amortization			(13)	(13)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
DAC, Ending Balance	249	254	249	254
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			0	0
Amortization			0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	0	0	0	0
RIS
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			552	397
Capitalizations			81	107
Amortization			(34)	(30)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
DAC, Ending Balance	599	474	599	474
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			13	16
Amortization			(1)	(1)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	12	15	12	15
Asia
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			10,785	10,864
Capitalizations			769	696
Amortization			(417)	(379)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			499	(618)
DAC, Ending Balance	11,636	10,563	11,636	10,563
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			935	1,119
Amortization			(33)	(38)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			81	(136)
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	983	945	983	945
Latin America
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			1,836	1,950
Capitalizations			348	353
Amortization			(247)	(232)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			177	(156)
DAC, Ending Balance	2,114	1,915	2,114	1,915
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			393	497
Amortization			(19)	(22)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			27	(36)
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	401	439	401	439
EMEA
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			1,664	1,618
Capitalizations			262	243
Amortization			(178)	(166)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			145	(49)
DAC, Ending Balance	1,893	1,646	1,893	1,646
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			94	113
Amortization			(6)	(7)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			9	(3)
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	97	103	97	103
MetLife Holdings
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			3,063	3,271
Capitalizations			7	9
Amortization			(107)	(114)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
DAC, Ending Balance	2,963	3,166	2,963	3,166
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			14	18
Amortization			(1)	(2)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	13	16	13	16
Corporate & Other
DAC:
DAC, Beginning Balance			28	30
Capitalizations			6	6
Amortization			(4)	(3)
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			3	(1)
DAC, Ending Balance	33	32	33	32
VOBA:
VOBA Net, Beginning Balance			0	0
Amortization			0	0
Effect of foreign currency translation and other, net			0	0
VOBA Net, Ending Balance	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0