Name:	met_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleLiabilityWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	met_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	met_NegativeValueOfBusinessAcquiredAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	met_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year five of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(3)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905858&loc=d3e16323-109275

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFive
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year four of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearFour
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year one of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearOne
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year three of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Name:	us-gaap_FutureAmortizationExpenseYearThree
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during year two of the five succeeding fiscal years.