Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

	December 31, 2011
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized						Estimated Fair Value		% of Total
			Gains		Temporary Losses		OTTI Losses
	(In millions)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
U.S. corporate securities	$	98,621	$	8,544	$	1,380	$	—	$	105,785		30.2	%
Foreign corporate securities		61,568		3,789		1,338		1		64,018		18.3
Foreign government securities		49,840		3,053		357		—		52,536		15.0
RMBS		42,092		2,281		1,033		703		42,637		12.2
U.S. Treasury and agency securities		34,132		5,882		2		—		40,012		11.4
CMBS		18,565		730		218		8		19,069		5.4
State and political subdivision securities		11,975		1,416		156		—		13,235		3.8
ABS		13,018		278		305		12		12,979		3.7
Other fixed maturity securities		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total fixed maturity securities	$	329,811	$	25,973	$	4,789	$	724	$	350,271		100.0	%
Equity Securities:
Common stock	$	2,219	$	83	$	97	$	—	$	2,205		72.9	%
Non-redeemable preferred stock		989		31		202		—		818		27.1
Total equity securities	$	3,208	$	114	$	299	$	—	$	3,023		100.0	%

	December 31, 2010
	Cost or Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized						Estimated Fair Value		% of Total
			Gains		Temporary Losses		OTTI Losses
	(In millions)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
U.S. corporate securities	$	88,905	$	4,469	$	1,602	$	—	$	91,772		28.3	%
Foreign corporate securities		65,487		3,326		925		—		67,888		20.9
Foreign government securities		40,871		1,733		602		—		42,002		12.9
RMBS		45,904		1,661		1,180		533		45,852		14.1
U.S. Treasury and agency securities		32,469		1,394		559		—		33,304		10.2
CMBS		20,213		740		266		12		20,675		6.4
State and political subdivision securities		10,476		171		518		—		10,129		3.1
ABS		13,286		265		327		56		13,168		4.1
Other fixed maturity securities		6		1		—		—		7		—
Total fixed maturity securities	$	317,617	$	13,760	$	5,979	$	601	$	324,797		100.0	%
Equity Securities:
Common stock	$	2,059	$	146	$	12	$	—	$	2,193		60.9	%
Non-redeemable preferred stock		1,562		76		229		—		1,409		39.1
Total equity securities	$	3,621	$	222	$	241	$	—	$	3,602		100.0	%

Available-for-sale fixed maturity securities by contractual maturity date

	December 31,
	2011				2010
	Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Estimated Fair Value
	(In millions)
Due in one year or less	$	16,747	$	16,862	$	8,580	$	8,702
Due after one year through five years		62,819		64,414		65,143		66,796
Due after five years through ten years		82,694		88,036		76,508		79,571
Due after ten years		93,876		106,274		87,983		90,033
Subtotal		256,136		275,586		238,214		245,102
RMBS, CMBS and ABS		73,675		74,685		79,403		79,695
Total fixed maturity securities	$	329,811	$	350,271	$	317,617	$	324,797

Components of net unrealized investment gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities	$	21,096		$	7,817		$	(1,208	)
Fixed maturity securities with noncredit OTTI losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(724	)		(601	)		(859	)
Total fixed maturity securities		20,372			7,216			(2,067	)
Equity securities		(167	)		(3	)		(103	)
Derivatives		1,514			(59	)		(144	)
Other		72			42			71
Subtotal		21,791			7,196			(2,243	)
Amounts allocated from:
Insurance liability loss recognition		(3,996	)		(672	)		(118	)
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		47			38			71
DAC and VOBA		(2,093	)		(1,205	)		145
Policyholder dividend obligation		(2,919	)		(876	)		—
Subtotal		(8,961	)		(2,715	)		98
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		236			197			275
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)		(4,596	)		(1,692	)		539
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)		8,470			2,986			(1,331	)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests		9			4			1
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	8,479		$	2,990		$	(1,330	)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period	$	2,990		$	(1,330	)	$	(12,564	)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principles, net of income tax		—			52			(76	)
Fixed maturity securities on which noncredit OTTI losses have been recognized		(123	)		242			(733	)
Unrealized investment gains (losses) during the year		14,823			9,117			20,745
Unrealized investment gains (losses) of subsidiary at the date of disposal		(105	)		—			—
Unrealized investment gains (losses) relating to:
Insurance liability gain (loss) recognition		(3,406	)		(554	)		(160	)
Insurance liability gain (loss) recognition of subsidiary at the date of disposal		82			—			—
DAC and VOBA related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		9			(33	)		61
DAC and VOBA		(899	)		(1,350	)		(2,880	)
DAC and VOBA of subsidiary at date of disposal		11			—			—
Policyholder dividend obligation		(2,043	)		(876	)		—
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) related to noncredit OTTI losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		39			(73	)		235
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)		(2,908	)		(2,208	)		(5,969	)
Deferred income tax benefit (expense) of subsidiary at date of disposal		4			—			—
Net unrealized investment gains (losses)		8,474			2,987			(1,341	)
Net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests		5			3			11
Balance, end of period	$	8,479		$	2,990		$	(1,330	)
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses)	$	5,484		$	4,317		$	11,223
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests		5			3			11
Change in net unrealized investment gains (losses) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$	5,489		$	4,320		$	11,234

Continuous Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

	December 31, 2011
	Less than 12 Months				Equal to or Greater than 12 Months				Total
	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(In millions, except number of securities)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
U.S. corporate securities	$	15,642	$	590	$	5,135	$	790	$	20,777	$	1,380
Foreign corporate securities		12,618		639		5,957		700		18,575		1,339
Foreign government securities		11,227		230		1,799		127		13,026		357
RMBS		4,040		547		4,724		1,189		8,764		1,736
U.S. Treasury and agency securities		2,611		1		50		1		2,661		2
CMBS		2,825		135		678		91		3,503		226
State and political subdivision securities		177		2		1,007		154		1,184		156
ABS		4,972		103		1,316		214		6,288		317
Other fixed maturity securities		—		—		—		—		—		—
Total fixed maturity securities	$	54,112	$	2,247	$	20,666	$	3,266	$	74,778	$	5,513
Equity Securities:
Common stock	$	581	$	96	$	5	$	1	$	586	$	97
Non-redeemable preferred stock		204		30		370		172		574		202
Total equity securities	$	785	$	126	$	375	$	173	$	1,160	$	299
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position		3,978				1,963

	December 31, 2010
	Less than 12 Months				Equal to or Greater than 12 Months				Total
	Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Estimated Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
	(In millions, except number of securities)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
U.S. corporate securities	$	22,954	$	447	$	8,319	$	1,155	$	31,273	$	1,602
Foreign corporate securities		22,415		410		3,976		515		26,391		925
Foreign government securities		26,659		585		189		17		26,848		602
RMBS		7,630		221		7,624		1,492		15,254		1,713
U.S. Treasury and agency securities		13,401		530		118		29		13,519		559
CMBS		3,787		29		1,363		249		5,150		278
State and political subdivision securities		5,061		246		988		272		6,049		518
ABS		2,671		33		2,102		350		4,773		383
Other fixed maturity securities		1		—		—		—		1		—
Total fixed maturity securities	$	104,579	$	2,501	$	24,679	$	4,079	$	129,258	$	6,580
Equity Securities:
Common stock	$	89	$	12	$	1	$	—	$	90	$	12
Non-redeemable preferred stock		191		9		824		220		1,015		229
Total equity securities	$	280	$	21	$	825	$	220	$	1,105	$	241
Total number of securities in an unrealized loss position		5,609				1,704

Aging Of Gross Unrealized Loss And OTTI Loss For Debt And Equity Securities Available For Sale

	December 31, 2011
	Cost or Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Losses						Number of Securities
	Less than   20%		20% or   more		Less than 20%			20% or more			Less than 20%		20% or more
	(In millions, except number of securities)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
Less than six months	$	49,249	$	4,736	$	1,346		$	1,332			3,260		320
Six months or greater but less than nine months		4,104		1,049		279			349			375		63
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months		1,160		288		55			93			143		14
Twelve months or greater		17,590		2,115		1,216			843			1,523		167
Total	$	72,103	$	8,188	$	2,896		$	2,617
Percentage of amortized cost						4	%		32	%
Equity Securities:
Less than six months	$	714	$	376	$	64		$	123			154		42
Six months or greater but less than nine months		22		8		2			4			19		3
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months		18		—		2			—			8		—
Twelve months or greater		98		223		8			96			24		20
Total	$	852	$	607	$	76		$	223
Percentage of cost						9	%		37	%

	December 31, 2010
	Cost or Amortized Cost				Gross Unrealized Losses						Number of Securities
	Less than 20%		20% or more		Less than 20%			20% or more			Less than 20%		20% or more
	(In millions, except number of securities)
Fixed Maturity Securities:
Less than six months	$	105,301	$	1,403	$	2,348		$	368			5,320		121
Six months or greater but less than nine months		1,125		376		29			102			104		29
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months		371		89		28			27			50		9
Twelve months or greater		21,627		5,546		1,863			1,815			1,245		311
Total	$	128,424	$	7,414	$	4,268		$	2,312
Percentage of amortized cost						3	%		31	%
Equity Securities:
Less than six months	$	247	$	94	$	10		$	22			106		33
Six months or greater but less than nine months		29		65		5			16			3		2
Nine months or greater but less than twelve months		6		47		—			16			3		2
Twelve months or greater		518		340		56			116			35		14
Total	$	800	$	546	$	71		$	170
Percentage of cost						9	%		31	%

Concentration of Gross Unrealized Loss and OTTI Loss for Fixed Maturity and Equity Securities Available-for-Sale

	December 31,
	2011			2010
Sector:
RMBS		30	%		25	%
U.S. corporate securities		24			23
Foreign corporate securities		23			14
Foreign government securities		6			9
ABS		5			5
CMBS		4			4
State and political subdivision securities		3			8
U.S. Treasury and agency securities		—			8
Other		5			4
Total		100	%		100	%
Industry:
Mortgage-backed		34	%		29	%
Finance		27			21
Utility		8			5
Foreign government securities		6			9
Consumer		6			4
Asset-backed		5			5
Communications		3			2
State and political subdivision securities		3			8
Industrial		2			2
U.S. Treasury and agency securities		—			8
Other		6			7
Total		100	%		100	%

Gross unrealized loss greater than $10 million for fixed maturity and equity securities

	December 31,
	2011						2010
	Fixed Maturity Securities			Equity Securities			Fixed Maturity Securities			Equity Securities
	(In millions, except number of securities)
Number of securities		96			8			107			6
Total gross unrealized losses	$	1,703		$	117		$	2,014		$	103
Percentage of total gross unrealized losses		31	%		39	%		31	%		43	%

Equity securities available-for-sale with a gross unrealized loss of 20% or more

			Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock
	All Equity Securities		All Types of Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock					Investment Grade
								All Industries					Financial Services Industry
	Gross Unrealized Losses		Gross Unrealized Losses		% of All Equity Securities			Gross Unrealized Losses		% of All Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock			Gross Unrealized Losses		% of All Industries			% A Rated or Better
	(In millions)							(In millions)					(In millions)
Less than six months	$	123	$	87		71	%	$	46		53	%	$	46		100	%		22	%
Six months or greater but less than twelve months		4		—		—	%		—		—	%		—		—	%		—	%
Twelve months or greater		96		96		100	%		96		100	%		96		100	%		71	%
All equity securities with gross unrealized losses of 20% or more	$	223	$	183		82	%	$	142		78	%	$	142		100	%		55	%

Trading Securities Portfolio

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In millions)
Actively Traded Securities	$	473		$	463
FVO general account securities		267			131
FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments		17,411			17,794
FVO securities held by CSEs		117			201
Total trading and other securities — at estimated fair value	$	18,268		$	18,589
Actively Traded Securities — at estimated fair value	$	473		$	463
Short sale agreement liabilities — at estimated fair value		(127	)		(46	)
Net long/short position — at estimated fair value	$	346		$	417
Investments pledged to secure short sale agreement liabilities	$	558		$	465

The components of net investment gains (losses)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In millions)
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities:
Total OTTI losses recognized	$	(924	)	$	(682	)	$	(2,432	)
Less: Noncredit portion of OTTI losses transferred to and recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)		(31	)		212			939
Net OTTI losses on fixed maturity securities recognized in earnings (1)		(955	)		(470	)		(1,493	)
Fixed maturity securities — net gains (losses) on sales and disposals		25			215			(165	)
Total gains (losses) on fixed maturity securities		(930	)		(255	)		(1,658	)
Other net investment gains (losses):
Equity securities		(23	)		104			(399	)
Trading and other securities — FVO general account securities —changes in estimated fair value		(2	)		—			—
Mortgage loans		175			22			(442	)
Real estate and real estate joint ventures		134			(54	)		(164	)
Other limited partnership interests		4			(18	)		(356	)
Other investment portfolio gains (losses)		(7	)		(6	)		(26	)
Subtotal — investment portfolio gains (losses)		(649	)		(207	)		(3,045	)
FVO CSEs — changes in estimated fair value:
Commercial mortgage loans		(84	)		758			—
Securities		—			(78	)		—
Long-term debt — related to commercial mortgage loans		97			(722	)		—
Long-term debt — related to securities		(8	)		48			—
Other gains (losses) (2)		(223	)		(207	)		144
Subtotal FVO CSEs and other gains (losses)		(218	)		(201	)		144
Total net investment gains (losses)	$	(867	)	$	(408	)	$	(2,901	)

(1) Investment portfolio gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes intent-to-sell impairments of ($154) million as a result of the pending disposition of certain operations of MetLife Bank and the Caribbean Business. See Note 2.

(2) Other gains (losses) includes a loss of $87 million and $209 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to the sale of the Company’s investment in MSI MetLife. See Note 2. Other gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2011 includes a goodwill impairment loss of $65 million and a loss of $19 million related to the Company’s pending sale of the Caribbean Business. See Notes 2 and 7.

Proceeds from sales or disposals of fixed maturity and equity securities and the components of fixed maturity and equity securities net investment gains and losses

	Years Ended December 31,									Years Ended December 31,									Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009			2011			2010			2009
	Fixed Maturity Securities									Equity Securities									Total
	(In millions)
Proceeds	$	67,449		$	54,514		$	38,972		$	1,241		$	616		$	940		$	68,690		$	55,130		$	39,912
Gross investment gains	$	892		$	831		$	939		$	108		$	129		$	134		$	1,000		$	960		$	1,073
Gross investment losses		(867	)		(616	)		(1,104	)		(71	)		(11	)		(133	)		(938	)		(627	)		(1,237	)
Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings:
Credit-related		(645	)		(423	)		(1,130	)		—			—			—			(645	)		(423	)		(1,130	)
Other (1)		(310	)		(47	)		(363	)		(60	)		(14	)		(400	)		(370	)		(61	)		(763	)
Total OTTI losses recognized in earnings		(955	)		(470	)		(1,493	)		(60	)		(14	)		(400	)		(1,015	)		(484	)		(1,893	)
Net investment gains (losses)	$	(930	)	$	(255	)	$	(1,658	)	$	(23	)	$	104		$	(399	)	$	(953	)	$	(151	)	$	(2,057	)

(1) Other OTTI losses recognized in earnings include impairments on equity securities, impairments on perpetual hybrid securities classified within fixed maturity securities where the primary reason for the impairment was the severity and/or the duration of an unrealized loss position and fixed maturity securities where there is an intent to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the decline in estimated fair value.

Rollforward of the Cumulative Credit Loss Component of OTTI income (loss)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In millions)
Balance, at January 1,	$	443		$	581
Additions:
Initial impairments — credit loss OTTI recognized on securities not previously impaired		45			109
Additional impairments — credit loss OTTI recognized on securities previously impaired		143			125
Reductions:
Sales (maturities, pay downs or prepayments) during the period of securities previously impaired as credit loss OTTI		(90	)		(260	)
Securities de-recognized in connection with the adoption of new guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs		—			(100	)
Securities impaired to net present value of expected future cash flows		(57	)		(2	)
Increases in cash flows — accretion of previous credit loss OTTI		(13	)		(10	)
Balance, at December 31,	$	471		$	443

The Components of Net Investment Income

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In millions)
Investment income:
Fixed maturity securities	$	15,037		$	12,407		$	11,545
Equity securities		141			128			178
Trading and other securities — Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities (1)		31			73			116
Mortgage loans		3,164			2,824			2,741
Policy loans		641			649			641
Real estate and real estate joint ventures		704			391			(245	)
Other limited partnership interests		681			879			174
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments		167			101			128
International joint ventures (2)		3			(81	)		(115	)
Other		178			236			205
Subtotal		20,747			17,607			15,368
Less: Investment expenses		1,029			894			911
Subtotal, net		19,718			16,713			14,457
Trading and other securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments (1)		(453	)		372			284
FVO CSEs:
Commercial mortgage loans		332			411			—
Securities		9			15			—
Subtotal		(112	)		798			284
Net investment income	$	19,606		$	17,511		$	14,741

(1) Changes in estimated fair value subsequent to purchase for securities still held as of the end of the respective years included in net investment income were:

Trading and other securities — Actively Traded Securities and FVO general account securities	$            (3	)	$            30	$            34
Trading and other securities — FVO contractholder-directed unit-linked investments	$        (647	)	$          322	$          275

(2) Amounts are presented net of changes in estimated fair value of derivatives related to economic hedges of the Company’s investment in these equity method international joint venture investments that do not qualify for hedge accounting of ($23) million, $36 million, and ($143) million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

Securities Lending

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In millions)
Securities on loan: (1)
Amortized cost	$	20,613	$	23,715
Estimated fair value	$	24,072	$	24,230
Cash collateral on deposit from counterparties (2)	$	24,223	$	24,647
Security collateral on deposit from counterparties	$	371	$	—
Reinvestment portfolio — estimated fair value	$	23,940	$	24,177

(1) Included within fixed maturity securities and short-term investments.

(2) Included within payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions.

Invested Assets on Deposit, Held in Trust and Pledged as Collateral

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In millions)
Invested assets on deposit (1)	$	1,660	$	2,110
Invested assets held in trust (2)		11,135		8,430
Invested assets pledged as collateral (3)		29,899		29,470
Total invested assets on deposit, held in trust and pledged as collateral	$	42,694	$	40,010

(1) The Company has invested assets on deposit with regulatory agencies consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, fixed maturity securities and equity securities.

(2) The Company held in trust cash and securities, primarily fixed maturity and equity securities, to satisfy requirements under certain collateral financing agreements and certain reinsurance agreements.

(3) The Company has pledged fixed maturity securities, mortgage loans and cash and cash equivalents in connection with various agreements and transactions, including funding and advances agreements (see Notes 8 and 11), collateralized borrowings (see Note 11), collateral financing arrangements (see Note 12), derivative transactions (see Note 4), and short sale agreements (see “— Trading and Other Securities”).

Disclosure of Mortgage Loans Net of Valuation Allowance

	December 31,
	2011						2010
	Carrying Value			% of Total			Carrying Value			% of Total
				(In millions)
Mortgage loans held-for-investment:
Commercial	$	40,440			56.1	%	$	37,818			60.7	%
Agricultural		13,129			18.2			12,751			20.4
Residential (1)		689			1.0			2,231			3.7
Subtotal		54,258			75.3			52,800			84.8
Valuation allowances (1)		(481	)		(0.7	)		(664	)		(1.1	)
Subtotal mortgage loans held-for-investment, net		53,777			74.6			52,136			83.7
Commercial mortgage loans held by CSEs		3,138			4.4			6,840			11.0
Total mortgage loans held-for-investment, net		56,915			79.0			58,976			94.7
Mortgage loans held-for-sale:
Residential		3,064			4.2			2,510			4.0
Mortgage loans — lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value (1)		4,462			6.2			811			1.3
Securitized reverse residential mortgage loans (2)		7,652			10.6			—			—
Total mortgage loans held-for-sale		15,178			21.0			3,321			5.3
Total mortgage loans, net	$	72,093			100.0	%	$	62,297			100.0	%

(1) The valuation allowance on and the related carrying value of certain residential mortgage loans held-for-investment was transferred to mortgage loans held-for-sale in connection with the pending disposition of certain operations of MetLife Bank. See Note 2.

(2) See Note 1 for a discussion of the securitized reverse residential mortgage loans.

Disclosure of mortgage loans held-for-investment and valuation allowances by method of evaluation for credit loss

	Commercial		Agricultural		Residential		Total
	(In millions)
December 31, 2011:
Mortgage loans:
Evaluated individually for credit losses	$	96	$	159	$	13	$	268
Evaluated collectively for credit losses		40,344		12,970		676		53,990
Total mortgage loans		40,440		13,129		689		54,258
Valuation allowances:
Specific credit losses		59		45		1		105
Non-specifically identified credit losses		339		36		1		376
Total valuation allowances		398		81		2		481
Mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance	$	40,042	$	13,048	$	687	$	53,777
December 31, 2010:
Mortgage loans:
Evaluated individually for credit losses	$	120	$	146	$	13	$	279
Evaluated collectively for credit losses		37,698		12,605		2,218		52,521
Total mortgage loans		37,818		12,751		2,231		52,800
Valuation allowances:
Specific credit losses		36		52		—		88
Non-specifically identified credit losses		526		36		14		576
Total valuation allowances		562		88		14		664
Mortgage loans, net of valuation allowance	$	37,256	$	12,663	$	2,217	$	52,136

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, Provision for Loss, Net

	Mortgage Loan Valuation Allowances
	Commercial			Agricultural			Residential			Total
	(In millions)
Balance at January 1, 2009	$	232		$	61		$	11		$	304
Provision (release)		384			79			12			475
Charge-offs, net of recoveries		(27	)		(25	)		(6	)		(58	)
Balance at December 31, 2009		589			115			17			721
Provision (release)		(5	)		12			2			9
Charge-offs, net of recoveries		(22	)		(39	)		(5	)		(66	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		562			88			14			664
Provision (release)		(152	)		(3	)		10			(145	)
Charge-offs, net of recoveries		(12	)		(4	)		(3	)		(19	)
Transfer to held-for-sale (1)		—			—			(19	)		(19	)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	398		$	81		$	2		$	481

(1) The valuation allowance on and the related carrying value of certain residential mortgage loans held-for-investment was transferred to mortgage loans held-for-sale in connection with the pending disposition of certain operations of MetLife Bank. See Note 2.

Schedule of Financing Receivables, Non Accrual Status

	Past Due				Greater than 90 Days Past Due Still Accruing Interest				Nonaccrual Status
	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010		December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010		December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
					(In millions)
Commercial	$	63	$	58	$	—	$	1	$	63	$	7
Agricultural		146		159		29		13		157		177
Residential		8		79		—		11		17		25
Total	$	217	$	296	$	29	$	25	$	237	$	209

Impaired mortgage loans held-for-investment

	Impaired Mortgage Loans
	Loans with a Valuation Allowance								Loans without a Valuation Allowance				All Impaired Loans
	Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Valuation Allowances		Carrying Value		Unpaid Principal Balance		Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Carrying Value
	(In millions)
December 31, 2011:
Commercial	$	96	$	96	$	59	$	37	$	252	$	237	$	348	$	274
Agricultural		160		159		45		114		71		69		231		183
Residential		13		13		1		12		1		1		14		13
Total	$	269	$	268	$	105	$	163	$	324	$	307	$	593	$	470
December 31, 2010:
Commercial	$	120	$	120	$	36	$	84	$	99	$	87	$	219	$	171
Agricultural		146		146		52		94		123		119		269		213
Residential		3		3		—		3		16		16		19		19
Total	$	269	$	269	$	88	$	181	$	238	$	222	$	507	$	403

	Impaired Mortgage Loans
	Average Investment		Interest Income Recognized
			Cash Basis		Accrual Basis
	(In millions)
For the Year Ended December 31, 2011:
Commercial	$	313	$	5	$	1
Agricultural		252		4		1
Residential		23		—		—
Total	$	588	$	9	$	2
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:
Commercial	$	192	$	5	$	1
Agricultural		284		6		2
Residential		16		—		—
Total	$	492	$	11	$	3
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009	$	338	$	8	$	1

Real Estate Holdings by Type

	December 31,
	2011					2010
	Carrying Value		% of Total			Carrying Value		% of Total
	(In millions)					(In millions)
Traditional	$	5,958		69.6	%	$	4,987		62.1	%
Real estate joint ventures and funds		2,340		27.3			2,707		33.7
Real estate and real estate joint ventures		8,298		96.9			7,694		95.8
Foreclosed (commercial, agricultural and residential)		264		3.1			152		1.9
Real estate held-for-investment		8,562		100.0			7,846		97.7
Real estate held-for-sale		1		—			184		2.3
Total real estate and real estate joint ventures	$	8,563		100.0	%	$	8,030		100.0	%

Mortgage loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring

	Mortgage Loans Modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring
	December 31, 2011
	Number of Mortgage Loans		Carrying Value after Specific Valuation Allowance
			Pre- Modification		Post- Modification
			(In millions)
Commercial		5	$	147	$	111
Agricultural		10		42		42
Residential		—		—		—
Total		15	$	189	$	153

	Fixed Maturity Securities				Mortgage Loans
	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In millions)
Contractually required payments (including interest)	$	5,141	$	2,126	$	—	$	553
Cash flows expected to be collected (1), (2)	$	4,365	$	1,782	$	—	$	374
Fair value of investments acquired	$	2,590	$	1,076	$	—	$	201

(1) Represents undiscounted principal and interest cash flow expectations, at the date of acquisition.

(2) A portion of the difference between the contractually required payments (including interest) and the cash flows expected to be collected on certain of the investments acquired in the Acquisition has been established as an indemnification asset as discussed further in Note 2.

	Fixed Maturity Securities						Mortgage Loans
	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Accretable yield, January 1,	$	541		$	—		$	170		$	—
Investments purchased		1,775			606			—			—
Acquisition (1)		—			100			—			173
Accretion recognized in earnings		(114	)		(62	)		(56	)		(3	)
Disposals		(65	)		—			—			—
Reclassification (to) from nonaccretable difference		174			(103	)		140			—
Accretable yield, December 31,	$	2,311		$	541		$	254		$	170

Other Invested Assets

	December 31,
	2011					2010
	Carrying Value		% of Total			Carrying Value		% of Total
	(In millions)					(In millions)
Freestanding derivatives with positive fair values	$	16,200		68.6	%	$	7,777		50.4	%
Leveraged leases, net of non-recourse debt		2,248		9.5			2,191		14.2
Tax credit partnerships		1,531		6.5			976		6.3
MSRs		666		2.8			950		6.2
Funds withheld		608		2.6			551		3.6
Joint venture investments		218		0.9			694		4.5
Other		2,157		9.1			2,291		14.8
Total	$	23,628		100.0	%	$	15,430		100.0	%

Investment in leveraged leases

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In millions)
Rental receivables, net	$	1,859		$	1,882
Estimated residual values		1,657			1,682
Subtotal		3,516			3,564
Unearned income		(1,268	)		(1,373	)
Investment in leveraged leases	$	2,248		$	2,191

Net income from investment in leveraged leases

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
	(In millions)
Net income from investment in leveraged leases	$	125		$	123		$	114
Less: Income tax expense on leveraged leases		(44	)		(43	)		(40	)
Net investment income after income tax from investment in leveraged leases	$	81		$	80		$	74

Purchased credit impaired investments, by invested asset class, held

	Fixed Maturity Securities				Mortgage Loans
	December 31,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
	(In millions)
Outstanding principal and interest balance (1)	$	4,547	$	1,548	$	471	$	504
Carrying value (2)	$	3,130	$	1,050	$	173	$	195

(1) Represents the contractually required payments which is the sum of contractual principal, whether or not currently due, and accrued interest.

(2) Estimated fair value plus accrued interest for fixed maturity securities and amortized cost, plus accrued interest, less any valuation allowances, for mortgage loans.

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]

Other than temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

	December 31,
	2011			2010
	(In millions)
Balance, beginning of period	$	(601	)	$	(859	)
Noncredit OTTI losses recognized (1)		31			(212	)
Transferred to retained earnings (2)		—			16
Securities sold with previous noncredit OTTI loss		125			137
Subsequent changes in estimated fair value		(279	)		317
Balance, end of period	$	(724	)	$	(601	)

(1) Noncredit OTTI losses recognized, net of DAC, were $33 million and ($202) million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) Amounts transferred to retained earnings were in connection with the adoption of guidance related to the consolidation of VIEs as described in Note 1.

Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Variable Interest Entities

	December 31,
	2011				2010
	Total Assets		Total Liabilities		Total Assets		Total Liabilities
	(In millions)
Consolidated securitization entities (1)	$	3,299	$	3,103	$	7,114	$	6,892
MRSC collateral financing arrangement (2)		3,333		—		3,333		—
Other limited partnership interests		360		6		319		85
Trading and other securities		163		—		186		—
Other invested assets		102		1		108		1
Real estate joint ventures		16		18		20		17
Total	$	7,273	$	3,128	$	11,080	$	6,995

(1) The Company consolidates former QSPEs that are structured as CMBS and former QSPEs that are structured as collateralized debt obligations. The assets of these entities can only be used to settle their respective liabilities, and under no circumstances is the Company liable for any principal or interest shortfalls should any arise. The Company’s exposure was limited to that of its remaining investment in the former QSPEs of $172 million and $201 million at estimated fair value at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The long-term debt presented below bears interest primarily at fixed rates ranging from 2.25% to 5.57%, payable primarily on a monthly basis and is expected to be repaid over the next six years. Interest expense related to these obligations, included in other expenses, was $324 million and $411 million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company sold certain of these CMBS investments in the third quarter of 2011, resulting in the deconsolidation of such entities and their related mortgage loans held-for-investment and long-term debt. The assets and liabilities of these CSEs, at estimated fair value, were as follows at:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In millions)
Assets:
Mortgage loans held-for-investment (commercial mortgage loans)	$	3,138	$	6,840
Trading and other securities		117		201
Accrued investment income		16		34
Cash and cash equivalents		21		39
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables		7		—
Total assets	$	3,299	$	7,114
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	$	3,068	$	6,820
Other liabilities		35		72
Total liabilities	$	3,103	$	6,892

(2) See Note 12 for a description of the MetLife Reinsurance Company of South Carolina (“MRSC”) collateral financing arrangement. These assets consist of the following, at estimated fair value, at:

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
ABS	$	1,356	$	1,333
U.S. corporate securities		833		893
RMBS		502		547
CMBS		369		383
Foreign corporate securities		126		139
State and political subdivision securities		39		30
Foreign government securities		—		5
Mortgage loans		49		—
Cash and cash equivalents		59		3
Total	$	3,333	$	3,333

Variable Interest Entity, Not Primary Beneficiary [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Variable Interest Entities

	December 31,
	2011				2010
	Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss (1)		Carrying Amount		Maximum Exposure to Loss (1)
	(In millions)
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale:
RMBS (2)	$	42,637	$	42,637	$	45,852	$	45,852
CMBS (2)		19,069		19,069		20,675		20,675
ABS (2)		12,979		12,979		13,168		13,168
U.S. corporate securities		2,911		2,911		2,435		2,435
Foreign corporate securities		2,087		2,087		2,950		2,950
Other limited partnership interests		4,340		6,084		4,383		6,479
Other invested assets		799		1,194		576		773
Trading and other securities		671		671		789		789
Mortgage loans		456		456		350		350
Real estate joint ventures		61		79		40		108
Total	$	86,010	$	88,167	$	91,218	$	93,579

(1) The maximum exposure to loss relating to the fixed maturity and trading and other securities is equal to the carrying amounts or carrying amounts of retained interests. The maximum exposure to loss relating to the other limited partnership interests and real estate joint ventures is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. Such a maximum loss would be expected to occur only upon bankruptcy of the issuer or investee. The maximum exposure to loss relating to mortgage loans is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments of the Company. For certain of its investments in other invested assets, the Company’s return is in the form of income tax credits which are guaranteed by a creditworthy third party. For such investments, the maximum exposure to loss is equal to the carrying amounts plus any unfunded commitments, reduced by income tax credits guaranteed by third parties of $267 million and $231 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(2) For these variable interests, the Company’s involvement is limited to that of a passive investor.

Commercial mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]

Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories

	Commercial
	Recorded Investment											Estimated Fair  Value		% of Total
	Debt Service Coverage Ratios						Total		% of Total
	>1.20x		1.00x - 1.20x		< 1.00x
			(In millions)						(In millions)
December 31, 2011:
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	24,983	$	448	$	564	$	25,995		64.3	%	$	27,581		65.5	%
65% to 75%		8,275		336		386		8,997		22.3			9,387		22.3
76% to 80%		1,150		98		226		1,474		3.6			1,473		3.5
Greater than 80%		2,714		880		380		3,974		9.8			3,664		8.7
Total	$	37,122	$	1,762	$	1,556	$	40,440		100.0	%	$	42,105		100.0	%
December 31, 2010:
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	16,663	$	125	$	483	$	17,271		45.7	%	$	18,183		46.9	%
65% to 75%		9,022		765		513		10,300		27.2			10,685		27.6
76% to 80%		3,033		304		135		3,472		9.2			3,535		9.1
Greater than 80%		4,155		1,813		807		6,775		17.9			6,374		16.4
Total	$	32,873	$	3,007	$	1,938	$	37,818		100.0	%	$	38,777		100.0	%

Agricultural mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]

Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories

	Agricultural
	December 31,
	2011					2010
	Recorded   Investment		% of Total			Recorded   Investment		% of Total
	(In millions)					(In millions)
Loan-to-value ratios:
Less than 65%	$	11,802		89.9	%	$	11,483		90.1	%
65% to 75%		874		6.7			885		6.9
76% to 80%		76		0.6			48		0.4
Greater than 80%		377		2.8			335		2.6
Total	$	13,129		100.0	%	$	12,751		100.0	%

Residential mortgage loans portfolio segment [Member]

Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]

Disclosure of the mortgage loans portfolio segment by the recorded investment, prior to valuation allowances, by credit quality indicator categories

	Residential
	December 31,
	2011					2010
	Recorded   Investment		% of Total			Recorded   Investment		% of Total
	(In millions)					(In millions)
Performance indicators:
Performing	$	671		97.4	%	$	2,149		96.3	%
Nonperforming		18		2.6			82		3.7
Total	$	689		100.0	%	$	2,231		100.0	%

Fixed maturity securities [Member]

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]

Other than temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In millions)
Sector:
U.S. and foreign corporate securities — by industry:
Finance	$	56	$	126	$	452
Consumer		50		36		211
Communications		41		16		235
Industrial		11		2		30
Utility		10		3		89
Other industries		1		—		26
Total U.S. and foreign corporate securities		169		183		1,043
Foreign government securities		486		—		1
RMBS		214		117		258
ABS		54		84		103
CMBS		32		86		88
Total	$	955	$	470	$	1,493

Equity Securities [Member]

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]

Other than temporary impairment losses recognized in earnings

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
	(In millions)
Sector:
Non-redeemable preferred stock	$	38	$	7	$	333
Common stock		22		7		67
Total	$	60	$	14	$	400
Industry:
Financial services industry:
Perpetual hybrid securities	$	38	$	3	$	310
Common and remaining non-redeemable preferred stock		—		—		30
Total financial services industry		38		3		340
Other industries		22		11		60
Total	$	60	$	14	$	400

US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]

Fair Value, Concentration of Risk, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

Concentrations of Credit Risk (Fixed Maturity Securities)

	December 31,
	2011		2010
	Carrying Value (1)
	(In millions)
Government and agency fixed maturity securities:
United States	$	40,012	$	33,304
Japan	$	21,003	$	15,591
Mexico (2)	$	—	$	5,050
U.S. Treasury and agency fixed-income securities included in:
Short-term investments	$	15,775	$	4,048
Cash equivalents	$	1,748	$	5,762

(1) Represents estimated fair value for fixed maturity securities, and for short-term investments and cash equivalents, estimated fair value or amortized cost, which approximates estimated fair value.

(2) The Company’s investment in Mexico government and agency fixed maturity securities at December 31, 2011 of $5.0 billion is less than 10% of the Company’s equity.