Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues	$ 15,916	$ 15,908
Total expenses	16,325	14,623
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(275)	361
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax	23	24
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	14	(40)
MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company Limited [Member]
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues		107
Total expenses		98
Income (loss) before provision for income tax		9
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		3
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax		6
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax		(67)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax		$ (61)