Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $ 332,981 and $329,811 respectively; includes $3,296 and $3,225, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 354,451	$ 350,271
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $3,063 and $3,208, respectively)	3,043	3,023
Trading and other securities, at estimated fair value (includes $544 and $473, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $249 and $280, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	19,026	18,268
Mortgage loans:
Held-for-investment, principally at amortized cost (net of valuation allowances of $446 and $481, respectively; includes $3,073 and $3,187, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	56,641	56,915
Held-for-sale, principally at estimated fair value (includes $9,204 and $10,716, respectively, under the fair value option)	11,947	15,178
Mortgage loans, net	68,588	72,093
Policy loans	11,896	11,892
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $10 and $15, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,472	8,563
Other limited partnership interests (includes $242 and $259, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	6,487	6,378
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	11,801	17,310
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $98 and $98, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	20,172	23,581
Total investments	503,936	511,379
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $120 and $176, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	18,667	10,461
Accrued investment income (includes $15 and $16, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,612	4,344
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $3 and $12, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,759	22,481
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	25,105	24,619
Goodwill	11,903	11,935
Other assets (includes $5 and $5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	9,647	7,984
Separate account assets	221,975	203,023
Total assets	819,604	796,226
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	184,141	184,275
Policyholder account balances	220,813	217,700
Other policy-related balances	16,029	15,599
Policyholder dividends payable	761	774
Policyholder dividend obligation	2,700	2,919
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	32,496	33,716
Bank deposits	10,478	10,507
Short-term debt	101	686
Long-term debt (includes $2,916 and $3,068, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	23,389	23,692
Collateral financing arrangements	4,647	4,647
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,192	3,192
Current income tax payable	239	193
Deferred income tax liability	6,375	6,395
Other liabilities (includes $52 and $60, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; and $8,252 and $7,626, respectively, under the fair value option)	33,144	30,914
Separate account liabilities	221,975	203,023
Total liabilities	760,480	738,232
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 10)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries	114	105
MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000,000 shares authorized: 84,000,000 shares issued and outstanding; $2,100 aggregate liquidation preference	1	1
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,064,057,907 and 1,061,150,915 shares issued at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 1,060,864,020 and 1,057,957,028 shares outstanding at March 31,2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	11	11
Additional paid-in capital	26,920	26,782
Retained earnings	24,640	24,814
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,193,887 shares at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011	(172)	(172)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	7,266	6,083
Total MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	58,666	57,519
Noncontrolling interests	344	370
Total equity	59,010	57,889
Total liabilities and equity	$ 819,604	$ 796,226