Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues	$ 18,398	$ 17,146	$ 34,314	$ 33,053
Total expenses	15,060	15,636	31,385	30,259
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	1,038	448	763	808
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax	27	(32)	50	(8)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	3	31	17	(9)
MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company Limited [Member]
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues		129		236
Total expenses		116		214
Income (loss) before provision for income tax		13		22
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		5		8
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax		8		14
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax		(7)		(74)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax		$ 1		$ (60)