Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Investments:
Fixed maturity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost: $338,871 and $329,811, respectively; includes $3,289 and $3,225, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	$ 366,339	$ 350,271
Equity securities available-for-sale, at estimated fair value (cost: $2,973 and $3,208, respectively)	2,882	3,023
Trading and other securities, at estimated fair value (includes $535 and $473, respectively, of actively traded securities; and $166 and $280, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	18,328	18,268
Mortgage loans:
Held-for-investment, principally at amortized cost (net of valuation allowances of $361 and $481, respectively; includes $2,981 and $3,187, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	57,201	56,915
Held-for-sale, principally at estimated fair value (includes $461 and $10,716, respectively, under the fair value option)	1,740	15,178
Mortgage loans, net	58,941	72,093
Policy loans	11,912	11,892
Real estate and real estate joint ventures (includes $10 and $15, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	8,477	8,563
Other limited partnership interests (includes $252 and $259, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	6,726	6,378
Short-term investments, principally at estimated fair value	18,526	17,310
Other invested assets, principally at estimated fair value (includes $81 and $98, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	24,288	23,581
Total investments	516,419	511,379
Cash and cash equivalents, principally at estimated fair value (includes $131 and $176, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	16,035	10,461
Accrued investment income (includes $14 and $16, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	4,404	4,344
Premiums, reinsurance and other receivables (includes $3 and $12, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	23,974	22,481
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired	24,505	24,619
Goodwill	11,823	11,935
Other assets (includes $5 and $5, respectively, relating to variable interest entities)	7,711	7,984
Separate account assets	220,317	203,023
Total assets	825,188	796,226
Liabilities
Future policy benefits	188,509	184,275
Policyholder account balances	225,909	217,700
Other policy-related balances	15,664	15,599
Policyholder dividends payable	786	774
Policyholder dividend obligation	3,369	2,919
Payables for collateral under securities loaned and other transactions	40,302	33,716
Bank deposits	6,832	10,507
Short-term debt	101	686
Long-term debt (includes $2,821 and $3,068, respectively, at estimated fair value, relating to variable interest entities)	18,879	23,692
Collateral financing arrangements	4,196	4,647
Junior subordinated debt securities	3,192	3,192
Current income tax payable	310	193
Deferred income tax liability	8,603	6,395
Other liabilities (includes $54 and $60, respectively, relating to variable interest entities; and $257 and $7,626, respectively, under the fair value option)	25,395	30,914
Separate account liabilities	220,317	203,023
Total liabilities	762,364	738,232
Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees (Note 11)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries	95	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; 1,065,380,456 and 1,061,150,915 shares issued at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively; 1,062,186,569 and 1,057,957,028 shares outstanding at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	11	11
Additional paid-in capital	26,927	26,782
Retained earnings	26,904	24,814
Treasury stock, at cost; 3,193,887 shares at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	(172)	(172)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	8,735	6,083
Total MetLife, Inc.'s stockholders' equity	62,406	57,519
Noncontrolling interests	323	370
Total equity	62,729	57,889
Total liabilities and equity	$ 825,188	$ 796,226