Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues
Premiums	$ 9,161	$ 9,294	$ 18,290	$ 17,848
Universal life and investment-type product policy fees	2,097	1,969	4,175	3,858
Net investment income	4,719	5,094	10,919	10,406
Other revenues	393	592	990	1,158
Net investment gains (losses):
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities	(118)	(298)	(253)	(430)
Other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities transferred to other comprehensive income (loss)	27	175	29	184
Other net investment gains (losses)	27	(32)	50	(8)
Total net investment gains (losses)	(64)	(155)	(174)	(254)
Net derivative gains (losses)	2,092	352	114	37
Total revenues	18,398	17,146	34,314	33,053
Expenses
Policyholder benefits and claims	8,911	9,121	18,015	17,358
Interest credited to policyholder account balances	1,022	1,442	3,579	3,366
Policyholder dividends	352	374	695	746
Other expenses	4,775	4,699	9,096	8,789
Total expenses	15,060	15,636	31,385	30,259
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income tax	3,338	1,510	2,929	2,794
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	1,038	448	763	808
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax	2,300	1,062	2,166	1,986
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	3	31	17	(9)
Net income (loss)	2,303	1,093	2,183	1,977
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	8	(7)	32	0
Net income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	2,295	1,100	2,151	1,977
Less: Preferred stock dividends	31	31	61	61
Preferred stock redemption premium	0	0	0	146
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders	2,264	1,069	2,090	1,770
Comprehensive income (loss)	3,765	3,351	4,819	4,325
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income tax	1	(7)	16	(9)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to MetLife, Inc.	$ 3,764	$ 3,358	$ 4,803	$ 4,334
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of income tax, available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 2.13	$ 0.98	$ 1.95	$ 1.68
Diluted	$ 2.12	$ 0.97	$ 1.93	$ 1.66
Net income (loss) available to MetLife, Inc.'s common shareholders per common share:
Basic	$ 2.13	$ 1.01	$ 1.97	$ 1.67
Diluted	$ 2.12	$ 1.00	$ 1.95	$ 1.65