The anticipated future charge against earnings comprised of costs incurred associated with an exit or disposal activity other than for a discontinued operations as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

No definition available.

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Textuals) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended							6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 GBP (£)	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2010 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Corporate Joint Ventures that are Essentially Permanent in Duration [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Investments in Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Corporate Joint Ventures that are Essentially Permanent in Duration [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Acquisition [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Caribbean Business [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2011 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] Minimum [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 Certain Businesses of MetLife Bank [Member] Maximum [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2012 MetLife Bank Reverse Mortgage Servicing Rights [Member] USD ($)
Contingent Consideration
Minimum per unit fair value of fund assets backing certain U.K. unit-linked contracts				1
Change in value between the guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund in relation to UK unit linked contracts specified in Stock Purchase Agreement that triggers a payment between American International Group, Incorporated the Company				£ 106
Contingent consideration	108	108			109
Liability recognized in purchase accounting for the anticipated and estimated costs associated with restructuring foreign branches into subsidiaries	120	120				277
Change in liability recognized in purchase accounting for the anticipated and estimated costs associated with restructuring foreign branches into subsidiaries	35	35
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Additional charges expected related to the exit of business															5	50
Net gain (loss) related to pending business disposition, net of income tax												(50)	(43)
Amount of difference between the aggregate guaranteed amount and the fair value of the fund									less than £106 million
Liabilitiles of business transferred to subsidary under funding agreements that are included in policyholder account balances		3,806	0										3,806
Net consideration																	25
Net assets sold																	127
Gain (loss) on disposal																	(67)
Assets related to sale of business										782	859	7,000	7,000	11,300			8,700
Liabilities related to sale of business										623	707	6,200	6,200	10,500			8,700
Valuation allowance recorded to reflect the amount of U.S. deferred tax assets that were expected to reverse prior to the Company's branch restructurings							$ 118	$ 720