Consolidated Statements of Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions	Total	Total MetLife, Inc.'s Stockholders' Equity	Preferred Stock	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Treasury Stock at Cost	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Net Unrealized Investment Gains (Losses)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Other Than Temporary Impairments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment	Noncontrolling Interests
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010 (Previously Reported [Member])	$ 48,996	$ 48,625	$ 1	$ 10	$ 26,423	$ (172)	$ 21,363	$ 3,356	$ (366)	$ (541)	$ (1,449)	$ 371
Beginning Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2010-26 [Member])	(1,778)	(1,772)					(1,917)	132		13		(6)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	47,218	46,853	1	10	26,423	(172)	19,446	3,488	(366)	(528)	(1,449)	365
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	(2,805)	(2,805)			(2,805)
Preferred stock redemption premium	(146)	(146)					(146)
Common stock issuance - newly issued shares	2,950	2,950		1	2,949
Stock-based compensation	147	147			147
Dividends on preferred stock	(61)	(61)					(61)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	38											38
Net income (loss)	1,973	1,977					1,977					(4)	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,352	2,357						1,789	(94)	619	43	(5)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	51,666	51,272	1	11	26,714	(172)	21,216	5,277	(460)	91	(1,406)	394
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	57,889	57,519	1	11	26,782	(172)	24,814	9,115	(441)	(648)	(1,943)	370
Redemption of convertible preferred stock	0
Preferred stock redemption premium	0
Stock-based compensation	145	145			145
Dividends on preferred stock	(61)	(61)					(61)
Change in equity of noncontrolling interests	(63)											(63)
Net income (loss)	2,171	2,151					2,151					20	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax	2,648	2,652						2,805	26	(229)	50	(4)
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2012	$ 62,729	$ 62,406	$ 1	$ 11	$ 26,927	$ (172)	$ 26,904	$ 11,920	$ (415)	$ (877)	$ (1,893)	$ 323

[1] Net income (loss) at June 30, 2012 and 2011, attributable to noncontrolling interests excludes gains (losses) of redeemable noncontrolling interests in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries of $12 million and $4 million, respectively.