Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax	$ 0	$ 8	$ 17	$ (1)
MetLife Taiwan Insurance Company Limited [Member]
Discontinued Operations in Consolidated Statements of Operations
Total revenues		101		337
Total expenses		115		329
Income (loss) before provision for income tax		(14)		8
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)		(3)		5
Income (loss) from operations of discontinued operations, net of income tax		(11)		3
Net investment gain (loss), net of income tax		0		(74)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax		$ (11)		$ (71)