Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	10. Long-term Debt *Senior Notes* In August 2012, MetLife, Inc. issued $750 million of senior notes due in August 2042. The senior notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.125% payable semi-annually. In connection with the issuance, MetLife, Inc. incurred $7 million of related costs which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs are being amortized over the term of the senior notes. *Credit Facility* In September 2012, MetLife, Inc. and MetLife Funding, Inc. entered into a $1.0 billion five-year credit agreement which amended and restated the three-year agreement dated October 2010. All borrowings under the 2012 five-year credit agreement must be repaid by September 2017, except that letters of credit outstanding on that date may remain outstanding until no later than September 2018. MetLife, Inc. incurred costs of $4 million related to the amended and restated credit facility, which have been capitalized and included in other assets. These costs will be amortized over the remaining term of the amended and restated facility.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

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